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Hello again Book Review Tuesday readers! I hope you enjoyed last week’s guest post. Today I am back with one of my own, the full version of which was posted on June 30 on LuxuryReading.com. A review copy of My Korean Deli
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Book Review: My Korean Deli
My Korean Deli is a memoir by Ben Ryder Howe about his family’s decision – well, technically his wife and her mother’s decision – to buy and operate a deli in Brooklyn, New York.
The book opens with Ben and his wife, Gab, living in the basement of Gab’s mother Kay’s house – along with a host of other relatives. Gab’s family are Korean immigrants, you see, and family is extremely important to them. So important that Gab decides she wants to repay her mother for all of her hard work and the sacrifice involved in the family’s emigration to America by restoring her to her former career – small business owner. And so it begins.
The memoir describes Ben and Gab’s decision to finance the purchase of a deli in Brooklyn that will serve as the family’s business. The plan: the couple will make the initial purchase and work with Kay to operate the deli until their initial investment can be repaid, and then they will turn all ownership and operations over to her. But of course all of their careful planning goes more than somewhat awry.
From start to finish, the decisions facing the family as they move into (and eventually out of) the world of small business ownership prove more than anyone had anticipated. As the deli’s fate becomes increasingly uncertain, Ben and Gab find it increasingly difficult to dance the extremely fine line between work and home life. The family’s responses to the various stressors they face are entertaining, endearing, and ultimately enlightening.
The memoir is well-written, with an easy and engaging writing style. There are some very funny and light-hearted moments, to be sure, but an even greater number of catastrophes, heartaches, and tragedies face Ben and his family – both the “real” one and the one he acquires with and through the deli. This was an enjoyable read.
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So enjoyable, in fact, that I want to share it. Yessir, I am giving away my review copy! All you have to do to be eligible to win – leave a comment on this post saying why you’d like to read it, along with your email address. That’s it. No extra entries this time, no hoops, just a comment. Easy-peasy. I will accept comments/entries until midnight, EDT, on Sunday, July 31, and will announce the winner shortly thereafter (winner will be selected using Random.org List Randomizer again, see previous giveaway for details). Good luck!
I really enjoy the storyline of this novel and would love to read it.
Girl in Translation was a favourite of mine last year and it I enjoy stories with memories.
Sounds like a good read, Jill-Elizabeth! Please enter me in the draw!
I’m following you by email, and my email address is darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com.
Thanks for the giveaway!
This sounds like a very interesting story. One that I would love to read.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I love memoirs and this sounds like an interesting adventure for their family! books(at)bookwormfamily(dot)com
I would love to this book. I used to live in the LA area and there were lots of family owned businesses there. Long hours and not much reward was common among all of them. I am very interested in the obstacles that Ben had to deal with every day.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I would like to win this book because I grew up in New York as a child and went to small owner business’s all the time. Later I personally knew Korean familes that owned business – so hard working!
Kathleenbianchi@ymail.com
Immigrant stories just seem to fascinate me and I love the work ethic of those that came here and made something of themselves. And, of course, I love to read a story about food 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway!
vanessanicole21 at yahoo dot com
I’d love to win this book because memoirs are my favourite type of book to read. I know I’ll love it!
quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com
I would like to read this book!
Sounds Great !!! I love memoirs !!! Please enter me in the draw !!!! Thanks Bunches !!!!!
I’d like to read this book because I’ve actually heard much about it before it was published.
http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
I want to read this book because I like immigration stories and think it’s great that Gab wanted to repay her mother by getting her started in a small business.
irbratb(@)gmail(.)com
[…] She’s got a give for a memoir I’ve never heard of, but love the title of: My Korean Deli. Can’t you see that being a hip, cool sorta chick novel? I totally can. […]
I would like win this book because it sounds really interesting. Thanks for the chance!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Love memoirs. Sounds interesting.
I always enjoy memoirs. Thanks for the giveaway.
Memoirs are becoming my favorite book type. I’d love to read this one, especially because it features an entrepreneur and a small business, which are subjects dear to my heart!