Asian Characters Take Center Stage in YA Literature!
Article Title: A Glimpse into the World of Books and Gaming
In the realm of entertainment, 2022 saw a significant shake-up. The video game industry raked in an impressive $184.4 billion, despite a slight dip, while the global box office managed to make approximately $26 billion [1][2].
Meanwhile, the literary world was abuzz with the release of Randy Ribay's "Patron Saints of Nothing." This moving novel, which revolves around the mystery of a Filipino American graduating senior, Jason Reguero, investigating the death of his cousin Jun in the Philippines, has been met with widespread acclaim. Reviews and insights praise its impactful storytelling, with the book earning five starred reviews, winning the Freeman Book Award, and being a finalist for the National Book Award [1][2][3][5].
"Patron Saints of Nothing" is not an easy read, but it is a worthwhile one. The novel delves deep into Jason's relationship with his culture and Filipino relatives, set against the backdrop of Rodrigo Duterte's drug war in the Philippines, with Jun's death suspected to be sanctioned by the government [4].
In contrast, Maurene Goo's "The Way You Make Me Feel" tells the story of Clara Shin, a high school student who is volunteered to work a food truck all summer. While reviews for this book were not found in the provided search results, the book features a realistic portrayal of characters and a detailed description of food [6]. Clara's parents are divorced, with her mother being a globe-trotting influencer and her father running a Korean Brazilian fusion food truck named KoBra.
The world of gaming also saw exciting developments. The 2023 Championship series for Fortnite boasts a prize pool of $10,000,000, while there is growing pressure for the Olympics to include esports in its roster [7].
In the realm of fiction, Marie Lu's "Warcross" offers a glimpse into a future where the most dominant video game, Warcross, utilizes advanced VR technology. In this book, Emika Chen, a part-time waiter, bounty hunter, and hacker, is offered a job by Hideo Tanaka, the creator of Warcross, to investigate a security risk threatening the game [8].
Lu's vision in publishing "Warcross" in 2017 is particularly interesting, as she envisioned a near future where gamers could be superstars and gaming tournaments could outshine the Olympics [9].
References:
- The Guardian
- Variety
- Publishers Weekly
- New York Times
- Kirkus Reviews
- Booklist
- ESPN
- Marie Lu's Official Website
- Forbes
- Adults looking for a captivating read this year might want to consider Randy Ribay's "Patron Saints of Nothing," which delves into weighty themes like culture, family, and the drug war in the Philippines.
- For those interested in the intersection of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, one might find Maurene Goo's "The Way You Make Me Feel" an interesting read, featuring a realistic portrayal of characters and detailed food descriptions.
- In the entertainment sphere, the gaming industry continues to thrive, with the Fortnite Championship series offering a massive $10,000,000 prize pool in 2023 and growing pressure for the Olympics to include esports in future events.
- For a glimpse into a future where video games and advanced technology dominate the landscape, Marie Lu's "Warcross" offers an engaging tale of Emika Chen, a part-time waiter, bounty hunter, and hacker, within the most dominant video game, Warcross.
- The literary world and the video game industry offer diverse and engaging experiences for readers and gamers alike, each with its unique niche in shaping our entertainment lifestyle.
