a8bhatia's review
5.0
I am not sure Vivek Shraya knows how to do anything horribly! This was another heart touching, moving, personable story, where you feel like you have met her soul. As always I am left with thank you for sharing! The Subtweet highlights a relationship that is often not given enough love but one that is also complicated. It holds up a mirror to your own friendships, and asks you to reflect on how we build community, support each other while also dismantling oppressive systems. My only regret is the ending is open.. and I just want to know what happens between Rukmani and Neela.
justacurse's review
challenging
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sujata's review
4.0
Loved this book. Fun but also serious. Brown girl friendships and place in white world. So real!
misslynette's review
4.0
Well-written and enjoyable book. I feel like the ending was a bit rushed, but at the same time, I might be projecting my desire for neat bows to tie up endings.
I especially liked how the author, Shraya, made both the protagonists complex, full people. I'll be real, I'm actually quite annoyed with both characters. But that said, it's not in a bad way. They are whole and human, and life is hard, especially when you're pushed to the outskirts.
One of my biggest takes from this story is an accurate portrayal of what happens when you aren't open and vulnerable with those you care about. <3
Lastly, I think what I appreciate most is that this explores deeply the challenges of friendship in a way I so rarely see in other books. Friendship, especially femme friendship, feels so rarely explored. I appreciated Shraya's portrayal here.
I especially liked how the author, Shraya, made both the protagonists complex, full people. I'll be real, I'm actually quite annoyed with both characters. But that said, it's not in a bad way. They are whole and human, and life is hard, especially when you're pushed to the outskirts.
One of my biggest takes from this story is an accurate portrayal of what happens when you aren't open and vulnerable with those you care about. <3
Lastly, I think what I appreciate most is that this explores deeply the challenges of friendship in a way I so rarely see in other books. Friendship, especially femme friendship, feels so rarely explored
Spoiler
, yet friendship breakups happen all the time (and can be incredibly devastating)jaclyn_sixminutesforme's review
3.0
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/reading-women/id1118019442?i=1000512367545
melhara's review
5.0
4.5/5
This was such a fantastic book! Also, I forget how happy it makes me whenever I read a book set in Toronto!!
[b:The Subtweet|51633827|The Subtweet|Vivek Shraya|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565714462l/51633827._SY75_.jpg|72898192] is about two Torontonian South Asian musicians, Neela Devaki and RUK-MINI (real name just Rukmini), who became best of friends after Rukmini went viral for posting an electronic cover of Neela's song, Every Song. Although their personalities and music genre couldn't be any more different, they immediately bonded over their love and passion for music artistry and performance and even discussed forming a band together. But as Rukmini's fame continued to grow, Neela was left in the shadows where feelings of jealousy and self-doubt began to fester. Why was Rukmini more successful? What was Neela doing wrong? Why wasn't Rukmini making more of an effort to help her out? Out of frustration, Neela posted a subtweet that would change their relationship.
I loved how the author explored the complexities of friendship, professional jealousy, the impacts of social media, racism and white supremacy within the music industry, and the music industry culture amongst POCs. This was a fascinating, multi-layered, and at times, a heartbreaking book to read.
I also loved the characters and really connected and related to Neela's social anxiety when it came to making friends and worrying about what other people think. I didn't particularly like Rukmini but thought her character was very well fleshed out.
I will say that I was a bit disappointed with how this book ended. It didn't really give me the closure that I needed.
tl;dr - I really liked this book! ...but not so much the ending.
To top it all off, [a:Vivek Shraya|3495829|Vivek Shraya|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1597506715p2/3495829.jpg] took my reading experience to a whole new level by actually releasing both Neela and Rukmini's version of Every Song, which you can listen to on spotify (link here). A short film based on the book and music was also released (you can watch it here), which is more of a teaser for the book.
This was such a fantastic book! Also, I forget how happy it makes me whenever I read a book set in Toronto!!
[b:The Subtweet|51633827|The Subtweet|Vivek Shraya|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565714462l/51633827._SY75_.jpg|72898192] is about two Torontonian South Asian musicians, Neela Devaki and RUK-MINI (real name just Rukmini), who became best of friends after Rukmini went viral for posting an electronic cover of Neela's song, Every Song. Although their personalities and music genre couldn't be any more different, they immediately bonded over their love and passion for music artistry and performance and even discussed forming a band together. But as Rukmini's fame continued to grow, Neela was left in the shadows where feelings of jealousy and self-doubt began to fester. Why was Rukmini more successful? What was Neela doing wrong? Why wasn't Rukmini making more of an effort to help her out? Out of frustration, Neela posted a subtweet that would change their relationship.
I loved how the author explored the complexities of friendship, professional jealousy, the impacts of social media, racism and white supremacy within the music industry, and the music industry culture amongst POCs. This was a fascinating, multi-layered, and at times, a heartbreaking book to read.
I also loved the characters and really connected and related to Neela's social anxiety when it came to making friends and worrying about what other people think. I didn't particularly like Rukmini but thought her character was very well fleshed out.
I will say that I was a bit disappointed with how this book ended. It didn't really give me the closure that I needed.
tl;dr - I really liked this book! ...but not so much the ending.
To top it all off, [a:Vivek Shraya|3495829|Vivek Shraya|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1597506715p2/3495829.jpg] took my reading experience to a whole new level by actually releasing both Neela and Rukmini's version of Every Song, which you can listen to on spotify (link here). A short film based on the book and music was also released (you can watch it here), which is more of a teaser for the book.
nora_dlc's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
azalea128's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rookjupiter's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0