Welcome to Litsy!

I‘m a huge fan of legend adaptations, so of course I‘ll read another adaptation of Journey to the West. Naturally, this made me nostalgic for manga I read as a teen line Saiyuki that also adapt this story. This has a fun balance of silly & serious. I laughed when Genie didn‘t react to Sun Wukong‘s identity reveal. I picked this up because I loved Yee‘s work in the Avatar novels & because I needed a local author read for #ReadingWithMaja @maich

Young-adult fantasy novel based on Chinese myth and legend. Really good.

#fantasy #youngadult

This was a light, fluffy read that I enjoyed. Even while scrolling the news it was easy to come back to this and enter another world. I thought the writing deft and funny without being cringey, and even the romance aspect was well-done. Genie was an engaging character and so was Quentin. I love the conceit of gods among mortals if done well, and this hit all the right notes. #pandemicreading

Anything that keeps me from stressing about being induced in the hospital overnight is a winner for me. The story only barely focuses on any romance, something unusual in YA, and instead has a great and super rich world and setup. I won't spoil the premise, but it's based on and uses Chinese mythology, so if that sort of thing tickles your fancy then grab this.
#theepiccrushofgenielo #yafantasy #urbanfantasy #favorite

This I heard about through #februaryfeels, when @Tracyantoon posted it and said it had "Buffy vibes " I was intrigued to say the least. Spent two afternoons listening to it, and really enjoyed it! Can definitely see the Buffy similarities, in both dialogue, and in Genie's reluctance to accept what is going on. Gonna spend my next audible credit on the sequel ??❤

#crush #FebruaryFeels This book was a 4 star read for me. Some Buffy vibes in here which I love. Very fun.

DNF‘ing this.
It‘s not awful. But it‘s dragging.
I‘m a quarter of the way through and don‘t care at all.
To be fair, YA & fantasy are both not my usual genres. But if a story is good enough, I can be enthralled no matter what.
This doesn‘t make that cut.
If you like YA or fantasy, don‘t shy away - you‘ll probably like this.
But if you‘re like me, this one isn‘t going to keep you interested - pick something else.

Other than being shockingly tall, Genie is your typical high school high achiever hoping for the Ivies. Until one day a mysterious new guy shows up and she learns she has extraordinary, supernatural abilities. I loved this book! It has a touch of Chinese-American Buffy to it in the best way. And the reader, Nancy Wu, is fantastic.

Listened to this book as part of the 2019 Audiofile Sync program. A fun story including Chinese mythology and college admissions. Would recommend for high school students. Audio highly recommended, as the narrator kept things interesting.

Don‘t forget to download your two free audiobooks today!
www.audiobooksync.com

Still meandering through my #NewYearWhoDis selections. This book was engaging and entertaining. It operates in a similar vein to Percy Jackson but a little older, a little more west coast, and a little more ... in your face, I guess? Creative, hilarious, action-packed, and even occasionally surprising. Thanks @ads0123 for recommending! I‘ll probably even read the next one.

Tried to depict my ultra cozy reading situation but this was not an easy photo to take 😂

New amazing fuzzy socks are courtesy of @bookish_wookish and the stuffed fox in the foreground was a gift from my bf that I am obsessed with! It doubles as a heating pad of sorts and is meant to be warmed up.

Yay vacation reading !

More Litsy mail today!

#genreswappbc #crossgenre
I got The Epic Crush of Genie Lo today, which is the last book for me! It‘s next stop will be back home! @Julie548 @BookwormAHN @BookaholicNatty @ads0123 @Shadowfat @collegecatlady

I also received my #merryandbrightswap today, thank you @bookish_wookish !! I can‘t wait until Friday! @EH2018

This is on the way to @BookwormAHN for #genreswappbc group c, it should arrive Monday. It took me a bit to warm up to the writing style but the action drew me in! @collegecatlady @BookaholicNatty @whippoorwill815 @Julie548 @ads0123

@theshrinkette recommended this after I read and loved American Born Chinese. Because she‘s my book soulmate, of course, she was right and I loved it.

This is a shifted perspective retelling of the Monkey King myth. It reminded me of Ms. Marvel in the way that Genie has to try to balance her school, family, friends, etc. with new super hero life. I wanted more of Genie and Yunie.

It has a slight lag about 2/3rds through, but the ending works.

If you are looking for a book for a very serious person who hates imagination and only like books based on real life situations, do not give them this book. If you have an awesome teenage niece/nephew who would love a book with a character who is dealing with pressure of school, divorced parents, and friends while discovering your destiny is to destroy demons and save humankind, definitely give them this book!

This book is amazing! I loved every minute of this adventure. And it made me laugh so hard .

4/5 ⭐️ I finished the book tonight @ads0123 I‘m glad you picked this one. This is again another book I wouldn‘t have read if left to my own choosing. I learned a lot about Chinese folklore‘s that really interested me. I will probably even find a movie on the Monkey King to check out! I‘m loving the #genreswap So glad you set it up @collegecatlady This will be headed your way tomorrow @Shadowfat ❤️📚❤️

Reading this book for our #genreswap and I‘m enjoying it! Had to take Lincoln to have his ear looked at tonight so while we were waiting I was doing a little catching up! @ads0123 I think this was a good pick! I‘m listening to the audiobook to simultaneously and enjoying it too! The different voices really make the audiobook!

I gave this 125 pages and just couldn‘t get interested. I‘m putting it aside and trying something different.

I just got home from vacation😢But the good news is I came home to a LOAD of #LitsyLove and #GenreSwap mail!!!! @ads0123 It arrived safely and I can‘t wait to read your pick!!! I have a feeling I‘m going to like this one a lot!!! And I loved the horse card!!! It made coming home not so bad when I opened up the package and found a book! 😂😘😘 Yay #GroupC #crossgenre! Here we go Book #2!

I absolutely LOVED this book. It had the right combination of action and drama. I found myself itching to pick up this book when away. It also was a great introduction to Asian cultures, which I was very appreciative of. I give it an 9/10.

I posted about this earlier when I wasn‘t quite done with the book so here‘s my official Pick review. This book is such a refreshing change of pace from your run of the mill YA books. I laughed out loud many times, and I really felt for the main character Genie. She‘s awesome!!!

If you haven‘t read this book yet: why not?!!! It‘s worth the time for sure!!!! ALL THE STARS!!!!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I‘m almost done with this excellent book, and I don‘t want it to end!!!! I need more!!!! If you haven‘t read this yet, then you definitely need to!!! It‘s sooooooo good!!! This should be in the mail soon!!

#crossgenre #genreswappbc
@Shadowfat @BookaholicNatty @whippoorwill815 @Julie548 @BookwormAHN

Yeahh. Not really sure about this one. The writing is pretty juvenile, even by YA standards.

Reading while the first grader does homework before swim class and the 5yo watches Kungfu Panda on the swim school TV.

Happy Mother‘s Day to all you wonderful mums out there!
I started my day with some cheese toast and a Mother‘s Day breakfast brownie (full of protein since it has eggs and walnuts and also antioxidants from the dark chocolate) and now I‘m about to settle down with The Epic Crush of Genie Lo for an awesome Sunday morning read. Happy Sunday!

When your Library holds come in and they are all amazing. Where would you start with this pile?

Hilarious. Lots of action. So much fun! Genie is a contemporary Chinese American teenager in California who finds she doesn‘t really have a choice about fighting demons when the Monkey King turns up in her life. #Audiobook narrated by Nancy Wu. #diversevoices

With the movie adaptation of "Crazy Rich Asians" on the way, I've been looking forward to more Asian representation. I stumbled on this today and it's what I've been wanting. An Asian-American centered adventure story that respects the characters and culture. It's not just Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Asian features. It's a thoughtful modern extension of the Monkey King stories that are an important part of the Chinese mythos. Really enjoying.

Some of the books I plan on reading this month for #asianlitbingo
Have you read any of them?
You can see the rest of my reading list here https://reallifereading.com/2018/05/02/asianlitbingo-2018-tbr-list/

What‘s the matter?” my mother snapped. “You sick?” I pulled my body back inside and bumped my head against the window hard enough to make the glass rattle, but the pain was inconsequential right now. “No, I . . . I just needed some fresh air.” She squinted at me. “Are you pregnant?” “What!? No! Why would you even think that?” “Well then if you‘re not sick and you‘re not pregnant then ANSWER ME WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME!

My true name,” he said, “ . . . is SUN WUKONG.” A cold wind passed through the open window, rustling my loose papers like tumbleweed. “I have no idea who that is,” I said.

(Image is from American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang)

Gorgeous day outside! Alas, I didn‘t see it; I was too busy grading papers. But over lunch, I sank my teeth into this delicious tidbit. And now that grading is fiiiiiiinally over? FEAST. 🧛‍♀️

#backlistupdates

So damned funny. It was everything I wanted in a book that promised to entertain.

#ya

Feeling a bit bummed (missing my family and friends back in Maryland) so I popped over to the local bookstore and did some damage. They are doing a ton of business for Christmas Eve!

That was fun! A little clunky to start with, a little too obvious at times, but still really fun. The dialogue was witty and got even better as the story progressed, I really enjoyed Genie's growth over the course of the book. Quentin was eager and sarcastic without being over the top, and, most of all, I enjoyed the complete and utter lack of angst between the two. Looking forward to future additions to her story! ★★★☆☆.

This book was awesome! Fun and action-packed and interesting and funny! I loved Genie and Quentin. Please tell me there will be a sequel!

#libraryloot I'm so excited to read this!! I practically ran to the library to pick it up at lunch today!

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Fresh and funny af.

Genie Lo is an overachiever focused on going to college and leaving a life that seems way too small. She's a perfect match for the new transfer student, Quentin, and the army of demons that shows up in his wake.

Readers familiar with Chinese mythology will recognize the Monkey King right away, but don't worry if this is new to you. Genie's hilarious explanation will bring you right up to speed.