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flatlay of everything i never told you by celeste ng with plants - book review | book book bitch

Published by Penguin Press on 26 Jun 2014
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Lydia is dead. But they don’t know this yet.

 So begins this exquisite novel about a Chinese American family living in 1970s small-town Ohio. Lydia is the favorite child of Marilyn and James Lee, and her parents are determined that she will fulfill the dreams they were unable to pursue. But when Lydia’s body is found in the local lake, the delicate balancing act that has been keeping the Lee family together is destroyed, tumbling them into chaos.

 A profoundly moving story of family, secrets, and longing, Everything I Never Told You is both a gripping page-turner and a sensitive family portrait, uncovering the ways in which mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, and husbands and wives struggle, all their lives, to understand one another.



This is not that story. This is a story of belonging, of loneliness, of perfection, of failure, of of all the words said and unsaid in between. It's in the way that one thing happens, and two things are remembered. How it stays with us and shifts our understanding of the world and our relationships without notice or fanfare. It's an incredibly subtle, intricate story, and I think that's what makes this story so real.

Lydia, five years old, standing on tiptoe to watch vinegar and baking soda foam in the sink. Lydia tugging a heavy book from the shelf, saying, "Show me again, show me another." Lydia, touching the stethoscope, ever so gently, to her mother’s heart. Tears blur Marilyn’s sight. It had not been science that Lydia had loved.

Any attempt to try to convey how the particular dynamic between the children and the parents of the Lee family resonated with me feels cheap, as pointing to any one example would oversimplify what Ng so artfully crafted. But another way I related to the story was about the desire to please--not being given any pressure to do so, but getting caught up in it, then not being able to keep up. A perfectionism of sorts.

Every character had their flaw. As we all do. Except for Hannah maybe; she's precious and must be protected at all costs!! (Not a fan of James though.)

The end was a little too subtle for me. Carrying the same rhythm and subtlety throughout the book to the end left this story feeling a bit incomplete. But there was plenty else in the book to think about.

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flatlay of naturally tan by tan france with loafers - book review | book book bitch

Published by St. Martin's Press on 04 Jun 2019
Goodreads | Amazon

In this heartfelt, funny, touching memoir, Tan France, star of Netflix’s smash-hit Queer Eye, tells his origin story for the first time. With his trademark wit, humour, and radical compassion, Tan reveals what it was like to grow up gay in a traditional Muslim family, as one of the few people of colour in Doncaster, England. He illuminates his winding journey of coming of age, finding his voice (and style!), and how he finally came out to his family at the age of 34, revealing that he was happily married to the love of his life--a Mormon cowboy from Salt Lake City.

 In Tan's own words, “The book is meant to spread joy, personal acceptance, and most of all understanding. Each of us is living our own private journey, and the more we know about each other, the healthier and happier the world will be.”


As a fan of Queer Eye, I was super excited about this memoir. I love how the Fab Five see the beauty in everyone, and I was intrigued to know more about Tan's own journey.

This memoir was a fun, easy read and Tan's voice was very distinct in the writing. Though he has faced many challenges, he keeps his tone upbeat. The happy parts made me smile and laugh; the harder parts made me respect him so much more.

Tan fans will not be disappointed by this memoir. He covers racial and sexual identity, growing up South Asian and gay, raised in South Yorkshire in a traditional Muslim family; school life; his early realisation of his interest in fashion; relationships; his unconventional career path and experience on Queer Eye, including the audition process, how the opportunity came upon him, and insecurities; and fashion tips, of course.

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flatlay of the tao of pooh by benjamin hoff - book review | book book bitch

Published by Dutton on 28 Jul 1983
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Is there such thing as a Western Taoist? Benjamin Hoff says there is, and this Taoist's favorite food is honey. Through brilliant and witty dialogue with the beloved Pooh-bear and his companions, the author of this smash bestseller explains with ease and aplomb that rather than being a distant and mysterious concept, Taoism is as near and practical to us as our morning breakfast bowl.


This is an aesthetically-pleasing pocket book that taps into nostalgia, though I must give the disclaimer that I never read Winnie-the-Pooh growing up (or ever). In The Tao of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff explains how Pooh embodies Tao philosophy, and he includes Pooh and his friends on this discovery by actually writing/speaking to them in dialogues interspersed with the rest of the text, as I'd imagine Christopher Robin might have spoken to them (again, I've never read Winnie-the-Pooh, so I can't say for sure).

However, I found the format of this writing very roundabout, and it took a bit of effort to read. I suppose I was hoping for a little more straightforward clarity with an informative non-fiction book like this, and I suppose it's my own fault for being a lazy reader! I would rather have read the original Winnie-the-Pooh by AA Milne. Perhaps I would have been more charmed by The Tao of Pooh if I was more familiar with Winnie-the-Pooh.

Further reading: Lessons in mindfulness from The Tao of Pooh -- a straightforward summary of lessons from the book. I would recommend just reading this article and reading the original Winnie-the-Pooh for fun.

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ask again, yes by mary beth keane on a picnic basket - book review | book book bitch

Published by Scribner on 28 May 2019
Goodreads | Amazon

A profoundly moving novel about two neighbouring families in a suburban town, the friendship between their children, a tragedy that reverberates over four decades, and the power of forgiveness.

 Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope are two NYPD rookies assigned to the same Bronx precinct in 1973. They aren’t close friends on the job, but end up living next door to each other outside the city. What goes on behind closed doors in both houses—the loneliness of Francis’s wife, Lena, and the instability of Brian’s wife, Anne, sets the stage for the stunning events to come.

 Ask Again, Yes by award-winning author Mary Beth Keane, is a beautifully moving exploration of the friendship and love that blossoms between Francis’s youngest daughter, Kate, and Brian’s son, Peter, who are born six months apart. In the spring of Kate and Peter’s eighth grade year a violent event divides the neighbours, the Stanhopes are forced to move away, and the children are forbidden to have any further contact.

 But Kate and Peter find a way back to each other, and their relationship is tested by the echoes from their past. Ask Again, Yes reveals how the events of childhood look different when reexamined from the distance of adulthood—villains lose their menace, and those who appeared innocent seem less so. Kate and Peter’s love story is marked by tenderness, generosity, and grace.


This was a family drama--of two families actually--but my heart ached for Kate and Peter particularly. At once you can see that they have a deep understanding of each other, and you can't help but root for them. Wanting to know whether they and their families would be able to overcome their traumas and find happiness kept me plowing through this book, and I finished it in three sittings.

That was a great life, in Kate's view. What else could there be? If they reminded themselves that these small things were enough, she believed, then they'd always be okay.

I was anticipating a coming-of-age story about Kate and Peter, but this story spanned much more of their lives than the transition from youth to adulthood (I forgot about the "reverberates over four decades" part of the blurb oops). Some phases of their lives sped by when the narrative focused on other members of their families; I would have loved more about Kate and Peter in those moments, though I suppose this isn't meant to be a romance novel exactly!

If you like this book, you might like: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng.

Reading buddy: Mckenzie's review

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how to be lovely by melissa hellstern on a wicker tray - book review | book book bitch

Published by Dutton on 03 Jun 2004
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On many occasions, Audrey Hepburn was approached to pen her autobiography, the definitive book of Audrey, yet she never agreed. A beloved icon who found success as an actress, a mother, and a humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn perfected the art of gracious living.

 More philosophy than biography, How to Be Lovely revisits the many interviews Audrey gave over the years, allowing us to hear her voice directly on universal topics of concern to women the world over: careers, love lives, motherhood, and relationships. Enhanced by rarely seen photographs, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights from the friends who knew her well, How to Be Lovely uncovers the real Audrey, in her own words.


This is a collection of Audrey Hepburn quotes that are loosely themed and grouped into chapters. The quotes sometimes get a bit repetitive and don't impart particularly revelational wisdom. But being her namesake, I'll always have a soft spot for Audrey.

This is not a personal development book so much as a tribute to Audrey. I learned about how ordinary Audrey thought herself as. How she doubted herself. How she happened upon film. How it was always only a job for her. How she didn't care for the fame or even believe that she had any. How she suffered as a child during WWII. How children gave her life meaning. How giving she was. How she utilised her platform to become a humanitarian and improve the lives of children less fortunate.

I also enjoyed all the photographs.

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no exit by taylor adams in a basket with other books - book review | book book bitch

Published by Joffe Books on 25 Jun 2017
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On her way to Utah to see her dying mother, college student Darby Thorne gets caught in a fierce blizzard in the mountains of Colorado. With the roads impassable, she’s forced to wait out the storm at a remote highway rest stop. Inside, are some vending machines, a coffee maker, and four complete strangers.

 Desperate to find a signal to call home, Darby goes back out into the storm... and makes a horrifying discovery. In the back of the van parked next to her car, a little girl is locked in an animal crate.

 Who is the child? Why has she been taken? And how can Darby save her?

 There is no cell phone reception, no telephone, and no way out. One of her fellow travelers is a kidnapper. But which one?

 Trapped in an increasingly dangerous situation, with a child’s life and her own on the line, Darby must find a way to break the girl out of the van and escape.

 But who can she trust?


My feelings about this book can pretty much be summed up with: IS DARBY TRYING TO GET HERSELF KILLED??

