The Book Slump

Tag: Korean

  • Every Day I Read

    Every Day I Read

    By Hwang Bo-Reum

    SPOILER-FREE

    Released 2021 (2025 English version), 237 pages.

    Why do we read? What is it that we hope to take away from the intimate, personal experience of reading for pleasure?
     
    Rarely do we ask these profound, expansive questions of ourselves and of our relationship to the joy of reading. But in this gentle, philosophical collection celebrating books, reading and language, Hwang Bo-reum doesn’t just tell us, but shows us what living a life immersed in reading means.
     
    Every Day I Read provides many quiet moments for introspection and reflection, encourages book-lovers to explore what reading means to each of us. While this is a book about books, at its heart is an attitude to life, one outside capitalism and climbing the corporate ladder. Readers and non-readers will take away something from it, including a treasure trove of book recommendations blended seamlessly within.

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: NON-FICTION, MEMOIR, ESSAYS, INSPIRATIONAL, INFORMATIVE.

    Every Day I Read, is a memoir with personal anecdotes and essays woven throughout. This book explores the author’s reading journey, and what she has learnt so far – whilst frequently referencing books that hold significance to key moments in her life.


    I actually didn’t realise this was non-fiction when I bought it. Only when I started reading, did I realise it is a memoir of sorts.

    I already like Hwang from her book Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop, as it is a story I often think back to. But now, after reading about her personal reading experience, I admire her even more.

    What I love most about this book is the simple way she conveys her thoughts. I never felt overwhelmed with information. She presents her sources and anecdotes in such an attractive manner. She articulates her thoughts and insight in a way that is so relatable – It really makes me think that a lot of readers share a similar personality type.

    As mentioned above, she is constantly referencing books that have helped her, sometimes five or more a chapter (the chapters are very short, another bonus). I have noted down all of her references, because I am always on the look-out for a new recommendation. So maybe, if nothing else, treat the book as a source of bibliotherapy.

    I strongly recommend readers and writers of any kind try this book. It is so light, inspiring and enjoyable. But be sure to have a pencil ready.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

    LINK TO STORYGRAPH PROFILE

  • The Eyes are the Best Part

    The Eyes are the Best Part

    By Monika Kim

    SPOILERS

    Released 2024, 277 Pages

    Ji-won’s life tumbles into disarray in the wake of her Appa’s extramarital affair and subsequent departure. Her mother, distraught. Her younger sister, hurt and confused. Her college freshman grades, failing. Her dreams, horrifying… yet enticing.

    In them, Ji-won walks through bloody rooms full of eyes. Succulent blue eyes. Salivatingly blue eyes. Eyes the same shape and shade as George’s, who is Umma’s obnoxious new boyfriend. George has already overstayed his welcome in her family’s claustrophobic apartment. He brags about his puffed-up consulting job, ogles Asian waitresses while dining out, and acts condescending toward Ji-won and her sister as if he deserves all of Umma’s fawning adoration. No, George doesn’t deserve anything from her family. Ji-won will make sure of that.

    For no matter how many victims accumulate around her campus or how many people she must deceive and manipulate, Ji-won’s hunger and her rage deserve to be sated.

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: HORROR, DARK, TENSE, FAST-PACED.

    The Eyes Are The Best Part is a story that follows Ji-Won as she experiences the trials and tribulations of what it is to be a Korean woman growing up in a western country (America). After her mother gets a new boyfriend, she starts to notice the striking blue in his eyes. It slowly becomes an obsession, that leads to something far more sinister.

    This is my favourite horror so far – I am someone who likes horror books that have a purpose, and this one delivered.

    Protagonist (in my eyes) Ji-won is driven to rage due to the racial fetishization and performative feminism created by men.

    Kim touches on subjects that are typically overlooked and brushed off – she came for blood, and I loved it. Was it a bit unrealistic… yes but it was a very real scenario many women can relate to, and boy was it satisfying to read.

    The satisfaction I felt when Ji-won started driving George insane was unmatched. I, for one have met so many Jeffrey’s in my life and to see it written on paper was so validating- performative feminism is joked about but not spoken about, Kim did a great job of encapsulating this behaviour and pointing out the signs.

    There switch from sane to insane was quick, that’s for sure. The eye-eating takes a minute to stomach (pun intended), and the ending was a bit unrealistic as said above, but I do not think the point was to be realistic it was to be enjoyable – in real life she would have been arrested but I am glad she did not.

    I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, but I think women would love it -especially Asian women as it touches on Asian fetishization.

    And it’s her first book, how incredible.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

    LINK TO STORYGRAPH PROFILE