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#SouthKorea
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TracyReadsBooks
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Today‘s reading…

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limada
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Pickpick

I picked this up solely based on a random TikTok review, and I am far from disappointed. It's not a style I'd usually read, and the story is less than action-packed, but it's sweet and thoughtful and was just a great, reflective book. Highly recommend. #15-2024

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TracyReadsBooks
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Pickpick

Loved all the stories in this collection—not a clunker in the bunch—but the first one, which gives the book its title, is masterful, a tour-de-force. It‘s an utterly compelling story of a former serial killer in the early stages of Alzheimer‘s. Convinced his daughter‘s boyfriend is a serial killer, he sets out to save her before he completely loses his memory. I understand why Kim has won all the awards & will definitely read more of his work.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

There seem to be a string of translated books from Asia featuring bookstore/library settings and I am here for it! This one is from Korea, where Yeongju has opened a bookshop after quitting her job but doesn‘t quite know how to make it a success. It focuses on a few characters in and around the shop, their backstories and relationships. I really liked this! It‘s not twee or saccharine in the slightest.

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Texreader
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The author starts his walk across Korea at Cheju Island, or Jeju Island, the location of my most recent book The Island of Sea Women. I hope he mentions the Haenyeo.

#SouthKorea #foodandlit @Catsandbooks

Catsandbooks ❤️🇰🇷 2d
31 likes1 comment
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Texreader
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I thought it‘d be neat to post my first review of this book back in 2021 to compare it with my new review:

The Korean “sea women” endure frigid waters to collect sea animals to sell & survive, for they are the breadwinners & heads of family on the island of Jeju, Korea. Men care for the children. I loved this matrifocal book about fiercely strong women thru the terrorizing Japanese & American occupations (read it & you‘ll understand) to today. ⬇️

Texreader Brutal, absolutely brutal—so beware. I learned so much history in a compelling & heartbreaking story about female friendship and forgiveness under the harshest of circumstances. This edition has an interview with Lisa See and I don‘t doubt her knowledge of the topic: her research was comprehensive. Beautifully written. Five stars in a heartbeat. #SouthKorea #foodandlit @Catsandbooks (edited) 2d
40 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Texreader
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Pickpick

Two friends grow up on Japanese-occupied Jeju island, through WWII, marry, and suffer through the transition to the island becoming part of #SouthKorea. On Jeju, many women including the friends are haenyeo, who can tolerate extremely cold temperatures and hold their breath for inordinate amounts of time to dive for seafood. This is their astounding story, as well as the heinous acts and murder of Jeju residents by South Korean soldiers under ⬇️

Texreader America‘s watch during the transition to divide up the Koreas. The story is also a fable about the cost of hate. This is a reread and I still love it. A beautiful if not tragic tale, told by an expert storyteller. #foodandlit @catsandbooks 2d
Catsandbooks Wonderful! ❤️🇰🇷 2d
46 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Texreader
XOXO | Axie Oh
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Pickpick

American-Korean girl meets cute Korean boy in LA, has loads of fun, and falls head over heels. But he goes back to #SouthKorea & doesn‘t respond to her texts. When she travels to Korea with her Mom to help with her ill grandmother, she meets him again-& surprise! He‘s a k-pop superstar! This is a super cute fun read, with many good food references. Highly recommended! #foodandlit @Catsandbooks

Bookwormjillk Sounds fun! Adding it to my list. 2d
Texreader @Bookwormjillk It‘s such a nice, well-written, sweet read…especially if you‘ve been reading dark or sad books. 2d
Catsandbooks I've heard great things about this author! 🩵 2d
47 likes3 comments
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TracyReadsBooks
Almond: A Novel | Won-pyung Sohn
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Pickpick

Loved everything about this book—it‘s one I‘ll be recommending to friends & anyone who will listen to me talk about it. Yunjae was born with alexithymia which makes it difficult to understand/express emotions but he is fortunate to have a family who cares/understands/helps him make his way in life. When tragedy strikes, Yunjae must figure things out on his own & when he meets a troubled student, he learns a lot about himself, friendship, & more.❤️

TrishB Have this on the pile- good to hear! 5d
25 likes1 comment
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Texreader
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