Welcome to Litsy!

This book is fabulous. In just over 200 pages, there is so much truth about friendship, creativity, collaboration, and the fine lines POCs walk between authenticity and assimilation. #ARC

I feel my words are inadequate in face of what an incredible piece of art this is and how thought-provoking and readable it was. Neela and Rukkini are two South Asian Canadian women musicians who form a friendship when R covers one of N's songs. The story investigates brown female friendship, professional jealousy, pleasures & price of making art, social media & call-out culture. It's a love letter to women artists. So smart, thoughtful, powerful.

I already know what I will be doing on March 3 next year. 😁

It's finally warm enough to sit outside! With my coat, scarf, and toque on, but still! Also, this book is so good. I don't know if I've ever read anything contemporary that integrates social media so well and I am so impressed with the complexity of the brown women characters and their friendship. You can tell Shraya has said "fuck that" to making her characters "nice" and "likeable." Instead they are fascinating and human.

"When she later described Neela's voice to Puna, she said that it sounded like the feeling of watching someone die, like witnessing every leaf on a deciduous tree change colour and fall as autumn transitioned into winter."

4/5🌟This was a captivating read! Vivek Shraya has brought to light so much here, more than just the focus on Twitter and the true realities of social media, but also highlights brown women, race, society's lack of originality, of being a WOC and an artist, and a realistic look at the music industry. These characters were so real as was their friendship, they were flawed yet so human. I was completely surprised by this one! Available April 7th!

So excited to get this ARC in the mail! Can't wait to read it, have only ever loved all of Vivek Shraya's work up until now. "Everyone talks about falling in love, but falling in friendship can be just as captivating. When Neela Devaki's song is covered by internet-famous artist Rukmini, the two musicians meet and a transformative friendship begins. But as Rukmini's star rises and Neela's stagnates, jealousy and self-doubt creep in." #BookMail