The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Choi, Yoon. Skinship. Alfred A. Knopf, 2021.

Yoon Choi's Skinship is a collection of eight short stories. Each collected work follows a distinct character's story, and employs a unique point of view and narrative form. The following summary relies upon the present tense and a linear mode of explanation.

In "The Church of Abundant Life," Soo is shocked and disappointed when she moves to America to be with her husband, Jae, of five years. She thought coming to America would be a grand and glamorous adventure. When she sees the home and shop Jae has secured for them, she feels overcome by despair. Though she tries her best to orient to life in the States, she remains plagued by longing. A succession of miscarriages amplifies her emotional unrest. Then one day years later, Jae comes into the shop talking about one of their old mutual friends, Ki-tae. The mention of his name overwhelms Soo with memories. She soon realizes that she once regarded the future as infinite and indestructible. Now she understands that it is fragile and limited.

In "First Language," Sae-ri is 17 when she becomes pregnant with her son, Min-soo. Because the father was one of her teachers who has since moved back to America, Sae-ri raises Min-soo alone with the help of her parents. When she is 19, Sae-ri's mother receives word from a matchmaker that she has found a husband for Sae-ri in the States. The only way to secure the marriage is for Sae-ri to leave Min-soo behind in Korea and move to America alone. Sae-ri's parents force her to agree to the arrangement. Years after marrying and starting a family with James, Sae-ri tells her husband about Min-soo. James welcomes Min-soo into their family. Not long later, however, James insists that Min-soo move to a behavioral center called Second Chance Ranch. Sae-ri knows that the director wants them to collect Min-soo because of continued behavioral issues, but withholds the truth from James.

In "A Map of the Simplified World," a year after emigrating from Korea to America, Ji-won still does not have any friends. One day during third grade, a new student from India named Anjali enters Ji-won's classroom. The two girls soon become friends. Years later, Ji-won is at a new school with new friends. She eventually realizes that she has to pay attention to her studies in order to get ahead. While working on her college essay, she reflects on her childhood friendship, realizing how she might have hurt Anjali in the name of her own advancement.

In "Solo Works for Piano," Albert is shocked when his former conservatory classmate, Sasha, contacts him after 22 years of silence. He agrees to let her come to his piano studio with her daughter, Alisa. Sasha explains that Alisa is talented, but needs a good teacher. Albert recognizes Alisa's skill, but does not understand her odd social behaviors. Sasha is astounded that Albert does not notice the similarities between himself and her daughter. In the days following, Albert reflects upon all of his closest relationships. He fears what letting Sasha back into his life might mean for his own stability.

In "Skinship," So-hyun grows up in Korea with her brother, Ji-ho, and their parents. Their home life is tumultuous because their father is irresponsible, angry, and often aggressive. Finally, So-hyun's mother leaves her husband and moves the children to Annandale, Virginia to live with her sister. Life in Virginia with her aunt, uncle, cousin, mother, and brother, proves difficult for So-hyun. It does not improve once their father joins them a few years later. She realizes as an adult that she and her family have overcome many trials together.

In "The Art of Losing," Young-ja and Mo-sae have been married for decades. Ever since Mo-sae's diagnosis with Alzheimer's and Young-ja's secret diagnosis with atrial fibrillation, Young-ja has felt trapped and alone. One day she leaves her husband by himself with her grandson to run a needless errand, and fails to return home. When Mo-sae discovers her absence, he realizes how much he has learned to rely upon his wife for stability and order.

In "The Loved Ones," 19-year-old Happy reluctantly begins shadowing RNs for a local hospice called Loved Ones. Though he does not love the work, he knows it is better than his other options. One day while on a home visit for an elderly man named Mr. Kwon, Happy starts to reflect upon his life. Seeing how little time Mr. Kwon has left, makes Happy appreciate all of the possibilities his own life still holds.

In "Song and Song," Minyoung has always felt inferior to her younger sister, Minji. While Minyoung has gotten married and started a family, Minji has been traveling Europe as an aspiring writer. Their mother's illness and death, Minyoung's fraught relationship with her daughter, Charis, and a trip to England to visit Minji gradually alter Minyoung's perspective. She realizes that even though she and her sister have chosen different paths, she must accept herself and others around her.