On this episode, we bring you the delayed discussion of our Books and Boba June 2019 book club pick, Kafka on the Shore, by Haruki Murakami, a metaphysical coming-of-age story with talking cats, demon brand avatars, and lots of icky sex. Marvin and Reera do their best to talk about their first Murakami experience, breaking down the story and discussing the many metaphors in the book, as well as some of the parts that have not aged well.

For additional thoughts and discussion on the monthly pick, visit the Books & Boba Goodreads forums.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

This Episode’s Guest:

• Henry Lien, Author of The Peasprout Chen Series