THE INVENTION OF FIREFLIES is a memoir about the magic and monsters the author has encountered throughout his life. It spans six decades of a uniquely Asian American, gay, buddhist life grounded in Chicago. From appearing on the cover of the Kellogg's Corn Flakes box dressed as a chef.to growing up one block from America's first mass murder.to falling down a rabbit hole for three years. to finding buddhism at a bus stop.to coming in third place in Amazon's international novel contest. What fun is a life if it isn't filled with its share of blessings and curses, twists and turns? This is the story of how one human learns through trial and error how to make friends with his most frightening monsters, and how to become his own best magician.