Without You, There is No Us by Suki Kim

Recently, I was seated at a lovely outdoor dinner in Stinson Beach next to a delightful new friend named Lucy. I was telling her about our recent trip to South Korea, and how we had been to the DMZ, which separates South and North Korea. Lucy looked right at me, without hesitation, and said, "Then now you must now read the book 'Without You, There is No Us.'" She was not recommending three books or four books, she was telling me to read one single book to give me insight into the divided country. This Lucy is one very wise woman. "Without You, There is No Us" is a fascinating read by Suki Kim. Published in 2014, the memoir details Kim's undercover experience teaching English to the sons of North Korea's ruling elite. Born in  South Korea but later a 13-year-old-transplant to America, Kim posed as a Christian missionary in order to get a job teaching English at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, otherwise known as PUST, in 2011. At the school in North Korea, she taught two groups of young men (one advanced and one more remedial) who were sheltered from the the world by their prominent parents and their totalitarian regime. A trained journalist, I think Kim began her journey hoping to come away with a hard-hitting expose about life in North Korea. However, her experience turned into a transformational memoir in which she connected with the boys, and they changed her life and perspective. She got to see how they were loyal to their government, but at the same time how they longed to do things like boys in democratic countries., such as reading about Harry Potter. "Without You, There is No Us" is a glimpse inside how life in North Korea is so different, and yet at the same time how teenage boys are teenage boys, no matter where they live. They are so full of hope, intrigue and curiosity despite their circumstances. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

On Sunday nights, when I was growing up there was always one sound I remember so clearly: The ticking of the beginning of "60 Minutes." My parents would sit in their den, and watch it every Sunday evening without fail, or tape it to watch it later. Sometimes I would join them because I knew the show had fascinating stories, with often surprising endings. In the spirt of hard-hitting journalism, I would like to recommend "London Falling." This non-fiction book is an investigation into the 2019 death of 19-year-old Zac Brettler. In a luxury apartment building over looking the Thames River in London, Brettler plunged to his death on November 29, 2019. Investigators initially suspected his death was a suicide, but soon the story of Brettler's secret life would reveal itself, and shed doubt on that premise. While the police were investigating his death, the Pandemic hit, and some suspect this stalled their progress. However, years later Keefe did a meticulous investigation of his own and discovered that Brettler, the son of an upper middle class couple, was actually pretending to be Zac Ismailov, the make-believe son of a Russian Oligarch. The story of his deception then leads the reader on a deep dive into London's criminal underbelly, featuring mobsters and cryptocurrency traders. Thanks to Keefe's skill as a journalist, and patience as a person, this book is at page turned from beginning to end. If everything solved at the end of the book? No. The point of the book is not to solve all the mysteries but to expose the fact that many people had a hand in that fatal fall from the luxury apartment on the Thames. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

For over six years, I have kept to my original pledge of only looking at Tik Tok from 6:20 am until around 6:35 am, in order to waste the minimal amount of time on the app. The bulk of my early morning is dedicated to learning Spanish and French on Duolingo, of which I am a steady Diamond League member for 741 days. Despite limiting myself on Tik Tok, it does not mean the content is not riveting. There are thousands of fascinating influencers, chief among them is a category called the "tradwife." Otherwise known as a "traditional wife," she is a woman who embraces our grandparents traditional view of marriage and gender roles, such as, the wife is a homemaker, and the husband is the breadwinner. "Yesteryear" is a novel about a tradwife named Natalie, who has amassed more than 8 million followers. Her content centers around her six children and handsome, cowboy husband, Caleb. She has nannies for the children, and team of producers who help her create daily content. Things seem to be going swimmingly for Natalie until one day she wakes up and the year appears not to be present day, but rather 1855. Her state-of-the-art refrigerators are gone and she is left with a small wood burning fire place and no electricity. The nannies and producers have vanished, too. Things get even more confusing when her husband and children have been replaced by another set of husband and children, not her own. Has Natalie been transported to another time as some sort of punishment for her wealth and fame? Or is she rather a prisoner trapped in some kind of reality television show from which she cannot escape? A psychological thriller from beginning to end, "Yesteryear" follows the life of a tradwife that has gone terribly wrong. The question remains how can she get out of the life she has so carefully planned and crafter for herself? And, by the way, Anne Hathaway is rumored to play Natalie in the film version. To buy this book on Amazon click on this link.

