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Women, Seated by Zhang Yueran: A Quiet Collapse in the Shadow of Power, ARC review

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Book : Women, Seated Author : Zhang Yueran Ttranslated by : Jeremy Tiang Pages : 208 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ Genre : Literary fiction, Political Thriller, Translated Literature Synopsis: From the award-winning author, an enthralling novel about the unravelling lives of a nanny and the family she works for following the downfall of its patriarch, a prominent Chinese politician Enter the world of an elite Chinese a life of luxury, limitless power, and around-the-clock service, which includes their trusted nanny Yu Ling. Slipping in and out of the shadows, careful to speak deferentially, meticulous in her care of their only son Kuan Kuan, Yu has served the family for years and knows their secrets. But little do they suspect that Yu has secrets of her own. In the pressure-cooker political environment of China, the fates of even the most powerful families can reverse overnight. When Kuan Kuan’s father and grandfather are arrested and his socialite mother goes on the run, Yu is left behind to make a ...
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From caliper stabs to connection: The Satisfaction Café by Kathy Wang, a book review

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  Title : The Satisfaction Cafe Author : Kathy Wang Number of Pages : 352 Publishing Date : 1 July 2025 Genre :  Literary Fiction, Adult Fiction, Contemporary Fiction  Synopsis : Joan Liang’s life is a series of surprising developments: She never thought she would leave Taiwan for California, nor did she expect her first marriage to implode—especially as quickly and spectacularly as it did. She definitely did not expect to fall in love with and marry an older, wealthy American and have children with him. Through all this she wrestles with one persistent question: Will she ever feel truly satisfied? As Joan and her children grow older and their circumstances evolve, she makes a drastic change by opening the Satisfaction Café, a place where people can visit for a bit of conversation and to be heard and understood. Through this radical yet pragmatic business, Joan constructs a lasting legacy. Review : The Satisfaction Café is a beautifully written, bittersweet journey ...
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Is she in danger, or is she the danger? read A Twist Of Fate by Sae-Ah Jang(translated by S.L. Park) to find out | ARC review

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  Title : A Twist Of Fate  Author : Sae-Ah Jang Number of Pages : 352 Publishing Date : 29 July 2025 Genre : Suspense, Crime Thriller, Murder Mystery , Asian Literature, Translated Literature Synopsis : Two women meet on a train. Each is running from a deadly secret. When one disappears, the other decides to take her place—for better, or for worse. Jae-young has just left everything she’s ever known, not that it was much. Her thankless job, her infested apartment, her abusive boyfriend—who happens to be dead on the kitchen floor. Murder was never the way she envisioned leaving, but it was desperate times. Now, escaping her transgressions on a train to the bustling city of Seoul, Jae-young is just hoping to become invisible—safe. On the train she meets a chatty mother with her infant son who seem to be running from a similarly harsh life with her unfaithful husband, hoping to find refuge with the in-laws she’s never met. To avoid further conversation, Jae-young excuses herself ...
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What happened after the last post? The Haunting Side of Internet Influencers: Q/A with Liann Zhang, debut author of Julie Chan Is Dead

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Title : Julie Chan Is Dead Author : Liann Zhang Number of Pages : 320 Publishing Date :  29 April 2025 Genre : Asian Representation, Young-Adult, Murder mystery, Thriller In a world obsessed with curated perfection, Liann Zhang dares to ask: what’s really hiding behind the feed? Liann Zhang is the mind behind Julie Chan Is Dead, a debut thriller that’s as razor-sharp as it is unsettling. With a background steeped in storytelling that blends psychological tension and cultural insight, Zhang brings a fresh, bold voice to the genre. Her work pulls you in with the glittering lure of social media glamour — and then rips the façade away to expose the dark secrets lurking underneath. With biting wit and nerve-shredding tension, Zhang crafts a story about a young woman who slips into her twin’s glittering, influencer-perfect life — only to find herself tangled in something far more dangerous than she ever imagined. In Julie Chan Is Dead, we meet Julie, a supermarket cashier who steps into ...
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A desi take on Jane Austen's Persuasion, "Yours, Eventually" by Nura Maznavi + Q&A with the author

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Title : Yours, Eventually  Author : Nura Maznavi  Number of Pages : 400 Publishing Date :18 February 2025 Genre : Romance, Asian Literature, Young-Adult, Re-telling Synopsis : A mesmerizing debut novel set in a tightly knit Pakistani American community where a young doctor gets an unexpected second chance with the first love she never got over when he becomes one of the most eligible bachelors in town. The Ibrahim family is facing a crucial moment: Their patriarch just lost his fortune as the result of a Ponzi scheme, and the family is picking up the pieces. At the family’s core is Asma—successful doctor and the long-suffering middle daughter who stepped into the family center after the death of her beloved mother years ago. Despite what the prying aunties think, Asma is living the life she has always wanted, fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a doctor . . . or so she thinks. In walks Farooq Waheed, Asma’s college sweetheart whose proposal was cruelly rejected by Asma’...
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The Romance Rivalry: A trope-filled delight with Heart, Humor, and Swoon-worthy chemistry. ARC review

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Title:  The Romance Rivalry Author: Susan Lee Number of Pages:  384 Publishing Date:  13 May 2025 Genre:  Romance, Asian Literature, Young-Adult, Rom-Com, Coming of age 📝 synopsis: She’s read every romance…except her own… Irene Park loves romance novels—so much so she’s made a career of them as an online book reviewer with a massive following. But Irene’s real life dating story? Non-existent. So when she starts her freshman year of college, she sets her sights on finding true love using the one thing she really understands…romance book tropes. If only it were that easy. Enter Aiden Jeon, Irene’s online book review rival and biggest nemesis. When Aiden challenges her to see who can find love-by-trope first, he becomes the one person standing in her way to getting everything she wants both professionally and personally, too. So when the competition takes an unexpected turn, forcing the two of them to have to partner in the ultimate trope, fake dating, Irene is not pre...
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Cover reveal book tour: 52 Weeks A Party Of One by Bianca Pensy Aba

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Title: 52 Weeks A Party Of One  Author: Bianca Pensy Aba  Release date: 23 April 2025 First of all, thank you so much to coloredpagesbt  on Instagram, for having be on this book tour.  Now, Let’s talk about a book that just smacks you with betrayal right from page one. Aisha, our lead, doesn’t do things by halves, including her New Year’s meltdown. She’s at a party, ringing in the New Year with her boyfriend and best friend—until she catches the two of them together. No warning, no slow build-up—just betrayal, raw and upfront. This is the kind of betrayal that could mess with anyone’s trust, let alone a woman as outspoken as Aisha, who typically isn’t one to hold back. But instead of an explosive reaction, Aisha does something different; she packs her bags and heads off to Dallas, seeking an escape from both Denver and the people who hurt her. Now, the move doesn’t magically fix anything (because when does it ever?). Aisha has a laundry list of emotional baggage: a t...
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ARC review: Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan

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  Title: Immortal Author:  Sue Lynn Tan Number of Pages: 464 Publishing Date: 7 January 2025 Genre:  Fantasy Romance, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Asian Literature, Re-telling, Young-Adult Synopsis: “What the gods did not give us, I would take.” As the heir to Tianxia, Liyen knows she must ascend the throne and renew her kingdom’s pledge to serve the immortals who once protected them from a vicious enemy. But when she is poisoned, Liyen’s grandfather steals an enchanted lotus to save her life. Enraged at his betrayal, the immortal queen commands the powerful God of War to attack Tianxia. Upon her grandfather’s death, Liyen ascends a precarious throne, vowing to end her kingdom’s obligation to the immortals. When she is summoned to the Immortal Realm, she seizes the opportunity to learn their secrets and to form a tenuous alliance to safeguard her people, all with the one she should fear and mistrust the most: the ruthless God of War. As they are drawn together, a treach...
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Unpacking the Mind of a Wallflower: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" book review

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So, I just finished re-reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, re-watched the movie adaptation too. I’ve got so many thoughts. Let me start by saying this book is raw, emotional, and filled with so many layers, you could write a whole thesis on it (don’t worry, I won’t). It’s not just another coming-of-age novel—it dives deep into mental health, trauma, relationships, and the complicated role of family, all in a way that feels painfully real. The Vibe The story is told through letters written by Charlie, this socially awkward and painfully shy high school freshman. Right from the start, you know there’s something more going on with him—he’s an outsider, dealing with a bunch of confusing feelings he doesn’t know how to process. As someone who’s learning about mental health, I couldn’t help but see the signs of deeper psychological struggles as Charlie talks about his past, his friends, his family, and his emotions. Honestly, the way Chbosky writes Charlie’s voice is ...
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ARC review: A Song To Drown Rivers by Ann Liang

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Title:  A Song To Drown Rivers Author:  Ann Liang Number of Pages:  336 Publishing Date: 1 October 2024 Genre:  Fantasy Romance, Historical Fiction, Asian Literature, Retelling, Young-Adult   Synopsis: Inspired by the legend of Xishi , one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China , A Song to Drown Rivers is an epic historical fantasy about womanhood, war, sacrifice, and love against all odds. Her beauty hides a deadly purpose. Xishi’s beauty is seen as a blessing to the villagers of Yue—convinced that the best fate for a girl is to marry well and support her family. When Xishi draws the attention of the famous young military advisor, Fanli, he presents her with a rare opportunity: to use her beauty as a weapon. One that could topple the rival neighboring kingdom of Wu, improve the lives of her people, and avenge her sister’s murder. All she has to do is infiltrate the enemy palace as a spy, seduce their immoral king, and weaken them from within. Traine...
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