Asian Book Club

In this episode, we interview the author of Aloha Vietnam - Dr. Elizabeth Nguyen! We ask about tumultuous mother-daughter relationships, safer spaces, and biggest takeaways. Elizabeth Nguyen, MD, is a Vietnamese-American writer and psychiatrist. She was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her parents were refugees from Vietnam who arrived in Honolulu in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War. She rec...

[ Trigger Warning: suicide attempt and death ] In this third and final episode of book club pick no. 18, Anh continues to struggle with her mental health, suffers heartbreaking loss, and tries to put the pieces back together again. Dr. Elizabeth Nguyen is a Vietnamese-American writer born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She dedicates her work to "healing ancestral lineages and restoring the human...

In this second episode of book club pick no. 18, we see Anh struggle with trusting the process and finding her way through transitions. Dr. Elizabeth Nguyen is a Vietnamese-American writer born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She dedicates her work to "healing ancestral lineages and restoring the human relationship to the natural world". You can learn more about Dr. Elizabeth Nguyen's work on her...

[ content warning: manic episode ] In this first episode of book club pick no. 18, we're introduced to Anh and her family along with the struggles they face in dealing with mental health and growing away from their culture. Dr. Elizabeth Nguyen is a Vietnamese-American writer born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She dedicates her work to "healing ancestral lineages and restoring the human relation...

[ Trigger Warning: suicide ideation ] In this fourth and final episode of book club pick no. 17, we talk about stand up comedy, moments of nothingness, and the mystical love of parenting. Youngmi Mayer is a stand-up comedian and host of podcasts Feeling Asian and Hairy Butthole . She currently lives in New York City with her son. You can learn more about Youngmi Mayer's work on her website at...

[ Trigger Warning: abuse, rape, drug use ] In this third episode of book club pick no. 17, we talk the good, the bad, and the wealthy. Also, we address what attachment to our mothers looks like. Youngmi Mayer is a stand-up comedian and host of podcasts Feeling Asian and Hairy Butthole . She currently lives in New York City with her son. You can learn more about Youngmi Mayer's work on her webs...

[ Trigger Warning: murder, abuse, rape, suicide, sexual assault, eating disorders ] In this second episode of book club pick no. 17, we talk about Christianity in culture, shame as awareness, the rule of the paddle, and the emotion of jung. Youngmi Mayer is a stand-up comedian and host of podcasts Feeling Asian and Hairy Butthole . She currently lives in New York City with her son. You can learn m...

[ Trigger Warning: suicide, murder, death, rape, child abuse, assault ] In this first episode of book club pick no. 17, we talk about the importance of names, the generational love of being angry and getting revenge, and the histories built on the backs of those who are seen as lesser than. Youngmi Mayer is a stand-up comedian and host of podcasts Feeling Asian and Hairy Butthole . She currently l...

In this episode, we interview the author of Blossoms on a Poisoned Sea - Mariko Tatsumoto! We ask about eye-catching titles, contentious characters, and biggest takeaways. After emigrating from Japan at the age of 8, Mariko Tatsumoto was detoured from her love of books by becoming the first Asian woman attorney in Colorado. Ayumi’s Violin , a Middle Grade historical novel, and Swept Away , a Young...

[ Trigger Warning: Suicide ] In this fifth and final read of book club pick no. 16, Kiyo experiences deep loss while Yuki gets recognition for her art. In the end, Kiyo and Yuki find their happily ever after. Mariko Tatsumoto is the first Asian woman attorney in Colorado, who now writes middle grade novels, young adult novels, and historical fiction. When not writing, she hikes, skis, and spends t...

[ Trigger Warning: Rape and Murder ] In this fourth read of book club pick no. 16, Kiyo faces the consequences of being at the wrong place at the wrong time, and Yuki finds a warehouse job that doesn't end well for her and her family. Mariko Tatsumoto is the first Asian woman attorney in Colorado, who now writes middle grade novels, young adult novels, and historical fiction. When not writing,...

[ Trigger Warning: Suicide and Death Ideation ] In this third read of book club pick no. 16, Minimata Disease continues to ravage Yuki's family, while Minimata society shuns them. On the other hand, Kiyo is swept up in the fishers' riot, getting arrested with the rioters. Mariko Tatsumoto is the first Asian woman attorney in Colorado, who now writes middle grade novels, young adult novels,...

