BOOKS THAT STUCK WITH ME IN 2021

Detransition, Baby

by Torrey Peters

This book is EXCELLENT. Completely expanded my knowledge on identity, gender, and performing roles imposed by society. 

Why We Swim

by Bonnie Tsui

Swimming has always been a constant in my life. At times something freeing. A necessity, a practicality. A medtiation. To pass the time. 

In the second year of the pandemic, when it still felt unsafe to go to a pool, I had found this book. Tsui explains the practical reasons why we swim, and the deeper ways that the water calls us in and brings comfort.

After reading this book, I longed to be in a pool, open water, feeling my mind and body work through the muddy feelings and sore limbs. I think about this book constantly and how it put more words to why I swim. 

Moms

byYeong-Shin Ma

It was hard to not read this book in one go. We're given a rich, layered, wildly interesting view into the lives of working class, middle aged women in South Korea. I loved it for showing us the ups and downs of their relationships, sex lives, friendships, and day to day life in a warm, nuanced way.

Ghost Forest

by Pik-Shuen Fung

I really admire the precision in this book. Fung condenses deep emotion into single words. She stitches together vignettes that stand on their own but also form a whole picture.

There were times where I was scared to read this book - to confront inevitable loss and grief. And in those moments, Fung also tells the absurd and funny sides that disarm and give respite. 

Crying in H Mart

by Michelle Zauner

Really unpopular opinion: Michelle Zauner's New Yorker essay didn't resonate with me.

What did though in reading this book is Zauner's childhood and teenage years. I grew up going to all-ages shows, being in the indie rock scene and Karen O being my idol. Eschewing the lifestyle that your mother leads as a form of teenage rebellion, thinking it is something imposed on her by society and realizing later the love and care infused in every action. Choosing a path that your parents don't approve of and then so desparately wanting to be a good daughter. 

Zauner isn't afraid to tell all the ugly parts of taking care of a person dying. Reading her picking up the pieces after her mother's death, embracing and re-connecting with her identity, it makes it so hard for me to listen to Japanese Breakfast's 2021 release Jubilee (although it's amazing). Because I am heartbroken at the unfairness of her mother not getting to see the talent that Zauner has become. 

Yolk

by Mary H.K. Choi

Mary H.K Choi books always have stunning covers. I love that she loves writing YA. I felt like her first 2 books didn't quite live up to the promise of their covers, but with this book, I really feel like it did. It makes me so happy for her.

With this book, she got deeper, her characters felt way more fleshed out, their conversations more real and believable. 

There's No Such Thing As An Easy Job

by Kikuko Tsumura

At a time where everyone hates and is leaving their job (with good reason), I was totally expecting this book to enforce and expand on that narrative further for me. 

The book is more unexpected, almost magical in an eerie way at times and was a reminder that friction is needed in your life. And how you feel about the friction and relate to it will either bring you misery or acceptance. 

Stone Fruit

by Lee Lai

The drawing in this graphic novel is absolutely fantastic. It vibrates with life and movement. 

Afterparties: Stories

byAnthony Veasna So

The direct and subtle ways that So writes about race and identity in California (particulary to Cambodian Americans) is refreshing, honest, and giving more language to the conversation around Asian-American identity.

It is such a loss that he died just when the public would have gotten to know him and his work.