Annie Choi

Meet Annie Choi, a Korean-American whose family only wanted to give her the best life, so they moved the family to the USA. California, to be exact.

Admit it. You've cussed out a few Asians (at least under your breath) because you don't like the way they drive or dress or talk or eat. Read about all that from Annie's perspective. She begins each chapter with an open letter to some inanimate thing or general group. She flawlessly moves into a story that relates to that letter, always outing her family in some way, shape or form. I especially enjoyed the stories about her mom's driving! And Annie writes exactly as her parents speak - mangled English and all!

If you enjoy humorous memoirs, I think you'll enjoy this one.… (more)

Choi recounts her life in a series of essays about herself and her Korean family. Mostly I found them awkward. There were funny situations but often with someone as the butt of the story. She includes situations that she had trouble getting through, such as spelling bees, family dinners, visits with family and friends in Korea; each with a bit of humor, but I did not always find myself sympathizing with the author. She often came across as whiny or bratty and she acknowledges that she was a brat and spoiled. Some of the Korean-American miss-communication seemed cliche.
I learned a few things about Korean culture that were worth while for a read and saved it from being a total waste of time.… (more)

I think the person who recommended this book to me thought I would really relate to the author, who, like me, was also born in 1976 to a couple who recently immigrated from South Korea to Southern California. But really, I didn't. Some of her stories sounded familiar to Margaret Cho, who I actually adore. But this subject does not appeal to me in a memoir. This is just something my friends and I laugh over a couple of pitchers of Hite and soju cocktails. Actually, I spent most of the book wondering how two similar beginnings could have two such different outcomes.… (more)