In this second read of book club pick no. 16, Yuki matures into a young adult, while Kiyo becomes a more rash, childish individual. We also witness their friendship blossom into love. Mariko Tatsumoto is the first Asian woman attorney in Colorado, who now writes middle grade novels, young adult novels, and historical fiction. When not writing, she hikes, skis, and spends time with her dogs. You ca...

In this first read of book club pick no. 16, we are introduced to Yuki and Kiyo, whose lives are worlds apart. Then a Strange Disease starts affecting people around Minamata Bay with little to no answers on how it's spreading. Mariko Tatsumoto is the first Asian woman attorney in Colorado, who now writes middle grade novels, young adult novels, and historical fiction. When not writing, she hik...

In this fifth and final read of book club pick no. 15, Chobahm, Somyung, Shinnae, and Hyang arrive at Snowglobe ready to infiltrate the news tower. Soyoung Park is a winner of the Original Story Award and the Changbi X Kakaopage Young Adult Novel Award. Joungmin Lee Comfort is a Korean-English translator. Her recent co-translation of Kim Bo-young's On the Origin of Species and Other Stories wa...

[ Trigger warning: sexual assault ] In this fourth read of book club pick no. 15, Chobahm and Cha Hyang enact the first phase of their plan to reveal the sinister situation that made the multiple Haeri's an eerie possibility. Soyoung Park is a winner of the Original Story Award and the Changbi X Kakaopage Young Adult Novel Award. Joungmin Lee Comfort is a Korean-English translator. Her recent...

[ Trigger warning: suicide ] In this third read of book club pick no. 15, Chobahm starts settling into her life as Haeri and her role as weather caster. However, the supposed “real” Haeri reaches out and lures her into a trap. Soyoung Park is a winner of the Original Story Award and the Changbi X Kakaopage Young Adult Novel Award. Joungmin Lee Comfort is a Korean-English translator. Her recent co-...

[ Trigger warning: suicide ] In this second read of book club pick no. 15, Chobahm is settling into her life as the pretend Goh Haeri - attending the Yibonn's Christmas party, living in the Goh home, and watching the annual biathlon championship. Soyoung Park is a winner of the Original Story Award and the Changbi X Kakaopage Young Adult Novel Award. Joungmin Lee Comfort is a Korean-English tr...

[ Trigger warning: suicide ] In this first read of book club pick no. 15, we're dropped in the middle of an apocalyptic world where the norm is -50 degrees F. The exception is Snowglobe, where actors live in their own climate-controlled bubble. We find the main character Chobahm living in the former, but she's quickly thrust into the latter. Soyoung Park is a winner of the Original Story A...

Did you eat yet? This is how our immigrant families show they care for and love us. In this segment, we share the foods and specific meal times we'd pair with the past five books we've read - Cindy Fazzi's Multo , Vanessa Chan's The Storm We Made , Arnold Arre's The Mythology Class , Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians , and Jesse Q. Sutanto's Vera Wong's Unsolicited Adv...

In this last read of book club pick no. 14, a whirlwind of activity sweeps through our characters. Ultimately, the person who murdered Marshall is revealed! Jesse Q. Sutanto is an award-winning and bestselling author who has a master's degree in creative writing from Oxford University. Jesse grew up in both Jakarta and Singapore. You can learn more about Jesse Q. Sutanto's work through the...

In this third read of book club pick no. 14, the tea shop gets broken into, and Vera Wong settles into living with Julia and Emma. We start to see a different side of Vera, a motherly, sweet side. Jesse Q. Sutanto is an award-winning and bestselling author who has a master's degree in creative writing from Oxford University. Jesse grew up in both Jakarta and Singapore. You can learn more about...

In this second read of book club pick no. 14, Vera Wong gathers her suspects to have a feast before talking business to figure out who murdered Marshall. However, new information changes Vera's investigation entirely. Jesse Q. Sutanto is an award-winning and bestselling author who has a master's degree in creative writing from Oxford University. Jesse grew up in both Jakarta and Singapore....

In this first read of book club pick no. 14, we are introduced to the distinguished lady who is Vera Wong and her list of suspects who might have murdered Marshall Chen. Jesse Q. Sutanto is an award-winning and bestselling author who has a master's degree in creative writing from Oxford University. Jesse grew up in both Jakarta and Singapore. You can learn more about Jesse Q. Sutanto's wor...

After reading Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians, we - Jamae and Steven - watch the movie. In this special episode, we talk about the director's choices, the flow of storytelling, and the plot changes that make the characters more likable. We've both watched the movie many, many times - especially Jamae! - but we enjoyed this re-watch all the same. In our possibly controversial opinion, we...