Poem Recommendation: A Little Closer to the Edge by Ocean Vuong
Excerpt:
“In this version, the snake is headless—stilled
like a cord unraveled from the lovers’ ankles.”
Song Recommendation: 明天会更好
“Tomorrow Will Be Better,” or “Ming Tian Hui Geng Hao,” is a Mandarin song written in 1985 by a group of Taiwanese singers, including Sylvia Chang, Zhan Hongzhi, Tayu Lo, and Dachun Zhang. The song was inspired by “We Are the World,” and was performed by over 60 singers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia in honor of World Peace Year. It was aired again in February 2020 as a symbol of unity and hope in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic (Baidu).
Book Recommendation: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
What happens to those who have been forgotten or spurned by the history we know? In answer, Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko follows a Korean family across multiple generations, where each generation carries the dreams and struggles of those who came before. This is a new type of history, where survivors are not always winners.
Dessert Recommendation: Patbingsu
400 g / 0.9 pounds ice cubes
2 Tbsp sweet red bean paste (or more to taste)
2 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk (or more to taste)
16 mini sweet rice cakes (mochi)
80 g / 2.8 ounces strawberry, chopped
45 g / 1.6 ounces kiwi, thinly sliced
45 g / 1.6 ounces blueberry
45 g / 1.6 ounces pineapple, chopped
This is a very simple recipe, shaved ice and condensed milk being the major ingredients and the other toppings being optional/as one pleases.
Film Recommendation: Always Be My Maybe
Always Be My Maybe, a 2019 romantic comedy released by Netflix, stars Ali Wong and Randall Park (who also co-wrote the film) as childhood friends trying to find their way back to each other. The movie sidesteps the common rom-com pitfalls with its thoughtful storyline, cultural nuances, portrayal of complex parental relationships, and diverse and dynamic cast. Definitely worth a watch in our book!