#296 – November 2024 Book News

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 Chan
  • Melodies of the Sitar by Shachi Kaushik; illust. by Geeta Ladi
  • As I Dream of You by Jennifer Lee & LeUyen Pham
  • Dim Sum Battle by Tony Tong; illust. by LeUyen Pham
  • Deepa, MD by Priya Swaminathan
  • Look Under Me by Veera Hiranandani
  • Kill 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 Chang
  • Asha Means Hope by Pooja Ma-khi-jani; illust. by Nadia Alam
  • Untitled YA gothic horror novel by Autumn Krause
  • Sibylline by Melissa de la Cruz

News stories covered on this episode:

Books by Asian authors in the opening round:

Readers’ Favorite Fiction

  • Welcome to the Hyunnam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum
  • Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly
  • Marytyr! by Kaveh Akbar

Debut Novel

  • Welcome to the Hyunnam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum
  • Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly
  • How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
  • Marytyr! by Kaveh Akbar
  • The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan 
  • Daughters of Shandong by Eve J Chung

Historical Fiction

  • The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
  • The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang 
  • The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan 
  • There Are Rivers In the Sky by Elif Shafak

Mystery & Thriller

  • The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean
  • Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown

Romance

  • How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
  • Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan
  • King of Sloth by Ana Hoang

Romantasy

  • Fate of the Sun King by Nisha J. Tuli

Fantasy

  • The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song
  • A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
  • The Fox Wife by Yangze Choo

Science Fiction

  • The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei

Horror

  • The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

Young Adult Fantasy

  • Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen
  • Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier
  • All This Twisted Glory by Tahereh Mafi
  • Heir by Sabaa Tahir
  • For She is Wrath by Emily Varga

Young Adult Fiction

  • I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang
  • Banh Mi For Two by Trinity Nguyen
  • A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

Nonfiction

  • How to Tell When We Will Die: On Pain, Disability, and Doom by Johanna Hedva
  • Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You by Ali Abdaal
  • It’s Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health by Karen Tang
  • The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan

Memoir

  • Knife by Salman Rushdie
  • Here After by Amy Lin
  • The Manicurist’s Daughter by Susan Lieu

History and Biography

  • Not Your China Doll by Katie Gee Salisbury

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

#249 – Squire by Nadia Shammas & Sara Alfageeh

On this episode, we discuss our November 2023 book club pick, Squire by Nadia Shammas & Sara Alfageeh, a graphic novel about a girl who belongs to a conquered group of a great empire, who sees an opportunity to rise above her station when an opportunity arises to become a squire in service to the imperial army. However, along the way she begins to realize that maybe there’s no glory to be found after all in the practice of empire.

*Support the podcast by supporting our new Patreon*

#248 – Author Chat w/ Kate Chengli

On this episode, we chat with author Kate Chengli about her debut novel, A Bright Heart, a Chinese-inspired imperial court fantasy about a girl who wakes up in the past after being betrayed by the prince she loved, and armed with knowledge of the future, has the opportunity to take revenge on those who wronged her. Kate shares with us her own personal journey to becoming a published author, as well as the challenges of bringing tropes that are popular in Asian fiction to the west.

Follow Kate on Instagram at @katechenli.author and check out her debut novel, A Bright Heart, available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!

*Support the podcast by supporting our new Patreon*