https://irenahuang.com/blog daily 0.75 2024-06-14 https://irenahuang.com/blog/solo-trip-to-portugal monthly 0.5 2024-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/e730037b-e6f1-42b9-9e8d-e1c8f329cc37/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+4.58.37%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out I stayed in a windmill!!!! It used to be a cereal grain mill using windpower to grind the wheat and things, but it has been converted to be a beautiful little house. The bedroom is at the top with all those windows!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/b148f952-f265-42f8-ae59-056f4b8792fa/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+5.00.22%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/7c80edf8-935d-4750-adc8-a8ee483ba235/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+5.02.16%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out Livraria Bertrand, the oldest bookshop in the world! they will stamp any book you buy there so you remember its special origin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/fe12ec0e-9609-45f7-bb4d-2170790d1c6f/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+4.57.12%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out Bacalhau à Brás from A Brasileira — one of my favorite things I ate in Portugal https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/d4a8a31a-edb0-4afd-8245-09674c0538be/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+4.55.36%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out Mercado do Bolhão — fantastic fruits, cheese, conserveiras, fresh seafood https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/0aedf1ba-988f-4ac0-a64b-5867393dd0d6/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+4.56.18%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out bacalhau rissol and tomato arroz from Oficina dos Rissóis! a Portuguese classic that is a must try with a great view https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/33150463-7ae3-4d41-8144-12a16c771a21/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+5.01.53%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out a view of the blue, blue sky in Lisboa and a glimpse of the castle high above https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/f8143610-fcfc-4bd9-a327-926529891a82/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+4.56.11%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out first pastel de nata! fresh from the oven with a way better texture than I thought https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/7ba931e3-fe80-4569-99e5-526ffa83915c/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+5.02.33%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out my favorite store in all of Lisbon, Ceramicas Na Linha where they sell plates, bowls, mugs, vases by the kilo — I’ve seriously replaced my entire dish cupboard with gorgeous ceramics. best 50€ I’ve ever spent https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/4b7a7912-20b2-4365-a67d-3fa26bbaf3e0/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+4.58.21%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out one of the playful courses from Vila Foz; a cow-shaped cracker with a “volcano” of butter made from Açorean dairy from the volcanic island of Pico https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/acd15960-b19c-4505-98ff-1b4a51be667a/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+4.58.42%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out The stairway up to the bedroom in the windmill. Every morning they leave you fresh breakfast in your little fridge :) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/fb2b34e9-a74b-4ef5-9d28-4294919d4c64/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+5.01.21%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out beautiful Lisboa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/ad186938-fc9b-4185-ada3-c24ebc618d14/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+4.57.27%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/6764951e-0e4d-4ef0-99e1-82e2d9abd15d/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+5.02.09%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/e95f0dbe-df40-4cad-a431-2a82d3f97cef/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+4.59.08%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out A cup of free! tea and a pastry at Cha Gorreana, overlooking the tea fields and ocean https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/92a2d68c-54df-4782-b239-b4a28eb387a6/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+5.02.49%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out the beautiful azulejos I brought back from my trip! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/bc5dc73e-94c3-40c6-8f43-fca0825fc3b0/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+5.01.07%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out 15th century azulejos in the basement of Solar Antiques https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/302a8444-180a-458c-be6d-d13227ccb4d7/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+4.59.51%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out a view worth getting lost for — to the left of me was a field of cows, just island cows hanging out on their mountain… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/61e7568d-9b42-4c7f-8e3f-26f6e110aacd/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+5.02.04%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/fb6af367-868d-4777-80e0-593d1429d896/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+5.00.49%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out lunch at Arkhe was a stunner — this is a dessert with fresh strawberries and a dusting of sichuan peppercorns. don’t be turned off by the fact that it is a vegetarian restaurant because they are doing everything right over there. the ginger sorbet? lifechanging. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/c3abce19-dbe7-4ef7-879e-f6024cb19e5b/Screenshot+2024-06-14+at+5.00.06%E2%80%AFPM.png BLOG - solo trip to portugal - Make it stand out a gorgeous part of the mata do canários hike! overlooking the lagoa azul https://irenahuang.com/blog/year-in-books-2021 monthly 0.5 2022-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/a49a3b9a-95c8-4a83-baa6-6d4da63de0e3/51mt7EZza3L._AC_SY780_.jpg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/30515545-c647-4d63-bf9e-9ad316c21a61/71f%2B%2BphqZ-L.jpeg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/bf7a9106-cbd2-43f7-96e0-60f45563e778/54360539.jpeg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/552e4165-c777-4e1f-a6a1-e87d3ab336cd/TheNaomiLetters_FIN-min_large.jpeg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/a25dc0e1-b74c-4e23-9439-250157bee046/55207051._SY475_.jpg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/51516549-a9ac-4143-8217-568d0ca1c735/Screen+Shot+2022-02-26+at+3.35.28+PM.png BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/c812008a-859a-4bd4-990b-40e2b8201105/9781538735503-1.jpeg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/da63f55f-608e-44a9-b510-9c3426a973f9/811YkRXSdsL.jpeg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/4a82fabb-5832-4e8e-8fa0-343368e93e5b/81JjBCLBHYL.jpeg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/6dff9c90-0fe6-4dd4-b048-7edec75a672d/61pXGqJ%2BlUS.jpeg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/912fb9bb-de65-45ea-bfe0-a29742b52236/81eTGGX8yyL.jpeg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/c608f4cd-3248-4152-83e6-a1252dc88c42/71u%2BV%2BfclqL.jpeg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/842b84e0-4a91-438e-b34c-e8b263f5b592/HowtheWordisPassed_CS.jpeg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/91d1ae0a-d35a-441f-9fda-1de2971da042/9781101569047.jpeg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/d8485d06-3eb7-4199-9261-9f2831b83951/516KQqmKjzL.jpeg BLOG - A YEAR IN BOOKS - 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://irenahuang.com/blog/i-got-a-tattoo monthly 0.5 2021-05-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1622148332464-R0KUTT8YCSC3AGIRV13U/Untitled+design+%289%29.png BLOG - I GOT A TATTOO! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1622338092920-5EFB3459ADP8ZH353V2C/IMG_6322.PNG BLOG - I GOT A TATTOO! - Make it stand out Irena’s left arm, showing the circular tattoo on her inner forearm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1622338194350-5C9AYNSK3U5RLRKWASAX/IMG_6358.PNG BLOG - I GOT A TATTOO! - Make it stand out Griffin looking adorable while leaning against Irena’s side, showing the tattoo on her arm https://irenahuang.com/blog/aprilreads monthly 0.5 2021-05-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619927390688-DJG4RC1MBKJY147FN0LZ/55012301._SY475_.jpg BLOG - APRIL READS - THE DUKE WHO DIDN’T by Courtney Milan Seeing Asian people on a romance cover really got to me. I had so many expectations for this book that were very personal, so I ended up slightly disappointed. After a few days of mulling it over, I was able to appreciate it for what it is. This is a fun read with a good twist at the end that is a different vision of Chinese people in England. Definitely worth a read, and I’m here for anything Courtney Milan now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619929194827-VSVFXYUAVFKQ9AW47Y14/71St3wEtpWL.jpeg BLOG - APRIL READS - GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN by Talia Hibbert This is a reread for me. Honestly, I turn to the Brown sisters trilogy as my comfort read. This time, I was reading to see how Talia Hibbert handled a particular storyline in this book, but I have to say — I loved it again. Chloe is such a good heroine and I love her voice. The book is just so funny and there is great imagery. Talia Hibbert has such a light hand but gets so much emotion and connection across. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619930550728-WO7C2GZCBRHSRQ95JKRF/52219243._SY475_.jpg BLOG - APRIL READS - SECOND FIRST IMPRESSIONS by Sally Thorne A tattooed bad boy with a heart of gold and a neat as a pin girl who dresses like a grandma make this book charming and hilarious. I raced through this book because I love Sally Thorne’s writing. It is so interesting to read single POV romance because the protagonist can be so unaware that the other person is DESPERATELY in love with them and you as the reader need them to open their eyes!! A fun, escapist read for sure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619930919335-SC0W9M4HZC4FXANM4B7I/714RuAioEdL.jpeg BLOG - APRIL READS - THE LEAVERS by Lisa Ko This is the May read for the Proud Asian Women book club. We meet every three weeks and only read half the book at a time, and I must admit that I did not get through the first half in time for our meeting. This book made me so sad and really felt like a slog even though the language is beautiful. My book club friends assure me it gets better though — and I do think this is a great book. Simply not my particular taste because I need more serotonin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619925415016-SZDE9IK0UORQ5W5ZKDNL/81S-V8ytpEL.jpeg BLOG - APRIL READS - TAKING ON THE BILLIONAIRE by Robin Covington This was April’s book for Word Bookstores’ Romance Book Club, and I must admit I did not love it. I didn’t really understand the stakes and it seemed like they should just… be together with no complications. It’s a quick read if you are looking for a brief escape with a Jessica Rabbit-esque heroine and a Native American billionaire hero. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619925624611-14WDGVGQED4O84JBVU3E/9781496725806_p0_v1_s1200x630.jpeg BLOG - APRIL READS - The Way You Hold Me by Elle Wright This book took me a second to get into! I usually read books in one sitting but I put this down and picked it back up again a few times. Once I really got into it though, I loved the genuine connection between Skye and Garrett. They build a really great life together. This is part of a series and seems like the second book, so worth picking up if you like to be in a universe with many love stories you can grow familiar with. I found this as part of the Ripped Bodice’s book subscription box. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619928325524-MUDWUQEYITVP9F4S8QMK/41150382.jpeg BLOG - APRIL READS - THINGS YOU SAVE IN A FIRE by Katherine Center This was a Christmas gift from a friend (thanks Anna!) and it’s a great firefighter love story that follows a female firefighter’s journey. The leads are precious together. I will say that there was quite a bit of trauma in this book, and while of course that is realistic, I would have preferred fewer storylines and more resolution in the end. There was already so much emotional depth, so some things felt a bit piled on to me. A good read though! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619924954182-SIIVJFHB5JF4JILF858Z/54477597._SY475_.jpg BLOG - APRIL READS - ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGED by Farah Heron I LOVED this book. I mean, the character is named Reena and she loves to bake bread, so this book felt destined for me. I learned so much about Tanzanian/Indian/Canadian culture and diaspora. Cannot recommend it highly enough. I usually don’t love engagement/marriage romances but this one did it so well and I loved their chemistry. I’m glad it was sent to me in The Ripped Bodice’s Read, Romance, Repeat subscription box, because otherwise I would have missed it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619929439501-PHSNDOXR9WPBGQPPBC9R/51PmhLCNAPL.jpeg BLOG - APRIL READS - ICE PLANET BARBARIANS by Ruby Dixon CW: There is a very graphic sexual assault scene that opens this book — I recommend skipping it and starting on page 19. This is the weirdest fucking book I have ever read. Like, sex with blue aliens with giant dicks and tails. I’m not even yucking someone’s yum here — this book is fun. The worldbuilding is easy to lose yourself in and I liked the way this book handled language barriers. If the idea of falling in love with a blue alien resonates (haha, read the book and you’ll get the pun), pick it up. A romance book club read! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619925798107-SC1Z8T84VOD1T8TMT084/52271834._SY475_.jpg BLOG - APRIL READS - JUST A HEARTBEAT AWAY by Cara Bastone Okay, this book is so good. Set in Brooklyn, Via and Sebastian fall in love in the most beautiful, genuine way. It was precious to read Sebastian’s relationship with his young son, Matty, and how Seb navigates dating for his family. Everyone in this book felt like a real person I could walk down the street and know, and the romance is a dreamy slow burn. Amazing, wonderful, so into this. This was recommended to me by a romance book club member and I am now such a fan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619926063604-E2NYW5VGPMRKMJIYARTY/49567668.jpeg BLOG - APRIL READS - CAN’T HELP FALLING by Cara Bastone Yes, I did go on a Cara Bastone binge because I was so into this world. The second book in the Forever Yours series follows Via and Sebastian’s friends Serafine and Tyler falling in love and I adored it. Both Via and Serafine have experience with the foster system, and it’s so wonderful to read them building homes and families. Serafine is also cool and witchy and falls in love with Tyler once she sees him, truly sees him for who he is. Ugh. So good. Another slow burn! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619926302397-46MIB51ULY1H0L4ZEF9R/53288473.jpeg BLOG - APRIL READS - FLIRTING WITH FOREVER by Cara Bastone Are you sensing a theme… I really fell hard for Cara Bastone’s writing. This story follows Mary, the best friend of Sebastian and Tyler from the other books. Mary owns a shop in my current favorite neighborhood in Brooklyn and again, the way Mary and John navigate class, positionality, and the criminal justice system made them feel like real people navigating the complexities of our world. Cara Bastone forever! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619928613617-6QOZN90P4KVG4RCM2HIS/54231816.jpeg BLOG - APRIL READS - LOVE AT FIRST by Kate Clayborn This book is very swoony! I’ve seen it pitched as a Romeo and Juliet retelling, but don’t worry — nobody dies in the end. Instead there’s romantic balconies and found family and prank-style feuding and turning a what-might-have-been into a what-always-will-be. Plus, the book is set in Chicago, which always gets me right in the heart. I love everything Kate Clayborn writes and this was no exception. Magical. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619927897423-W6QVC7GEBAJQY0L5B9DZ/81kjv%2BZM0VL.jpeg BLOG - APRIL READS - WE DO THIS ‘TIL WE FREE US by Mariame Kaba I’ve followed Mariame Kaba on Twitter for years and I trust her vision and work so much. This book of essays is a great vision toward the future that is grounded in what justice and safety can actually look like for our society. Because the book is a mix of essays and transcribed interviews from Kaba over the years, the complex topic is digestible and you can take time to sit with different aspects of what abolishing the prison industrial complex actually means. I recommend this read to anyone interested in abolition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619929902610-1J5P79IRUT0RIE1AUMEY/51ktaD7qPBL._SX331_BO1%2C204%2C203%2C200_.jpg BLOG - APRIL READS - BARBARIAN ALIEN by Ruby Dixon Obviously, I was interested by the whole Ice Planet aliens thing, because I read the second book in the series. I don’t think I’ll read anymore, because there are like 22 books and my brain can’t handle that much alien. This book followed another human/alien couple and it was actually really adorable to see how their personality traits and her Earth life informed their story. The plot continues to deepen book after book in a propelling way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619930319495-MQ2VSAKK94J1806Y4FZU/9780062880864.jpeg BLOG - APRIL READS - GOODBYE, AGAIN by Jonny Sun This is a lovely book. Little essays and vignettes and drawings of plants on subjects that speak very closely to my own experience as a Chinese American person. I didn’t realize I could feel so emotional about eggs until I read this book! Jonny is such a thoughtful, kind human and I appreciate this peek into how he interacts with the world. This book felt like having parts of me I hadn’t considered reflected back to me in someone else’s voice. https://irenahuang.com/blog/racism-steals-time monthly 0.5 2021-04-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1619057057716-263R1LGBKJXK4WMPGUTP/Screen+Shot+2021-04-21+at+7.03.53+PM.png BLOG - RACISM STEALS TIME Tweet from Ashley C. Ford saying, “I was looking at a list of my goals from four weeks ago & I was thinking about trying to get into voiceover work, or finally working on a graphic novel, and now I wake up every day and the only goal is to get to the next one. Racism steals lives and dreams.” https://irenahuang.com/blog/marchreads monthly 0.5 2021-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1617581078801-B9PZEK214CRGBER4UVCF/final-eve-brown.jpeg BLOG - MARCH READS - ACT YOUR AGE, EVE BROWN by Talia Hibbert I LOVE TALIA HIBBERT. As soon as I finished this, I couldn’t wait to reread it again, and again, and again. This is the third and final book in the Brown sisters series, and I feel so bittersweet about it ending. Thankfully, I hear Talia Hibbert is writing a spinoff series from one of the characters you meet in this book! In the meantime, I’ll read my way through her backlist. Eve is someone I’d love to be friends with and every page of this is so delightful and funny and wonderful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1617580302934-ECZ45HCRWA416T2J6TUF/913sqZiPXUL.jpeg BLOG - MARCH READS - JULIET TAKES A BREATH by Gabby Rivera This is a delight. I was rooting for Juliet the whole way. This book captured my experience of Portland so perfectly, and the negotiation of queerness, vaginas, feminism, and intersectionality reminded me a little bit of my first days at Mills. (not a perfect comparison, and maybe I just miss Mills so I read it onto everything) My takeway from this: kiss who you want to kiss. Kiss all of the cute people you’re into. You deserve it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1617580829124-KYMOSMU04O1HQ28QB7LW/9781644450598.jpeg BLOG - MARCH READS - PILGRIM BELL by Kaveh Akbar Pilgrim Bell doesn’t release until August 3rd, so I’m sorry to tease you with this. If you know me, you know that Kaveh Akbar is my favorite poet. Even when I have retreated deeply into myself to avoid the outside world, his words reach me. I love Calling a Wolf a Wolf, and now I love Pilgrim Bell. When it releases, join me. Join me in being a Kaveh Akbar fangirl. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1617582258363-R994RL9LGCFU3GUHUJ0X/9781984801197.jpeg BLOG - MARCH READS - A LITTLE DEVIL IN AMERICA by Hanif Abdurraqib This is not a book I would have picked up on my own, and I vow to read more widely, because this book is AMAZING. You know I don’t read a lot of nonfiction, but this book is such a joy. To write about music, performance, and dance seems impossible; how does one capture movement on the page? But Hanif does it. This is a sensory experience. Rolling Stone read Merry Clayton some lines from “I Would Like to Give Merry Clayton Her Roses” and I WEPT reading this wholesome interaction. Gorgeous. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1617581839908-MYOIGRDM57CTJ1VOSXJL/52848701.jpeg BLOG - MARCH READS - THE HEIRESS HUNT by Joanna Shupe I’ve heard great things about Joanna Shupe and I will pick up her Uptown Girls series, which comes highly recommended. This one, part of The Fifth Avenue Rebels, I couldn’t get into. I like historicals, but this is an American historical and it feels gross to read about rich Americans — romance writers sometimes skirt over enslavement in a very off-putting way. I also didn’t like the way Harrison treated Maddie, and I didn’t feel like we got to see Maddie fall in love. Not my personal taste! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1617580023921-TNKJYTNT9TYNG6O2S57X/50374203.jpeg BLOG - MARCH READS - THE DUKE HEIST by Erika Ridley This was in The Ripped Bodice’s Read, Romance, Repeat subscription box. If you like Erica Ridley’s writing, this seems like the opening to a Wynchester siblings series you could really get into! This one didn’t quite work for me because I didn’t believe the historical elements; I couldn’t see this actually happening or being possible, but if you’re able to suspend your disbelief because you like the characters, it’s fun! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1617581297558-RL9GS3HVVSV9H4SHFW68/51G4N%2BVPuiL._SX331_BO1%2C204%2C203%2C200_.jpg BLOG - MARCH READS - IT’S BEEN A PLEASURE, NONI BLAKE by Claire Christian This book was hard for me to get into. It took me 150 pages to be semi-invested. I know it’s technically a romance, but it didn’t fit my genre expectations. It’s great when a book defies genre, but in this one, you don’t meet the love interest for hundreds of pages and there are so many bad sex scenes? Like intentionally not stellar experiences as part of character growth. I’ve had enough bad-to-mediocre sex myself; I don’t want to read about it. Personal reading preference! If you want to read a journey of seeking happiness and loving yourself, pick this one up. https://irenahuang.com/blog/meal-planning monthly 0.5 2021-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1616970708013-13DFA810347SKG6TJ96Y/3.jpg BLOG - MEAL PLANNING Illustration of Step 3 in Purple https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1616970673446-HFXIII9H2DXU8SWL2OMZ/1.jpg BLOG - MEAL PLANNING Illustration of Step 1 in Pink https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1616970722379-WBFTI4T06NCBIU1EBLG7/4.jpg BLOG - MEAL PLANNING Illustration of Step 4 in Orange https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1616970690694-J3I7Q44QBC0OUCJSWY4D/2.jpg BLOG - MEAL PLANNING Illustration of Step 2 in Green https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1616876477071-BXFGDBDOOIV2KMJDTFAK/IMG_5234+2.jpg BLOG - MEAL PLANNING Weekly Meal Plan with Days of Week on Left and Shopping List on Right https://irenahuang.com/blog/authentic-chinese-food monthly 0.5 2021-03-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1616376519628-NL6PDD6DWB35RAOWIJLW/IMG_5158.jpg BLOG - Authentic Chinese Food A lake of water lilies, seen from a bridge. A woman in an orange dress poses among them. https://irenahuang.com/blog/bookclub monthly 0.5 2021-03-15 https://irenahuang.com/blog/kitchengadgets monthly 0.5 2021-03-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615513682284-PEJAINZIC9WJ6GH8C2QM/IMG_5016.jpg BLOG - 5 Expensive Kitchen Gadgets That are Totally Worth It - Sharp Knives I get the nails-on-a-chalkboard feeling when I see people chopping with dull knives. You’re more likely to cut yourself with a dull knife than a sharp one! Invest in your knives. These are from Misen, though there are many other nice knife brands. From left to right: Serrated/Bread Knife, Chef’s Knife, Santoku Knife ($65 each). I use the Santoku most often, since I eat a lot of vegetables. These are dreamy knives. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615513101099-3M0F3WYKA4WGMH9JB29J/IMG_5014.jpg BLOG - 5 Expensive Kitchen Gadgets That are Totally Worth It - Microplane The Zester (left, $15) and Coarse (right, $15) are sharp and perfect. The Zester will make your orange smooth as a baby’s bottom. Instead of crushing garlic now, I Microplane it, skin on, à la Molly Baz, and it saves me from mess and garlicky-smelling fingers. The Coarse grated off part of my wrist and I didn’t even notice until the blood started. Give away your box grater. Buy a Microplane! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615511826689-NLX202TJXSMGDS94ZSCB/IMG_5010.jpg BLOG - 5 Expensive Kitchen Gadgets That are Totally Worth It - Silpat Half-Sheet Liner I’m ashamed to admit that these are $27. You’re probably thinking, “Irena. Parchment paper is like $2 a roll, why the hell would I buy a Silpat??” I could make arguments about the environment, but these simply create such a nice baking surface. Sometimes you can find them on sale at Marshall’s/HomeGoods! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615512174484-6CEUOHKKXEGAH3C5HW2W/IMG_5012.jpg BLOG - 5 Expensive Kitchen Gadgets That are Totally Worth It - Enameled Cast Iron You can bake bread in this. You can make soup in this. You can deep fry in this. It may be $85, but nothing else is going to do it better. Don’t fall for the Le Creuset aesthetic — the Lodge Dutch Oven is going to serve you just fine, and be 4 times cheaper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615520077974-YI4C1WQRUPYGH8JVZKP7/IMG_5021.jpg BLOG - 5 Expensive Kitchen Gadgets That are Totally Worth It - Food Processor I just mentioned expensive knives, so it seems unnecessary to have an appliance that chops for you. To break down large quantities of vegetables, however, this cuts prep time dramatically. I use this whenever I batch make wontons or dumplings! A food processor is also the only way to make true smoothie bowls — the NutriBullet requires too much