Books and Boba

On this episode, we chat with Canwen Xu about her debut novel, Boring Asian Female, a thriller about a Chinese American college student who, in the midst of spiraling from having failed her life's dream of being accepted into Harvard Law School, decides to stalk a fellow Asian classmate who did make it in to see what makes her so special!Follow Canwen on Instagram at @Canwen.Xu and check out her new novel Boring Asian Female available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba May 2026 pick is No-No Boy by John OkadaThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we discuss our April 2026 book club pick, The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao, chosen for us by our patrons (you can help us pick our next patron's choice in July by joining our patreon). Pitched a a Ghibli-style cozy fantasy (but we found it to be a little more than it seems), The Elsewhere Express is a ethereal train that appears to pick up passengers who have lost their purpose in life. This night, it picks up 2 wayward souls, and offers then a chance to find a new purpose on board it's dreamlike cars, but is there a catch? Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba May 2026 pick is No-No Boy by John OkadaThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we welcome Kelly Yang to the podcast to chat about her adult novel debut, The Take, a story about a young Chinese American woman who aspires to become a novelist, and a veteran Hollywood producer who offers to help her break into the industry... in return for a bit of her youth. We're so excited to finally have the chance to chat with Kelly about her adult debut after a prolific career writing books for middle grade and young adult readers, including past Books & Boba book club pick Front Desk! Follow Lisa on Instagram at @kellyyanghk and check out her new novel The Take available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba April 2026 pick is The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto YambaoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

For our mid-month book news check in for April 2026, we catch up on the latest Asian American publishing announcements as well as check in on some distressing news for our legacy Kindles.Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:The Library of Lost Time by Vaishnavi PatelBoxBoxBoxBox by Wan SakamotoMama's Magical Hands by Yu An XieThe Kids Came Back Wrong edited by Wen-yi LeeCrush by Souvankham ThammavongsaIt Was an Ordinary Name by Souvankham ThammavongsaThe Golden Shoes by Jocelyn ChoThe Summer I Turned Pretty Graphic Novel by Cynthia Yuan Cheng and Arielle Jovellanos; illust by Sara FaberBefore & Now by Balsam El-bayyaGoat for Dinner by Tao NyeuCuriosities by Robert Kondo and Megan BartelSarah in Charge by Ellen OhThis Is Our Diwali by Jyoti Rajan Gopal; illust by Michelle PereiraThe Book Witch by Nora ElghazzawiMagic Shoyu Shop by Debbi Michiko Florence; illust. by Minako TomigaharaBook news mentioned on this episode:Amazon pulls support from Kindles pre-2013Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba April 2026 pick is The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto YambaoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we're very excited to bring you an author chat with Rachel Khong, author of our September 2017 book club pick Goodbye Vitamin (episode 28), to talk about her latest book, My Dear You, a short story collection featuring a genre-spanning stories exploring themes of identity, relationships, and time. From a story about missed connections and a cat that conjures the ghosts of ex-boyfriends, to contemplation of the afterlife both literal and figurative. Follow Lisa at thedreamside.com and check out her new book My Dear You available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba April 2026 pick is The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto YambaoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

We sit down for an author chat with Lisa Lee to talk with her about about her debut novel American Han, a Korean American family drama about the Kims, a family whose members are each going through their own personal crises. When an even bigger crisis occurs the whole family is forced to come together and deal with the consequences of decades of built up resentment and estrangement, all stemming from the relentless pursuit of the "Amerian Dream."Follow Lisa on Instagram at @lisaleehello and check out her new novel American Han available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba April 2026 pick is The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto YambaoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we discuss our March 2026 Book Club Pick, Butter by Asako Yuzuki, a story of food and murder following a Japanese journalist who begins a professional relationship with a convicted serial killer, charged with the murders of three domestic partners, in hopes of getting an exclusive interview. However, she ends up getting more than she bargained for as she gets sucked into the killer's philosophy and worldview that leads her to question amd she knows about the pleasures of food, the importance of friendships, as well as how traditional gender roles makes fools of us all.Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba April 2026 pick is TBA (check our Instagram or website in a few days)!This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

