The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

20.8- Nickels and Dimes: MEGSCL's Task: Korean Reads

Korean culture seems to be really trending right now, and I'm here for it. Including booking a trip to Seoul for early 2026!

Pick an option and read one book
Required: State the option

Option 1: Read a book that is set at least 50% in Korea (North or South)
Required: If setting is not evident from the Goodreads main page, provide a reference.

Option 2: Read a book that is by a Korean author. The author can be Korean either by birth, residence, or ethnicity (e.g. if they identify as Korean-American).
Required: If not evident from the Goodreads main page, provide a reference.

예 yes!

아니요 no!

Afternoon.

Would you accept a book by Yoon Ha Lee for Option 2? His author bio on his own page describes him as "Korean-American" (https://www.yoonhalee.com/?page_id=369) as does his wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoon_Ha...).

Thanks

nice task Meg - i've been on a Korean and Japanese fiction kick recently

Trish wrote: "Afternoon.

Would you accept a book by Yoon Ha Lee for Option 2? His author bio on his own page describes him as "Korean-American" (https://www.yoonhalee.com/?page_id=369) as does..."

Looks good. Just provide the link to his website when posting

Cheers.

Trish wrote: "Cheers."

Funny, I was just asking my British colleagues in another GR group about the use of "cheers" to mean "thanks". I had never heard it before, but it's used that way many times in The Hallmarked Man. In the US "cheers" would be a toast, or possibly a farewell. Is that just normal everyday usage for thanks now?

Robin P wrote: "Trish wrote: "Cheers."

Funny, I was just asking my British colleagues in another GR group about the use of "cheers" to mean "thanks". I had never heard it before, but it's used that way many times..."

I think it is part of English slang - we use many words in ways that they were never meant to be used for example "sick" is used to mean something amazing or cool. Understanding others language gets harder I spent years wndering what a wifebeater wasbefore bothering to look it up and finding it was a vest

Marie (UK) wrote: "Robin P wrote: "Trish wrote: "Cheers."

Funny, I was just asking my British colleagues in another GR group about the use of "cheers" to mean "thanks". I had never heard it before, but it's used tha..."

Interesting, "vest" in itself is British, it's an undershirt here. For us a vest is something that goes over the shirt - in Britain, it used to be a "waistcoat" - I don't know if that term is still use.

Would Jenny Han work?
From an interview with her: https://www.girlsnightin.co/posts/jen...
"How would you describe your relationship to your Korean identity?
‍
I was raised in a suburban smallish town in Virginia and my high school did not have any other Asian kids. But then we went to a Korean church. So to a degree, I felt really connected to that part of my identity. Also my grandparents lived with us, so I think that because I had so many friends from church and then ended up at a high school with a ton of diversity, I was really proud to be Korean. I also visited Korea a lot as a kid. As a result, I think I've always felt pretty connected. I wish that I could speak the language better, though. I'm very rudimentary, so I can speak to my family and I can get around, but I couldn't go and have a job in Korea."

yes Jenny Han works. It seems like there are plenty of online sources you can link to that describe her as Korean American. just include one in your task claim. enjoy!

Awesome, thank you!

Would Axie Oh be good for option 2?

Also can I read XOXO for the task as well?

Here is the wikipedia link to who she is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axie_Oh

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Would Axie Oh be good for option 2?

Also can I read XOXO for the task as well?

Here is the wikipedia link to who she is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axie_Oh"

Yes, the book and author both qualify