Praises
"Filled with relatable anecdotes and tangible exercises for self exploration, Where I Belong is a loving exploration of Asian American identity that is rooted in community and compassion. This book allows us all to feel less alone as we redefine who we are as Asians and Americans.”
— Jenny Wang, founder of Asians for Mental Health and author of Permission to Come Home
“This book explores what it means to be Asian American, and Lee and Yoon break down complex histories and precise experiences with so much care and compassion. With stories, journal prompts, and grounding exercises, you know you are in good hands while you go on this journey to understand, heal from, and even celebrate the fullness of your lived experience. I’m certain this book will be a returning resource for many.”
—Sahaj Kohli, Founder of Brown Girl Therapy and author of But What Will People Say?
“Where I Belong by Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon is a much-needed book for our AAPI communities during this moment of racial reckoning. Although capturing our communities' diversity and addressing our racial trauma are difficult tasks, they have done so with amazing sensitivity, insight, and expertise. The book highlights the ethnic particularities of our mental health issues well, especially by sharing the voices of individuals. Even more significantly, the authors detail the unique AAPI cultural wealth and community assets that can bring health and wholeness. Where I Belong has contributed to my own journey of healing and hope, and I know it can assist others just as deeply.”
— Russell M Jeung, Professor of Asian American Studies, San Francisco State University and cofounder of Stop AAPI Hate
“With Where I Belong, Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon bring years of expertise to a groundbreaking message. As Asian Americans and diaspora, our experience of mental health and belonging is often seen as an afterthought, and discussions of healing in popular media are often framed through an individualistic, Western lens that neglects our unique heritage. Within the powerful shared stories in this book, Where I Belong does an incredible job navigating the subtle nuances of what it means to heal through the lens of Asian identity, and offers transformative exercises that cultivate resilience, inner strength, and deeper self-compassion. If you want to heal, to grow, or to support your loved ones, Where I Belong is a MUST READ.”
—John Wang, Host of The Big Asian Energy Show
"With compassion and warmth, Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon have taken their experiences as professional therapists to create an essential resource for anyone exploring their Asian American identity and wondering how therapy might help in that journey. Weaving history, personal anecdotes, journal prompts and reflection questions, Where I Belong gives readers the necessary language to name—and reclaim—their experiences. An inclusive, grounding work that will help countless people in search of what it means to be Asian in America."
—Kat Chow, author of Seeing Ghosts
“One of the most terrifying and isolating aspects of feeling like you don’t belong is the ineffableness: Asian Americans, even in all our diversity, often lack the words to describe how it hurts, why we feel this way, the ways our loneliness manifests, and — most importantly — how we can change things. Where I Belong is an entire book that puts words to this too-often invisible pain, in astute and kind ways that take into account the latest scientific studies and the particularities of Asian American family dynamics and cultural norms. Many among the diaspora will appreciate the book’s tone: Never patronizing or cloying, authors Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon provide diverse examples, clarifying explanations, and actionable steps that make you feel in control of your future happiness.”
—Connie Wang, author of Oh My Mother!
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5.0 ★★★★★
I am thoroughly impressed with this book. There was great care and awareness put into this book to be inclusive and representative of all corners of the "Asian American" identity. I have become so used to works been written through East Asian/Wasians lens that I was admittedly skeptical at first.
But after reading the book and seen many stories from Southeast Asian, South Asians and Blasians; all the skepticism went out the door. Both Linda and Soo Jin did well in providing context and history such as Khmer Rouge and the "secret wars". Both points in history that is still not properly talked about.
The book also addresses anti-blackness and emphasizes the importance of solidarity.
I think this book is well rounded and great for Asian Americans in the community who are hestitant about getting help or don't have the resources to do so.
The book includes journal prompts and excercises at end of each chapter which is very beneficial if you want to just try it on your own first.