Whistler by Ann Patchett

I read at least 52 books a year because I write a review of one book per week, and have been doing so since 2016. All of my past reviews are on my website http://www.lorislibraryparty.com. However, in any given year there are another 52 or more books I don't read. These are the ones I pick up from the library, read 5 pages and do not like. Or, these are the ones I get on audio from the library, I listen for 15 minutes and then return. I don't waste my time. Some books, and some narrators, just do not captivate. me "Whistler" by Ann Patchett had me from the first scene of the book. I was all in for the entire ride. A woman and her husband are in a museum and another man is following them. Her husband approaches the man, and reports back to his wife Daphne, "The man following us says he is your step-father." And Daphne clips back, without hesitation, "Which one?" And so begins the wonderful story of Daphne and her one of many stepfathers, Eddie Triplett. The book is so delightfully poignant and nostalgic that I hated that it ever had to end. But like so many people we meet, sometimes they must leave as well. They bring joy into our lives, make them so much better, and on their way they go. Daphne and Eddie's story is small but, at the same time, a big and impactful one. So rare in life to find someone who adores you and understands you completely. Themes of childhood, loss, love, and disappointment are woven into a meaninful exploration of parenthood and friendship. "Whistler" is one of my favorites books of this year. Ann Patchett never disappoints, but this time she really circled my heart to the moon and back. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer

Italy hits differently during the summer. It almost has a magical effect on people who visit. It flexes its beauty and all the gifts it has to offer. Women eat gelato when they would never dare eat ice cream at home. People gravitate to meats like Prosciutto Di Parma and Prosciutto Di Daniele, when at home they feign being pescatarian or  vegan. And when in Italy during the summer, people drink red wine like it is the juice of the gods, and indeed, cheaper than bottled water. So when Andrew Sean Greer released this delicious summer read "Villa Coco," I was transported. This is the story of 21-year-old gay, American young man fresh out of college who takes the job as an archivist in Italy, after swearing off men. He is broke and burned out, and is hired to archive and catalogue the contents of a villa owned by a 92-year-old Baronessa named Coco. Did I mention the villa has a Picasso? Of course, like any trip to the hills of Tuscany, the visit is far from ordinary. The young man gets caught up in the web of the Baronessa, which includes a colorful cast of characters who not only entertain the student, but also bring him alive, and perhaps open his heart again, too. "Villa Coco" proves that a coming of age story in Tuscany can happen to anyone. You just have to make the pilgrimage to Italy to experience the magic yourself. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Saving Grace by Aimee Eberle

The word honest is used a lot when it comes to memoir writing. But I think, so often, it is mis-used. Honest is not perfect. Honest is not pretty. Honest is not tied up with a pretty satin bow. Honest is messy. Honest is raw and uncomfortable. In my opinion "Saving Grace" is one of the most honest books I have ever read about an eating disorder. In this book, Aimee Eberle weaves together her own diary entries along with those of her daughter, Grace. Together these accounts and other memories form the picture of a family struggling. It is not only Grace and Aimee's struggle, but also the path that their entire family must navigate including a father, two brothers, and an older sister. Anorexia can be sneaky and secretive. There is a scene when the family goes out for a frozen dessert after dinner, and one of the brothers says, "Grace threw hers under a car," in order to stop herself from eating it. Heartbreaking, the family must navigate Grace's struggles together, while trying desperately to support her, heal her, and keep her alive. Through doctors, hospitals, and inpatient treatment programs, together they build an army of care. "Saving Grace" is a beautiful, and yes honest book, that explores, from the inside, how a family wages a battle, and ultimately, victoriously wins. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Land and Its People by David Sedaris

