Hello bibliophiles of r/bangtan!

How is it possible that we are almost through November?! 2023 is flying by! We know the last few weeks have been busy in Boraland but we hope you had a chance to read your book club pick for the month. This post will remain up, so feel free to participate whenever you get a chance. A discussion guide and giveaway questions are below but also feel free to chat about any part of the book that you would like to talk about as well.

## “Crying in H-Mart” by Michelle Zauner

# DNA (About the Book/Plot)

The critically acclaimed and best selling memoir is the debut book by the singer and guitarist of Japanese Breakfast. Michelle Zauner talks about growing up as one of the few Asian American kids at her school in Eugene, Oregon; of struggling with her mother’s particular, high expectations of her; of a painful adolescence; of treasured months spent in her grandmother’s tiny apartment in Seoul, where she and her mother would bond, late at night, over heaping plates of food.

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# MOTD (Map of the Discussion)

*Below is a discussion guide. Some book-specific questions and other sharing suggestions!*

* There is a deep connection between family and food in the book, were you able to relate to this? Did the descriptions of food make you hungry?
* What were your initial impressions? Did they change as you continued to read?
* What did you learn from Michelle’s struggle to reconcile her Korean and American heritage?
* Are there lingering questions from the book you’re still thinking about?
* Have you ever experienced the loss of someone close to you? Did Michelle’s descriptions of grief resonate with you?
* What did you think of the way Michelle’s mother showed love, how she viewed it, and how she reacted to it growing up?

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# Books with Luv Giveaway

We are doing a goodie box [giveaway](https://i.imgur.com/v8wJUhb.jpeg) that is open worldwide. If you would like a chance to win we are asking you to answer the below questions in the discussion thread. We will put the names of the users who participate into a randomizer and the four winners will receive the package from /u/lisafancypants. We will leave the giveaway open until December 1st.

* Michelle was allowed to stay over at one friend’s house while growing up, what is the name of that friend? Did you have a friend’s home that you often slept over at growing up?
* In the book, Eunmi poses the thought of going on a journey with five animals (lion, horse, cow, monkey, lamb), which animals do Michelle and her mother pick? Which animal would you pick?
* Michelle talks about her and her mother watching an episode of Inside the Actor’s Studio while her mother is sick. Who is the actress featured in the episode? Is there a show, movie, music or book that you use to distract you from things happening in the world?

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## B-Side Questions/Discussion Suggestions

* **Fan Chant**: Hype/overall reviews
* **Ments**: Favorite quotes
* **ARMY Time**: playlist/recommendations of songs you associate with the book/chapters/characters
* **Do The Wave**: sentiments, feels, realizations based on the book
* **Encore/Post Club-read Depression Prevention**: something the book club can do afterwards (on own leisure time) to help feel less sad after reading.

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# 여기 봐 (*Look Here*)

We’ve really enjoyed reading and chatting with you these past few months, and we wanna keep it going! Stay tuned for what our next book will be.

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If you have any questions or concerns regarding the book or the thread, feel free to tag me or any of the mods or BWL Volunteers.

with luv,

* u/EveryCliche
* u/mucho_thankyou5802
* u/munisme

…and the r/bangtan Mod Team

by EveryCliche