Permanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi is an original book about a pop star and a college dropout that is surprisingly meaningful. I enjoyed the premise as well as the blend of entertainment and serious moments, however the main character’s actions really stressed me out. I had high hopes for this book since I enjoyed Emergency Contact, but this one fell a bit flat for me.
Title: Permanent RecordAuthor: Mary H.K. Choi
Also by this author: Emergency Contact
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: September 3, 2019
Rating:
After a year of college, Pablo is working at his local twenty-four-hour deli, selling overpriced snacks to brownstone yuppies. He’s dodging calls from the student loan office and he has no idea what his next move is.
Leanna Smart’s life so far has been nothing but success. Age eight: Disney Mouseketeer; Age fifteen: first #1 single on the US pop chart; Age seventeen, *tenth* #1 single; and now, at Age nineteen…life is a queasy blur of private planes, weird hotel rooms, and strangers asking for selfies on the street.
When Leanna and Pab randomly meet at 4:00 a.m. in the middle of a snowstorm in Brooklyn, they both know they can’t be together forever. So, they keep things on the down-low and off Instagram for as long as they can. But it takes about three seconds before the world finds out…
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Book Review: Permanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi
This book follows Pablo, an NYU dropout working at a deli, when he meets pop star Leanne Smart. Pablo pushes the issues in his personal life aside and tags along on spontaneous international adventures. While this may be a book about a celebrity and a normal person, it is surprisingly not cringey. Leanne and Pablo have many meaningful discussions, and the themes found within the book are surprisingly significant. I also enjoyed the balance of seriousness and fun. Pablo’s experimental snacks in particular made me smile. As well, it is worth mentioning that the ending of the book is pretty unconventional for a contemporary, and while I didn’t care for it, I appreciate the innovation.
❀ Balance of Seriousness and Fun
One of the main reasons why I didn’t love this book is because of Pablo. Personally, I didn’t agree with a lot of his decisions. He isn’t concerned enough about things like his financial state, but instead he takes off in a private jet with a pop star for the fun of it. Just reading about his debt and how much worse his situation becomes stressed me out, and I just couldn’t handle him taking off instead of dealing with his (incredibly serious) problems. He essentially needs his job to afford to live let alone save for school, and I couldn’t believe how he gives it all up in a second for a chance at love. I understand that it is realistic to have a character who is struggling with finance and identity, and Pablo does have his moments, but his actions are just absurd.
❀ Significant and Entertaining
Permanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi is a book that is both significant and entertaining as it follows a pop star and a boy who is struggling to get his life together. I found the premise and many elements of the story engaging, however I found that the main character’s attitude and actions really ruined the story. Perhaps others will feel differently, but a main character really makes or breaks a book for me.
About Mary H.K. Choi
Mary H.K. Choi is a Korean-American author, editor, television and print journalist. She is the author of young adult novel Emergency Contact (2018). She is the culture correspondent on Vice News Tonight on HBO and was previously a columnist at Wired and Allure magazines as well as a freelance writer. She attended a large public high school in a suburb of San Antonio, then college at the University of Texas at Austin, where she majored in Textile and Apparel.
I’m curious about this one, but I think Pablo would drive me a bit nuts too. You don’t just fly away when you have serious money/life concerns and things to deal with.
Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Lauren Does London: Churchill War Rooms
It was that aspect of the book that really baffled me.
I can’t love a book if I don’t like the main character either!
Yeah. I think that some won’t mind, but for me it is important.
I’d be so upset with Pablo. I’m already stressed out with my own finances. I don’t need to worry about another’s.
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters recently posted…It Crashed and Burned: On the Corner of Love and Hate by Nina Bocci
Right?! I mean it is realistic to discuss it, but still.
I didn’t liked Penny from Emergency Contact, and now Pablo sounds like someone that I would hate too. So this book is a definite no for me. Thanks for the honest review!
Raven @ Dreamy Addictions recently posted…The Wall of Winnipeg and Me By Mariana Zapata [Review]
Oh no! I am sorry that you didn’t enjoy Penny. I think that this one is going to be a hit or miss kind of book.
Great review. But probably not a book for me. The main character doesn’t appeal to me at all.
Laura Thomas recently posted…When A Stranger Comes…… Spotlight and Giveaway
I can understand that! 🙂
This sounds like an interesting read, I do like that it takes place in New York.
New York is always a setting that I enjoy reading about as well. 🙂
Thanks for the review. I don’t know if I would have entertained it but you have me thinking twice.
If you do read it, I hope that you find it enjoyable. 🙂
Sounds like a fun read, I recognize this author.. seen that previous book last year.
That is an eye-catching cover! Great design!