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A review by arhkym
Somebody That I Used to Know by Dana L. Davis
4.0
Thank you so much Skyscape and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
TW: racial microaggressions (focused on hair), car accident (mentioned)
Omigosh, if I could I would have read this book in one sitting (instead it took me 3 days)! As an amateur pianist, I loved every music reference, the book hitting just the right spots. Now all I want to do is just play piano ALL. THE. TIME.
Dylan Woods, a violinist whose main goal in her teenage life is to get to Juilliard, spends every free second practicing her instrument to make her dream come true. All this is disrupted by the arrival of Dylan’s ex-friend from her childhood. Six years ago Langston left for Los Angeles, where he became one of the most famous music stars and… never contacted Dylan again. And now he is back with their childhood commandment list, bringing up in Dylan all the nostalgia and emotions connected to the ex-friendship’s sudden end.
WHAT I LOVED:
- As I already mentioned, I loved EVERY music reference. All Dylan’s practice, contests mentions and stuff just made me chills and brought up memories of me playing contests and exams during my time in music school.
- The representation of Black people, including Black female violinist!
- Rainy Day Cafe – I wish I could visit there! Sounds like a perfect cafe.
- Pop culture references, especially Dungeon & Dragons! It made me want to play D&D right away!
- Dylan’s parent as an example of interracial adoption. They do not pretend that they know everything, but do research and seek mentors to actually support their daughter.
- I love how Dylan’s relationship with herself changed throughout the story, her hero journey. And that is thanks to Langston.
- Aunt Edith. Just Aunt Edith.
- Kiyoshi and some Japanese phrases embedded in dialogues.
WHAT DID NOT WORK FOR ME:
- This whole Dylan-Langston relationship. I mean, okay, not all of it – I loved the chemistry between them, they were really great together. However, him being silent for SIX YEARS and then his “apologies” that were not really apologies was what made me think he did not really care for her. It all felt disingenuous.
- Dylan’s parents being SO EXCITED about Langston living in their house. I mean, they knew Langston for years when he was a kid, so why were they so obsessed with him?
TW: racial microaggressions (focused on hair), car accident (mentioned)
Omigosh, if I could I would have read this book in one sitting (instead it took me 3 days)! As an amateur pianist, I loved every music reference, the book hitting just the right spots. Now all I want to do is just play piano ALL. THE. TIME.
Dylan Woods, a violinist whose main goal in her teenage life is to get to Juilliard, spends every free second practicing her instrument to make her dream come true. All this is disrupted by the arrival of Dylan’s ex-friend from her childhood. Six years ago Langston left for Los Angeles, where he became one of the most famous music stars and… never contacted Dylan again. And now he is back with their childhood commandment list, bringing up in Dylan all the nostalgia and emotions connected to the ex-friendship’s sudden end.
WHAT I LOVED:
- As I already mentioned, I loved EVERY music reference. All Dylan’s practice, contests mentions and stuff just made me chills and brought up memories of me playing contests and exams during my time in music school.
- The representation of Black people, including Black female violinist!
- Rainy Day Cafe – I wish I could visit there! Sounds like a perfect cafe.
- Pop culture references, especially Dungeon & Dragons! It made me want to play D&D right away!
- Dylan’s parent as an example of interracial adoption. They do not pretend that they know everything, but do research and seek mentors to actually support their daughter.
- I love how Dylan’s relationship with herself changed throughout the story, her hero journey. And that is thanks to Langston.
- Aunt Edith. Just Aunt Edith.
- Kiyoshi and some Japanese phrases embedded in dialogues.
WHAT DID NOT WORK FOR ME:
- This whole Dylan-Langston relationship. I mean, okay, not all of it – I loved the chemistry between them, they were really great together. However, him being silent for SIX YEARS and then his “apologies” that were not really apologies was what made me think he did not really care for her. It all felt disingenuous.
- Dylan’s parents being SO EXCITED about Langston living in their house. I mean, they knew Langston for years when he was a kid, so why were they so obsessed with him?