Books and Boba

Potluck Podcast Collective
  • 4.5 (132)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

Books & Boba is a book club dedicated to books written by Asian and Asian American authors. We cover a wide range of genres including contemporary, historical fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, YA, nonfiction, thrillers, graphic novels, and memoirs.

  1. Author Chat w/ Cindy Pham

    5d ago

    Author Chat w/ Cindy Pham

    On this episode, we're very excited to welcome booktuber, and now published author, Cindy Pham to chat about her debut novel, The Secret World of Briar Rose, a sapphic dark retelling of the legend of sleeping beauty, following a jaded thief who, while searching for her missing sister, finds herself transported into the dream world of her fallen kingdom's slumbering princess. We chat with Cindy about the inspirations behind her debut, as well as how her experience reviewing books have prepared her to be on the other side as a published author. Follow Cindy on Instagram at @readwithcindy and check out her debut novel The Secret World of Briar Rose available now on the Books & Boba bookshop! Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors Support the Books & Boba Podcast by: Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merch Follow our hosts: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebook The Books & Boba May 2025 pick is Blob by Maggie Su This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective Mentioned in this episode: Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it. Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19! Use code H6BC for $59 tickets! Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

    1h 2m
  2. No No Boy by John Okada

    Jun 1

    No No Boy by John Okada

    On this episode we discuss our May 2026 pick is No-No Boy by John Okada, one of the earliest in the Asian American canon following the story of Ichiro Yamada who returns home to Seattle after serving 2 years in prison for refusing to serve in the military during the internment of Japanese Americans during World War 2. We're excited to dive into this Asian American classic from 1957, who's publication journey is just as interesting as the story itself. Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors Support the Books & Boba Podcast by: Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merch Follow our hosts: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebook The Books & Boba June 2026 pick is The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective Mentioned in this episode: Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it. Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19! Use code H6BC for $59 tickets! Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

    1h 26m
  3. Author Chat w/ Vincent Yu

    May 26

    Author Chat w/ Vincent Yu

    On this episode, we welcome author Vincent Yu to chat about his debut novel, Seek Immediate Shelter, which follows the stories of several members of a small town community in Massachusetts, who have to deal with the consequences of their impulsive actions when a faulty mass alert is sent our warning them of an imminent missile strike. Follow Vincent on Instagram at @vinyu12 and check out his debut novel Seek Immediate Shelter available now on the Books & Boba bookshop! Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors Support the Books & Boba Podcast by: Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merch Follow our hosts: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebook The Books & Boba May 2026 pick is No-No Boy by John Okada This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective Mentioned in this episode: Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it. Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19! Use code H6BC for $59 tickets! Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

    1h 3m
  4. May 2026 Book News

    May 18

    May 2026 Book News

    For our mid-month book news check in for May 2026, we catch up on the latest Asian American publishing announcements as well as check in on some of the latest news and tea from the greater book industry. Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news: The First White Hair by Yasmin ZaherThe Dragon Thief by Ellen OhIt Begins with the End by Samira AhmedSummers in Syria by Shifa Saltagi Safadi; illust. by Hatem AlyOur Built World: An Architectural Journey Along the Silk Road by Fiyel Levent; illust. by Daby Zainab FaidhiSheen by Cindy PonOur Chinatown Market by Jasmine Fang; illust. by Thai My Phuong Book news mentioned on this episode: TokyoPop launches Children’s imprint Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors Support the Books & Boba Podcast by: Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merch Follow our hosts: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebook The Books & Boba May 2026 pick is No-No Boy by John Okada This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective Mentioned in this episode: Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it. Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19! Use code H6BC for $59 tickets! Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

    47 min
  5. Author Chat w/ Canwen Xu

    May 11

    Author Chat w/ Canwen Xu

    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 authors Support the Books & Boba Podcast by: Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merch Follow our hosts: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebook The Books & Boba May 2026 pick is No-No Boy by John Okada This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective Mentioned in this episode: Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it. Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19! Use code H6BC for $59 tickets! Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

    55 min
  6. The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao

    May 5

    The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao

    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 authors Support the Books & Boba Podcast by: Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merch Follow our hosts: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebook The Books & Boba May 2026 pick is No-No Boy by John Okada This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective Mentioned in this episode: Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it. Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19! Use code H6BC for $59 tickets! Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

    1h 42m
  7. Author Chat w/ Kelly Yang

    Apr 27

    Author Chat w/ Kelly Yang

    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 authors Support the Books & Boba Podcast by: Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merch Follow our hosts: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebook The Books & Boba April 2026 pick is The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective Mentioned in this episode: Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it. Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19! Use code H6BC for $59 tickets! Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

    49 min
  8. April 2026 Book News

    Apr 20

    April 2026 Book News

    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 Tomigahara Book news mentioned on this episode: Amazon pulls support from Kindles pre-2013 Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors Support the Books & Boba Podcast by: Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perksPurchasing books at our bookshopRocking our Books & Boba merch Follow our hosts: Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh) Follow us: InstagramTwitterGoodreadsFacebook The Books & Boba April 2026 pick is The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective Mentioned in this episode: Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it. Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19! Use code H6BC for $59 tickets! Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

    46 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.5
out of 5
132 Ratings

About

Books & Boba is a book club dedicated to books written by Asian and Asian American authors. We cover a wide range of genres including contemporary, historical fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, YA, nonfiction, thrillers, graphic novels, and memoirs.

Information

  • Creator
    Potluck Podcast Collective
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    364
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2016 Books and Boba
  • Show Website
    Books and Boba

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