Books and Boba

On this episode, we discuss our November 2024 book club pick,  Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu, an award winning novel about a guy living in cop show version of Chinatown who dreams of becoming a "Kung Fu Guy" but is stuck playing generic Asian guy roles, a metaphor for not only how Hollywood treats its Asian actors, but for the model minority myth as well. To help us discuss this book, we've invited our friends Ada Tseng and Brian Hu from the Saturday School Podcast who provide their perspectives as longtime Asian American pop culture journalists and scholars.Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba December 2024 Book Club Pick is Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo and translated by Jamie ChangThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we chat with author Julie Leong chat about her debut novel The Teller of Small Fortunes, a cozy fantasy about a young traveling fortune teller who embarks on a journey across her adopted kingdom alongside her party of found family members. Julie shares her inspirations for writing her cozy adventure that explores western fantasy with a distinctly Asian diaspora lens. Follow Julie on Instagram at @julieleongbooks and check out her debut novel The Teller of Small Fortunes available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba November 2024 pick is Interior Chinatown by Charles YuThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Our world may have shifted to a darker timeline, but at the very least, there will still be books! On our November 2024 mid month check-in, we review the latest Asian American publishing announcements as well as check in on the latest book tea and awards!Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:The Offer by Neel Patel Benny's Bright Qing Ming, by Michelle Jing ChanMelodies of the Sitar by Shachi Kaushik; illust. by Geeta LadiAs I Dream of You by Jennifer Lee & LeUyen PhamDim Sum Battle by Tony Tong; illust. by LeUyen PhamDeepa, MD by Priya SwaminathanLook Under Me by Veera HiranandaniKill Your Darlings by Yuvashri Harish Simmy and Maddy's Snow Day by Pawan Singh; illust. by Meneka Repka Lots and Lots of Ocelots by Vicky Fang; illust. by Angel ChangAsha Means Hope by Pooja Ma-khi-jani; illust. by Nadia AlamUntitled YA gothic horror novel by Autumn Krause Sibylline by Melissa de la CruzNews stories covered on this episode:BookTok is divided on whether books are political2024 Goodreads Choice Awards voting has begun! Books by Asian authors in the opening round:Readers’ Favorite FictionWelcome to the Hyunnam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reumGreta & Valdin by Rebecca K. ReillyMarytyr! by Kaveh AkbarDebut NovelWelcome to the Hyunnam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reumGreta & Valdin by Rebecca K. ReillyHow to End a Love Story by Yulin KuangMarytyr! by Kaveh AkbarThe Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan Daughters of Shandong by Eve J ChungHistorical FictionThe Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan KamaliThe Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan There Are Rivers In the Sky by Elif ShafakMystery & ThrillerThe Return of Ellie Black by Emiko JeanSociety of Lies by Lauren Ling BrownRomanceHow to End a Love Story by Yulin KuangLies and Weddings by Kevin KwanKing of Sloth by Ana HoangRomantasyFate of the Sun King by Nisha J. TuliFantasyThe Night Ends with Fire by K.X. SongA Song to Drown Rivers by Ann LiangThe Fox Wife by Yangze ChooScience FictionThe Stardust Grail by Yume KitaseiHorrorThe Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika KimYoung Adult FantasyOf Jade and Dragons by Amber ChenDragonfruit by Makiia LucierAll This Twisted Glory by Tahereh MafiHeir by Sabaa TahirFor She is Wrath by Emily VargaYoung Adult FictionI Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann LiangBanh Mi For Two by Trinity NguyenA Crane Among Wolves by June HurNonfictionHow to Tell When We Will Die: On Pain, Disability, and Doom by Johanna HedvaFeel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You by Ali AbdaalIt's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health by Karen TangThe Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy TanMemoirKnife by Salman RushdieHere After by Amy LinThe Manicurist's Daughter by Susan LieuHistory and BiographyNot Your China Doll by Katie Gee SalisburyBooks & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba November 2024 pick is Interior Chinatown by Charles YuThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we welcome author Nayantara Roy to chat about her debut novel The Magnificent Ruins, a story about an up and coming literary editor in New York who returns to Kolkata (where she was born) after finding out that she has inherited her family's manor from her grandfather and has to deal with her extended family who all still live there. Tara shares with us her personal inspirations for her debut as well as her journey to becoming a published novelist by way of a career in the television industry.Follow Nayantara on Instagram at @tararoi and check out her debut novel The Magnificent Ruins available November 12 on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba November 2024 pick is Interior Chinatown by Charles YuThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast CollectiveP.S. Here are some resources for those of you looking for some extra support during these stressful times:NAAPIMHA’s Vote for Wellness Initiativehttps://www.naapimha.org/vote-for-wellnessAsian Mental Health Collective Asian/Asian American therapist directory Search by your state. https://www.asianmhc.org/CA vs. Hate Resource Line and Network A non-emergency hate incident and hate crime reporting hotline and online portal established by California’s Civil Rights Department to support individuals and communities across the state targeted for hate.(833) 866-4283; stophate@calcivilrights.ca.gov; stophate.calcivilrights.ca.gov/s/Information for anyone targeted for hate about their legal rights and resources for enforcing their rights: Hate Violence | CRD (ca.gov); https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/hateviolence/ Hate Violence Fact Sheet available in at least 10 languages; https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/posters/?openTab=5&emrc=63cf03344e66a STOP AAPI HATE: https://stopaapihate.org/report-hate/ Other resources from SAH: https://stopaapihate.org/community-resources/#mental-health

On this episode, we discuss our October 2024 pick, The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw. A story following a flesh-eating mermaid and a plague doctor who encounter a village of children with an unsettling secret while on a journey through a snowy forest. Join us a we dive into this spooky read that melds the fairy tales of Anderson and Grimm and asks the question, what happens after the prince marries a creature from the depths of the sea?Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba November 2024 pick is Interior Chinatown by Charles YuThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we chat with Joanne Howard to talk about her debut novel Sleeping in the Sun, a coming of age story about a family of American missionaries living in India during the final years of the Brisish Raj. Joanne shares about her writers journey as well as how finding out about her own family's history as missionaries in India inspired her to write this story.Follow Joanne on Instagram at @joannesbooks and check out her debut novel Sleeping in the Sun available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba October 2024 pick is The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra KhawThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On our mid-month check in for Spooky Month 2024, we highlight some of the latest Asian American publishing announcements, check in on the latest winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, and weigh in on the possible TV adaptation of RF Kuang's Yellowface!Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:Kingdom of Waves by Melissa de la CruzOne Word, Six Letters by Adib KhorramNever, Ever After by Sue Lynn TanWild Song by Candy GourlayAsk the Doctor: 75 Wacky and Wise Health Questions from Curious Kids by Betty Choi; illust by Jannie HoDon't Eat Eustace by Lian ChoThe Incredible Kindness of Paper by Evelyn Skye Casting April by Wendy LuAccidentally on Purpose by Kristen KishThe Ex-girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria ChaoSchooltime Grumps by Katrina Moore; illust by Xindi YaGay the Pray Away by Natalie NaudusJeong Is Jeong by Jessica Yoon; illust by Michelle LeeThe Legendary Allies series by Linda Trinh; illust by Quynh Anh NguyenNews stories covered on this episode:Han Kang wins 2024 Nobel Prize in LiteratureHan Kang declines press conference, refuses to celebrate award while people die in warsLionsgate TV Options ‘Yellowface’ by R.F. Kuang, Karyn Kusama Attached to Direct Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba October 2024 pick is The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra KhawThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we sit down with Chinese-Canadian author and cartoonist Teresa Wong to chat about her new graphic memoir, All Our Ordinary Stories: A Multigenerational Family Odyssey, an generation spanning recounting 100 years of her own family's history in China and Canada. Teresa shares how she became a author/illustrator of graphic novels, as well as what it was like sharing her family's stories with the world.Follow Teresa on Instagram at @by_teresawong and check out her debut novel All Our Ordinary Stories: A Multigenerational Family Odyssey available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba October 2024 pick is The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra KhawThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we discuss our September 2024 pick, A Burning by Megha Majumdar, a social novel about a poor girl in Kolkata accused of a terrorist attack she wasn't involved in, and the aspiring actress and teacher who have the chance to clear her name but at the cost of their own social ascension. Join us as we dive into Megha's modern social novel which asks the question, who are the ones being burned in a society where anyone can become kindling?Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba October 2024 pick is The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra KhawThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we sit down with prolific writer Preeti Chhibber to talk about her new YA rom com novel, Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot, about high school junior Payal Mehta and her ill-conceived plan to get back at her longtime crush for micro-aggressing against her by making him fall in love with her... for revenge of course, in the process enlisting the help of her academic nemesis who's prickly exterior may be hiding something more. Follow Aurora on Instagram at @runwithskizzers and check out her debut novel Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba September 2024 pick is A Burning by Megha MajumdarThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective