bunix's review
funny
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
3.5
When I was about to read this book I had my expectations high so that could explain the disappointment I feel. But this book was fast paced and it had really no plot at all and was just about the author’s time in Japan. You can read this book as just a book to reach your goal as it’s short as well. I wouldn’t read it again but I also won’t say it wasn’t a waste as I did enjoy it.
mehsi's review
5.0
This was such a delight to read, I am definitely happy I bought this one!
I just adore books about travelling, especially if that travels happens to Japan. This book is about a girl who is half Japanese, half American, who lived for quite a bit of her life in Japan, but then moved to America. She visits every few years, but this year is different, she can go alone! Sure, she will be staying with her grandparents, and her parents, siblings, will also come but not until much much later.
This book follows our girl's journey through Japan, now she sees everything from a teenage view (which is quite different from what she was there 5 years earlier).
The book is filled with photographs, comics, illustrations, and much more. I loved the format, I wasn't sure what to expect, I just bought this one because it sounded so much fun + the whole Japan travelling part. And then I find out it is filled with the brim with creativity, and I just want to keep on reading, and I just want more books about Japan from this girl.
I also loved that she was rediscovering her roots in Japan.
You could also see that not everything was pleasure, there were a few scenes which clearly showed she wasn't always too happy. Because of too many people, changing scenery, the fact that she just didn't match with other teenagers there. I don't know about the last part, but I do know the feeling of seeing so many people, the feeling of when you go somewhere and things have changed.
But she just tries out, and keeps going. That is really admirable.
It was quite fun to see how much of Japan she explores. She doesn't just stay at the same space, or close to her grandparents place, instead she goes out and sees quite a bit of Japan.
A lot of the sights were those I already knew (not because I went to Japan, but because of books, anime, jdrama, documentaries), but it was still fun to see them from her POV. It does seem that a lot of people have trouble with the toilets there. Either they are the old-fashioned one (Big NOPE), or they are the fancy new ones with so many buttons that you are worried you might do something wrong, or with a spray that pops up (also not recommended). It is quite funny because this kind of thing keeps popping up in so many books/etc. about Japan.
What more? Mm, I think I got everything. I definitely would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
I just adore books about travelling, especially if that travels happens to Japan. This book is about a girl who is half Japanese, half American, who lived for quite a bit of her life in Japan, but then moved to America. She visits every few years, but this year is different, she can go alone! Sure, she will be staying with her grandparents, and her parents, siblings, will also come but not until much much later.
This book follows our girl's journey through Japan, now she sees everything from a teenage view (which is quite different from what she was there 5 years earlier).
The book is filled with photographs, comics, illustrations, and much more. I loved the format, I wasn't sure what to expect, I just bought this one because it sounded so much fun + the whole Japan travelling part. And then I find out it is filled with the brim with creativity, and I just want to keep on reading, and I just want more books about Japan from this girl.
I also loved that she was rediscovering her roots in Japan.
You could also see that not everything was pleasure, there were a few scenes which clearly showed she wasn't always too happy. Because of too many people, changing scenery, the fact that she just didn't match with other teenagers there. I don't know about the last part, but I do know the feeling of seeing so many people, the feeling of when you go somewhere and things have changed.
But she just tries out, and keeps going. That is really admirable.
It was quite fun to see how much of Japan she explores. She doesn't just stay at the same space, or close to her grandparents place, instead she goes out and sees quite a bit of Japan.
A lot of the sights were those I already knew (not because I went to Japan, but because of books, anime, jdrama, documentaries), but it was still fun to see them from her POV. It does seem that a lot of people have trouble with the toilets there. Either they are the old-fashioned one (Big NOPE), or they are the fancy new ones with so many buttons that you are worried you might do something wrong, or with a spray that pops up (also not recommended). It is quite funny because this kind of thing keeps popping up in so many books/etc. about Japan.
What more? Mm, I think I got everything. I definitely would recommend this book to everyone.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
angelofmine1974's review
informative
medium-paced
3.0
My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:
https://youtu.be/GsbTvVLHSIs
Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/GsbTvVLHSIs
Enjoy!
karatechoptime's review
3.0
The fact that she wrote this at 17 is seriously impressive. It was cute, definitely for teens. Not amazing but personal and sweet.
lit_chick's review
5.0
This was super cute. The author was 17 when she published it! Love her illustrations and her polished writing. She makes it look so easy! Looking forward to more from her.
mariahroze's review
4.0
I lived in Japan for a summer and taught English, so when I saw this book at the school that I teach at I had to read it.
The main character was born in Tokyo and raised there for her first couple years of life. Her mother is Japanese and grew up in Japan and her father is American. The summer before she turned sixteen, she returned to Tokyo to visit her grandparents by herself. This book shares images, drawings and stories from that summer.
The main character was born in Tokyo and raised there for her first couple years of life. Her mother is Japanese and grew up in Japan and her father is American. The summer before she turned sixteen, she returned to Tokyo to visit her grandparents by herself. This book shares images, drawings and stories from that summer.