Book Review + Blog Tour: Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety by Ann Y.K. Choi

This is our stop during the blog tour for Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety by Ann Y.K. Choi. This blog tour was organized by Simon and Schuster Canada and runs from May 2 – May 6, 2016.

veronica | I was a little skeptical when Simon and Schuster Canada offered me this advanced copy of Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety by Ann Y.K. Choi, but a book based in Toronto by a local Asian writer? I decided to give it a try. After all, how bad can it be?

In Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety, we meet protagonist Mary, the eldest daughter of a Korean family who immigrated to Toronto in the 70s. Her parents saved up until they could buy their own convenience store in a rougher part of town.

A lot of what Mary was going through I could and still can relate to. Having traditional expectations while living in a very Canadian world can be confusing during a time when you’re still trying to figure yourself out.

As a coming of age story it was rather grim and definitely unexpected. At times it was dark and definitely more than I bargained for. Mary’s trial and tribulations to understand herself as a Korean-Canadian, a young woman and finally an adult is a journey we can all relate to, being an immigrant or not.

There`s a number of great tunes included in Kay`s Lucky Coin Variety but we are lucky enough to share with you a handpicked playlist curated by Ann Y.K. Choi herself!

Mary’s High School Prom Song Playlist – June 1988
from Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety by Ann Y.K. Choi

1. (I’ve Had) the Time of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (1987)
   
   
2. 99 Luft Balloons – Nena (1983)
3. Addicted to Love – Robert Palmer (1985) 
4. Africa – Toto (1982)
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgL3puDfuRg 
5. Beat It – Michael Jackson (1982)
6. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson (1982)
7. Careless Whispers – Wham! (1984)
8. Celebration – Kool & the Gang (1980)
9. Crying Over You – Platinum Blonde (1985)
10. Don’t You Want Me – Human League (1981)
11. Down Under – Men At Work (1981)
12. Every Breath You Take – Police (1983)
13. Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung (1986) 
14. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor (1982)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsyMtYoSkC0 
15. Flashdance … What a Feeling – Irene Cara (1983)
16. Footloose – Kenny Loggins (1984)
17. Forever Young – Alphaville (1984) 
18. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper (1983)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIb6AZdTr-A 
19. I Love Rock n’ Roll – Joan Jett and the Blackheart (1981)
20. I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston (1987)
21. I Wanna Know What Love Is – Foreigner (1984)
22. Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield (1981)
23. Karma Chameleon – Culture Club (1983)
24. Keep On Loving You – REO Speedwagon (1980) 
25. Let’s Dance – David Bowie (1983)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4d7Wp9kKjA 
26. Like a Virgin – Madonna (1984)
27. Mony Mony – Billy Idol (1981)
28. Nasty – Janet Jackson (1986)
29. Papa Don’t Preach – Madonna (1986) 
30. Push It – Salt-N-Pepa (1986)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCadcBR95oU 
31. Raspberry Beret – Prince (1985)
32. Safety Dance – Men Without Hats (1982)
33. Start Me Up – Rolling Stones (1981) 
34. Sunglass At Night – Corey Hart (1984)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56HSPQHSqEE 
35. Super Freak – Rick James (1981)
36. Tainted Love – Soft Cell (1981)
37. Take My Breath Away – Berlin (1986)
38. The Power of Love – Huey Lewis & the News (1986) 
39. Thriller – Michael Jackson (1982)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA 
40. Uptown Girl – Billy Joel (1983)
41. West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys (1984)
42. Whip It – Devo (1980)
43. With Or Without You – U2 (1987) 
44. You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) – Dead or Alive (1984)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGNiXGX2nLU 
45. You’re the Inspiration – Chicago (1984)

more information
  

published
May, 2016

copy provided for honest review by

additional blog tour participants
May 2 – Padfoots Library – Behind the Story
May 4 – Simon Schuser CA – Significance of Korean Names
May 5 – Worn Pages and Ink – Q&A with Ann Y.K. Choi
May 6 – Just A Lil Lost – Giveaway