Welcome to Litsy!

Continuing my quest into North Korea which always has hovered in the periphery of my mind in regard to world politics. I do appreciate a graphic novel memoir but Delisle seems a bit sarcastic and for lack of a better word, rude, about the culture.

Interesting and disturbing.

This is a thorough analysis of North Korea‘s history, focused on the time prior to Kim Jong-Un takes power. This was published in 2009, so there have been changes but still a great starting point. Excellent research and reporting using details from defectors. Unbelievable and horrific, the way these people have lived through famine, torture, and repression from their government. Everyone should read this. From my #AuldLangSpine list from @Singout

Well, this is disappointing: a book I loved listening to while painting my house but found out some problematic info about the author after finishing it. North Korean defector Yeonmi Park has been accused of fabricating some of this story. I‘m not sure what to believe but this is a book for my deep dive into North Korea. I‘m looking forward to Nothing to Envy next from @Singout ‘s #alspine list. A brutal story of survival. Conflicted pick

Refreshed my #Roll100 list for 2025. These are the first three books from the list. Each from @Singout ‘s #auldlangspine list…so essentially, I cheated and made my list after I knew the numbers. Forgive me! I‘ll be better in February. 😉

November Nonfiction #ReadingBracket2024
Such a heart wrenching memoir that I was really invested in and didn't want to put down

Sometimes, I just laugh at some of the things Trump says because there‘s nothing else I can do. This is one of those times. #thedivider #peterbaker #susanglasser #kimjongun #internationalpolitics #donaldtrump #internationalpolitics #politicalscience #history #worldhistory #negotiations #summit #northkorea #unitedstates

This is a brilliant, Pulitzer prize winning novel about North Korea based on Johnson's research of defectors' accounts and his own visit to the country. It's difficult to read, but well worth it to have a better understanding of how people survive under a ruthless, totalitarian, evil regime that echoes Orwell's 1984. It explores the psychology of a man who does every awful deed he is told to but somehow clings to his humanity.

4⭐️ I quite enjoyed this #bookclub read. For me, it went by quickly, as the chapters were fairly short and straightforward. What I enjoyed the most was the description of life inside of North Korea, due to closed off nature of the country. It was a very intriguing read. #2024 #nonfiction #northkorea #memoir