It's revealed pretty early on who the bad guy is, and the rest of the book is more about how to get out of the situation. But Darby kept making the most illogical choices and simplest mistakes that I just could not feel bad for her. Furthermore, something about Darby's personality rubbed me the wrong way. I like my flawed characters, but I didn't like her. She felt a bit narcissistic, and her concern about the situation seemed to come from a place of, "What should I do/know to be a good witness for when the police ask me questions when I get out of here?" rather than, "How can I help this girl?"

There's more action than suspense, and the action is mostly poor decisions by Darby. I think a missed opportunity was building suspense around which of the strangers at the rest stop could have been the bad guy. Could it be Lars, the big, brawny guy? Ashley, the charismatic frat bro? Ed or Sandi, the sweet old duo? Or should we be asking what the girl in the cage's story is?

Reading buddy: Sadia's review

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flatlay of miracle creek by angie kim - book review | book book bitch

Published by Sarah Crichton Books on 19 Apr 2019
Goodreads | Amazon

A literary courtroom thriller about an immigrant family and a young single mother accused of killing her autistic son, Miracle Creek is a powerhouse debut about how far we'll go to protect our families, and our deepest secrets.

 In rural Miracle Creek, Virginia, Young and Pak Yoo run an experimental medical treatment device known as the Miracle Submarine. A pressurised oxygen chamber that patients enter for therapeutic “dives,” it's also a repository of hopes and dreams: the dream of a mom that her child can be like other kids; the dream of a young doctor desperate to cure his infertility and save his marriage; the dream of the Yoos themselves, Korean immigrants who have come to the United States so their teenage daughter can have a better life.

When the oxygen chamber mysteriously explodes, killing two people, all these dreams shatter with it, and the ensuing murder trial uncovers imaginable secrets and lies. In Miracle Creek, Angie Kim takes a classic form—courtroom drama—and draws on her own experience as an immigrant, a lawyer, and the mother of a real-life "submarine" patient to turn it into something wholly original, unputdownable... real. This is a spellbinding novel by an exciting new voice.


I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway--my first Goodreads giveaway win, a miracle indeed! If this is my only Goodreads giveaway win ever, I'll be so happy--such a highly acclaimed book, by an Asian author, with the most beautiful cover I've ever seen!

Please, let's take a moment to appreciate this gorgeous cover. Blue and orange--my favourite complementary colour combination! The sparkles! That Afterlight-esque lens flare! And after reading the first part of the book, not only do I appreciate the aesthetic but also how relevant/appropriate the imagery is for the story.

Okay, now that I've got that out of my system...

How beautiful it was this morning, when her life was collapsing, as if God were mocking her and confirming her irrelevance.

Miracle Creek is more of a courtroom mystery/drama than a courtroom thriller. We know what happened, but we don't know who's responsible. As the trial unfolded day by day, I was gripped in suspense. Every time new evidence was revealed, rather than narrowing down the suspects, it opened up the possibilities of who could have done it, why, and how. This piece-by-piece reveal didn't feel contrived to me, which I must commend.

Besides the courtroom mystery, this is also a story about motherhood. My reading buddies weren't very interested in this angle, but it resonated with me as a daughter, as well as with the roles in other relationships I have in my life. I empathised with all the parties involved; even if I didn't agree with them, I understood where they came from.

I have to say that the end wasn't shocking (contrary to what I heard from most other people). Yet I liked the way it ended. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I'll leave it at that, but I'd love to chat in the comments if you've read it! I think the verdict of the trial is an interesting discussion point: Did you like the ending? Did you think justice was served? What would you have done as the judge? What would you have done as part of the jury? What would you have done if you were the suspect?

But that was the way life worked. Every human being was the result of a million different factors mixing together--one of a million sperm arriving at the egg at exactly a certain time; even a millisecond off, and another entirely different person would result. Good things and bad--every friendship and romance formed, every accident, every illness--resulted from the conspiracy of hundreds of little things, in and of themselves inconsequential.

This book is one of the hottest books of 2019, and I've seen so many people rave about it. Going into this book, I tried to keep my expectations level, but I was still pretty excited for it. Considering all the hype, I'm surprised that this book didn't impact me with a deep emotional/wow moment, to take away and carry with me once I shut the covers, but it was a very well written courtroom mystery--a debut novel no less--and I couldn't put it down! 4.5 stars.

Further listening: Angie Kim on Sarah's Book Shelves Live podcast

Reading buddy: Tegan's review

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flatlay of eleanor oliphant is completely fine by gail honeyman - book review | book book bitch

Published by Viking Books on 09 May 2017
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No one’s ever told Eleanor that life should be better than fine.

