Books and Boba

A lively dive into a surreal coming-of-age tale with talking cats, demon-brand symbolism, and dreamlike logic. The hosts unpack parallel narratives, labyrinth imagery, and Murakami’s music-filled prose. They critique problematic portrayals and debate whether the book’s mysteries reward rereading.

On this episode, we chat with author Misa Sugiura, author of the novel THIS TIME WILL BE DIFFERENT, a story about a Japanese American teen's fight for justice against the family that swindled her family after they returned from being incarcerated during WW2. Misa discusses the inspirations behind writing the story as well as what she hopes readers take away from her book. For additional thoughts and discussion visit the [Books & Boba Goodreads forums][2] This Episode's Hosts: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo] Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) This Episode's Guest: Misa Sugiura (@misallaneous1), Author of This Time Will Be Different The Books & Boba July 2019 pick is Zero Sum Game by S.L. Huang This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

It's time for our June Books & Boba mid-month check-in. On this episode, we round up the latest news and announcements out of the world of Asian American literature. We also chat about the latest controvrsey in the Asian American publishing world regarding Penguin Classic's publication of the seminal No-No Boy by John Okada. For additional thoughts and discussion on the monthly pick, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums. Your Books & Boba Hosts: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo) Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: Facebook Twitter Goodreads Group The Books & Boba June 2019 pick is Kafka on the Shore by Haruku Murakami This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

We discuss our Books and Boba May 2019 book club pick, This is Paradise: Stories, by Kristiana Kahakauwila, a collection of six short stories taking place across the islands of Hawaii. We discuss our thoughts on the book's portrayal of life in Hawaii, and its exploration of characters who have been shaped by their relationship to the islands. For additional thoughts and discussion on the monthly pick, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums. This Month's Book Club Panelists: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo) Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: Facebook Twitter Goodreads Group The Books & Boba June 2019 pick is Kafka on the Shore by Haruku Murakami This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

It's time for the May Books & Boba mid-month news roundup. On this episode, we check in with the latest publishing announcements and news out of the world of Asian American literature. We also chat about recent book to film adaptation news! For additional thoughts and discussion on the monthly pick, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums. Your Books & Boba Hosts: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo) Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: Facebook Twitter Goodreads Group The Books & Boba May 2019 pick is This is Paradise: Stories by Kristiana Kahakauwila This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we discuss our Books and Boba April 2019 book club pick, Bangkok Wakes to Rain, by Pitchaya Sudbanthad, a book featuring stories of a myriad of characters, all connected through time and space to a single building in the city of Bangkok. We discuss the book's musings on the cycles of history, and the tensions between memory,culture, and technological progress. For additional thoughts and discussion on the monthly pick, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums. This Month's Book Club Panelists: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo) Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: Facebook Twitter Goodreads Group The Books & Boba May 2019 pick is This is Paradise: Stories by Kristiana Kahakauwila This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we chat with Henry Lien, the author of The Peasprout Chen Series, a middle grade series about Peasprout Chen, a new student and immigrant to an academy that teaches wu liu, the art of martial arts figure skating. Henry shares about his journey of going from a career in law to writing fiction for youth, as well as what he's learned about himself through the process. For additional thoughts and discussion visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums This Episode's Hosts: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo) Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) This Episode's Guest: Henry Lien, Author of The Peasprout Chen Series The Books & Boba April 2019 pick is Bangkok Wakes to Rain by Pitchaya Sudbanthad This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

It's the April Books & Boba mid-month news roundup. On this episode, we check in with the latest publishing announcements and news out of the world of Asian American literature. For additional thoughts and discussion on the monthly pick, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums. This Month's Book Club Panelists: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo) Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: Facebook Twitter Goodreads Group The Books & Boba April 2019 pick is Bangkok Wakes to Rain by Pitchaya Sudbanthad This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we discuss our Books and Boba March 2019 book club pick, Darius the Great Is Not Okay, by Adib Khorram, the story of Darius, a teenage kid who loves Star Trek and Tolkien, and his trip to his mother's home country of Iran to visit his ailing grandfather for the first time. We discuss Darius' journey of finding his inner strength in Iran while dealing with clinical depression (CW: discussion of depression) and his anxieties of never really feeling like he fits in. For additional thoughts and discussion on the monthly pick, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums. This Month's Book Club Panelists: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo) Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: Facebook Twitter Goodreads Group The Books & Boba April 2019 pick is Bangkok Wakes to Rain by Pitchaya Sudbanthad This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

In this episode, the hosts of Books and Boba discuss 'The Grace of Kings' by Ken Liu, an epic tale set in an Asian inspired 'silkpunk' world. They explore the unique elements of the book, including the debate between fantasy and science fiction. They also delve into the complex world-building, the different cultures and kingdoms, and the flaws in the story. The hosts analyze the writing style, character development, geopolitics, pacing, and the portrayal of female characters. They also share their favorite chapter and conclude with a closing segment and podcast promotion.