For our mid-month book news check in for March 2026, we catch up on the latest Asian American publishing announcements as well as check in on the ongoing fight against book bans:The Carlton Girls: Casey and the Cruel Thief by Julie AbeThe Goodfolke Family by Roshani ChokshiP.S. Are We Friends Now? by John Schu and Jasmine WargaMy Neighbor Yokai by nohoFall, in Love by Mia KaylaThe Gravedigger's Apprentice by Linda ChengSeeking Wonderful by Susan Yoon; illust. Veronica MangWe Are the Light: A Story of Diwali by Rajani LaRocca; illust. Sayan MukherjeeHome Is Waiting to Be Found by Tina Athaide; ilust. Vũ Thủy Ngọc HàMatcha & Matches by Cara TanamachiTea Leaves and Fate Strings by C.B. LeeThe Red Thread by Laura G. LeeScream, Queen! by Sujin WitherspoonBook news mentioned on this episode:Lee & Low postpones their quadrennial Diversity Baseline Survey in order to concentrate on fighting book bansBooks & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba March 2026 pick is Butter by Asako YuzukiThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we discuss our February 2026 book club pick, Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen Cho, a romantic comedy about two Asian lawyers in London who share an (kinda?) adversarial relationship who end up sharing an office and perhaps become something more as they find themselves in a pseudo fake relationship to help with each other's personal troubles. We read Zen Cho's Regency era fantasy romance Sorcerer to the Crown almost a decade ago and were very excited to see what a contemporary Zen Cho romance looks like.Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba March 2026 pick is Butter by Asako YuzukiThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Happy New Year! On our first mid-month book news check-in episode for the year of the horse, we go over a hefty list of latest Asian American publishing news as the publishing industry revs back into gear after the holidays.Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:Blur the Lines by Kanitha P.Paper Ghosts by Samantha ChongCold Blood by Aashna AvachatUntitled Contemporary YA By Jesmeen Kaur DeoThe Strange Sketches of Luna Li by Gloria L. HuangShe Comes Out at Night by Michelle Jing Chan If We Could Be Everywhere by Sarah SukThe Sisterhood of Southern Peaches by Katrina MooreFootprints in Snow by Keiko HaynerSomething Inside Me Knows by Malinda LoThe Luckies by Sarah Mlynowski and Christina Soontornvat; illust. by Madi WongThe Monster Inside by Cherry MoJitty and the Machine by Mitali Banerjee Ruths; illust.by Iacopo BrunoWipe Out by Saadia Faruqi; illust. by Karen De la VegaThe Erhu Sings by Sally DengBlooming Behind Barbed Wire by Traci Huahn; illust. by Mayumi SasageHouse of Forgotten Souls by Kat ChoHello, DELA, by Kiku HughesTae Lim Decks It Out by Angela AhnIzzy and Wolfi by Dane Liu; illust. by Maya TatsukawaThe Light Garden by Joanna Ho; illust. by Minako TomigaharaBooks & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba February 2026 is Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen ChoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Happy New Year! We ring in the Year of the Horse with an exciting author chat with Lillian Li (author of past book club pick #1 Chinese Restaurant), who joins us to chat about her newest novel Bad Asians, a coming of age story following four childhood friends who all move home after graduating college in 2008 after their well laid plans were derailed by the great recession. They inadvertently become part of a viral Youtube documentary that will continue to haunt them throughout their adult lives as they drift apart and come back together again and again. Follow Lillian on Instagram at @zillianzi and check out her new novel Bad Asians available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba February 2026 is Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen ChoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we sit down with Yosha Gunasekera to chat about her debut novel, The Midnight Taxi. A murder mystery following a true crime loving Sri Lankan American cab driver who ends up accused of murder when a passenger ends up mysteriously murdered in her cab. Yosha shares with us her personal journey to writing her novel as well as how she drew from her experience as an attorney for The Innocence Project to construct her mystery.Follow Yosha on Instagram at @yosha.gunasekera and check out her debut novel The Midnight Taxi available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba February 2026 is Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen ChoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we discuss our January 2026 (and patron's choice) pick, Reef by Romesh Gunesekera, a historical fiction novel about a boy who grows up as the personal cook and housekeeper for a wealthy marine biology enthusiast in Sri Lanka, blissfully and willingly unaware that the world outside the walls of his residence is slowly descending into chaos in the years leading up to Sri Lanka's civil war.Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba February 2026 is Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen ChoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On our first mid-month book news check-in episode for 2026, we go over the latest Asian American publishing news from the holiday season, as well as check out some of January's new releases from Asian and Asian American authors.Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:Death Wish by Lilly LuWhat Hungers in the Dark by Monika KimHow to Crash a Kite by Ellie PetersonTokki's Tricks by Aram KimGirl Gods by K-Ming Chang Cerulean by Sajni Patel Hanging Out with Nani by Vikram MadanJanuary New Releases mentioned in our book news:The Swan's Daughter by Roshani Chokshi (Jan 6)Fly, Wild Swans: My Mother, Myself and China by Jung Chang (Jan 13)A Year Without Home by V.T. Bidania (Jan 13)This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin (Jan 13)City of Others by Jared Poon (Jan 13)The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller (Jan 13)A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang by Lee Onhwa (Jan 13)How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder by Nina McConigley (Jan 20)The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao (Jan 20)The Poet Empress by Shen Tao (Jan 20)Two Women Living Together by Kim Hana, Hwang Sunwoo; Gene Png (Translator) (Jan 20)Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe by Janet Tay (Jan 27)A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang (Jan 27)Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba January 2026 pick is Reef by Romesh GunesekeraThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Hey everyone! We're back from our holiday break for our first podcast of 2026 and we're finally discussing our December 2025 Book Club Pick Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala. A X'mas themed cozy mystery (but actually a story about family and Filipino noms). At this point, we're kind of murder mystery connoisseurs so this was the perfect end of year treat for us. Fun fact, we did an author chat with the author back in 2021 for her first book so we're excited to come back to this world for the holidays!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba January 2026 pick is Reef by Romesh GunesekeraThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On our final mid-month book news episode in 2025, we review some of the latest Asian American publishing announcements, and weigh in on some recent book tea for December 2025!Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:Light and Thread by Han KangWhen We Swallowed the Sea by Janet HongLimitlessly, Mina by Gianna LakenauthTake to the Sky by Christina SoontornvatNot Again, Dragon Chen! by Amanda Adams; illust. Wazza PinkJin Young, In Between by Ellen OhDon't Print This by Monica ChinA Super Definitely True Story of the Great Animal Race by Dane Liu; illust. AkiForeigners by E.L. ShenBooks & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba December 2025 pick is Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. ManansalaThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode we discuss our November 2025 book club pick, Taiwan Travelogue by Shuang-zi Yang, translated by Lin King, a historical fiction novel (with a meta-fiction twist) about a Japanese travel writer invited to write about the imperial colony of Taiwan by the Japanese government in the 1930's, and follows her budding relationship with her Taiwanese translator as they eat through the island while she pushes on the boundaries between colonizer and colonized. Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba December 2025 pick is Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. ManansalaThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we chat with bestselling author Lyla Lee to chat about her new YA romance novel, The Cuffing Game, a modern Korean American take on the timeless enemy-to-lovers tale Pride & Prejudice, remixed with the chaotic reality TV energy of Love Island about an aspiring student producer who reluctantly recruits her crush to participate in the college dating show she is producing. Lyla shares with us her journey to becoming an author of young, middle-grade, and young adult fiction, as well as all her inspirations for The Cuffing Game.Follow Lyla on Instagram at @authorlylalee and check out her newest novel The Cuffing Game available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba November 2025 book club pick is Taiwan Travelogue by Shuang-zi Yang, translated by Lin KingThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On our second to last mid-month book news episode in 2025, we highlight some of the latest Asian American publishing announcements, and catch up on the latest book news for November 2025!Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:Overrated by Gene Luen Yang & Jacob PerezInk & Blood: Poetry and Power in the Lives of Emperor Li Yu and Chairman Mao by Chun Yu; illust. Sungyoon ChoiThe Peacock Throne by Zeba Shahnaz Forest Freaks by Nat IwataMei Mei the Bunny by Laufey; Illusy. Lauren O'HaraAunties by Pooja Makhijani; illust. Ruchi MhasaneThe Girl, the Village, and the Terrible Thunder by Aimee Yealim Lee; illust. Hyewon YumJade vs. the Claw Machine by Margaret Chiu Greanias; illust. Heather Brockman LeeSun's Eid by Natasha Khan KaziThe Echo of Empires by Shameen Abubakaruntitled picture book biography of Katherine Sui-Fun Cheung by Cheryl Kim; illust. Nicole Wong. Mongoose's Holi Party by Darshana Khiani; illust. Abhilasha KhatriThe Gods Will Sing Our Song by Autumn KrauseEchoes Across the Water by Livia BlackburneWhat's for Iftar?! by Razeena Omar Gutta; illust. Esraa HederyBook news mentioned on this episode:2025 Goodreads Choice Awards begins (Asian authors nominated for awards listed below)Readers’ Favorite FictionThe Emperor of Gladness by Ocean VuongA Guardian and Thief by Megha MajumdarThe Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran DesaiFavorite Historical FictionHomeseeking by Karissa ChanFavorite Mystery & ThrillerVera Wong's Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. SutantoFavorite RomanceKing of Envy by Ana HuangFavorite RomantasyA Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu MandannaAlchemised by SenLinYu Immortal by Sue Lynn TanFavorite FantasyRed City by Marie LuKatabasis by R.F. KuangWater Moon by Samantha Sotto YambaoFavorite Science-FictionHammajang Luck by Makana YamamotoSaltcrop by Yume KitaseThese Memories Don’t Belong to Us by Yiming MaLuminous by Silvia ParkLocal Heavens by K.M. FajardoFavorite HorrorWhat Hunger by Catherine DangBat Eater and Other Words for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee BakerImmaculate Conception by Ling Ling HuangFavorite DebutHomeseeking by Karissa ChenThe Original Daughter by Jemimah WeiAlchemised by SenLinYuFavorite Young Adult Fantasy & Sci-FiHekate:The Witch by Nikita GillHeavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay ZhaoEvery Spiral of Fate by Tahereh MafiWatch Me by Tahereh MafiThe Floating World by Axie OhBreath of the Dragon by Shannon Lee & Fonda LeeNever Ever After by Sue Lynn TanA Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth LimFavorite Young Adult FictionYou’ve Found Oliver by Dustin ThaoWhen Devils Sing by Xan KaurI Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann LiangFavorite MemoirFinding My Way by Malala Yousafzai107 Days by Kamala HarrisMother May Comes to Me by Arundhati RoyThings in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun LiBooks & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba November 2025 book club pick is Taiwan Travelogue by Shuang-zi Yang, translated by Lin KingThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Join us as we discuss our October 2025 book club pick, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker, a Chinese American horror story taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic following Cora Zeng, a crime scene cleaner haunted by the trauma of witnessing her sister's murder in a NYC subway station, as well as what appears to be her sister's actual hungry ghost. We follow Cora and her co-workers on a blood-soaked quest as they try to simultaneously figure out how to exorcise her ghost, as well as solve a series of serial murders in NYC, all involving East Asian women.Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba November 2025 book club pick is Taiwan Travelogue by Shuang-zi Yang, translated by Lin KingThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we sit down with author Yume Kitasei to chat about her latest novel, Saltcrop, a science fiction story about three sisters who grew up in a near future Earth after an ecological collapse changed the world. When the eldest sister goes missing while working for a megacorporation (because capitalism persists even after the end of the world), the younger two set off on a dangerous trip across the seas to find her. Follow Yume on Instagram at @yumewrites and check out her newest novel Saltcrop available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba October 2025 pick is Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee BakerThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

For our mid-month book news check in for October 2025, we're catching up on the Asian American publishing news for the past 2 months (since we didn't do a mid-month episode in September) as well as checking in on the news about the latest National Book Award nominations as well as some exciting new listings on the NYT bestsellers list!Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:The Radiance by Ayad AkhtarThe Museum of Modern Love by Mariko TurkSir Silly by Gavin Aung ThanEmily Min-ji Makes Kimchi by Meredith Seung Mee Buse; illust. Jenn KocsmierskyThe River of Caregiving by Jocelyn Chung; illust. Sarah GonzalesOf Wind and Dust by Shirin Yim LeosProject Juni by Kaitlyn San MiguelMedusa's Pet Rock by Steph Lau Chrysanthemum's Glow written by Livia Blackburne; illust. Julia Kuo Fishbone Cinderella by Elizabeth Lim The Secret World of Briar Rose by Cindy Pham Born by Sarah LingThe Fallen Sun by C.M. Basma Swimming Lessons for a Mermaid by YongchanWho the Flan Am I? by Kiera Wright-Ruiz and Claudia LamThe Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia by Leia HamBear Wakes Up by Lisa ChowFrankie Lu's Summer of No Regrets by Betty ChangI Shall Master This Family by Kim Roah, Mon, and ANTStudioBook news mentioned on this episode:2025 Finalists for the National Book AwardsAlchemised by SenLinYu debuted at #1 on the New York Time’s Hardcover Fiction list on October 12thBooks & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba October 2025 pick is Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee BakerThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we are joined by Jade Chang, the