Book review: I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki

What this book is:

1. A part memoir, part self-help book

2. A book translated from Korean to English by Anton Hur

3. A book where the author, Baek Se-Hee, is being as vulnerable as one can be while knowing it may not be well received

What this book is not:

1. A good-feel book

2. A book that feels complete (because it’s not fiction but the ongoing journey of the author)

3. A book that will make you feel comfortable throughout

To me, I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki felt like free therapy. That’s because the format of this book is essentially the transcription of the therapy sessions of the author, Baek Se-Hee, and her psychiatrist. And then some thoughts the author has on the themes spoken about during the sessions. So, a very different kind of non-fiction book. It also felt like free therapy because one of the issues the author talked about during her sessions was thinking in extremes. An issue I struggle with as well.