I have been so spoiled by my reading list lately. I found each of these three books impossible to put down and I finished two of them over a total of four sittings... you know how unlikely that is with a one year old??
Michelle Zauner AKA indie artist Japanese Breakfast appeared in so many of my subscribed podcasts over the past month to talk about Crying in H Mart- it felt so good to hear somebody who shares the same odd sentimentality around Asian supermarkets that I do. Plus, a good chunk of this book takes place in Eugene around the time I lived there and I was thrilled to hear the owners of my usual grocery spot described in detail.
I also can’t say enough good things about Good Talk. When Mira Jacob’s son starts asking her questions about Michael Jackson’s skin and how his grandparents could support a leader who makes the world less safe for him... she does the best to engage these questions honestly and artistically. I’ve never had a book largely focused on race make me laugh so much while still being totally heartfelt.
Minor Feelings added in the emotional complexity of melancholic rage- best described in Korean as the feeing of Han. The essays in this book were not what I expected but were packed with stuff I needed to jot down!