The English Understand Wool by Helen DeWitt

This novella was a recommendation from Ann Patchett via her bookstore Parnussus Books’s Instagram. She has great backlist book recommendations. I want to read more shorter literary stories. This one was interesting as a character work and commentary on the publishing industry. The protagonist and narrator was a bit of cipher to the reader. She is seventeen and raised with very old world and upper class standards. It’s a darkly funny and the character develops in such a short amount of time. I want to know more about this character. The author really knew how to use the format.

This was my 60th book of the year which met my reading goal.

Setting: Mostly NYC with a bit of London and Marrakech.

April 9, 2024.

Almost American Girl by Robin Ha

This was the debut and graphic novel memoir from one of my new favourite graphic novelists. It recounts Ha and her mother’s immigrant experience to America and their origin story in South Korea. It was emotional and hard for both women. I enjoyed that there is a theme of motherhood in a lot of these Asian-American immigrant memoirs, but maybe I am projecting because it was the same with me growing up. Another great graphic memoir.

Setting: USA.

April 10, 2024.

Green Eggs and Ham and Other Servings of Dr. Seuss by Dr Seuss

Narrated by Jason Alexander, David Hyde Pearce and Michael McKean. This reminded me that Jason Alexander is such a versatile actor other than George from Seinfeld. Still David Hyde Pearce remains one of my favourite sitcom actors ever so I enjoyed his retelling the most.

1x. April 8-10, 2024.