Author Archives: Lily

About Lily

East Coast Chinese American. I like thick-skinned dumplings and hard-covered books.

8Books Review: I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang

Posted on March 19, 2024 by Lily

With strong reverse All the Boys vibes, Ann Liang’s latest novel I Hope This Doesn’t Find You is a classic enemies to lovers tale set within the mean, competitive hallways of high school. Sadie Wen is a perfectionist — school captain, … Continue reading →

Posted in 8Books, 8Series, Books, Dating, Entertainment, Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

8Books Review: Lunar New Year Love Story

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Lily

From Asian American literary superstars author Gene Luen Yang and illustrator LeUyen Pham comes a delightful new graphic novel, Lunar New Year Love Story. Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day celebrations may be over but you can relive the joy … Continue reading →

Posted in 8Books, 8Series, Books, Dating, Entertainment, Family, Lifestyles, Reviews, San Francisco Bay Area | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

8Books Review: Valley Verified by Kyla Zhao

Posted on February 14, 2024 by Lily

Celebrate Valentine’s Day by curling up with Kyla Zhao‘s latest novel, Valley Verified. Will fashion writer Zoe Zeng be able to hack it (pun intended) in the startup world of Silicon Valley? After years of “paying her dues” only to … Continue reading →

Posted in 8Books, 8Series, Books, Entertainment, Fashion, New York, Reviews, San Francisco Bay Area, Tech, Technology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

8Books Review: A Quantum Love Story by Mike Chen

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Lily

Mike Chen’s latest novel A Quantum Love Story is a delightful romp through a time loop. Carter Cho is stuck. He wakes up on Monday morning. On Thursday, the particle accelerator explodes. And when he opens his eyes again, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 8Books, 8Series, Books, Dating, Entertainment, Lifestyles, Reviews, San Francisco Bay Area | Tagged , | Leave a comment

8Books Review: Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Lily

Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu, written by Ying Chang Compestine and illustrated by Crystal Kung, is a fun and imaginative retelling of the classic tale of Rapunzel. No hair is chopped off, there’s no evil witch, and its … Continue reading →

Posted in 8Books, 8Series, Books, Entertainment, Family, Food & Drink, Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

NYC Theater Review: Wolf Play by Hansol Jung

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Lily

Wolf Play by Hansol Jung is an enthralling play about an off-the-record adoption, about children and parents and family, about a wolf and his pack. Presented by MCC Theater in collaboration with Ma-Yi Theater Company, Wolf Play just opened and … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Family, LGBT, Lifestyles, Reviews, The Arts, Theatre | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

8Books Review: Rice is Life by Caryl Levine and Ken Lee

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Lily

Rice is Life: Recipes and Stories Celebrating the World’s Most Essential Grain is a new cookbook out from Caryl Levine and Ken Lee, founders of Lotus Foods. It’s hard to disagree with a title like that. I mean, my rice … Continue reading →

Posted in 8Books, 8Series, Books, Entertainment, Food & Drink, Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

8Books Review: My Diwali Light by Raakhee Mirchandani

Posted on October 18, 2022 by Lily

My Diwali Light by Raakhee Mirchandani, art by Supriya Kelkar is a lovely picture book about celebrating Diwali with family and friends. With Diwali just around the corner (it’s on Monday), this is a great read for this time of … Continue reading →

Posted in 8Books, 8Series, Books, Entertainment, Family, Lifestyles, Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in 8Series, Comedy, Education, Entertainment, Family, New York, Reviews, The Arts, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in 8Books, 8Series, Books, Dating, Entertainment, Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in 8Books, 8Series, Books, Entertainment, Family, Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in 8Books, 8Series, Books, Entertainment, Family, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment