Jason's Reviews

Though labeled as fiction, I Love You but I’ve Chosen Darkness is also the true story of the author’s father, who was a member of Charles Manson’s Family and who escaped right before the Family started their infamous killings. The result is a stunning work of auto-fiction, told in a sort of breathless stream of consciousness, exploring motherhood and abandonment in the shadow of her father’s dark past. Unique and gritty, it reminded me of Tales from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.—Jason

True stories of income inequality told with the style and readability of a great novel. Desmond, a Harvard-trained sociologist, lived in low-income neighborhoods for three years, recording the lives of people in the slums of Milwaukee, as they struggled (and failed) to keep a roof over their heads. It ends happily, with thoughtful solutions to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize. - Jason

A comedic masterpiece by the king of postmodern satire. The son of one of the inventors of the atomic bomb is a dwarf who paints only stark black canvases. Around his neck he wears Ice-nine, a Weapon of Mass destruction that could freeze the world. Can Bokononism (a fictional religion) show us the way out of this violent age? - Jason

Anna works for a temp agency as a “hench”—a low-paid sidekick for super-villains. After she gets badly injured by an indestructible superhero named Supercollider, she vows to take revenge, and soon becomes The Auditor, a super-villain whose power is vengeful thinking. This is great for comic book fans and anyone who likes funny science fiction. - Jason

A monk leaves behind a life of privilege and adoration in order to abandon the self. In elegant prose, he details his new life as an ascetic and the humbling lessons he learns as he goes from having it all to having absolutely nothing. This book will change the way you see the world and challenge the myriad false ways by which you define yourself. Readers need not be Buddhists to fall in love with this book. — Jason

Although two thirds of US Buddhists identify as Asian American, mainstream outlets often fail to show the diverse and inclusive community at the center of American Buddhism. In Be the Refuge, Buddhist chaplain Chenxing Han shares academic excerpts and interviews from own voices—all engaging in difficult conversations about race and religion—illuminating the perspective of an important and underrepresented community. — Jason

The year is 2095 and there is a struggle for the rights of A.I. A former marine and now cyborg- gun-for-hire, Welga, protects the rich against daily violent protests lead by battle bots and armored drones. In nonstop action, full of cool tech and innovative world building, this visionary science fiction thriller reimagines artificial intelligence, sentience, and labor rights in an automated near future. Penned by a Hugo and Nebula finalist. — Jason

This is the great American novel you’ve been waiting for. Consider it is a mashup of The Goldfinch and The Great Gatsby, told by an Asian-American teenager. Both a darkly comical coming-of-age tale and an around-the-world adventure. Chang Rae Lee has written a masterpiece of modern fiction destined for awards season. The most impressive, enjoyable and fulfilling novel I’ve read in years. —Jason

Every year on her birthday (January 1st) Oona wakes up a different age. Each new chapter reveals her circumstances (she is married to a man she doesn’t know, she is a little girl on holiday, she is an old woman on her deathbed). Beautiful written, enjoyable, and innovative, fans of The Time Traveler's Wife and Groundhog Day will love this unique take on time loops. I read it in less than a week, and then gave it immediately to a coworker. —Jason

There is a healthy way to be angry at Trump and white supremacy. In this profound and helpful book, a queer Black Buddhist teacher wrestles with his own rage. He teaches us how spiritual practice and vigilant activism can be interwoven. He does not teach us to bypass anger, but instead to use it as a tool. This is the book on social justice and mindfulness we have been waiting for. I cannot recommend it highly enough. — Jason