Review: BTS: Beyond The Story

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Format I Used: Combination Physical Book/Audiobook
Pages: 544
Running Time: 11h:18m
My Rating:  No stars because I feel weird giving bios/memoirs a star rating, but I liked it a lot.

Publication Date: July 9, 2023

 

I was one of the delulu people who preordered this book back when people were still debating whether or not it was going to be a Taylor Swift or BTS (because I just KNEW lol). It was interesting seeing all of the "clues" that people were pulling out of nowhere. Like, there was a strong case for both sides.

And I FINALLY finished it. (well, a while ago. I'm actually just now getting around to writing a review)

After reading this book, it makes me look at all of the videos of BTS interacting with other idols (and people in general) differently. They're so genuinely kind to everyone they meet, and I think it's because they don't want anyone else to feel the way they did when they were in the baby stages of their career. Because people were SO mean to them for no good reason.

I really enjoyed this book, and that is probably because they're all serving their military time, and I need all the content I can get from them.

It was interesting to see what they included in this book, and what they chose NOT to put in the book.

Like, they included The Dumpling Incident between V and Jimin, but not the fight between JK and Jimin that led to them walking their separate ways and JK getting lost.

Or they talked a little bit about how Suga hurt his shoulder, but not how J-Hope almost left the group before they debuted, but stayed because JK begged him to, and RM told Big Hit that they needed J-Hope and that they couldn't do it without him.

ORRRRR how Mr. Worldwide Handsome Jin was scouted for his looks, or how Jimin was being trained to be a rapper not a vocalist, but Suga was like "hey he likes singing, not rapping, and he's GOOD at it... let him sing instead.

Borahae <3

 

 

Review: My Summer in Seoul ~ Rachel Van Dyken

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Format I Used: E-book
Pages: 480
My Rating: 4.75 stars
Publication Date: December 14, 2021

As always, spoilers ahead, so please read on with caution.

Okay, it took me far too long to actually start and finish this book. But that's because I literally only have been reading manga and LISTENING to audiobooks, and this is neither of those things. Alas...

Did I enjoy this and am going to give it an absolute favorite stamp of approval, based on how this book made me feel overall? Yes.

Were there some things that made me a little bit annoyed? Also yes.

Reading this felt like reading one of my cute fluffy shojo reverse harem mangas (you know the ones that feel like a reverse harem, but the MC is so wholly into and ends up with only ONE of the guys, so it's not ACTUALLY a RH) So that gets it bonus points

One thing that I didn't really care for was the fact that Lucas was the love interest. Mostly because he was so hostile to her, and pretended that he couldn't speak/understand English so he didn't have any conversations with her until we were already halfway through the book. (but that's also probably because I am always somehow falling for the second "love interest" which is always the wrong choice.) It just felt weird to me.

And I was so confused for a while too, because the person on the cover is clearly Lucas, but then the only one who was having anything to do with her was Rae

I liked the friendships that Grace ended up having with all of the guys. It was so sweet. Especially Jay/Kai/Sookie. There were so many times that those three specifically (and extra specifically Sookie) were there for Grace when she was having a breakdown (after they got over their distrust/initial dislike)

Although there were so many times I was facepalming because of something she did. After the first time I found out ONE of them could speak English perfectly after pretending not to be able to, I would have been suspicious of every single one of them and watched my mouth.

Sookie was probably my favorite. He was so sweet! Like, I want a friend like him.

This literally felt like I was watching a K-Drama. It was over the top at times, and there was tragedy and drama, but that's okay because it all worked out in the end.

Also, Grace cried/tears filled her eyes SO. MANY. TIMES. Like seriously. I don't know anyone who cries that much.

 

Did It Make Me Cry? No

 

Review: Idol Gossip ~ Alexandra Leigh Young

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Format I Used: Ebook
Pages: 352
Running Time: 9h:15m
My Rating: 2.5 stars
Publication Date: September 14, 2021

 

This was a quick read for me. And my feelings on it are all over the place. I WANT to like it more than I did.

I did NOT like Alice. She was so self absorbed and selfish, and just not a character that I liked much at all. She thought the world revolved around her, and couldn't see that she was hurting people.

I don't really understand how she was able to debut as fast as she did? Like, I am aware that I am decidedly NOT an idol of any sorts. But it seems to me that someone who barely speaks the language, knows very little of the culture has no business debuting. (But Kaitlynne, this is a work of FICTION. Yeah I know that. And it could also all be pretty accurate, I'll never know) but it just doesn't feel right. But that's just me being nitpicky.

I also felt like there were a lot of things left open-ended. Is it because there's going to be another book? That's possible, I haven't actually looked to see... But if it's a standalone, there were a lot of things that still need answers.

This book wasn't my favorite, but you may love it. Grab it and give it a read and decide what you think!

 

Did It Make Me Cry? No

ARC Review: Once Upon A K-Prom ~ Kat Cho

                                      Image from Goodreads. Click on cover to read more about the book.

 

 Format I Used: Digital ARC
Pages: 338
My Rating: 5 gazillion stars
Publication Date: May 17, 2022

 

When I tell you I screamed when I got notified that I was approved to read an ARC of this book, I am not joking.

It is/was one of my MOST anticipated books of 2022. And let me tell you something: It did NOT disappoint. Would I have liked it a smidge better if the characters had been a little bit older? Yes. Did it check all the awww boxes? Also yes. This book brought joy to my stressed out heart.

Everyone knows that I enjoy reading a love story where it's Famous Person x Non-Famous Person. Don't know why, but it brings me great joy, so this one being that EXACT SAME TROPE but PLUS the fact that it had K-Pop Idols, and childhood friends to more? YESSSS please give me more.

I felt a little stressed out about the fact that the only reason Robbie came to see Elena in the first place was so that they could be a guinea pig for someone else? I didn't much care for that. But I liked how genuine Robbie was once Elena started calling him out on his fakeness.

I loved getting to see some of the fun side of the K-Pop. Some of the interactions that the characters had with each other. It was giving me RUN BTS vibes. Or In The Soop... Or literally any video where they're doing fun things together.

I loved the strong friendships that this book had, especially the girls supporting girls. Sooyeon was amazing, and I liked that she wasn't catty and petty and just plain mean like a lot of the girls usually are in stories like this. I loved Josie and how she was always there to support Elena.

10 out of 10 would recommend if you're looking for a fast, fun, K-Pop-y kind of read, with an absolutely G O R G E O U S cover.

I will be S P R I N T I N G to the store to get this book when it drops on May 17th, 2022 to add it to my physical collection (and considering I pretty much only do digital e-books and audiobooks anymore, that's saying something)

Thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide and Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC! 

Did It Make Me Cry? Not outright, no. But I did get teary once or twice.