David Sedaris has perfect timing. Whenever I am struggling to find a new book, or in the middle of one that is failing to entertain me, he releases a new book. And then, like magic, all is right with the world again. I just need to listen to him on audio to smile, widely. His humor and his wit are exactly the kind that make me laugh out loud. Whether he is talking about his husband Hugh's hip surgery, his passion for learning German on Duolingo, or a visit with a group of comedians to meet the Pope, his essays are spot on. His quirky penchant for wearing a priest's robe is new, and his love of getting steps and picking up road-side trash remains a long-standing passion. This is not to say that his essays are not sometimes dark. When he talks about his sister Gretchen's lung cancer, or his sister Tiffany's death from mental illness, the pain he feels about both of their struggles is heartbreaking. But he carries on, making sense of the world through his own writing. There is always a part in nearly every book I have read of his, in which he turns his pen back on his parents. While they are both now deceased, his ability to find humor in them, is nothing short of impressive. It was as if he began writing as a baby, the moment he first saw who his parents were. They inspired him with their absurdity. They can be kind but they can also be mean, and yet time and time again he makes them funny. Sedaris is a literary treasure, and I just hope he keeps writing about our land and its people again and again. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Monocle Travel Guide Series: Seoul

Several years ago when we went to Tokyo, my friend Page recommended a travel book series on Japan called Monocle. I was able to buy a used copy on Amazon. So as we looked forward to our Korea trip, I again found a used copy of a Monocle book on Amazon, this time about Seoul. Thanks to the internet, there are now so many apps and websites, that you don't need to buy a physical book when traveling. But there is something I find so comforting on relying on a book to enhance my travel experience, and Monocle does an excellent job. Whether talking about chic boutique hotels or hip coffee spots, the book is especially curated to be colorful and avuncular, but not overwhelming in any way. They are doing the research for you in selecting the best of the best in terms of creativity and style. The thin and small volume is easy to carry and takes the reader on a tour of the city's food, design and retail spots, where one can buy shoes from a niche Korean brand, or go to a music store to hear the latest K-Pop band. Monocle has not disappointed me yet, and I have already ordered their Paris edition for later this year.  To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Splinters by Leslie Jamison

Lena Dunham is definitely having a renaissance following the release of her new memoir "Famesick." My social media feed has been filled with Dunham interviews, including her recommendations for favorite books. I loved all of her recommendations and the way she summarized them with her witty summaries. She recently highlighted this book "Splinters" by Leslie Jamison. If you have read Dunham's book you know she has struggled with relationships as well as her uterine health. "Splinters" does a deep-dive into similar territory, when Jamison finds herself with a newborn child, and a looming divorce. As a connoisseur of messy divorce books, I think this one stands out as a winner. The author is forced to juggle the ups and downs of new motherhood simultaneously with the end of her marriage to the child's father. Rather than attacking her husband, who she refers only as "C," she instead turns the story inward upon herself. She describes the pain of having to manage her hats as an artist, mother and wife, balancing the sobriety that she is worked so hard to achieve. Parenthood is challenging under any circumstances, but for Jamison it is lonely road that she is desperate to survive. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

We are going to South Korea soon, and I wanted to read a book set in Korea to get me in the mood for the trip. I realized that "Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee is not only a best seller, but also a classic book that I had never read. The novel follows four generations of a Korean family who move to Japan in the middle of colonization and political warfare. The saga begins in the 1900s with a young woman named Sunja, the daughter of a poor but respected fisherman. She has an affair with a businessman, and gets pregnant. She soon finds out he is wealthy and unfortunately married to another woman. To avoid shame on the family name, she opts to marry a sickly-but-kind minister who promises her a new life in Japan. He will take care of her and the baby, and claim the baby as his own. The story follows Sunja to Japan, and we see her give birth to her baby, and future generations follow. As Korean immigrants in a new country, they are faced with poverty, adversity, and sacrifice, as well as love, ambition and loyalty. From the kimchi and pachinko parlors, to the Japanese universities and criminal underworld, "Pachinko" is a sweeping family saga that seeks to examine how the burdens of one's ancestors weigh heavily on the future generations to come. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Night People by Mark Ronson

I volunteer at Farming Hope, a culinary job training and food justice non-profit in San Francisco. I chop vegetables and help support the students who are training to become chefs. As volunteer jobs go, this one is a winner. One of the things I like best is talking to the other volunteers, specifically this woman named Christine. Recently she recommended this book "Night People" by Mark Ronson. Most people know him as a music producer and song writer on such movies as "A Star is Born" and "Barbie" as well as his collaborations with Adele, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. But before he became famous, he was a DJ in the 1990s in New York City. He started spinning songs while still in high school, and became part of a tight community of music-minded people who lived for the nights. Working from gig to gig, they made connections, drank, did drugs, made friends and created music. If a DJ couldn't make a gig, he would recommend one of his friends. The DJs were surrounded by actors, artists and other fashionistas who created the golden club era of New York City. Ronson's memoir takes us behind the scenes and you can hear and feel not only the beat of the music, but also see the people dancing. The fact that Ronson went on to become such a legendary music producer is the cherry on top. He was a man who knew what people wanted to listen to, and he still does. "Night People" is an excellent memoir and fast-paced read. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Famesick by Lena Dunham

This book is just a riveting triumph. I loved every minute of it. It reminded me how much I loved the television show "Girls," but also how smart, funny, bright, witty and clever Dunham is. But this memoir is not a comedy, but rather a tragedy with a happy ending. It chronicles her tumultuous time on the set of her "Girls" television series, and also her six-year relationship with musician Jack Antonoff. Both her lovely parents and Antonoff do their very best to support her, but nothing seems to solve her pain. She is starved for love even when she is surrounded by it. Coupled with her insecurity, her own body fights against her as well. During the filming of "Girls" they had to close down production due to her abdominal pain and endometriosis. She struggles to balance the physical pain with her rising star, which has her flying to The White House, The Golden Globes, and even the Met Gala. Even when she gets into see the best doctors, they fail her. The producers scold her like a child for having physical problems. She wrote, "I have loved being a woman but hated operating the equipment." The pain ultimately turns into an addiction to medication. The television show ends, her relationship with Antonoff comes unglued, and she lands in rehab. Incredibly honest and illuminating, the book makes you want to follow Dunham anywhere just to hear her narration on any situation at hand. At the book's conclusion, you have traveled with her back to a point of true wellness, and you just find yourself cheering for her. She finally seems comfortable in her own skin, and ready to pursue her passions as an actress, writer and wife. The book is one of the best books about fame I have ever read, and Dunham nails the whole genre. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Paula by Isabel Allende

I have not read a lot of books by Isabel Allende, but I remember liking the movie "The House of Spirits" based on her novel. So when I saw her book "Paula" was available on audio, I decided to listen to it. This is a memoir about her daughter Paula, who became gravely ill and slipped into a coma. Paula has porphyria, a rare hereditary metabolic disorder. Allende decides to spend the time while Paula is in the coma, telling her unconscious daughter about her family's rich history. This is the way she chose to spend the time day after day in the hospital, trying to make sense of her daughter's illness and her own grief. This is a mother's story and tribute to her daughter, but it is also a recollection about a family and the memories they shared together. There are childhood memories, spiritual questions, magic, and even secrets. Allende uses her beautiful skills as a writer to manage her frustration and worry over Paula's condition. Allende is one of the most widely read authors in the world, having sold more then seventy-seven million books. Born in Peru, and raised in Chile, she won world-wide acclaim with the publication of her first novel "The House of Spirits" in 1982. "Paula" is a heartbreaking memoir designed to help the author navigate through a tunnel of darkness in search, somehow, of light. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers

Robert Frost wrote, "Two roads diverge in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both, And be one traveler, long I stook, And Looked down one as far as I could, To where it bent into the undergrowth." I thought of this poem as I read "The Ten Year Affair" by Erin Somers. In the novel, Cora and Sam meet in a baby group, while married to other people. They became fast friends, and as the novel develops they either begin and affair or never take action on their mutual attraction. They reader sees both possibilities played out. The reader is then left to decide is we want Sam and Cora to be together, or if we want them to stay loyal to their husband and wife. The book explores the pros and cons of both choices but more than anything else explores themes of marriage, family and raising children. The stress of parenting in a two-income earning house hold is brought to life as Sam and Cora struggle with their jobs, their spouses and they children. Is the fantasy of their affair strong enough to make them act on it, or is the fantasy keeping them content enough with their spouses to stay committed? "The Ten Year Affair" is a provocative read that makes modern marriage look downright complicated. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole

For those of us who still read and appreciate Young Adult fiction, here is a gift for you. My friend Teresa told me about this book on a recent hike in our Dominican neighborhood. Originally published in 2016, I listened to "A Thousand Boy Kisses" on audio, and I loved every minute of it. As far as YA fiction goes, this falls solidly into the tear-jerker category. Think "A Fault in Our Stars," or "Five Feet Apart." In this book, we meet Rune Kristiansen when, as a young boy, his family moves from their native Norway to Blossom Grove, Georgia. It is there he meets a precocious little girl named Poppy Litchfield. The two become fast friends, and as the years go by, their friendship turns into adolescent love. When his father announces they have to urgently return to Norway for his job, Rune is devastated. He can't stand the thought of not being with Poppy, and not seeing her every day. However, when she pledges to stay in touch, despite the distance, his hopes remain high. Yet, suddenly, as if from no where, Poppy cuts off all communication with him. When his family returns to Blossom Grove, he is a changed and broken young man, while Poppy remains quiet and aloof. They are desperate to find their way back to each other, but full of anger and fear, too. I was thrilled to discover that Netflix is now developing this into a movie. You are never too old to read YA fiction, especially when it is a book written as beautifully as this one. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

Liars by Sarah Manguso

Toss me the messy divorce book. Just give me every last one of them, fiction and non-fiction. I love the mess, the drama, the insanity and the lies. Marriage, in itself, is designed to be messy and whether it works or not, is such a leap of faith. But when it falls apart, it more often falls apart hard, like a cheap wine glass shattering on a stone kitchen floor. An expensive glass will break into only a few pieces but a cheap class shatters into a million little pieces. This is the landscape of Sarah Manguso's "Liars." Jane, a novelist, marries John, a filmmaker. They are happy, smart and creative people, and they think they have found the perfect partner in each other. And when people in love get together, they often decide to have children to add to the party. Jane and John decided to have one child, a little boy. And then suddenly the party goes sideways. Jane naturally takes on more of the mother duties, such as caring for her son, and John takes on more of the father duties, such as earning the larger salary. However, John's work is unpredictable, and so is the cash in their bank account. And then the ugly culprit named "resentment" enters the story. Jane starts to resent John for not being attentive, and John starts to resent Jane for being so dower. They go to couples counseling, like so many do, and it makes things worse. "Liars" is an intense book, but the realism jumps off every page. Jane and John end up not only telling lies to each other, but lies to themselves as well. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

One & Only by Maurene Goo

At the end of May, I'm getting on a plane bound for Seoul, South Korea. I can't wait. I have always wanted to go there, since as a little girl, my dad told me about his time in Seoul running an army radio station. So when a book about a Korean matchmaker popped in my Libby library app, I couldn't wait to dive into it. Maurene Goo is a young-adult novelist and this is her first foray into adult literature. Cassia Park works for her family's Los Angeles-based matchmaking business. Centered on centuries of tried and true Korean dating secrets, the Parks look into a client's past lives to find their one and only "fated," or soul mate. However, despite the firm's 100 percent guarantee pledge, the only one who has, so far, been unable to find love it Cassia. On the eve of her 40th birthday, she holds the name of her "fate," but has yet to meet him. When she has a cute-meet with a younger man named Ellis, she decides to see where it goes. Her instant connection with Ellis makes her doubt her faith in the Korean matchmaking process. How can she fall for Ellis, when her "fated" is still out there, holding the key to her future? Will she follow her heart, or trust the logic of hundreds of years of Korean matchmaking success? To buy this book on Amazon click here.

