My Brilliant Life is one of those books that’s impossible to keep to yourself. A compact read about the world of Aerum, a teenager in a South Korean village diagnosed with a terminal illness, it indelibly explores issues of family, aging, love, and identity–just to name a few. It’s the kind of novel you just can’t wait to talk about! After you finish reading My Brilliant Life with your book club, try out these suggestions to keep the discussion going.
What to drink:
Little Grandpa Jang slips Aerum a bottle of Soju so he can get a taste of adulthood. We recommend serving Soju ice cold in chilled glasses. It’s best served neat, but also mixes well with fruit juice or dry ginger ale.
Looking for a non-alcoholic option? Chilsung Cider is the most popular carbonated drink in Korea and can be found in Asian supermarkets here in the States.
What to eat:
You can’t go wrong with Bibimbap as it can easily adapt to different tastes and diets, and is irresistible in any form.
What to listen to:
Ae-ran Kim put together a perfect playlist to accompany My Brilliant Life including songs and artists from the book. It’s perfect background music for discussion, and a great atmospheric playlist to put on any time!
What to discuss:
Download the My Brilliant Life Reading Group Guide for insightful questions to get the discussion going.
My Brilliant Life RGG
What to read next:
Reading books in translation is a great way to travel without actually leaving the comfort of your couch! If you’re looking for another great book to read after My Brilliant Life, we suggest that you pick up one of these new books in translation recommended by the New York Times!
Order a Copy of My Brilliant Life — Available Now!
