Growing up as one of the few kids who is different from everyone else can be difficult. It can be tough to fit in, and it can be a challenge for parents of such children to reign- in their child’s tendency to possibly become rebellious. Indie rock star Michelle Zauner knows what this feeling is like and it forms the basis of her memoir, Crying in H Mart.What you get with this book is a memoir about a Korean American girl, growing up in Eugene, Oregon and trying to find her identity. The author struggles at times to communicate with her parents and extended family, while taking comfort in things that she and her Korean relatives can relate to, like food. In fact, this book is very much about food, with references to baking and creating familiar Korean food dishes found throughout the read.The other important part of the book is the relationship the author had with her mother and how it developed from childhood through young adulthood. There were difficult times of understanding during her youth, which is common among most children. But the real test came later, when Zauner’s mother was diagnosed with cancer and had little time to live. Her attempts to reconcile with her mom, take care of her and provide comfort, all the way to her final days form a large portion of the book and the grief she feels following her mom’s death lingers on, from chapter to chapter.It's always fun to read books like this, detailing a celebrity’s roots and what they overcame during their younger days. But there are aspects of Crying in H Mart that I found a little off- putting and difficult to relate to. For one, the overwhelming feeling of grief and the time it took for the author to get over this grief was exhausting. I also lost my mom to cancer, but the grieving period didn’t drag on for this long. It could be a cultural difference, I suppose. Also, as much as I love to eat, the emphasis on food as comfort was a little over the top.Another disappointment that I had with the book is that there is very little mention or talk about the author’s band, Japanese Breakfast. I would have liked to know more about the forming of the band and its success. Instead, it is only mentioned sporadically, almost like it’s an unimportant side hustle. Maybe a sequel is in the works, one that focuses on the author’s success with her band.Life can be difficult when you stand out in the crowd. Crying in H Mart is a book about identity and coping; family relationships; food; and grief. It’s a good book overall, but not as compelling as I had hoped, as I was unable to relate to much of it. Still, it’s worth a read, especially if you’re someone who has had to cope with a similar upbringing.