You with the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate

I always consider it a privilege to read a memoir, no matter how sad. For someone to take the time to not only write about their life, but also honestly share it with complete strangers, is incredible. It is brave and heroic, but also such an accomplishment to get it all down on the page. “You with the Sad Eyes” is Christina Applegate’s story filled with humor and wit as well as pain and struggle. She kept diaries her whole life, almost foreshadowing that hers was going to be a bumpy ride, so she should take notes. She has had wonderful career highs with starring roles in “Married. . . With Children,” “Samantha Who?” and “Dead to Me.” However, personally she had to battle breast cancer and later Multiple Sclerosis, diagnosed in 2021. The book reveals a very sad and neglected childhood in Laurel Canyon, which was later parlayed into a horrifyingly abusive relationship with a man she does not name. She frequented the notorious Viper Room, danced on Broadway in “Sweet Charity,” and launched the “Anchorman” franchise with Will Farrell. For the reader, and I imagine the author too, “You with the Sad Eyes” is a chance to comb over Applegate’s life and see how she became an actress, a survivor and devoted mother to daughter, Sadie. The roller-coaster-ride of her career has been matched with the overwhelming health issues her body has had to stand up against. The strength of her voice and the power of her words are a testament to the fact that this is a woman who is not going to give up easily. “I truly believe that books can make people feel less alone. That’s why I’m doing this,” she wrote. Through the darkness, she continues to search for light and hope through her sad eyes. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

The Gossip Columnist's Daughter by Peter Orner

In the mid 1980s, I worked for the Chicago Tribune. I was an assistant for a gossip column called “INC.” I loved walking through the doors of the Tribune building, and on snow days sometimes my eye lashes along with my black tights would freeze, and not thaw until I was sitting at my desk. The Tribune had its star columnists like Bob Greene and later Mike Royko, but one of the area’s most famous columnists worked across the street from me at the Chicago Sun Times. His name was Irv Kupcinet, otherwise known as “Kup.” I would sometimes see him going out to lunch, dressed in his signature beige trench coat covering his 6-feet-tall frame.  He was a radio and talk show host, but he was best known for his newspaper job writing “Kup’s Column,” which ran in the Sun Times for six decades. While Irv and his wife Essee were Chicago royalty, most people also knew was that their lives were plagued by tragedy. In 1963, their beloved daughter Karen “Cookie” Kupcinet was found murdered in her Hollywood apartment, and that crime was never solved. The 22-year-old aspiring actress was at the beginning of her career, and was just starting to get small parts. “The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter” by Peter Orner is historical fiction and centers around a struggling writer named Jed Rosenthal who attempts to solve the mystery of the Kupcinet murder. Rosenthal is the son of Lou and Babs Rosenthal, who are the fictional best friends of Irv and Essee Kupcinet in this book. Through the pages of this novel, Orner proposes a plausible plot of what happened to the Kupcinset’s daughter, and how their lives were changed forever. Did the Kupcinet’s know who killed their daughter? Did their friends know who killed the girl? Was there a cover up? Was her death part of a larger conspiracy? Woven in between the stories of President Kennedy’s assassination, the glamor of old school Hollywood, and Chicago’s legendary mob scene, “The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter” is a fascinating tale, well-crafted and well-told. Orner’s unraveling of the decades long cold case unlocks a treasure chest of questions, that seem to have been covered since that fateful night in 1963. To buy this book on Amazon click here.

A Friend of Dorothy's by Richard Willett

For those of us in our 60s, we remember living through another global pandemic that came before Covid. Since the early 1980s, AIDS has taken the lives of more than 40 million people worldwide. During the early days of AIDs, I too remember so much confusion about the disease, about how you could get it, and how you couldn't get it. But I remember too, the stories of the caregivers, and the people who took care of their dying friends. "A Friend of Dorothy," by Richard Willett, is a novel, and coming of age story that takes place during 1986 in New York City. Eric, a 27-year-old Canadian transplant, works in a book store in Midtown Manhattan. When his coworker Dale contracts AIDS, he needs a caregiver. Dale asks Eric to help him, and Eric agrees. The experience will change both of the men's lives. With grace and humor, Eric helps his friend die, while Dale inspires Eric to continue to live. The novel so accurately depicts New York in the middle of the AIDS crisis, when there was so much fear and stigma, but also so much love going around, too. To buy this book on Amazon click here.