Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Synopsis from Goodreads: Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season.
When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider's look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich.

Release date: June 11, 2013
Number of pages: 403

My review: Honestly, I have a couple of different emotions about this book. I read it while reading a few other books because it is just a massive hunk of a book (you know the type, big book but tiny writing), but also because there were some spots that were a bit slow for me. The first 100 pages were awesome; a lot of backstory which made me really care for or understand the characters later on down the road, and I liked how the switching viewpoints was set up. Sometimes when books switch the views on different characters I am left feeling a bit confused and dizzy, but Crazy Rich Asians did it where it wasn't switching all over the place and each character had their fair share of speaking time throughout the novel.
The next 100 pages (so around the 200 range) were pretty good, lot's of name dropping and finally more of the characters and families get to interact, especially Rachel being introduced to a large majority of Nick's family. Also more thrawting and scheming comes out which always makes a book more exciting!
Then the 300 page range. Oh my goodness. It seemed to drag on a little too long. The story was good I just felt that it wasn't going anywhere fast. Often in cases like this I'll say something like it could have been taken out, but honestly it's probably better left in otherwise the ending would have felt weird or sort of rushed (which it already kind of was but I'll explain that in a minute).
The last 100 pages were pretty awesome. A LOT more drama started happening and the ending story about Rachel and her mom made the whole book worth it. That story in itself could be a novella or companion novel for this book!
The characters themselves were pretty cool. Nick and Rachel are a good couple; you can totally see how they are compatible, even if Rachel is sometimes a little TOO goody-two-shoes for my liking (although she does have her moments of outburst which made me laugh).
Nick's family; pretty much all jerks, except for a couple cousins or uncles and aunts here and there. His mother is pretty awful although his dad seems super cool. Astrid, one of Nick's cousins is honestly such a chic and cool character. I loved her little side story and I was rooting for her from the very beginning (dare I say it, more than Rachel?). Rachel's family, which is just her mom, total sweetheart. Loved her!
Another cool thing about the book was when it discussed Asian cuisine or used some phrases that were in different languages it left little asterisk and at the bottom of the pages it explained everything for you. Some were really short one sentence things, but some asterisk were pretty long and took up almost half the page. You're sort of getting a mini-history lesson with some of the things the author included.
So, in conclusion, it wasn't completely awesome but it wasn't a let down either. I gave it a solid four stars on Goodreads and I would definitely recommend you check this out for yourself when it comes out. Warning though; if you don't like name dropping or rich people flaunting money, don't read this. You'll hate it.
See you soon!

Read More

Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes

Synopsis from Goodreads: Plum Sykes beguiling debut welcomes readers to the glamorous world of Park Avenue Princesses, the girls who careen through Manhattan in search of the perfect Fake Bake (tan acquired from Portofino Tanning Salon), a ride on a PJ (private jet) with the ATM (rich boyfriend), and the ever-elusive fiance. 

With invitations to high-profile baby showers and benefits, more Marc Jacobs clothes than is decent, and a department store heiress for a best friend, our heroine known only as Moi is living at the peak of New York society. But what is Moi to do when her engagement falls apart? Can she ever find happiness in a city filled with the distractions of Front Row Girls, dermatologists, premieres, and eyebrow waxes? Is it possible to find love in a town where her friends think that the secret to happiness is getting invited to the Van Cleef and Arpels private sample sale? And how is she going to deal with the endless phone calls from her mother in England demanding that she get married to the Earl next door?

With enormous wit and an insider's eye, Sykes captures the nuances of the rich and spoiled in a heartwarming social satire, featuring a loveable "champagne bubble of a girl" who's just looking for love (and maybe the perfect pair of Chloe jeans).

Number of pages: 320
My review: Okay just a heads up; If you don't like superficial people or books about superficial people, then you better not read this book. Bergdorf Blondes takes these super rich and wealthy people and basically talks about their lives and how the live with all this money and how they're "hunting" for husbands and stuff like that. Our main character, who's name is never stated she is simply "Moi", was someone I started out liking but gradually started to see her real side, which I didn't like.
At first I thought she was a girl who was definitely not as priveliged as her friends (i.e. she claims she borrows clothes from the work closet, and borrows things from her friend Julie Bergdorf, etc.) and the way she talks about her friend Julie, I thought okay, maybe she's really down to earth and Julie is not. Maybe she keeps her grounded.
WRONG. WRONG. WRONG.
"Moi" is just as superficial as Julie and does most of the same things Julie does. Perhaps she wasn't as dramatic as her friends but she sure was stupid sometimes. A lot of the men in the novel kept telling her to stop being selfish and petty and to think about someone other than herself and she never understood them. She couldn't grasp the concept that everything wasn't about her. Definitely frustrating.
I also thought her relationships with the variety of men was very superficial, and she obviously only liked them for their money.
On the other hand, I did like the name dropping and all the talk about the luxiours dresses, jets, hand bags, shoes, etc. It makes any girl pine to be rich and wish that she was living the life that is described in the novel (minus the annoying friends).
The plot itself really went nowhere, but it was a really fast read. I smiled through a lot of it, mostly because it was so ridiculous. But all in all I would say it was a fun read that you can't take too seriously and it's just something for when you're between other books. Needless to say, I gave it three out of five stars on Goodreads, so you make the call.
See you soon,

Read More