liquid to blend. The food processor gets the consistency just right. This KitchenAid 3.5 cup food processor is $50, but it’s often on sale/refurbished for $25-30! https://irenahuang.com/blog/februaryreads monthly 0.5 2021-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615510424513-V6PCFWX9TGAY3HVX3CK2/Home+Is+Not+a+Country+%28SE%29.jpeg BLOG - FEBRUARY READS - HOME IS NOT A COUNTRY by Safia Elhillo This book changed how I saw the world for a few days, and that is my highest book compliment. When I closed my eyes in the shower, I felt Yasmeen staring at me, and I felt more and more compelled to live into my name like Nima. Safia Elhillo is a gorgeous, lush writer and this book collapses and remakes home/homeland in a such a vibrant way. I felt this book in my teeth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615507028138-WFATMFC73NTC0J68MNSY/on+earth.jpg BLOG - FEBRUARY READS - ON EARTH WE’RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS by Ocean Vuong This was a re-read for me, because this was Proud Asian Women Book Club’s February pick. I loved it again — the first time I read this, I started it in the bathtub and finished it submerged in ice cold bath water with tears streaming down my face. I feel more objective about it this time, but this is truly beautiful work that stands up to re-read after re-read. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615509491849-4FSFCFKAWX2E8GFXT5QF/concrete+rose.jpg BLOG - FEBRUARY READS - CONCRETE ROSE by Angie Thomas Angie Thomas’ lyric is unparalleled and I was rooting for Maverick the whole way. This is such a tender meditation on fatherhood and growing into yourself. The scenes with Mav and Seven made me tear up because of how loving and true they felt. Absolutely so brilliant and beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615510096329-A0E0KWOLZWZ88P5CSJ8Q/in+a+holidaze.jpg BLOG - FEBRUARY READS If you know me, you know I’m secretly a Christmas elf. This book didn’t arrive for me until the holiday season was over, and then I was too full of the post-Christmas blues to start it. Once February hit though, I was ready for another dose of holiday spirit. This is a fun time hop romance à la Andy Samberg’s Palm Springs — sometimes, Christmas magic means you get a do-over and finally, you can kiss the right brother. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615506161233-2O5GARQIFUTZ1PSL9864/indian-ish.jpg BLOG - FEBRUARY READS - INDIAN-ISH by Priya Krishna Including a cookbook here may seem strange, but lately I’ve been reading cookbooks cover to cover. Cookbook writers are great writers, in addition to being excellent recipe developers & chefs! Reading this felt like sitting at Priya’s family dinner table in Dallas, listening to funny stories while eating lovingly prepared food. Such a beautiful way for Priya to honor her mom, Ritu. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615508501976-IAMTEQZB9UVLFHUM000J/destinysembrace.jpg BLOG - FEBRUARY READS - DESTINY’S EMBRACE by Beverly Jenkins This feels so nostalgic for me, despite being published only eight years ago. The first Beverly Jenkins novels I read were part of Avon True Romance: For Teens, Belle and the Beau and Josephine and the Soldier. Every subsequent book by Ms. Bev I read just takes me back to those stories and spinning the bookshelves at the public library, hoping there would be a new book. Maybe I need to read my way through her entire catalog… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615507684922-0G6ZR60DV6QUWX8WTILC/first+comes+like.jpg BLOG - FEBRUARY READS - FIRST COMES LIKE by Alisha Rai I love the universe Alisha Rai has created and I’ve been following this community since Livvy and Nicholas made their debut in Hate to Want You. This book with Jia and Dev is great! Dev is such a wonderful male hero — he is tender, family-oriented, and famous without being an asshole. Reading Jia find self-assurance and acceptance was affirming. My favorite moment was Dev buying all of the skincare products Jia recommended in her beauty videos — dreamy!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615505458819-JZSLRROL7BMR0JLIXO0L/deal+with+the+devil.jpg BLOG - FEBRUARY READS - DEAL WITH THE DEVIL: A MERCENARY LIBRARIANS NOVEL by Kit Rocha This was the February read for Word Bookstore’s Romance Book Club. I love any post-apocalyptic universe run by evil corporations, and this scratched that itch. If you like supersoldiers, clones, and technologically-enhanced people fighting to idealistically save the world while falling in love, you’ll be into this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615506581138-FKMGMS8QFPZSSHLUIYHQ/ex+talk.jpg BLOG - FEBRUARY READS - THE EX TALK by Rachel Lynn Solomon My brother signed me up for The Ripped Bodice’s Read, Romance, Repeat subscription box and this was part of January’s box! I’m really glad I’ve been introduced to Rachel Lynn Solomon. This book is so funny and the public radio premise is fantastic. The best parts of this are the scenes with Shay and Dominic bantering. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615508093641-GG491D0XGOFWIG3B9FSN/99percentmine.jpg BLOG - FEBRUARY READS - 99 PERCENT MINE by Sally Thorne Another re-read! I’ve been re-reading for comfort and for craft — the first time through, I swoon over the story, and the second time I try to see how it works. I was more enchanted by this on the second read because I understood Darcy better. This book shows that happily ever after isn’t guaranteed — you have to put in the work for it. This made me want to sleep in a tent on a construction site — totally worth it if there’s a Valeska beside you. https://irenahuang.com/blog/intro monthly 0.5 2021-03-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1615496652109-FASINIASXC9J51JAJMOJ/IMG_5008.jpg BLOG - WHAT TO EXPECT White/Cream/Tan Shepherd/Lab Mix sitting with red rose held in front of him. https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/solo+trip monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/lisbon monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/portugal monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/porto monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/tap+airlines monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/solo+woman+traveler monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/lisboa monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/travel+tips monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/oporto monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/solo+travel monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/solo+female+travel monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/solo+travel+tips monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/azores monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/acores monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/sao+miguel monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/europe+travel monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/blog/tag/europe+travel+tips monthly 0.5 https://irenahuang.com/home daily 1.0 2024-04-20 https://irenahuang.com/about daily 0.75 2025-06-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/1614726220212-5GTP8UYXDQIGE5HHKV6I/IMG_4934.jpg ABOUT - HEY THERE. Irena Huang is a writer living in Brooklyn, NY. You can usually find her snuggled up with her dogs, Griffin and Nova, and surrounded by half-empty mugs of coffee and tea. She received her Master of Arts in the Humanities from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and International Relations from Mills College. By day, she work at independent publishing house Grove Atlantic as the Roxane Gay Books Fellow. Before her foray into publishing, she was a Speaking Agent + Literary Agent at BEOTIS, a boutique talent agency that represents a leading roster of multi-hyphenate artists and writers of color. As a former restaurant kid, she is a volunteer with Send Chinatown Love as event planning support and was an editor and writer on the MADE HERE cookbook, which was James Beard Award-nominated and featured in Vogue, Forbes, Food Network, and Bon Appétit (Best Cookbooks of Fall 2023). https://irenahuang.com/contact daily 0.75 2021-02-18 https://irenahuang.com/writing daily 0.75 2025-06-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/c44f9dd1-8f6f-46d7-a8d5-287fbc06fe03/Not+Too+Sweet+Moodboard.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/f95d0334-d4f3-4551-a0be-03eac58a33b2/New+in+Town+vibes.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg WRITING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694644871-IC85FNH781UNZSZEGHDR/Aro+Ha_0428.jpg WRITING https://irenahuang.com/free-resources daily 0.75 2024-04-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/86c71efb-82c2-498f-93d5-822398cdcc8d/agent+querying.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/602d6848fec84e4ef9ec65eb/09672708-d95f-47e2-864f-2df6093783d8/agent+querying+graphic+%281%29.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618511743693-J3A8OYH6X8C7RXNU5K0J/20140301_Trade+151_0124+1.jpg FREE RESOURCES