Books and Boba

On this episode we chat with author Ilene Wong (aka I.W. Gregorio) about her new YA novel This is My Brain in Love, A story between two teens working at a Chinese restaurant over the summer, who find common ground with each other while dealing with immigrant parents, mental health, and falling in love. We chat with Ilene about her experiences writing the book, her own history with mental health, and how she ended up as a writer who became a surgeon.Follow Ilene at @IWGregorio and pick up This is My Brain in Love at your favorite bookseller Tuesday, April 14!---This episode is brought to you by Book of the Month! Subscribe today and get your first month's book for $9.99 with our promo code BOOKSANDBOBA---Follow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:FacebookTwitterGoodreads GroupThe Books & Boba April 2020 pick is Mimi Lee Gets a Clue by Jennifer J. ChowThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode we discuss our March 2020 book club pick The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn Joukhadar, a novel about two girls on parallel journeys, one a Syrian-American refugee on a journey for safety after her home is shelled in the opening days of the Syrian Civil War, and one a girl posing as a boy to become an apprentice to a legendary cartographer on an epic journey to see the world.For additional thoughts and discussion, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums on Goodreads---This episode is brought to you by Book of the Month! Subscribe today and get your first month's book for $9.99 with our promo code BOOKSANDBOBA---Follow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:FacebookTwitterGoodreads GroupThe Books & Boba April 2020 pick is Mimi Lee Gets a Clue by Jennifer J. ChowThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode we chat with author Jessica Kim about her debut middle-grade novel Stand Up, Yumi Chung! A delightful story about a girl stuck between her immigrant parent's expectations and her dream of becoming a stand-up comic. We chat with Jessica about her inspirations about the book, her journey from teacher to published author, and relive our memories of hagwons and perms. Oh and Reera shares some Korean dad jokes!Follow Jessica at @jesskimwrites and pick up Stand Up Yumi Chung! at your favorite bookseller today (call in your order and use curbside delivery)!For additional thoughts and discussion, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums on Goodreads.Follow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:FacebookTwitterGoodreads GroupThe Books & Boba March 2020 pick is The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn JoukhadarThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

As we prepare to practice social distancing, there's never been a better time to catch up on some books! On this episode, we go over the latest book and publishing news in Asian American literature for our March 2020 mid-month check-in.For additional thoughts and discussion, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums on Goodreads.Follow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:FacebookTwitterGoodreads GroupThe Books & Boba March 2020 pick is The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn JoukhadarThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode we discuss our February 2020 book club pick The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. Reera's friend Kaitlin Kelly joins us to discuss this fun (and very horny) romantic romp featuring a heroine on the autism spectrum and her Asian American male love interest. For additional thoughts and discussion, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums on Goodreads.Follow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow our guest panelist:Kaitlin Kelly (@caitidh)Follow us:FacebookTwitterGoodreads GroupThe Books & Boba March 2020 pick is The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn JoukhadarThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we go over the latest book and publishing news in Asian American literature for our Books & Boba mid-month check-in for February 2020.For additional thoughts and discussion, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums on Goodreads.Follow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:FacebookTwitterGoodreads GroupThe Books & Boba February 2020 pick is The Kiss Quotient by Helen HoangThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode of Books and Boba, we chat with Mike Chen, the author of A Beginning at the End, a story of survival and rebuilding in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco after a global pandemic wipes out most of humanity.Follow Mike at @mikechenwriterFor additional thoughts and discussion, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums on Goodreads.Follow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:FacebookTwitterGoodreads GroupThe Books & Boba February 2020 pick is The Kiss Quotient by Helen HoangThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

The hosts discuss 'The Three Body Problem' book, struggle to find a copy, and talk about watching 'Ghost Bride'. They explore the divisive nature of humanity and concerns about white saviorism. They discuss character depth, cultural revolution, and science subjectivity. They reflect on the potential destruction brought about by human actions and express their thoughts on saving humanity. They explore the struggles in finding Asian romance novels and share their thoughts on 'Kiss Quotient'.

It's our first mid-month book news check-in for the new decade! We go over the latest book and publishing news in Asian American literature for January 2020.For additional thoughts and discussion, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums on Goodreads.Follow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:FacebookTwitterGoodreads GroupThe Books & Boba January 2020 pick is The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu & translated by Ken LiuThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode we chat with author Abigail Hing Wen about her recently released debut novel LOVEBOAT, TAIPEI. A coming-of-age story about a college bound girl named Ever Wong, torn between pursuing her parent's expectations and her own personal dreams, who finds herself spending the summer of a lifetime in Taiwan attending the Overseas Compatriot Youth Formosa Study Tour, also infamously known as "Loveboat."LOVEBOAT, TAIPEI is available now at booksellers everywhere!For additional thoughts and discussion, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums on Goodreads.Follow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:FacebookTwitterGoodreads GroupThe Books & Boba January 2020 pick is The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu & translated by Ken LiuThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective