Asian American Bookshelf
Hey y’all. In the midst of celebrating my kid’s transition out of high school, supporting campus protests and earning a paycheck, I’ve been finding joy at book events.
I attended two great author conversations with Sejal Shah and Jimin Han.
Sejal has written a genre-defying collection called How to Make Your Mother Cry. Here’s a no-spoiler excerpt: “Don’t leave me Mom, you say. That’s my job, she says. To make you ready. Can you stay a little while longer, Mom. Yes, but get out your bank statements. Let’s work on your checkbook.”
Jimin Han’s The Apology was just released in paperback; in a review last year, the New York Times described it as “an enthralling multigenerational tale of familial secrets, trauma and healing.” What more can you ask for?
I saw Jimin in conversation with Kirsten Chen, the author most recently of Counterfeit, which is a literary caper exploring the relationship between two women with the backdrop of the “super fake” handbag market. She told me tidbits about her new novel, which is a take on a friendship between characters based on two famous Silicon Valley wives. Stay tuned!
On my list for the coming weeks are:
Rachel Khong’s Real Americans. Her first book Goodbye, Vitamin was somehow funny and sad, as she came into her own while caring for her father, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Lisa Ko’s Memory Piece. I am still haunted by images from The Leavers, which is a must read, especially if you’re obsessed with mother characters, belonging and immigration.
Oiyan Poon’s Asian American Is Not a Color: Conversations on Race, Affirmative Action, and Family is described as an attempt to answer her daughter’s questions on race in America, and I’m excited to read her perspectives.
At this link, Bookshop lists several of the titles above for a discount of 15%. If you’re in New York City, visit Yu & Me Books or the Center for Fiction to buy these books or support them or your local independent bookstore by purchasing from Bookshop.
With hope,
Sayu