"A moving, earnest, and deeply-felt exploration of a unique family in all its joys and disappointments . . . an utter delight." --Claire Lombardo, New York Times bestselling author of The Most Fun We Ever Had

Ae-ran Kim's My Brilliant Life explores family bonds and out-of-the-ordinary friendships, interweaving the past and present of a tight-knit family, finding joy and happiness in even the most difficult times.

Areum lives life to its fullest, vicariously through the stories of his parents, conversations with Little Grandpa Jang--his sixty-year-old neighbor and best friend--and through the books he reads to visit the places he would otherwise never see.

For several months, Areum has been working on a manuscript, piecing together his parents' often embellished stories about his family and childhood. He hopes to present it on his birthday, as a final gift to his mom and dad; their own falling-in-love story.

Through it all, Areum and his family will have you laughing and crying, for all the right reasons.

"This novel snuck up on me and captured my heart." --Margarita Montimore, USA Today bestselling author of Oona Out of Order