All That's Left Unsaid

Author: Tracey Lien

Genre: Fiction, Mystery

Rating: 3 out of 5

Pages: 304

Date Started: 7 November 2022

Date Finished: 14 November 2022

I'd long wanted to read this book, initially drawn in by its catchy title and the recommendation it received on Amazon. The narrative follows Ky Tran as she returns to Cabramatta, Australia for her brother Denny's funeral. Ky is shocked to discover that her parents declined an autopsy, leaving the circumstances of his death shrouded in uncertainty. All that is known is that he was killed in Lucky 8, where he attended a graduation celebration. Despite a multitude of people present at the restaurant, no one witnessed the incident, and the police have yet to identify a suspect. Ky embarks on a quest to unravel the mystery and seek closure with those around her. While this book is categorized as a mystery, it leans more towards being a cultural exploration than a traditional mystery. The author adeptly delves into themes such as the drug culture, racism, the clash of cultures between Vietnamese parents and their children, and the intricate dynamics within families and friendships. The story begins in detail, but its pace slows considerably at a certain point. One of the book's notable strengths is the portrayal of the cultural differences and conflicts between immigrant parents and their children. It effectively delves into teenage friendships and the complications that arise from familial issues and child abuse, capturing the intricacies of these relationships. Despite the author's skillful writing style, the book falls short in creating a true sense of mystery surrounding Denny's death. The narrative meanders, circling without arriving at a definitive point or providing a substantial resolution. While the story has elements of closure, it also leaves several loose ends, particularly regarding the mystery behind Denny's murder. In sum, this book offers an insightful exploration of cultural themes and family dynamics but may leave readers wanting more in terms of the central mystery's development and resolution.

Favorite lines from the book:

• We are poor too, but we never go hungry.

• If I get the depression and kill you, it will be because of this music! You're making everyone sad with your miserable music! Cut it out!

• Cockroaches were dirty and drawn to filthy homes. Crickets were friendly and neighbors who would only move into clean houses.

• Just because we are not perfect doesn't mean we are bad!

• Our parents fled authoritarian shit. Don't confuse a regime with a country and its people.

• She thinks the bigger the Buddha, the better the chances of your brother reincarnating into something good.

• Yeah, we're all selfish, but we gotta be.

• You can't be there for everyone. You can't be everything to everyone. People will make their own choices, no matter what you do.

Without Merit

Author: Colleen Hoover

Genre: Fiction, Romance

Rating: 1 out of 5

Pages: 385

Date Started: 2 November 2022

Date Finished: 6 November 2022

This book left me with mixed feelings. While it explores the complexities of family dynamics and personal struggles, it did so in a manner that felt quite convoluted. The characters and their actions often left me perplexed, making it challenging to truly engage with their stories. The family at the center of the narrative, with their unusual living situation and strained relationships, seemed almost unreal. Additionally, the introduction of certain characters and subplots, like Luck, raised more questions than they answered. Throughout the book, I found myself waiting for a significant twist or revelation, only to be left somewhat unsatisfied. The story's length and pacing could have been streamlined, as it often felt like it was meandering without clear direction. That said, Colleen Hoover's writing style remained engaging, which kept me reading to see how the story would ultimately conclude. While this book may not be my favorite of Hoover's works, it still presents a narrative that delves into the intricacies of family and relationships, even if it sometimes loses its way in the process.

Favorite lines from the book:

• Out of all the places we could be, we’re right here. At the same time.

• No one in this family notices my presence or my absence. They would all notice Honor’s. But I was born second, which just makes me a faded copy of the original.

• My spontaneity and refusal to weigh the consequences of my decisions are my two favorite things about me.

• Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness.

• I wonder if this is what death is like. Just . . . nothing.

• So many people dream of living in a house with a white picket fence. Little do they know, there’s no such thing as a perfect family, no matter how white the picket fence is.

• Tuqburni is used to describe the all-encompassing feeling of not being able to live without someone. Which is why the literal translation is, ‘You bury me.’

• You don’t get to decide what your life means to anyone else.

• I found out that depression doesn’t necessarily mean a person is miserable or suicidal all the time. Indifference is also a sign of depression.

• Maybe that’s the root of a lot of family issues. It isn’t actually the issues people are hung up about for so long. It’s that no one has the courage to take the first step in talking about the issues.

• It annoys me when people try to convince other people that their anger or stress isn’t warranted if someone else in the world is worse off than them.

What Happened To The Bennetts

Author: Lisa Scottoline

Genre: Mystery, Fiction

Rating: 1 out of 5

Pages: 391

Date Started: 28 October 2022

Date Finished: 2 November 2022

This book started off with an intriguing premise and delivered an engaging narrative initially. However, as the story progressed, it seemed to veer away from its promising beginning. The plot took on a cinematic quality with an abundance of action sequences that, at times, felt excessive. Additionally, the introduction of numerous characters and an intricate web of events made the latter part of the book somewhat convoluted. It was challenging to follow the story amidst the increasing complexity and the rapid pace of events. While the action-packed nature of the book may appeal to some readers, it overshadowed the subtler aspects of the narrative, such as character development and the exploration of the emotional impact on the Bennett family. The excessive descriptive detail occasionally disrupted the flow of the story. In essence, this book offers a thrilling experience that might suit those who enjoy fast-paced, action-oriented narratives. However, it could benefit from a more balanced approach, maintaining the intrigue of the initial premise while allowing for deeper character exploration and a smoother narrative flow.

Favorite lines from the book:

• Suddenly a magnificent blue heron flew overhead, flapping its angular wings, leading with its long neck, graceful and strong, the hue of heaven itself. Tears came to my eyes. I took the heron as a sign. It resonated within me. It felt like Allison’s soul, beautiful, strong, and proud, set free, taking flight.

• That’s grief, man. It gets in you. Your body carries it. It’s embedded.

• Marriage was reading each other’s minds, but knowing what had to remain unsaid.

• The people you love, like Pop and Allison, even the pets you love, like Max and Wendy, they never leave you, not as long as you love them. You’ll always have them as long as you love them. And you’ll love them forever. That’s what lasts forever. The love.

• He had lost a son, I had lost a daughter. No one expected to bury his child, even if the child had been a thug.

• Cigarette companies sell death. Drug companies sell rehab.