tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19498800.post6061337308114827573..comments2023-12-30T08:31:55.182+00:00Comments on My Favourite Books: The Favorites by Mary Yukari WatersLizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11505919558970094338noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19498800.post-24442997104891283522010-03-19T15:52:50.333+00:002010-03-19T15:52:50.333+00:00It's a magical book, you'll love it :)It's a magical book, you'll love it :)Essjayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07520594953099845794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19498800.post-80151192375656675082010-03-19T11:25:07.444+00:002010-03-19T11:25:07.444+00:00This sounds an excellent book. I love anything to ...This sounds an excellent book. I love anything to do with Japan too.Nayuleskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19498800.post-990810247713465012010-03-18T12:54:49.335+00:002010-03-18T12:54:49.335+00:00Hey AW!
Phew - thank goodness we've not been ...Hey AW!<br /><br />Phew - thank goodness we've not been struck off your Xmas Card List! <br /><br />And I have to admit, like you, I get a bit abrubt about things I feel strongly about. These things do happen but I'm glad and pleased that you came to talk to us about it, and not just walked away without taking action - I really do think that that's much worse!<br /><br />And I honestly think that if someone feels strongly about a review, they will comment - like you've done - so I don't think I need to add any further links to Sarah's review. Besides, the permalinks open up both the review and the comments anyway. I am hoping that no one feels disgust or disappointment about the review because I know how long Sarah's worked on it and you can tell it came straight from her heart as she loved it so much. <br /><br />Also, just a reminder: this isn't YA. This is adult fiction here in the UK with Simon & Schuster supplying us with this copy. I'm unsure how it was marketed in the States. <br /><br />Do let us know via a comment back here, once you've had the chance to read The Favorites for yourself! Perhaps you would like to speak to the author and do an interview for your own blog(s)?Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11505919558970094338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19498800.post-24202530102255974842010-03-18T02:03:20.414+00:002010-03-18T02:03:20.414+00:00Liz, Essjay,
Thank you for your gracious replies...Liz, Essjay, <br /><br />Thank you for your gracious replies. I was really frustrated/sad at the thought of having to pull your blog off my feedreader should the conversation go badly; I do tend to be rather abrupt when disappointed.<br /><br />When I read the book myself, it will be easier to see if mentions of Sarah as half American are in relation to her being <em>not Japanese</em> in culture and perceptions vs American automatically equaling Caucasian.<br /><br />The latter perception has often resulted in individuals with long family histories in America being equated as immigrants (then compounded with the perception that immigrants are all non-white, recent and don't really belong).<br /><br />For reviews of YA Lit, it always seems best not to set up potential young readers to fall into thinking of themselves or others as only being <em>real</em> Americans if they look a certain way. And it was especially ugh, when the topic of the book revolves around a young girl trying to figure out if she's really Japanese.<br /><br />Note: Would you consider a link from the phrase in the original post that leads to the comments? Some who read it might not get around to reading the comments if they're hit with disappointment and/or disgust.<br /><br />PS: Thank you for the blog compliments.Avalon's Willowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07539301720154191607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19498800.post-37109187679609179842010-03-17T17:17:36.464+00:002010-03-17T17:17:36.464+00:00Hi Avalon Willow
You're right, I should have ...Hi Avalon Willow<br /><br />You're right, I should have stated that she was half East Asian and half Caucasian and I apologise for any offence. I'm often asked where I'm from and when I reply England am asked, "Yes, but where originally?" so understand how hurtful it can be.<br /><br />I think I was caught up in the flavour of the book where she is often called, "half American," and let it run into my review.<br /><br />Again, apologiesEssjayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07520594953099845794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19498800.post-3084885042831100322010-03-17T11:12:47.312+00:002010-03-17T11:12:47.312+00:00Hi AW
Thanks for stopping by. To be honest, I ha...Hi AW<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by. To be honest, I have to say that what you mention has genuinely not occurred to me or Sarah! <br /><br />I do however get what you mean - thanks for being lovely and pointing it out to us. You'll appreciate that neither Sarah nor I considered the implication of the statement and thanks to people like you who are keen to correct mis-guided preconceptions, it's startled us both into realising how one remark can be misconstrued completely. There was no insult meant, of this you can be assured. <br /><br />However, I'm not going to amend the review - because I'd like others to read it and then these comments, and get what we were talking about!<br /><br />You are a star, thanks for stopping by! I've just checked out your blogs and dude, you rock!Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11505919558970094338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19498800.post-41007455396738069882010-03-16T19:24:29.865+00:002010-03-16T19:24:29.865+00:00I've got a quick question for you. You mention...I've got a quick question for you. You mention that Sarah is a child of mixed race but then go on to describe her as half Japanese and half American. That's describing her as mixed <em>culturally</em>, not ethnically.<br /><br />Or does American automatically equal white/Caucasian, and to you and others, has no need for further qualifiers?<br /><br />Did you realize your words immediately put everyone who is American but not white as NOT AMERICAN? You know, that insulting question that not white Americans get asked: "Where are you from, no really?"Avalon's Willowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07539301720154191607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19498800.post-26066751698072463672010-03-16T16:59:29.785+00:002010-03-16T16:59:29.785+00:00Ha ha - no, it's fine! You crazy kid.Ha ha - no, it's fine! You crazy kid.Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11505919558970094338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19498800.post-87105955527460252772010-03-16T16:57:33.494+00:002010-03-16T16:57:33.494+00:00Do you want me to send you my copy ;)Do you want me to send you my copy ;)Essjayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07520594953099845794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19498800.post-41417935846557725552010-03-16T16:51:16.891+00:002010-03-16T16:51:16.891+00:00Argh! I want it back to read it too!
:-) So gl...Argh! I want it back to read it too! <br /><br />:-) So glad you enjoyed it - it sounds wonderful.Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11505919558970094338noreply@blogger.com