October was the month of starting books to put them down again. I started at least three books that I didn’t finish for a variety of reasons — mostly because I wasn’t enjoying them and didn’t feel like putting in the work to finish — that being said, October did produce some gems which I’ve listed below.
As per usual, there will be a plot description, brief review, and sentence summary for each book. These are listed in no particular order.
- “The Joy Luck Club,” by Amy Tan
Told through the eyes of eight women — four mother-daughter pairs — “The Joy Luck Club” is a series of related anecdotes about these women exploring the Chinese-American experience, immigrant experience, and the cultural differences caused by these things. Alternating between the past and present, it paints a picture of family histories, legacy, and the struggle to find your place in the world and within your community.
This book is the perfect argument for why rereading is important. In the years since I read it the first time, I gained perspective that was beneficial to my enjoyment of the story. I don’t think I was fully aware of the nuances and subtleties Tan conveys in her work. In revisiting “The Joy Luck Club,” I not only got to enjoy the quality of the narrative, but the insight it provides into the human experience, and the complex, often contradictory relationships between mothers and daughters. It’s a truly riveting story, and one that keeps you engaged not only with the plot, but with the thoroughness of its self-examination and humanity.
9/10 would sit around listening to family stories again
- “The Best We Could Do,” by Thi Bui
The only graphic novel entry on this list, “The Best We Could Do,” is a memoir about self-discovery in the wake of motherhood. When artist and writer Bui has her first child, she finds herself unmoored and reconnected with her mother in a new way. Desperate to understand her mother and her own past trauma, Bui conducts interviews with her family members to fully understand their lives in Vietnam and their experience as immigrants to the US. It’s a reconciliation of family, memory, and identity.
Everything about this graphic memoir is evocative. The writing is personal, and the illustrations not only convey information but reveal emotions. By layering and intertwining the stories of numerous characters, Bui is able to draw acute observations about the similarities and differences between all of their lives. It gives the characters’ feelings universality while showing the uniqueness of their perspective. For a multi-faceted look at shared trauma and historical remembrance, “The Best We Could Do,” is heart-trending and captivating.
9/10 would be moved verbally and visually again
- “Stay True,” by Hua Hsu
The second memoir on this list, “Stay True” is a tribute to friendship, counter-culture, and the beginning of adulthood. Hsu tells the story of his life, and his family’s, interwoven with that of his friend Ken. He provides a sharp lens for exploring the immigrant experience, especially the East Asian experience, and the contradictions present in friendship. When Ken is murdered, Hsu is left to process his own emotions while trying to rediscover his place among family and friends.
I read this over the course of one afternoon. It sinks its hooks in quickly and never lets go. The fluidity of Hsu’s writing allows him to easily traverse subjects, time, and tone without jarring the reader while presenting them with a deep understanding of his world. The story creates a connection between its author and its reader, and in doing so allows the reader to not only connect deeper, but apply Hsu’s lessons to their own lives. It’s lyrical, heartbreaking, and honest.
10/10 would reevaluate everything again
