Ep. 150 "Beasts of a Little Land" by Juhea Kim; "Fi: A Memoir of My Son" by Alexandra Fuller

Transcript: JESSICA:  Hi, this is Jessica Russell. I'm the assistant director of collection services at Sno-Isle Libraries. And welcome to Book Buzz.  Today's two reading recommendations will introduce you to handpicked favorites that have captured the hearts and minds of our staff. We'll give you the inside scoop on titles you may not have heard about.  First, we're going to hear from Jordan C., library associate at the Mariner Library, for a story of love and war set in Asia. Go ahead, Jordan.     JORDAN C.:  "Beasts of a Little Land" by Juhea Kim is a beautiful story following both Korean and Japanese characters during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the middle of the 20th century. Its overarching themes of fate and the struggle to determine your own path are universal, as well as the burden that is placed upon you by what others see in you.  Our story starts in 1917 in an almost fable-like setting, the snowy mountains of northern Korea. A chance encounter sets off a string of connected stories that weave the characters into and out of each other's lives like an elaborate tapestry. Most of the book takes place in Seoul and explores a rapidly changing Korea with Western and Japanese influences colliding against a country desperate to hold onto its own culture. The happy moments are few but shine brightly and make the tragedies feel personally devastating.  If you enjoyed "Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee, I think you'll love seeing this time-period explored from the side of the Koreans who stayed in Korea. This book does explore difficult subjects including sexual assault and graphic physical violence so please be aware of this before picking it up.     JESSICA:  Thanks, Jordan! This book is a wonderful example of riveting storylines playing out over the course of history.  Next, let's hear about the enduring bond between a mother and her son, from Bekah, library associate at the Camano Island Library. Take it away, Bekah.     BEKAH:  "Fi: A Memoir of My Son" by Alexandra Fuller was one of the most powerful books I've read all year. This is the third book by Fuller that I have read, and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite memoir authors. While most of her books focus on her unconventional childhood, this latest book deals with the unexpected loss of her beloved son Fi at only 22.    Fuller describes the hopeless, early days of grief when the sadness is so deep and wide, she doesn't believe that she can go on. In a particularly powerful part, she agonizes over the fact that her daughters are also desperately sad, but she is so overcome with her own grief, she can't bring herself to comfort them.    If you are thinking that this book sounds like a total drag, rest assured that there are beautiful and bright moments too! Fuller's friends provide comfort in such meaningful and thoughtful ways as she navigates her grief. One friend sends Fuller and her daughters to her vacation home in Hawaii and mails decadent boxes of comfort food to them regularly. This book doesn't shy away from the black and messy parts of grief but it ends on a hopeful note; reminding us that it really is worth it to seek joy and meaning in our own lives after the unimaginable happens.    JESSICA:  Thanks, Bekah! The unexpected loss of a child is heart wrenching. It's nice to know going in that this book ends with hopefulness.  Our recommendations this week are: "Beasts of a Little Land" by Juhea Kim and "Fi: A Memoir of My Son" by Alexandra Fuller.   Join us next time, when we'll explore more great reading recommendations — interesting books you can find at your favorite local bookstore or at your local library.     Until then, I'm Jessica Russell from Sno-Isle Libraries.   Thanks for joining us for Book Buzz on KSER.  [END]