author of our August 2025 book club pick The Wangs Vs the World, to chat about her newest novel, What a Time to be Alive, which follows a messy Chinese American girl named Lola Treasure Gold who inadvertently finds internet fame when a tongue in cheek speech she makes at a party honoring her recently deceased best friend goes viral, turning her into an internet self-help influencer. Follow Jade on Instagram at @hellojadechang and check out her newest novel What a Time to be Alive available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba October 2025 pick is Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee BakerThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we discuss our September 2025 book club pick, A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna, a cozy magical story about Sera, who used to be the most powerful witch in the UK until losing all her power casting a forbidden spell to bring her beloved great aunt back from the dead. Now 15 years later, she runs a magical inn in the English countryside after being expelled from magical society, and we follow her adventures when a chance to regain her lost power emerges.Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba October 2025 pick is Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee BakerThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we are joined by best selling author Dustin Thao to chat about his newest novel, You've Found Oliver, the follow up to his bittersweet debut You've Reached Sam. Dustin shares with us how a real life glitch in the matrix inspired the supernatural setting of his latest romance as well as his thoughts on time, grief, and magic.Follow Dustin on Instagram at @thedustinthao and check out his newest novel You've Found Oliver available 9/30 on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba September 2025 pick is A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu MandannaThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we are joined from all the way on the other side of the world by Emma Pei Yin to chat about her debut novel When Sleeping Women Wake, a historical fiction novel about three women who each find their individual paths to resistance during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during world war 2. Emma shares with how she was inspired to write the story after hearing about her grandfather's experiences as a resistance fighter in WW2 as well as how surprisingly difficult it was to find research about life under occupation from the Chinese perspective.Follow Emma on Instagram at @emmapeiyin and check out her debut novel When Sleeping Women Wake available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba September 2025 pick is A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu MandannaThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we chat with author Amran Gowani about his debut novel Leverage, a financial thriller about a rising star hedge fund analyst who is forced to dive into the seedy underbelly of the financial system when he loses his firm $300 million in a day and has to make everything back in 3 months or face some dire consequences. Amran chats with us about the themes of his novel as well as shares his inspirations for the story as a former Wall Street analyst!cw: discussion of themes involving suicidal ideation from 37:46 to 41:51Follow Amran's writing at www.amrangowani.com and check out his debut novel Leverage available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba September 2025 pick is A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu MandannaThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode we discuss our August 2025 book club pick The Wangs Vs. The World by Jade Chang, about the (formerly) affluent Wang family who embark on a road trip from from LA to NY after losing everything during the 2008 financial crisis. This is a book that is almost as old as our podcast and has been on our TBR for a long time so we're excited to dive in!TW: One of the storylines involve a character who's fascination with suicidal ideation is discussed at 1:05:10, if this is a sensitive topic for you, you can bypass this section by skipping ahead to 1:11:03Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba September 2025 pick is A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu MandannaThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we sit down with author Benedict Nguyễn to chat about her debut novel Hot Girls with Balls, a romantic sports satire about two Asian American trans athletes at the top of their game as stars of the international men’s pro indoor volleyball league (who also happen to be girlfriends)! Follow Benedict on Instagram at @xbennyboo and check out her debut novel Hot Girls with Balls available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba August 2025 The Wangs Vs. The World by Jade ChangThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Reera is off on family business so it's a solo Marvin mid-month check in this week. On this short but sweet episode, Marvin highlights some of the latest publishing announcements for books by Asian and Asian American authors so that you can have even more books to keep an eye on for your TBR lists!Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:SLASHER SUMMER By E.L. ChenAMBROSIA By Katrina KwanMADDER LAKE By Katie WuTIGER'S MOUTH By Lucy TanEVERYTHING TO THE SEA By Alicia UpanoDUST By Theresa HottelAMERICAN HAN By Lisa LeeSHE WAITS WHERE SHADOWS GATHER By Michelle TangTHE FIDGET BOOTH By Abigail Hing Wen; illust by Maple LamBooks & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba August 2025 The Wangs Vs. The World by Jade ChangThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we chat with Julia and Brad Riew, the sibling writing duo behind the new Asian-inspired fantasy novel The Last Tiger! Julia and Brad share their experiences writing a novel as a team as well as how they were inspired to write their fantasy epic, which takes place in a world inspired by Japanese-occupied Korea in the 1940's, by the real life star-crossed love story of their grandparents.Follow Julia and brad on Instagram at @juliariew and @bradriew and check out their debut novel The Last Tiger available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba August 2025 The Wangs Vs. The World by Jade ChangThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we discuss our July 2025 pick is Bingsu for Two by Sujin Witherspoon, a coffee house romantic comedy set in Seattle about high school senior River, who is reeling from the consequences of a series of disastrous personal decisions and seeks refuge at a small Korean cafe where he finds a found family and maybe even an enemies-to-lovers romance with the goth Korean girl of his dreams/nightmares, too bad that it's also the coffee house that his chain family business is directly targeting to put out of business. Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba August 2025 The Wangs Vs. The World by Jade ChangThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Note: This is a re-upload of episode 321 since we had the wrong audio file uploaded last week, apologies for any confusion!On our mid-month check in for July 2025, we highlight some of the latest Asian American publishing announcements, and catch up on the latest book news!Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:Break Room by Miye Lee; translated by Sandy Jooson LeeGods & Comics by Kat Cho Yuki's Special Delivery by Chloe Ito Ward; illust. by Jiangshan LyuThe Pain Chasers by Bora Chung; translated by Anton HurMonkey Dragon Rabbit! A Wild Lunar New Year Stampede by MeiLin Chan; illust. by Kristen ChowFriends Furever by Sylvia LiuBooks & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba July 2025 pick is Bingsu for Two by Sujin WitherspoonThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we sit down with author Allison King to chat about her debut novel The Phoenix Pencil Company, a novel that's part historical fiction, part magical realism, and part sapphic romance about a young woman who discovers her family's secret magical power to reconstruct anything written by a pencil while taking care of her ailing grandmother and learning about her own family's history from Shanghai to Taiwan to the States. Follow Allison on Instagram at @allisonkingwrites and check out her debut novel The Phoenix Pencil Company available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba July 2025 pick is Bingsu for Two by Sujin WitherspoonThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we're joined by author Naomi Xu Elegant to chat about her debut novel Gingko Season, a story about a young Chinese American woman finding love, identity, purpose, and political awakening alongside her friends, set in New York City in 2018. Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba July 2025 pick is Bingsu for Two by Sujin WitherspoonThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we discuss our June 2025 book club pick is Afterparties by the late Anthony Veasna So, a short story collection about a community of Cambodian Americans in San Joaquin County. Join us as we discuss all nine short stories that take us through a myriad of emotions with Anthony's often melancholic, sometimes hopeful, and darkly funny storytelling.Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba July 2025 pick is Bingsu for Two by Sujin WitherspoonThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we welcome award winning author and illustrator Mike Curato to the podcast to chat about his latest graphic novel, Gaysians, an adult graphic novel following four gay Asians navigating love, identity, found family, and friendship in early 2000's Seattle.Follow Mike on Instagram at @mike_curato and check out his latest graphic novel Gaysians available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba June 2025 pick is Afterparties by Anthony Veasna SoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On our mid-month check in for June 2025, we highlight some of the latest Asian American publishing announcements, and catch up on the latest book tea!Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:Stormraven by Kelsea YuMomma's Christmas Gift by Kao Kalia Yang; illust. by Jacqueline TamBlood of Silver by Allie NguyenWorth a Shot by Dora WangLion Dancer's Lost Lettuce by Michelle Jing Chan Leaf It to Me! by Katrina Moore; illust. by Biva NguyenFried Rice Surprise by Patricia Tanumihardja; illust. by Shiho PateMore Than What Eyes See by Miso Kwak; illust. by Thaís MesquitaKiri by Alice ChuThe Quest for the Longest Noodle by Stephanie Sy; illust. by Cindy WumeHunger Fighter by Jacqueline Chio-Lauri; illust. by Kristin SorraOh, My Affogato! by Daphne Ang and Donna GhorbanpoorPlanted by Niña MataToday Is Children's Day by Aram KimThe Shape of Love by Carren Jao; illust. by Corinne CaroShaping Ramadan by Mustaali RajBeneath the Same Round Moon by Jasmine Fang; illust. by Rồng Phạm & Vinh Nguyễn Book news mentioned on this episode:Chicago Sun-Times publishes a summer reading list filled with fake titles generated by AIBookToker given book deals despite having zero writing experienceBooks & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba June 2025 pick is Afterparties by Anthony Veasna SoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we're excited to welcome author Susan Lee to the podcast to chat about her latest novel, The Romance Rivalry, a YA romantic comedy about two rival booktubers who find themselves as freshmen at the same small liberal arts college and enter a competition with each other to see who can find love first using nothing but romance tropes!Follow Susan on Instagram at @susanleewrites and check out her latest novel The Romance Rivalry available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba June 2025 pick is Afterparties by Anthony Veasna SoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we discuss our May 2025 book club pick Blob: A Love Story by Maggie Su. A story about Vi, a twenty three year old biracial midwest Asian American woman, reeling from a bad breakup and a lifetime of bad choices, who finds a sentient blob in the alleys behind a bar and decides to mold it into her ideal romantic partner. What could go wrong?Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba June 2025 pick is Afterparties by Anthony Veasna SoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we're excited to welcome NYT bestselling author Axie Oh, who joins us to chat about her latest novel The Floating World, an epic romantic fantasy following the adventures of an amnesiac mercenary and a small town village girl (with hidden chosen one powers) that blends the JRPG vibes of Final Fantasy with a re-imagining of the Korean Legend of the Celestial Maidens. Follow Axie on Instagram at @axieoh and check out her latest novel The Floating World available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba May 2025 pick is Blob by Maggie SuThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On our mid-month check in for May 2025, we highlight some of the latest Asian American publishing announcements, celebrate some Asian American authors on the NYT bestsellers list, and check in on some increasingly bummer news happening in the industry (and society)!Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:Julia Song is Undateable by Susan LeeShoe Box Dreams by Qing ZhuangRoar by Varsha Bajaj The Stolen Queen by Kendare BlakeAh Ma's Home by Gillian Sze; illust by Leah HongThe Oks Are Not O.K. by Grace K. ShimWhen Shadows Burn by Vanessa LeAt Fifteen by Remy Lai; illust by Basia Tran Friday Nights in Chinatown by Michelle LamArlo All Over Again by Sayuri Stabrowski; illust by Dave SzalayLove Language by Christine KoInstar by Sabrina ImblerWatch Me by Tahereh MafiThe Floating World by Axie OhBook news mentioned on this episode:NYT Bestsellers ListRomantasy ball turns into a Fyre Festival Amazon’s Audible unveils plans to use AI for narrating and translatingFiring of the Librarian of CongressBooks & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba May 2025 pick is Blob by Maggie SuThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we're excited to welcome Carolyn Huynh, the author of Books & Boba pick The Fortunes of Jaded Women, to discuss her sophomore novel, The Family Recipe, another dramedy about a messy Vietnamese American family, this time following the estranged scions of a banh mi empire who are thrown into competition with each other for their inheritance by their eccentric father. Follow Carolyn on Instagram at @carolynkhuynh and check out her latest novel The Family Recipe available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba May 2025 pick is Blob by Maggie SuThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode we discuss our Books & Boba April 2025 pick is The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd, a mystery thriller with magical realism elements about a woman investigating the death of her father who had exiled her from the field of cartography years ago, and uncovering old family secrets through the discovery of the old highway map that had caused their estrangement, which turned out to be the last map of its kind, and also kinda magical.Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba May 2025 pick is Blob by Maggie SuThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

It's a Marvin solo episode for our mid-month check in for April 2025. Listen in as he highlights some of the latest publishing announcements for novels written by Asian American authors!Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:THE MIDNIGHT TAXI By Yosha GunasekeraA TEASPOON OF MAGIC By Jackie LauMIGRATORY CREATURES By Jennifer YehENVOY By Yume KitaseiDRAGONFLY By Catherine ChoTASTES LIKE SEEING GOD By Nina Michiko TamSPACE BAR By Eugene LimFOLLOWERS By Audrey Cleo YapBooks & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba April 2025 pick is The Cartographers by Peng ShepardThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we discuss our March 2025 book club pick The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamal, a sweeping historical & contemporary novel about a woman who meets her first love again 60 years ago after he stood her up on the day of their marriage in the midst of political upheaval in 1953 Tehran. Join us as we dive into this not-quite second chance romance as we discuss our own thoughts on the existence of destiny and true loves.Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba April 2025 pick is The Cartographers by Peng ShepardThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we chat with author Jane Pek, author of our February 2025 book club pick The Verifiers, and most recently its sequel The Rivals. Jane shares with us her journey into becoming an author as well as the inspirations behind writing a murder mystery series surrounding an online dating detective agency, with the bearing heart of an Asian American family drama.Follow Jane on Instagram at @janepekwrites and check out her novels The Verifiers and The Rivals available now on the Books & Boba bookshop!Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba March 2025 pick is The Stationery Shop by Marjan KamaliThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On our mid-month check in for March 2025, we highlight some of the latest Asian American publishing announcements, discuss the latest book to TV adaptation news, check in as the first book ban case hits the Supreme Court, and share some exciting news for the podcast!Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:BLACKPINK: A Little Golden Book Biography by Jessica YoonThe Swan's Daughter: A Possibly Doomed Love Story by Roshani ChokshiHoneytrap by Kiana Krystle I Dance by Diana Rañola; illust. by Christine Almeda The Summoning of Tess Pham by Trang Thanh TranThe Poet Empress by Shen TaoThe Vale by Abigail Hing Wen; Illust. by Yuna CheongEvery Day I Read by Hwang Bo-reum; Translated by Shanna TanThe Chinese Lady by Bo WangI Got You, Allen Liu by Derrick Chow Habbi's Treasures by Yoojin Grace Wuertz; illust. by Dung HoThe Take by Kelly Yang G Is for Gratitude, by Rina Horiuchi & Risa Horiuchi Don't Feed the Hungry Ghosts by Connie Chang & J.M. BlakemoreBad Dog, Benny by Maggie P. Chang Where There's Room for Us by Hayley KiyokoStrong as a Lion by Karla Sy; illust. by FelishiaHenditirtoThe Riceball Fairy by Michelle Lin; illust. by Alyssa HutchingsThe Late Bird by Sha'an d'Anthes Where Does Dinosaur Go? by Songju Ma Daemicke; illust. by Sian JamesThe Dinosaur and the Bird: A Tale of PrehistoricFriendship by Richard Ho; illust. by Jamie GreenFatal Glitch by Erin Entrada Kelly & Eliot SchreferA Party for Bear by Alice WangStone Lion by Debbie FongWake Up, Poppyville! by Vikki Chu Flowers of the Season by Mishy Wang; illust. by Bianca AustriaBook news mentioned on this episode:‘Crazy Rich Asians’ TV Series adaptation for MaxJulie C Dao's ‘Rise of the Empress’ Fantasy Series a Go at AmazonMahmoud v. Taylor Supreme Court CaseBooks & Boba is nominated for an AmbieBooks & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba March 2025 pick is The Stationery Shop by Marjan KamaliThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

On this episode, we discuss our February 2025 pick, The Verifiers by Jane Pek, following Claudia Lin, an underachieving Asian American woman with a complicated and somewhat dysfunctional family situation, who is recruited to become an investigator for an online dating detective agency and gets drawn into a vast conspiracy involving big tech and data when one of her clients ends up dead under mysterious circumstances. Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba March 2025 pick is The Stationery Shop by Marjan KamaliThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Welcome to our first book news check-in for the new year (both new years)! As always, join us as we highlight some of the latest publishing announcements of books by Asian authors, as well as go over some recent awards and industry news!Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:But I Won’t Miss Me by Tiffany TsaoThe Magnificent Banyan Tree and the Green Tong Lau by Stephanie Ellen Sy; illust by Ishita JainGo Tuk Tuk Go! by Varsha Bajaj; illust by Bao LuuAmi Moon and the Galactic Peacekeepers by Frances LeeThe Fear Factory by Moniza HossainSweet Heat by Trinity Nguyen Bad Idea, Right? by Trinity NguyenA Boy Called Hero by Marie Miranda CruzAfternoons with Ammama by Meghana NarayanRobot See, Robot Do by Vikram MadanDuck-A-Muck by Vikram MadanExtraordinary Eliana and the Magnificent Hmong New Year by V.T. Bidania; illust by Suji ParkTwo Little Hot Dogs by Camey YehSisters Alone by Shifa Saltagi SafadiRobot Ramen Cafe by Deandra "Nika" TanAll That Chandni Knows by Khushboo PatelRaja's Journey by Varsha Bajaj; illust by Chaaya Prabhat.The Last Giant by Jade ZhangBook news mentioned on this episode:APALA Awards for Youth LiteratureBookshop.org now offers ebooksBooks & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authorsSupport the Books & Boba Podcast by:Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merchFollow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebookThe Books & Boba February 2025 pick is The Verifiers by Jane PekThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective