Reviews

"Sun Shining on Morning Snow is a profound and beautifully told exploration of mixed-race identity, resilience, and belonging. Ingrid Hu Dahl captures the nuanced experience of growing up between cultures with honesty and grace, offering a powerful reminder that being mixed is not about division—it’s about the strength of embodying two worlds. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complex realities of being mixed and navigating identity in a world that often demands simplicity."

— Alex Chester-Iwata, CEO, Mixed Asian Media

“Sun Shining on Morning Snow isn’t just a memoir—it’s a heartfelt journey of resilience, identity, and love. As a fellow half-Asian, I saw my own reflections in Ingrid Hu Dahl’s story, her words shining with honesty and warmth. She invites readers to laugh, grieve, and grow alongside her, offering a powerful testament to belonging and self-discovery. This book is a gift for anyone seeking a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them. Profoundly moving and beautifully told, it will stay with you long after the final page.”

—Lisa Okada-Whitsitt, Founding Member, Jilly Bing

"Sun Shining on Morning Snow is a beautifully written, visceral look at identity and the harrowing journey so many of us traverse to find belonging. Ingrid's vivid imagery and unflinching willingness to bare her soul allows us a rare opportunity to see the world through her eyes. And through this lens we simultaneously see the beauty of our differences and the heartbreaking rejection of those identities within our communities, our families and even ourselves. This book is a must-read portrait of the complexities of being human."

— Regina Lawless, Author of Do You

“Sun Shining on Morning Snow is a beautifully told memoir about a daughter’s care for and ultimate loss of her mother, as well as a moving depiction of her own journey as a mixed-race woman and warrior. Raw, loving, candid, and profound, Dahl’s book captures a larger truth about grief and the complex and essential relationships between mothers and daughters. I am a faithful reader of memoirs, and this one is up there with the best.”

— Dr. Mary K. Trigg, Professor Emerita, Rutgers University

"As a fellow Gen X mixed-race woman, Sun Shining on Morning Snow resonated with me on a deeply personal level. Ingrid offers a beautifully honest account of the complicated feelings that come with growing up hapa in America—one foot in, one foot out, never fully feeling like you belong or are enough. She captures the quiet turmoil so many of us carry, from adolescent bullying to the objectification and exoticization that follow into adulthood. Her reflections on the weight of societal, parental, and cultural expectations stirred up familiar emotions, including long-buried feelings of inadequacy. Yet through her story, there is also a ferocious strength—a thread of forgiveness and a powerful journey toward self-discovery. This book is both validating and healing for anyone who’s ever felt 'in-between' or 'othered.'"

—Diana Stock, Founder, Studio Stockhome

“This book is a reflection of the power of being authentic, being vulnerable, digging deep into yourself and having the courage to shine your light, even when it feels scary.”

— Shantell Martin, British-American visual artist

“This book feels like an heirloom in the making—the kind of story that gets passed hand to hand, heart to heart, long after the last page is read. It is a soul journey set to prose, wrapped in the kind of truth that echoes through generations. The rhythm, the textures, the tender complexity — this storytelling breathes. A tapestry of memory, culture, identity, and love, woven with grace. This book will move hearts, stir memories, and open space for reflection.”

— Ken McKellar, MCC

“Ingrid Hu Dahl delivers a memoir that is as fierce as it is tender—an unflinching exploration of identity, family, creativity, and resilience. From the very first page, Ingrid’s voice cuts through with clarity and courage, tracing her journey as a mixed-race, queer, second-generation daughter navigating the complexities of belonging, expectation, and becoming. The chapters move like mixtapes, blending punk energy with poetic depth, tracing the path of someone who has carved a life of meaning on her own terms. This is a book for anyone who has ever felt in-between, anyone who’s looked for themselves in art or rebellion, and anyone who believes that personal truth can be revolutionary. Unforgettable—intimate, expansive, and full of heart.” 

— Parixit Davé, Emerging Technologies, Columbia University (former bandmate in The 303s)

“An enlightening soulful-journey into the life of a mixed race woman fighting for her own identity amidst contrasting, cultural, and societal norms. Makes you feel unapologetic for the bold decisions you’ve made in your own life and inspires you to stay true to yourself.”

— Diana L. Howard, Ph.D

“Sun Shining on Morning Snow is not just a personal narrative; it’s an excavation. In its pages, Ingrid reckons with the loss of her mother, the complexity of her racial identity, and the cultural silence surrounding queerness and mental health in immigrant families. What emerges is a story that feels both deeply individual and strikingly universal, especially for those of us raised between worlds. Ingrid doesn’t offer easy resolutions. She gives us something more valuable: a roadmap for becoming.”

— Weyu Shameka, Labyrinth of the First Gen Podcast Host

“At a time when stories of complexity and intersectionality are more vital than ever, Sun Shining on Morning Snow stands out as both mirror and lantern. It’s an invitation to reclaim your name, your story, and your power—with grace, grit, and a refusal to be anything less than whole.”

— Jon F. Dahl

“Part coming-of-age, part self-revelation, all unapologetically bold. Ingrid Dahl writes with heart and humor, taking us all along her journey and every step of the way allowing space to reflect on our own experiences. I think this is perhaps one of the biggest takeaways. A beautiful homage to her late mother, a nod to the queer community and a must read for those who are queer-curious or on their own journey looking to be seen. A lover of music the empowerment and identity that is wrapped up in self-expression or the notes and lyrics written by others — one can find inspiration from start to end. This is a book that both young and old readers can find a piece of themselves in.”

— Courtney Howard

“Ingrid Hu Dahl’s memoir is a pulse—raw, defiant, and aching with truth. As a mixed-race woman, I saw myself in the in-betweenness she refuses to apologize for. From suburban New Jersey to the alleys of Taipei, her story isn’t about fitting in—it’s about exploding the box altogether. She writes with the kind of honesty that makes you flinch, then breathe easier. Love, identity, rage, rhythm—it’s all here, messy and luminous. This isn’t just a memoir. It’s a manifesto for those of us who’ve lived on the edge of belonging, and dared to stay whole.Read it. Then read it again.”

— Hanako Olmer

“The author’s journey through being mixed-race, queer, and a woman is told with deep vulnerability, anchored by the legacy of the women in her life—especially her pioneering mother. This is more than one woman’s story—it’s a call to all of us to live authentically, to speak our truths, and to honor the strength it takes to do so. Brave, moving, and deeply human, this memoir is a reminder that our stories matter! A must-read for anyone navigating identity, grief, or the path to self-acceptance.”

— Gabriella Urcia

“Each riveting chapter is complemented by evocative photographs that deepen the storytelling. Rich with insight and discovery, Ingrid’s courageous and heartfelt writing is both empowering and inspiring. A compelling, beautifully crafted memoir—highly recommended.”

— Krissy Wilder

“This book will speak to young females everywhere, as the experiences of each of us informs us all.”

— Janet Freeman

“A very moving, inspiring, and uplifting story! A great companion read to, "Crying in H Mart."

— Nathaniel Dahl

“Ingrid’s story is so different than my own, yet her observations about self and others are so raw, relatable, and funny that at points I felt like I was looking into a mirror. I love this book.”

— Kendra Shimmell

“What makes this memoir so moving is the way it shows that healing is not about erasing pain, but about finding where we truly belong, even as the ground shifts beneath us. A quiet yet powerful reminder that light often breaks through just when we need it most. Highly recommended for anyone navigating change, loss, or simply searching for meaning and home.”

— Jes Wade

“An incredible, courageous, inspirational memoir on living boldly as a mixed-race, queer woman. For anyone who has ever questioned where they belong or is fighting a difficult path towards becoming their true self - do yourself a favor and get a copy now.”

— Graeme Crawford