 Meet Eleanor Oliphant: She struggles with appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what she’s thinking. Nothing is missing in her carefully timetabled life of avoiding social interactions, where weekends are punctuated by frozen pizza, vodka, and phone chats with Mummy.

 But everything changes when Eleanor meets Raymond, the bumbling and deeply unhygienic IT guy from her office. When she and Raymond together save Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, the three become the kinds of friends who rescue one another from the lives of isolation they have each been living. And it is Raymond’s big heart that will ultimately help Eleanor find the way to repair her own profoundly damaged one.

 Soon to be a major motion picture produced by Reese Witherspoon, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is the smart, warm, and uplifting story of an out-of-the-ordinary heroine whose deadpan weirdness and unconscious wit make for an irresistible journey as she realises...

 The only way to survive is to open your heart.


I do exist, don't I? It often feels as if I'm not here, that I'm a figment of my own imagination. There are days when I feel so lightly connected to the earth that the threads that tether me to the planet are gossamer thin, spun sugar. A strong gust of wind could dislodge me completely, and I'd lift off and blow away, like one of those seeds in a dandelion clock.

I love quirky characters, though I admit that I was weirded out by Eleanor at first, but I gradually found her entertaining. The thing is, whenever there’s anything involving idolising celebrities (even if it’s just a local musician, like in Eleanor's case), I shut off; I’m too triggered by k-pop culture. This tinged my ability to empathise with Eleanor's loneliness, both romantic and platonic. I wasn't at all invested in or amused by her romantic pursuits, so I was thankful for Raymond who diverted my attention. He was super endearing. He thawed my heart and showed me how to appreciate Eleanor.

The story was unexpectedly dark. But it also tied up very quickly and too neatly in the end.

I don't know. I suppose I feel fine about this book. 3.5 stars.

pls appreciate my artwork:
eleanor is completely fine by gail honeyman x this is fine meme | book book bitch

If you like this book, you might like: Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple.

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flatlay of my crazy (sick) love by drica pinotti - book review | book book bitch

Published by Girls Can on 12 Mar 2019
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Amanda Loeb is a single, intelligent New York City attorney coming up on the eve of her thirtieth birthday. With a stable job, circle of supportive friends, and close relationships with her mother and sister, one detail sets Amanda apart from others--she is a hypochondriac. Her medicine cabinet is home to a stock of medications sourced from an actively managed A-Z list of the best doctors in NYC. When Amanda meets Brian Marshall, a handsome and charismatic restaurant owner, her heart beats in undiagnosable somersaults. As their relationship develops Amanda learns the intricacies and complications love brings may be the cure-all "pill" she needs to free herself from the affliction--for the rest of her life.


Amanda is a hypochondriac, and she's on a quest to fix her frigidity problem. The premise seemed fun and silly--the perfect summer rom com--and I thought the title was a fun play on Crazy, Stupid, Love (whether or not that was intentional, I don't know). I even imagined my own version of the story based off the title, in which a hypochondriac experiences love but doesn't realise it and comically explains away the symptoms with diseases until she finally realises she's in love, but that's beside the point.

Don't send me flowers, unless I'm dead. And don't look at this as some sort of lack of gratitude (although it may look that way), but how can I thank anyone who sends a biological weapon into my house? That's not a present. It's an attempt on my life! Flowers are like bombs to my immunological system, triggering a very serious allergic reaction in me. No one can imagine how I feel. It's more or less like this: flowers give off pollen, a cloud of almost invisible dust that floats about the air. Well, that pollen gets stuck in my throat, attacks my bronchial tract, causing an inflammation in my airways, and I begin to suffocate. A few minutes later, if I don't get immediate attention, I could become just another cadaver among the statistics. Now tell me. Is that a present to send someone?

Reading about Amanda's hypochondria was entertaining at first (I mean, I'm not the biggest fan of flowers either), but it gradually got tedious and verged on narcissistic. In my opinion, she more likely had Munchausen than hypochondria. Almost every chapter was a new health scare, and not only that, but they were mostly isolated incidents that didn't affect the plot or her character development. (The first three chapters were all about hypochondria, and the fourth one was about getting a bikini wax!)

I had trouble sympathising with Amanda because her health scares felt more about proving herself right than about alleviating a real scare. It didn't even seem like her own mother had sympathy for her. Amanda was a catastrophiser, and maybe that's insensitive of me to say as I have no idea what it's like to be a hypochondriac, but I think a way to create more empathy for this character would be to highlight her anxiety surrounding her health scares instead of playing the name game (and if the name game is truly essential to the condition, then also highlight her anxiety instead of just playing the name game).

My Crazy (Sick) Love kinda reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, as they both have socially odd protagonists with strange romantic endeavors.

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