On this episode, we sit down with author Yu-Mei Balasingamchow to talk about her debut novel Names Have Been Changed, a modern epistolary novel told in the style of tell-all podcast hosted by a Singaporean woman who has been on the run across the world for a decade. We’re excited to chat with Yu-Mei about her debut that’s part globetrotting adventure and part love letter to diaspora communities and the hidden sides of Singaporean culture.

Follow Yu_Mei on Instagram at @yumei.balasingamchow and check out her debut novel Names Have Been Changed available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!

Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors

On this episode, we catch up on the latest Asian American book news and publishing announcements for our June 2026 mid-month check-is

Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:

• Life Is a K Drama by Sherri Shepherd & Jayci Lee
• Ophelia No. 23 by Saou Ichikawa
• A Girl’s Spine by Saou Ichikawa
• Birchwood Prep #1: Lina’s Secret by Mae Raespicio
• Kapa Kuiki: My Hawaiian Quilt by Ilima Kahokuhealani Todd; illus. by Mae Waite
• All the Gardeners by Varsha Bajaj; illust. by Grace Easton
• Shifu Mama by Roger Lam; illust. by Alina Chau
• Bamboo Magic by Teresa Robeson; illust. by Wazza Pink
• Kung Fu Crane Girl by Mia Wenjen; ilust. by debut artist Yujie Huang
• Boss Games by Kelly Yang
• Eight Little Hands by Hanh Bui; illust. By Kerisa Greene
• Flickers of Hope by Hanh Bui; illust. By Kerisa Greene

Book news mentioned on this episode:

• Marjane Satrapi, author of Persepolis, dies at 56
• Taiwan Travelogue wins the 2026 International Booker Prize

Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors

On this episode, we’re very excited to welcome booktuber, and now published author, Cindy Pham to chat about her debut novel, The Secret World of Briar Rose, a sapphic dark retelling of the legend of sleeping beauty, following a jaded thief who, while searching for her missing sister, finds herself transported into the dream world of her fallen kingdom’s slumbering princess. We chat with Cindy about the inspirations behind her debut, as well as how her experience reviewing books have prepared her to be on the other side as a published author.

Follow Cindy on Instagram at @readwithcindy and check out her debut novel The Secret World of Briar Rose available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!

Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors

On this episode we discuss our May 2026 pick is No-No Boy by John Okada, one of the earliest in the Asian American canon following the story of Ichiro Yamada who returns home to Seattle after serving 2 years in prison for refusing to serve in the military during the internment of Japanese Americans during World War 2. We’re excited to dive into this Asian American classic from 1957, who’s publication journey is just as interesting as the story itself.

Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors

On this episode, we welcome author Vincent Yu to chat about his debut novel, Seek Immediate Shelter, which follows the stories of several members of a small town community in Massachusetts, who have to deal with the consequences of their impulsive actions when a faulty mass alert is sent our warning them of an imminent missile strike.

Follow Vincent on Instagram at @vinyu12 and check out his debut novel Seek Immediate Shelter available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!

Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors

For our mid-month book news check in for May 2026, we catch up on the latest Asian American publishing announcements as well as check in on some of the latest news and tea from the greater book industry.

Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:

• The First White Hair by Yasmin Zaher
• The Dragon Thief by Ellen Oh
• It Begins with the End by Samira Ahmed
• Summers in Syria by Shifa Saltagi Safadi; illust. by Hatem Aly
• Our Built World: An Architectural Journey Along the Silk Road by Fiyel Levent; illust. by Daby Zainab Faidhi
• Sheen by Cindy Pon
• Our Chinatown Market by Jasmine Fang; illust. by Thai My Phuong

Book news mentioned on this episode:

• TokyoPop launches Children’s imprint

Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors