Jane Wong

nonfiction/memoir - Chinese American poet/lit professor reflects on her loving relationships with her brother and late mother; surviving bad relationships (including her absent father with gambling and alcohol addiction, and not least of all a menacing, sociopathically abusive boyfriend). Set in 1985-90s New Jersey and more recent Seattle area. TW: psychological abuse and choking by boyfriend.

I've been reading a lot of memoirs lately and most of them I like well enough, but this one I *really* like, especially the way Wong writes about the unfailing support she received from her mother, dubbed "Wongmom.com" after her friend's wish that they could log into such a website anytime they felt the need for a few words from the woman who always knew just what you needed to hear. Her (postal worker! ❤️) mom is so sweet, and their interactions make me feel warm and fuzzy. I'm starting to think maybe poets are just that much better at writing about their lives?

Also recommended:
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by poet Maggie Smith
Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden by poet Camille T. Dungy
Orphan Bachelors: a Memoir by Faye Myenne Ng
A Stone Is Most Precious Where It Belongs by Gulchehra Hoja
You Got Anything Stronger? by Gabrielle Union
More Than I Imagined by John Blake.

And for more Asian-American perspectives (because everyone's experiences are different) -
Oh My Mother! by Connie Wang
Biting the Hand by Julia Lee
Messy Roots by Laura Gao
You've Changed by Pyae Moe Thet War
American Seoul by Helena Rho
Heart of Fire by Mazie K. Hirono
Mango and Peppercorns by Tung Nguyen
Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang
Sigh, Gone by Phuc Tran
... to name a "few," there are so many more that are worthwhile.… (meer)