Book Chatter

Sunday Matters, a latte on a wooden tray against greenery.

I mentioned it the last time I was around here, but work has been super busy. Trying to keep up with everything is proving to be a bit more challenging. Not really the work stuff but the personal stuff, like this blog. I come home and I am wiped out. And it’s June. What?

Right Now:

They added two more student services to my Sundays. I now have 5th-8th grade. Before I had 7th and 8th. This is kind of cool because new students and all that. Can’t wait to meet all the new students this Sunday.

This Week:

Nothing. Nada. Plenty of work stuff as I gear up for the fall semester but no personal commitments. Thank God! All I want to do all week is come home and go to bed with a book. I’m just so tired.

Reading:

Never Flinch by Stephen King

I have some other books going but I’m focusing on that one for now.

Watching:

I started watching Hacks. It’s pretty good.

Grateful for:

My daughter’s first feature film shoot this week in Boston. Glad that she got work quickly after graduation.

Friends who know just how to pull me out of a bad day or week.

Humor (if it’s funny, I want to know about it)

Have a good week. I will be better about visiting you all!!

Julie Chan is Dead
By Liann Zhang
Atria, April 2025, 320pp.

The Short of It:

An accurate depiction of social media and its impact on society.

The Rest of It:

Julie Chan is dead.
Not really.
Her sister Chloe is.

Chloe, a high profile social media influencer is found dead in her kitchen. The shock of the moment takes Julie by surprise, but not for the reason you think.

Chloe and Julie were never close. Chloe was raised by a white, privileged family. Julie, raised by their ruthless mother. Two very different upbringings. Never close. Julie, resenting Chloe’s charmed life 98% of the time.

So in that moment, the moment where Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body, she decides to BE her. To become her. Their resemblance allows it and no one is the wiser. Why not enjoy the limelight for once? Why should her twin be the charmed one?

As Julie steps into Chloe’s world, it quickly becomes apparent that this ruse may take a bit of effort. Perhaps, more effort and skill than Julie anticipated.

I found this part of the story to be pretty accurate. The life of an influencer is never ending. The constant need to post content, the need for clicks. Just managing the products and sponsorships becomes overwhelming and Julie drowns in it.

But then it gets strange. Julie learns that Chloe was part of a smaller circle of influencers. Big ones. Being a part of that circle is suddenly very important to Julie. They don’t seem to notice anything different about Chloe but when Julie (as Chloe) is invited to an island retreat for VIP influencers, it all unravels quickly.

Things go south fast. This part of the story seemed ridiculous and far fetched. Some of it, absolutely included for shock factor. I felt that this method of storytelling was lazy and convenient. I was so riveted by the glamour and the glitz and then, it just went out like a light. Poof.

Strong first half, but in my opinion, didn’t deliver in the end.

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher.
Disclosure: This post contains Bookshop.org affiliate links.

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