Michelle Zauner Publishes Autobiography Crying in H Mart
Michelle Zauner, well known as her musical alias Japanese Breakfast, has released her first book. The musician had been working on her book for four years, about the death of her mother. Titled “Crying in H Mart”, the book details her grief, and her connection to her mother through Korean food. Zauner also has a new album coming out in June.
Her new album is meant to be a contrast to her book; being about joy instead of sadness. Jubilee will be her third album under the Japanese Breakfast name. She’s released two singles, “Be Sweet” and “Posing In Bondage” from the upcoming album. Her previous albums Psychopomp and Soft Sounds From Another Planet also deal with the loss of her mother.
“Crying in H Mart” was released on April 20 and was published by Alfred A. Knopf. The H Mart in the title is a reference to the chain of Asian supermarkets. Zauner said that her mother showed love through food, which is why it is integral to the memoir. Zauner first wrote a version of “Crying in H Mart” in The New Yorker back in 2018.
Zauner gave GQ a playlist of all the songs that inspired her memoir. There are 14 songs in the playlist, including “After Hours” by The Velvet Underground and Zauner’s own song “In Heaven.” For each song, she gave a description on what it means to her, and how it connects to her book. Some of the songs, like “Dramamine” by Modest Mouse, remind her of her childhood.
“The book kind of ends with the beginning of Psychopomp. This is the first song on that record. I was writing these songs about my mom’s passing. It was a very raw and vulnerable time…Writing this record was a real anchor for me,” said Zauner about “In Heaven.”
“Crying in H Mart” can be purchased at many retailers, including Amazon, Target, and McNally Jackson.