A review by krystalicia_
Letters to Home: A Memoir (& Other Stories by an ABC) by Janette Wu

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

“As you were growing up, you were taught SOHCAHTOA and how to dissect an earthworm, but you were never taught how to safely process emotions and guilt. Instead, you learned that crying is a weakness and showing emotions is your Achilles heel. You never learned that your greatest strength is allowing yourself to feel.”

I picked up this book because as the eldest daughter of immigrants, the synopsis spoke to me. Though I myself am not an ABC, I saw myself parts of myself in Janette’s story. I saw myself when she was explored her imposter syndrome, when she struggled with the language barriers with loved ones, and when she sometimes had to straddle two very different cultures.

I loved the way the book was written and thought the letters at the beginning of every chapter allowed it to feel really personal and almost like she was writing the letters to us through the eyes of her family. It kept pulling me in and made me want to continue reading to get to the next chapter. I enjoyed how unique it was and having drawings spliced throughout added in an extra layer of vulnerability and insight into Janette’s through process.

Thank you Book Sirens for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.