Books & Boba discussion

Happy Year of the Rabbit, everyone! For the month of February we will be reading The Charmed List by Julie Abe. Pitched as Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Jenny Han, this story follows Ellie Kobata, who must go on a road trip to a magical convention with her enemy after a prank gone wrong.

Cupcakes and magical tea sound like a much needed palate cleanse after reading the epic Babel. Looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts!

The Charmed List was a cute read, great for February. The magic world Abe created was cute and fluffy, and as an ARMY member the BTS shoutouts were fun.

I know Ellie is young and we have tunnel vision at that age but damn she was not empathetic when it came to Jack. Yeah, it sucks he “abandoned” her but, it’s totally understandable he didn’t want to be around someone who reminded him
of a traumatic time. They are children and it’s all hindsight but she really didn’t figure in his mom’s death into his behavior at all.
I also found Lia’s backstory to be truly messed up. Why grandma?! I know it was a set up for the plot point of her and Ellie’s friendship but I had to take time to process that.

There are some serious topics underneath the cupcakes in this book. Abe has a character that has an Asian fetish, which I do wish would’ve been given a bit more time since this is a romance young adult novel. To see how Ellie grapples or feels about that. Abe also gives a bit of Japanese camp history with why current Japanese communities/businesses are important to keep.

Overall I enjoyed this magic world and kinda hoping there will be a continuation or spin off for Lia’s story