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Book Reviews · December 27, 2018

Review | Family Trust

Family Trust - Book Review

Summary: Family Trust

On the surface, the Huangs are like any other wealthy Chinese-American family. However, a few chapters into Kathy Wang’s FAMILY TRUST, the reader can tell that this isn’t the case. When Stanley Huang, the family’s patriarch is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the already-present cracks in the lives of the family members begin to widen, as selfish motives are revealed and family secrets are exposed.

As his illness progresses, Stanley’s children, Fred and Kate, grapple with their career dissatisfactions, upending relationships, and concerns about how much of his presumed fortune they’ll receive. On the other hand, his ex-wife, Linda relishes her freedom from Stanley and begins internet dating. His current wife, Mary, twenty-eight years his junior, is focused on making him comfortable; rubbing his feet and cooking traditional healing broths in hopes of financial security when Stanley dies.

The Bad

I struggled with getting into this novel and only stayed because every time I wanted to quit, something shocking or wildly entertaining would happen. Then, I’d just need to know, what next? The initial pacing was too slow, but as the book wound down, I could see why the author had to set up events the way she did. I was hooked by the sixty percent mark.

The Good

In FAMILY TRUST, Wang displays tremendous insight into the cultural expectations placed on the Huangs. I also enjoyed her portrayals of Kate and Linda; two smart women excelling in their careers in spite of the self-centered attitudes of their husbands. Many times, the plot surprised, challenged, and entertained me. From Linda’s cynicism toward all Stanley-related issues, Fred’s drama with his long-time girlfriend, Erika, and the fascinating relationship between Kate and Camilla.

Overall: Family Trust

There’s a juicy amount of family drama in this novel and although all but a couple of the main characters are unlikeable, FAMILY TRUST addresses so many important issues. The novel tackles male selfishness in marriages and relationships, the crazy world of the filthy rich, the Silicon Valley lifestyle, career ambitions and the challenges of aging.

[bctt tweet=”If you’re a fan of family dramas; curious about Silicon Valley; or just love a juicy, entertaining novel, FAMILY TRUST is for you.” username=”afomaumesi”]

If you’re a fan of family dramas; curious about Silicon Valley; or just love a juicy, entertaining novel, FAMILY TRUST is for you.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Family Trust from William Morrow Books in exchange for an honest review.

Buy This Book

Family Trust

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Have you read FAMILY TRUST? What did you think?

For a list of 22 other books released last fall, check out this post.

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Posted In: Book Reviews · Tagged: family drama, multicultural, novel, relationship conflict, siblings

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✨how ‘bout a little virtual reality?✨

☀️ Addie has reluctantly moved across the country with her dad for his summer job in the virtual reality industry. He's working on research to use VR for therapeutic purposes, such as helping people cultivate empathy. Addie is not into VR, but that starts to change when she meets Matteo another kid on campus, and tries out VR on her own. Eventually, the two find a helpful use for VR that helps other people.

🥽 I loved the illustration style in this one and while I found the VR setting a bit disorienting, I appreciated the unique lens of the story. The graphic novel format works brilliantly for helping readers appreciate the power of VR. I think with text, it would have just been too much “world-building.” This is more engaging and exciting for kids.

🐢 Lo and Behold is a clever middle grade graphic novel about virtual reality, grief, and parental addiction. Readers who enjoy VR will love this one, but as the Author's Note mentions, it will also be a fantastic introduction for those who, like me, aren't familiar with it. A fun summer read with hints of serious themes.

#mglit #middlegrade #bookstagram
✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨ 🗺 ✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨

🗺️ Ginny’s summer is thrown off when her dad gets a surprise redeployment in the middle of their family’s moving to another city. Then, her geography camp gets canceled. Her sister seems to be making new friends, but no one appears to like Ginny–even when she starts her own geography camp. 

❤️ I loved this book way more than I thought I would (from the synopsis). Ginny has such a great voice and she isn’t always the most likable character but she’s always real. I loved watching her grow throughout the story.

📍This sweet, unique young middle grade book made my heart grow and ache for Ginny and her family as they navigated a season of change. Features illustrations and a new geography fact in each chapter.

#amreading #mglit #middlegrade
My current adult reads! HAPPY TRAVELER is a non- My current adult reads! 

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🤓 Sixth grade is off to a rocky start for Rex. His district moved most of his elementary school to another middle school, his best friend ditches him for the popular crew, and his blurry vision means he has to get clunky new glasses–the only kind his family can afford. 

❤️ This sweet graphic novel for fans of Telgemeier is an ode to middle school, family, and finding your people.

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Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find that buzzy books are often worth the hype. Even the few people who dislike them tend to have STRONG feelings about them 👀 which to me is a sign that the story got to you somehow. Of course, not every book is for every reader — hype or not. I share my tip for finding a hyped book that matches your reading tastes.

Which hyped books did you love? And which ones missed the mark for you?

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✨a different kind of sunshine✨ I loved this g ✨a different kind of sunshine✨

I loved this graphic memoir about the author’s time as a counselor at a camp for kids with cancer. It was my first time reading anything by this author and I totally get the appeal.

This one didn’t end up being as sad as I thought it would be but it was very moving, especially because Krosoczka shares newspaper clippings and pictures of one the families with whom he forged a particularly close relationship even until his college years.

If you’re looking for an engaging graphic memoir for older kids ages 11+ this is a great choice.

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This book! Brilliantly written, impressive characterization, and a plot so unexpected. It left me physically shaken (it's not feel-good), but it feels so necessary, so timely. A solid debut about the search for the great American Dream, familial sacrifices, and confronting our ugly inner selves -- all in less than 300 pages. 

You'll like this if you like:

Multiple perspectives (3 perspectives, 3rd person POV)
Character-driven stories
Time-jumping plots
Devastating endings

If you prefer straightforward, plot-rich, fast-paced stories, you might struggle a bit with this one at the start. But it's worth it!

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☀️ Meet the Bookstagrammer ☀️ Hi, new fol ☀️ Meet the Bookstagrammer ☀️

Hi, new followers! It’s such a pleasure to have a few new faces around. I love finding new readers to follow on the gram. 

My name is Afoma and I run a book blog called Reading Middle Grade. I also run a Facebook Group and newsletter related to my blog. In my day job, I’m a freelance writer and editor, with a degree in medicine.

I’ve lived in three continents (born in Nigeria, med school in Ukraine and the Caribbean). I live in Nigeria now with my husband and many, many books 🤭 I love to cook and travel and run. This year, one of my goals is to become a better runner. I’m currently able to run 2K without stopping. 

Even though we don’t have traditional four seasons in Nigeria, the summer months are my favorite. From childhood, they were the one time when my overachieving, perfectionistic self could RELAX. And do nothing! And even now, I try to take time off in the summer to do nothing.

Some of favorite books this year have been LASAGNA MEANS I LOVE YOU, THE LOST YEAR (I lived in Ukraine for 3 years, so this resonated with me!), and MAAME. 

Thank you so much for following my reading journey! Tell me something about yourself — hobbies, favorite books, anything! ❤️
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