Eriko's Staff Picks

A whimsical, fun novel set in a world slightly discordant to ours - e.g. Japan (whose name is never mentioned) has disappeared - with intriguing, lovable characters and unexpected events. But the story is sprinkled with conversations that kindle thoughts about our real world: what life is like to be (im)migrating from home, speaking a new language, losing a language, being perceived with a certain "identity,"  etc. The narrator changes with each chapter, offering different perspectives: someone whose home country suddenly disappeared, another who disguises to be from that lost country, someone in the middle of "moving to another sex," someone who does not age... The writing never really screams "immigration injustice" or delves into serious analysis of issues - it just lays little thoughts in front of us to mull over, while we enjoy being in a unique world of storytelling. (If you liked it, a sequel is here!)

A story of what happened at the Gwangju Uprising in 1980 South Korea, and how it affected people who fought long after the uprising. This is a story of ordinary people who acted upon their very basic human emotions against a dictatorship military that so brutally crushed that humanity. Han's* extensive research, imagination, and dark, beautiful writing made me feel deep, quiet grieving and intense raw emotions, both of the souls in the story and myself.

*In some cultures (like Korea), family names are placed before their given name, and Han is the author's "last name."

I imagine that "Let's get burgers" actually means "Hey fren, I care a lot about you." I'm a fan of this cutesy queer dog & cat short comic, not just because it's cutesy, easy to read, very fun, and often hilarious, but mostly because I'm a fan of their friendship. This is a nice little comic to read when you want a little smile on your face, or a lovely gift to a friend you want to put a little smile on their face :)
Also note that Firestorm is a vegan project (look at all these vegan cookbooks!), so please imagine they're getting burgers from Smokin' Onion (or RIP Trashy Vegan!) down the street!!

On the basic (but utterly neglected by many) foundation that "No human being is illegal," Walia offers an expansive exploration of what the ‘border’ is and what it does. Full of research not just from the US but around the world, I learned a lot about how white-supermacist empires intentionally built and use the border to divide, racialize, and exploit people; and how causes for migrations are actually created by the same empires that vehemently criminalize those that are pushed out from their home. Walia is clear that these effects of border control are not only made possible by right-wing policies but are also executed by liberal politics.

The mounting cases Walia provides calls for a "No Border" solution. It's a highly insightful book regarding migration and exploitation that shed lights on perspectives that are really well-hidden by those in power.

An anthology of unique, fantasy-taste short manga stories by the author of "Delicious in Dungeon"! You get to enjoy a variety of Kui's imaginative worlds in this one. Of the seven short stories, only one of them have a D&D flavor (= dragons and medieval-Europe-looking people). My favorites may be the heartwarming explorations of how to coexist with mermaids or werewolves in modern-day Japan. It was also fun to see the different art styles including caligraphic drawings. Common to all the stories are (despite the uniqueness of the worlds) adorable ordinary people doing their best to do something difficult (to them). The combo of these often comedic and lovable people in imaginative stories made me smile a lot and awe at the author's creativity. I think this is a really enjoyable anthology to everyone💚

*The original Japanese title was Seven "Children" not "Sons" how dare you :/

If you read all seven volumes (it requires a bit of patience...), the ending is so different from the movie! (Warning that the war violence is more explicit and graphic in the books. The depiction of the unique world is more detailed and beautiful too.) An 80s exploration of survival as humans, nature, and technology in an apocalyptic world. Nausicaä may be almost too idealized, but love her flying with the wind, searching the secret of the world with animals like a squirrel-fox, bird-horses, and sacred insects.

I baaaaawled relating so much to the protagonist's love for his super adorable senior pup. Such a creative way to describe, grieve, and cope with an inevitable stage of life. Given the topic, most of the reading was surprisingly joyful, entertaining, and heartwarming, following the gay single man x doxen duo's adventure. Chapters were short and perfect for reading before going to bed. I loved Lily and this book. I'm sure my intense love of dogs have nothing to do with this review.

Is this a script? Is this one continuous story, or is this a play within a play Or is this a historical account of racism towards people of Chinese and Asian descent in the U.S.? All of the above? This super unique form of the novel, the intriguing story, the deep sarcasm that turns pain into dark humor (maybe remains just as painful depending on how you feel), and Yu's such sharp observation of the world shed light on the racialized experience of Asians Americans in the entertainment industry and beyond. I'm thankful how I was able to see the world as Yu did. This is a great book club book too with so many things to think about and speculate!”

I loooved this intriguing '90s LA story starting on the summer solstice, starring 7 characters that all evade stereotypes of a "minority," crescendoing with mysteries, conflicts, and fantastical events over 7 days. Philosophical, social, and poetic elements sprinkled throughout the book made my mind work and wander. This was such an awesome reading experience.

This could almost be a '90s LA sister to N. K. Jemisin's "The City We Became," a present day NYC story. There are passages that definitely made me feel like LA has a distinct life on its own, with all the people, nature, sounds, and even material things like cars all creating part of that life. The styles are very different though! Somehow it's fascinating to see this cycle of different cities inspiring stories that literally give those cities a "life" within that story.

Does bureaucracy have anything to do with Batman, police, flying cars, Sci-fi, or D&D? Or with human imagination, alienation, and creativity? Graeber amazingly connects all of the above in relation to state power and capitalism. Following this thinking tunnel was so fascinating, and it alarmingly reminded me how easily these oppressive systems can creep in our daily lives and in our mind. This book was such a fun mind sharpener, and a supreme enjoyment if you like thinking!

*Bonus if you read "Fragments of an Anarchist Anthropology," where Graeber argues that certain theories on anarchism should be written by anthropologists. Some of those arguments are included in "Utopia of Rules," and it's cool to see how Graeber kept their words to accomplish those works years later!