Becoming Bulletproof

I got so many great takeaways from reading this book! It’s very much needed, especially during a time like this. I felt overwhelmed by fear at the height of this pandemic, but I’ve been aiming to stay positive, believe in humanity and be courageous. Notable lines: “Throughout your life, you’re going to cross paths with Read More…

Next Year in Havana

Happy November! I’ve really been loving reading historical fiction these past few years, especially since I never learned much History when I was growing up. It was always too boring or difficult to understand, but now I can learn and be more engaged from historical fiction books!! I learned so much about Cuba, identity, patriotism Read More…

Almost American Girl

Such an amazing story of a mother’s love, a child’s struggle to fit in, and a strong family battling society’s judgments. I’ve been loving graphic memoirs these days! Some notable lines (though it’s even more powerful when reading the dialogue while seeing the graphics): “Once I opened my eyes, I saw the judgment and prejudice Read More…

Buddhist Thoughts

While I didn’t agree with everything in this book, I did gather many notable lines, including: “It is a mistake to look at the strengths of others and conclude that we’re worthless. Often we don’t realize how powerful we are.” “All things are impermanent. Everything, including our body, wealth, reputation, and relationships, will change. We Read More…

The Henna Artist

Happy October! This book was recommended by Reese’s Book Club, and reading it really made me want to use so many kinds of essential oils! I am definitely getting more into Eastern medicine and trying to heal in natural ways over the past few years. It could be as simple as making this matcha latte Read More…

Wayside School

I loved the Wayside books growing up, and was so excited to read this one! Notable lines: “‘Someday, the Cloud of Doom will be gone . . . and the world will be a much better place, even better than before the cloud. Colors will be more colorful. Music will be more musical. Even Miss Read More…

The Paper Kingdom

Wow. I just read this book to my son without knowing what it was about, and it’s the only book I started tearing up over while reading to him. Major props to Helena Ku for representing diverse stories first of all, and for paying tribute to our immigrant parents who worked difficult jobs so that Read More…

Zot Zot!

Yup, that was my undergrad and grad school’s mascot at UC Irvine! I absolutely LOVED my college years-they will always be some of the best years of my life, where I met amazing people, learned so much, and really grew to be a better person. If only I could’ve stayed there forever, haha! So I Read More…

Let’s Make Ramen!

My passion for ramen started when I was a child eating instant noodles and boiling up two servings of ramen in any given day. My first AOL screenname had “ramen” in it, and I still eat it often, one noodle at a time (hey, I like to savor my food!). The spicier, the better!! I Read More…

It Ends With Us

This is one of those books where you have to stay up all night to read it in one sitting, and one of those books that tugs at your heartstrings, makes you choke up and long for the childhood love that’s so beautifully written about in here. There’s so much more to this book that Read More…