Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.
(But also a reminder to self that I’m not allowed to buy any books for the rest of 2020 unless it’s one of these. Is that really so much to ask?)
(Watch me… buy a book…)
Exhalation by Ted Chiang
Edition: Vintage, paperback // Status: read
Goodreads
The second collection of stories by one of my favourite speculative fiction writers. There are time portals, alien scientists, virtual pets, robot nannies, memory prostheses, parallel realities, and more. But what this collection means to me above all is the wonder of the universe, the tiny space we occupy, and the way we strive on in spite of that. It’s about hope.
Two Trees Make a Forest by Jessica J Lee
Edition: Catapult, paperback // Status: read
Goodreads
A memoir traveling Taiwan, combining nature writing, geography, politics, history, and family. This took me back to my most recent trip to Taiwan right before the pandemic, curing my wanderlust and homesickness. Lee’s search to reconnect with her heritage resonated with me deeply (she’s British-Canadian-Taiwanese).
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Edition: Penguin, paperback // Status: read
Goodreads
I’ve been wanting to replace the hardback I thrifted with a paperback, specifically with ISBN 0525505555 or ISBN 0525522565, which don’t have the horrendous Reese’s Book Club or Hulu adaptation badges. I can’t find either of these editions anywhere!!
How We Disappeared by Jing-Jing Lee
Edition: Oneworld, paperback // Status: to read
Goodreads
A story of “comfort women” in Singapore under Japanese occupation during WWII. Y’all know I’ve been obsessed with reading books set in East Asian countries under Japanese occupation since finishing Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. This cover matches perfectly with my edition of Pachinko and it’s also gorgeous in its own right!
The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischvili
Edition: Scribe, paperback // Status: to read
Goodreads
A multigenerational Russian historical drama and a cursed hot cocoa. Bookstagram told me I need this 944-paged tome on my shelf and I’m listening.
What books are you wishing for this Christmas?
