Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet and the Secrets Behind Systems We Use Everyday by Dan Nott

This was an interesting nonfiction graphic novel. It was ambitious since it tried to explain some very big topics. It was good but my attention wavered with how complicated some things were. I was most engrossed with the water chapters. I admire that the author did years of research and I did learn a few things.

March 20-23, 2024.

Crying in H-Mart by Michelle Zauner

This was a tough and great read. This is about the author’s experience with losing her mother to cancer and the grief afterwards. Throughout it, she looked back at her upbringing and identity as a biracial Korean-American. There was enticing references to Korean food. I listened to about one third of the book on audiobook. It was good narration but I wanted to finish on the copy that I had. It also made it less difficult since I did cry. While I did not lose my mother the same way, Zauner and I had similar experiences in grieving including the anger and the dreams that followed. It was affecting for me. For me, while this was a great read, I will not reread or keep it. I hope my copy finds its way to someone else who can appreciate it too.

Setting: USA and South Korea.

1.25x. March 20-25, 2024.

All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot

Read by Nicolas Ralph. I adore these books so much. It feels like the last couple books have focussed more on dogs and cats than on larger livestock. I have two more to go and I am cherishing them. I don’t know what other cozy audio series I can start after this. Ralph is a fantastic narrator too.

Setting: England.

1.25x. March 17-28, 2024.

Rainbow Shopping by Qing Zhuang

A children’s picture about a Chinese girl and her mother shopping in NYC’s Chinatown. Very close to my heart so loved this. Lovely drawings and reminded me of my own upbringing.

Setting: NYC, USA.

March 29, 2024.