Cooking from Memory

A heartfelt Vietnamese cookbook from Christine Ha, superstar chef, Masterchef winner, and New York Times–bestselling author

After losing her vision in her twenties, Christine Ha had to learn how to cook from memory the recipes she’d grown up eating with her parents. But losing her vision didn’t slow her down. She went on to become the first ever blind contestant on Masterchef US—and won. Since then, she has written a New York Times bestselling cookbook, opened the thrice James Beard Award–nominated restaurant The Blind Goat, become a disability advocate, and gained 1.5 million social media followers.


Cooking from Memory is her long-awaited second cookbook, where she shares the recipes that are nearest to her heart. Now that her mother is long gone, she recreates her Mom’s Beloved Pho Bò from memory, shares fusion recipes like Viet-Mex Aguachile that reflect her Texas upbringing, and offers classic Vietnamese recipes like The G.O.A.T. Sate Sauce from her acclaimed restaurant.


An unapologetic love letter to her parents, Vietnamese people, and the Vietnamese diaspora, Cooking from Memory contains heartfelt stories from Christine’s childhood and reflections on the challenges of becoming blind, learning to cook, and becoming the person she is today. Christine’s memories and recipes remind us to follow our own senses and intuition, to slow down, and to savor our food and our time with the people we love the most.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs