Having read over 200 books in 2022, below are some of my favorite books from that year: Fiction: “Our Missing Hearts,” “All the Lovers in the Night,” “Regretting You,” “Portrait of a Thief,” “Breasts and Eggs” Historical Fiction: “The Attic Child,” “The Nightingale,” “The Cartographers,” “The Stationery Shop,” “The Magnolia Palace” Fun beach reads: “Carrie Read More…

I love Fiona Davis’ books, especially “The Lions of Fifth Avenue”!I was heartbroken to read her story on being diagnosed with Parkinson’s.Thank you so much for sharing your story, for sharing other people’s stories through your writing, and for being such an inspiration. Notable lines: “‘That sordid world, the city outside that’s teeming with people Read More…

This memoir spoke so much truth and I am in awe of how Wajahat Ali went through so many childhood (and adult) traumas and betrayals, dealt with being homeless and having his parents go to jail…and yet, become this accidental activist and moving writer. Notable lines: “For many, resisting means protesting. For the rest of Read More…

“Em” is a profound and moving novel covering the Vietnam War, orphaned refugees, the Vietnamese diaspora, and other historical references such as Operation Babylift, Agent Orange, and the Mỹ Lai Massacre. Btw if you’re ever in Vietnam, go to the War Remnants Museum, which explains what went on during and after the war in such Read More…

This book was such a delightful YA read on high school, young love, NYC life, and yes-dog walking! LOVE this title too! Quotes that resonated: “I imagine this is how childhood friends feel walking together, talking animatedly without a clear thesis in mind, throwing multiple conversational balls into the air, all at once, and picking Read More…

PS-Follow me on Instagram @walkingcookiedough

This was an amazing book that got me teary-eyed throughout. Years ago, I had also written my own version of Tupac’s “Concrete Rose.” Here’s mine: Did you hear about the naysayers who discourage you from standing out?Provin’ the general consensus wrong, I learned how to sound out the discouraging remarks all over my routeFunny it Read More…

It’s so amazing that my son gets to grow up reading about inspiring Asian Americans who made a true difference. I loved reading about people I never even heard of (Tyrus Wong was the lead illustrator in Bambi whaaat?!)  The collection of 20 stars highlighted here were brave, courageous, resilient, and full of dreams that Read More…

Mally reminded me of how when I had to wear a back brace in high school, I cut off my undershirt to make it like a tube top so I could wear tube tops, halter dresses, etc. And when I had to wear an external fixator consisting of five thick needles in my leg for Read More…

OMG this book was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.Made me think so much about life, regrets, etc. I think we all need to read this book right now especially, damn. And I wish I could enter a Midnight Library of my own… Notable lines (there are so many): “’Between life and death there is a library . . Read More…