On this episode, we chat with author Julie Tieu about her debut novel The Donut Trap, A romantic comedy and adult coming-of-age story about the post-college ennui of Jasmine Tran, who finds herself jobless and directionless as she spends her days working at her parent’s donut shop in the SGV, that is until a missed connection shows back up in her life and she finds herself torn between familial expectations and what she really wants. We chat with Julie about the inspirations for her book as well as her journey as a writer.

Follow Julie on instagram at @julietieuwrites and check out her book The Donut Trap on sale now!

*Buy the book & support the podcast at our bookshop *

On this episode, we discuss our November 2021 book club pick On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, a  tale of a son writing a letter to his illiterate mother and processing the legacy of trauma he has inherited from being a Vietnamese refugee as well as growing up as a poor queer boy in America. We talk through our thoughts and explore the themes of this very dense and beautifully written book.

On this episode, we highlight the latest book and publishing news in Asian American literature for our November 2021 mid-month check-in! 

New books mentioned in our publishing news:

Rebecca F. Kuang – Yellowface
Julie Kagawa – Fateless
Maurene Goo – Throwback
Samira Ahmed and Sona Charaipotra – Magic Has No Borders
Lisa Ko – Jackie and Giselle
Paula Yoo – Rising from the Ashes
Jennifer Chen – Artifacts of an Ex 
Salima Alikhan – I Can Be All Three
Jesse Q. Sutanto – I’m Not Done with You Yet
DoanPhuong Nguyen – Mèo and Bé
Marie Tang – Baba’s Peach Tree
Kylie Lee Baker – The Scarlet Alchemist
Liz Kleinrock – Every Day Is a Holiday
Ying Chang Compestine – The Real Story of Ra Pu Zel; Growing Up During the Cultural Revolution
Joan He – Strike the Zither
Teresa Robeson – Clouds in Space: The Nebula Story
Melissa de la Cruz – The Encanto’s Daughter
Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran – Piper Sings
Charlotte Cheng – GoGo and the Night Market; Roar-Choo; I Miss You Most
Joanna Ho with Liz Kleinrock – Eyes That Weave the World’s Wonders
Malinda Lo – Last Night at the Telegraph Club. 
Elisa Shua Dusapin – Winter in Sokcho
Dustin Thao –You’ve Reached Sam
Abigail Wen – Loveboat Taipei

*Support the podcast by purchasing books at our bookshop *

n this episode, we chat with author June CL Tan about her debut novel Jade Fire Gold, a Xianxia inspired fantasy novel full of dark magic, martial arts, and intrigue. We chat with June about her inspirations in writing Jade Fire Gold, as well as her journey as a debut author pitching an Asian inspired fantasy novel. 

Follow June on instagram at @junescribbles and check out their book Jade Fire Gold on sale now!

*Buy the book & support the podcast at our bookshop *

On this episode, we discuss our October 2021 book club pick The Inugami Curse by Seishi Yokomizo, a classic detective murder mystery taking place in post-war Japan. Private investigator Kosuke Kindaichi is pulled into the family drama of the wealthy Inugami Family after the patriarch dies and leaves a mysterious will, what follows is a series of chilling murders  that unearth the past grudges and regrets of the Inugamis as Kindaichi tries to solve the case before it’s too late.

*Support the podcast by purchasing books at our bookshop *

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We extended our order period for Books & Boba merch! For a limited time you can still order a Books & Boba t-shirt, sweatshirt, or tote bag by going to https://www.bonfire.com/store/booksandboba

Apparel orders are open until November 5 and tote bags are available until November 12!

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On this episode, we chat with debut author Xiran Jay Zhao about their debut novel Iron Widow, a Sci-Fi/Fantasy re-imagining of Chinese Empress Wu Zetian’s rise to power in an Asian inspired world with giant monsters and fantastical mechas. Pitched as Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid’s Tale, Iron WIdow tells the story of how a driven and rage-filled girl from the sticks rises through the ranks as a giant robot pilot and takes on the space patriarchy. We chat with Xiran about their journey to becoming a published author, their inspirations for writing Iron Widow, and what is up with that cow onesie?

Follow Xiran on twitter at @xiranjayzhao and check out their book Iron Widow on sale now!

*Buy the book & support the podcast at our bookshop *