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Shiny is Currently Reading

Shiny is currently reading

Crazy Rich Asians (Crazy Rich Asians, #1)

by Kevin Kwan (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: kitty-s-reading-list, currently-reading

Reading for the 3rd time

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Shiny said:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

" 2.5 - Long story short: EXTREMELY easy beach read, guilty pleasure (same vein as Memoirs of a Geisha (author's writing/creativity MUCH different so don't think I would compare Golden to Kwan- that would be a pretty brutal insult!))- but it falls into 2.5 - Long story short: EXTREMELY easy beach read, guilty pleasure (same vein as Memoirs of a Geisha (author's writing/creativity MUCH different so don't think I would compare Golden to Kwan- that would be a pretty brutal insult!))- but it falls into plot holes and a lot of missing chances for a lowkey engaging story with real life lessons. Go figure.

One day I do plan to write a summary of my varying rants, reviews, and grievances for this story. At least each of these books individually. While this may be Kwan's best book, his writing has "slipped" so to speak. I'm not sure the exact reason, maybe I will ponder later, but as evident in the future sequels and Sex & Vanity, and eventually his latest book Lies & Weddings, something has happened. Would I be lying to say I wouldn't be excited for another book of his to come out? No, but I take it with a grain of salt. I would like to see him write another amazing story- perhaps something different. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. I won't be overly harsh as I myself am an avid reader, sometimes, and understand a writer's struggle- on a hobbyist level. So- he has my respect AS A WRITER. That is all I can say for now. It's almost like with Gregory- I have not finished a single novel of hers after crashing out trying to read The Other Boleyn Girl. But I still keep coming back for more attempts to read her other books. Historical Fiction is another guilty pleasure of mine- but like Crazy Rich Asians, Gossip Girl, or even the Clique/Sisterhood the Traveling Pants, context is golden. While I do love watching tv series, movies, etc. based on books (not including Game of Thrones; separate rant), it becomes disappointing when the source material is misinterpreted- and that's not on the author's fault, but a Hollywood studios. But I digress.

***Please see my abridged review below!

CRA - Mini review
1. Beach read, re-readable, good story.
Main issue: main character. Nick + Rachel. Nick is super ignorant. Rachel is too naïve.
Nick is clueless. At least Rachel is justified.

Did like Peik Lin Goh: I am editing this to mark my disappointment in how Peik Lin's family and family friends should have somehow been informed much sooner about this mysterious mansion Nick grew up in. Well, what I really mean is: if Mr. Goh had a friend who knew the truth about Nick's grandfather- why not ever actually tell the tale? No anonymous newpaper article? No historical archives? Maybe I am a history nerd or too nosy, but THAT should have been a backstory we got to hear about by book 2 if not by book 3. Suyi is more of an antagonist for the majority of the series- before I get ahead of myself I am trying to explain my frustrations that either a) the Gohs could have learned the truth and possibly hide it. b) Nick finds out on his own as he a is huge history nerd/professor and should have busted this legend sooner. How did he not know about his own grandfather? c) Suyi doesn't even have to decency to explain to Nicky how "historical" this big fat house is and instead forces Nick to fly to India to met her boyfriend. It's so ANNOYING!

Anyway: TL:DR If this book was going to take itself serious and turn that mansion into a historical site/hotel/conservation park in the end, we needed less satire and shopping splurges. Some stakes in reality instead of Rachel cooing after Nick by book 3 would have been super impressive. I stand by what I said when Rachel and Nick SHOULD have hosted a Charity Ball to raise the funds. Beauty, brains, glamor? Rachel never got to shine- Nick kept her in the dark. Besides, we could still have Kitty and Colette at each others throats. But instead Nick practically gave up and Rachel did NOTHING!

Astrid needed to dump Mike sooner. Not even her family liked him!

Then we could focus on divorce dating life and more courtroom drama! ...more "

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(page 22 of 403)
— 11 hours, 22 min ago

Jul 09, 2026 11:24AM · see review

Shiny is currently reading

Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley

by Stephanie Marie Thornton (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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(page 9 of 448)
"WOW!" — Jul 11, 2026 08:12AM

Jul 11, 2026 08:11AM

Shiny is currently reading

Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 2

by Young Kim

bookshelves: dnf, donation-pile, currently-reading, second-chances

Reading for the 2nd time

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(page 0 of 240)
"Read past Alice background, now up to baseball which might break this series for me lol" — Jul 09, 2026 08:44AM

Jan 06, 2026 07:12AM

See all 12 books that Shiny is reading…

Shiny’s Notes & Highlights

Book cover for Mistress of Rome (The Empress of Rome, #1)

Mistress of Rome (The Empress of Rome, #1) by Kate Quinn

2 highlights

She’d worn carmine-colored silk, rich purple-red like old blood embroidered all around the hem with jet beads, a jet circlet dipping low on her forehead.