Category Archives: Reviews

NYC Theater Review: peerless at Primary Stages

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Lily

Jiehae Park’s dark comedy peerless about the high pressure stakes of elite college admissions is now playing at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters in New York City. This twist on Macbeth features twin Asian American sisters, M and L, who … Continue reading →

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8Books: Seoulmates by Susan Lee

Posted on September 20, 2022 by Lily

Out today, Seoulmates by Susan Lee is a fun friends-to-lovers YA romance that tackles Korean American identity as all things Korean become popular in the U.S. It’s the summer before her senior year in high school and Hannah Cho thinks … Continue reading →

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8Books Review: Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean

Posted on August 23, 2022 by Lily

Mika Suzuki is standing in a Target of all places when she gets a phone call that will change her life in Emiko Jean’s heartwarming new novel, Mika in Real Life. Sixteen years earlier, Mika had given up a baby … Continue reading →

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8Books: AANHPI Month Children’s Book Roundup

Posted on May 17, 2022 by Lily

In honor of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, here’s not one, not two, but eight recently or about to be released children’s books to check out. I remember very few Asian American picture books from when … Continue reading →

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8Books Review: Korean American by Eric Kim

Posted on April 27, 2022 by Lily

Eric Kim’s debut cookbook Korean American is an absolute joy to read and cook from. The essays are beautifully written (no surprise if you’ve ever perused Kim’s writing for the New York Times) and the recipes are wide-ranging with drool-inducing … Continue reading →

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SF Theater Review: Asian American LGBTQ Themes in a New Production of “Fun Home”

Posted on April 25, 2022 by Tim

If you get the chance, catch “Fun Home” at the Gateway Theater on Jackson Street in San Francisco, between now and May 8, 2022. Many of the storylines around being closeted (her dad), difficulty coming out to parents and parents who won’t talk about your LGBTQ status all resonate deeply in the Asian American community. Continue reading →

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8Books Review: Troublemaker by John Cho

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Lily

Yup, that’s right — actor extraordinaire John Cho is adding author to his impressive resume with his debut middle grade novel, Troublemaker. Set in LA on April 29, 1992 as riots are erupting, the book follows Jordan, a 12 year … Continue reading →

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8Books Review: Seeking Fortune Elsewhere by Sindya Bhanoo

Posted on April 12, 2022 by Lily

Seeking Fortune Elsewhere is a delectable debut short story collection from Sindya Bhanoo. It opens with the story that won her the O. Henry Prize, “Malliga Homes.” Each story centers South Asian women and their families. Many focus on later … Continue reading →

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8Books Review: Let’s Do Everything and Nothing by Julia Kuo

Posted on April 5, 2022 by Lily

Let’s Do Everything and Nothing is a lusciously illustrated children’s book by Julia Kuo about spending time with loved ones. It celebrates the big moments–like climbing a mountain–and the little ones–like quiet time at home. It features what I first … Continue reading →

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8Books Review: New From Here by Kelly Yang

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Lily

Kelly Yang’s latest book New From Here is a middle grade reader about a young boy and his family during the initial outbreak of the coronavirus. It’s hard to believe that we’ve been at this pandemic so long that there … Continue reading →

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8Books Review: Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu

Posted on March 22, 2022 by Lily

Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu is a deeply engrossing, occasionally disturbing collection of 12 short stories. While they don’t build on each other, each shares a bit of strangeness that gets at some fraction of … Continue reading →

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8Books Review: Muslim Picture Books by Hena Khan

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Lily

One Sun and Countless Stars: A Muslim Book of Numbers and the board book version of Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors, both by Hena Khan and illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini are bright, engaging books that … Continue reading →

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