Play Book Tag discussion
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AAPI reading list
I love this idea, Meli! But have no idea what a going to read. I am going to do a little research and come up with an idea.
I loved Interior Chinatown and Minor Feelings tugged at my heart strings.Vaddey Ratner has written some wonderful novels about Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge era.
I just finished Strange Beasts of China which blew me away. It’s a translation, and it captures so much. There are fantasy elements, but also very well done allegory that reflects on life in China in the post-Mao era.
How Much of These Hills Is Gold was also a genre-bending look at racism against Asian-Americans that I liked a lot.
In the spirit of stopping hate, I will try to read The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World. I also will be trying to up my reading of Pacific Island authors- I’m lacking there. And I will be reading some translated books from the International Booker longlist.
I love this idea, Meli! I'll have to give some thought to books I have read that I would recommend. There's also the whole fetishization of asian women as sex objects, something that was central in Atlanta and something that is rarely addressed head on.
Tracy wrote: "How Much of These Hills Is Gold was also a genre-bending look at racism against Asian-Americans that I liked a lot."Glad to hear good things about both Interior Chinatown and Minor Feelings.
I would like to read How Much of These Hills Is Gold! I added it to my want-to-read. I've seen it on many lists, I just recognize the cover, but I didn't know what it was about at all. I don't have a copy of this one unfortunately. I am trying to offload some books on my tbr before buying new ones, as much as I can this year... however, if there is interest in doing this for a buddy read I might see if my local bookstore has it. 😈 Of course, my local library might have it to. Lately I am having trouble getting new and buzzy books because we get so few copies here.
Think I will wait and see what others plan to read before I decide.
Theresa wrote: "I love this idea, Meli! I'll have to give some thought to books I have read that I would recommend. There's also the whole fetishization of asian women as sex objects, something that was central ..."
To that point, here are a couple pieces by R.O. Kwon that I love, author of The Incendiaries.
https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2021...
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/23/op...
Thanks Meli! I love this idea and definitely want to support AAPI.I read and learned much from Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning and Interior Chinatown I especially really enjoyed Interior Chinatown. It was just so different and thoughtful.
I have How Much of These Hills Is Gold on hold and keep meaning to track down The Sympathizer. I really enjoyed his stories in The Refugees.
I keeping looking at The Leavers and If I Had Your Face as well.
Also I recommend Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 which is a bit of a gut punch for women but I would be interested to hear other's thoughts. I have no idea how much it would resonate as true by someone familiar with South Korea.
EDITED- realize that this author is not American but still an interesting read
Meli wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I love this idea, Meli! I'll have to give some thought to books I have read that I would recommend. There's also the whole fetishization of asian women as sex objects, something t..."
Those articles are heart breaking. I will have to add The Incendiaries too.
Meli wrote: "Tracy wrote: "How Much of These Hills Is Gold was also a genre-bending look at racism against Asian-Americans that I liked a lot."Glad to hear good things about both Interior Chinatown and Minor ..."
Meli - I've had How Much of These Hills Is Gold physically sitting in my TBR since it was published -- a first edition hardcover no less. I'm up for a buddy read but probably not until May or June. April is a little overloaded right now, including a few hangovers from March.
Meli wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I love this idea, Meli! I'll have to give some thought to books I have read that I would recommend. There's also the whole fetishization of asian women as sex objects, something t..."
Thanks! I've read a few other articles these last few weeks. This is a subject that has been on my radar since I was very young -- I think my awareness and sensitivity came in part from reading Tales of the South Pacific and other books during the Vietnam era, plus watching episodes of M*A*S*H that addressed the issue to some degree. But it was also having a close friend in high school who was asian -- and asian in a small rural town where there was only one other asian family at the time - and hearing and seeing how men behaved towards her.
Typical American and Mona in the Promised Land by Gish Jen are a bit older but good. And of course there's Amy Tan.I liked the story collection How to Pronounce Knife about Lao refugees in Canada.
Great idea! I will try to join. I may read Everything I Never Told You or A Burning.I found some good lists:
https://electricliterature.com/20-new...
https://bookmarks.reviews/25-books-by...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/new-release...
https://booksaremagic.squarespace.com...
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/5...
@Jen K - Minor Feelings and Interior Chinatown are high up on my list. I will add Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982, but I am not sure how much of a gut punch I am ready for! Also, I loved The Incendiaries, but it doesn't deal with the Asian experience (if I recall), but R.O. Kwon is Korean American.
@Theresa - I'll table How Much of These Hills Is Gold and come back to you in another month or 2. I will have to switch some books out as it is, might skip one book club read to accommodate, and like you I have one March hangover book 😂
@BooknBlues - I loved Everything I Never Told You, I love Celeste Ng. I will read anything she writes at this point.
Thanks for sharing those lists as well!
Meli wrote: "@Jen K - Minor Feelings and Interior Chinatown are high up on my list. I will add Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982, but I am not sure how much of a gut punch I am ready for! Also, I loved The Incendiaries, ..."
Meli, thanks for thinking of this. This year I am trying to do one relevant individual challenge a month. I hadn't thought of one and then decided to do books about crossing our southern border as there is a build up of refugees and in particular child refugees. Your great idea of an AAPI read gives me 2 for this month which will really push my reading limits.
Meli wrote: "Tracy wrote: "How Much of These Hills Is Gold was also a genre-bending look at racism against Asian-Americans that I liked a lot."Glad to hear good things about both Interior Chinatown and Minor ..."
I am in for this one Meli-let me know when you can get a copy, my library has it and if that line is too long, I have an interlibrary system that I can reach out to
Joanne wrote: "I am in for this one Meli-let me know when you can get a copy, my library has it and if that line is too long, I have an interlibrary system that I can reach out to"Are you referring to How Much of These Hills Is Gold?
Would you be interested in pushing this out for a buddy read a month or 2 so we can get Theresa on board? She can't fit this in for April but might be able to for May.
Yes, May works for me, although I might be able to start it the last week of April. I ripped through my April Unofficial Trim over the last 2 days - which was great since it fit Africa! Puts me one ahead!Meli - you and I are really hitting those buddy reads this year!
Theresa wrote: "Yes, May works for me, although I might be able to start it the last week of April. I ripped through my April Unofficial Trim over the last 2 days - which was great since it fit Africa! Puts me one..."Right! Totally in sync 😎😍
Meli wrote: "Joanne wrote: "I am in for this one Meli-let me know when you can get a copy, my library has it and if that line is too long, I have an interlibrary system that I can reach out to"Are you referri..."
May for sure, later if necessary-I cannot do it in April either
Joanne wrote: "May for sure, later if necessary-I cannot do it in April either"Oh, great news! I was worried you wanted to read it this month and I was blowing you off. This will work well then.
Since we already have a plan to read How Much Of These Hills Is Gold for May (which I think is also AAPI heritage month?), would anyone be interested in reader The Sympathizer as a buddy read for April?
I also love this idea! I'd like to join in and read something, but unlikely to do so in April. I just have too many I am going to try to get to already. Hopefully I can find something soon after, though.
Okay, I did some searching and here is what I came up with:Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning - I don't read essays too often but, like many of you, this one caught my eye.
All You Can Ever Know - the lovely Joi read this one and I was truly struck by her honest review and the comparisons with her own life as an adopted AAPI child. Catapulted it right onto my TBR
How Much of These Hills Is Gold -- might as well finally get to this one too
Jen K wrote: "Thanks Meli! I love this idea and definitely want to support AAPI.I keeping looking at The Leavers and If I Had Your Face as well...."
The Leavers is very good.
There is a movie I plan to see about a Korean American family that is supposed to be excellent, "Minari". Here is the trailer. Would anyone here be interested in seeing it, too?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ0gF...
Holly R W wrote: "There is a movie I plan to see about a Korean American family that is supposed to be excellent, "Minari". Here is the trailer. Would anyone here be interested in seeing it, too?https://www.youtub..."
I WANT TO SEE THIS SO BAD!!
Sorry for yelling, I am just so excited about this movie.
I teared up just watching the trailer.
Very interested ... do you know what streaming service I can watch on?
Maybe we could start a buddy watch thread for it :)
I do not think you can watch Minari for free, but you can purchase it from some places. A friend of mine rented it from her local independent theater! They are doing virtual screenings of all the Oscar noms. May want to check out something like that. See the movie AND help your local theater!
Isn't the trailer terrific? I also watched a panel of the actors talking about making the movie. In doing a quick search, I see that Vudu, YouTube (for a cost), Google Play and Amazon Prime are all streaming the film. The cost is still high - $20. - but I would be willing to watch it and not wait for the cost to come down, if others here might like to watch and discuss it together.
Holly R W wrote: "Isn't the trailer terrific? I also watched a panel of the actors talking about making the movie. In doing a quick search, I see that Vudu, YouTube (for a cost), Google Play and Amazon Prime are all..."I'm down... I would pay $20 to see it.
I paid $20 to see Bill & Ted Face the Music 😁
Then I will watch it with you. Let's see if others say that they are interested in the movie too!
OK, then we can decide roughly around what time people can watch.
I'd be in for the movie too! Not sure how I will manage to narrow down the book selection.
Jen K wrote: "I'd be in for the movie too! Not sure how I will manage to narrow down the book selection."
Read The Sympathizer with me 😈
I am pushy because I am so much more motivated with a buddy. ;)
Count me in for Minari! That looks really good. If I find it streaming from any of the local indie theaters, will post a link as anyone will be able to access from anywhere. I would rather give a theater struggling to survive my $20 than YouTube or Google.We just did a movie watch of Rebecca. We all watched on a weekend then posted reviews and discussed the next day. Worked really well.
Theresa wrote: "Count me in for Minari! That looks really good. If I find it streaming from any of the local indie theaters, will post a link as anyone will be able to access from anywhere. I would rather give a t..."Yes, let me know!
I hadn't thought of that - that a theater somewhere else can stream to other states.
I would support that.
Likely not an option at the theaters where I am at.
My local theater in Bethesda, MD- Bethesda Row Cinema- has virtual streaming but only through to April 4 with 1 scheduled showing a day. Not sure if there would be longer run in another city? Also $20.https://www.landmarktheatres.com/wash...
Meli wrote: "Jen K wrote: "I'd be in for the movie too! Not sure how I will manage to narrow down the book selection."
Read The Sympathizer with me 😈
I am pushy because I am so much more mot..."
I'm in! I might swap this one for [book:Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line|45755173.
Let me know when/ how you want to buddy read.
Kimber wrote: "Jen K wrote: "Thanks Meli! I love this idea and definitely want to support AAPI.I keeping looking at The Leavers and If I Had Your Face as well...."
The Leavers is very good."
Thanks Kimber! This is a good push.
Jen K wrote: "I'm in! I might swap this one for Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line.Let me know when/ how you want to buddy read."
YES! I have a taker 😊
I will keep you posted by starting a buddy read thread. What I usually do is start the buddy read thread and leave it open for people to read at their own pace so that it is less pressure and you can check in as you feel like it.
I would like to start in early April.
Meli wrote: "Jen K wrote: "I'm in! I might swap this one for Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line.Let me know when/ how you want to buddy read."
YES! I have a taker 😊
I will keep you posted by st..."
Sounds perfect!
Film Forum in NYC has Minari is available to stream at 8 PM daily through Sunday April 4. It may be extended - it has already been extendedand if it is still drawing an audience, they may extend it again. The theater is reopening for in person viewing on Friday - 30% capacity I think. I do not believe they will be discontinuing streaming. Here's a link: https://screeningroom.a24films.com/?u...
I was not able to check the price - need ot reset my password. I'm going to make a point of watching it this weekend. I'll set up a Buddy Viewing thread.
On the film Minari - I did a little more digging into the art houses and indie theaters streaming - looks like it is streamed through the same portal at the same dates/times by all venues. Price is I think $12.00. I started a separate thread. I'll probably watch in Friday. Meli says she will watch Thursday -- through this indie portal.
If I see it has been extended, I'll let you all know.
Theresa wrote: "On the film Minari - I did a little more digging into the art houses and indie theaters streaming - looks like it is streamed through the same portal at the same dates/times by all venues. Price is..."Exciting! A24 is the same group running it for my indie theater and the same times- sorry if that is exactly what you were saying above.... I will try to watch Friday or Saturday.
Just saw this pop up on the GR main page today... https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2...
Also, for those who will join the buddy read for How Much of These Hills Is Gold I will put up a buddy read thread in the next day or two. I was going to hunt this down at the library but my mom gifted me a copy for my bday!
Meli wrote: "Just saw this pop up on the GR main page today... https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2...
Also, for thos..."
Great. I should be able to start it in a week to 10 days.
Okay, I missed this somehow, but I am already on board since I as soon as I am finished my first personal demographics challenge (American) I want to read the Asian authors I still have here, plus I am reading a half Asian author right now for that first one.Reading now--this author is half Korean (her mother is Korean)
Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin
In my room to read this month:
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
Not that great, but fun and the third in a series Single Sashimi by Camy Tang
I really loved Pachinko. I think it might be a smidge too long, but a great historical fiction.
Sprawling generational drama, if you are into that sort of thing.
I am reading Interior Chinatown in addition to How Much of These Hills is Gold.
Oh, also, this is on my tbr for my IRL book club later in the year, but it would be PERFECT for May because it hits both Mental Health Awareness and AAPI Heritage which are both recognized throughout May - The Collected Schizophrenias: Essays.
I have from library ... an ebook I keep renewing ... If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim. This is the month I read it!
I am planning to read/listen to The Mountains Sing later in the year for Fly the Skies.
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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I wanted to start a similar reading event in support of AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) in leu of recent events and the #stopAAPIhate / #stopAsianhate movement.
More about the term AAPI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_P...
More about the #stopAAPIhate movement here:
https://stopaapihate.org/
I know that reading won't end racism and reading alone can't #stopAAPIhate, but I also think reading can lead to compassion and understanding. Of course, the next real step to change is action, but since this is a reading group I hope you will join me to do what we do best... read and talk books! 😊
There are many PBT members who are quite thorough in creating lists for our monthly tags, so I am hoping to enlist your help to come up with some reading list recommendations that are more specific, as AAPI is quite broad and encompasses a number of countries of origin and experiences that are each unique.
I am not sure what I will read yet, but here are a few titles I have on deck that I think would be a perfect fit for an #ownvoices reading challenge:
Interior Chinatown - most excited about this, but I will read this for my May book club
Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning
The Sympathizer - this won a Pulitzer, and I love Nguyen's writing. He does a great job of educating people on anti-Asian history and representation in media. He wrote a think piece on Da 5 Bloods that was great.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/24/mo...
The Collected Schizophrenias: Essays - again, on deck for a future book club, but I am looking forward to this.
As I mentioned, 2 of the 4 are for future book club reads but if others are interested in doing a buddy read I might bump them up.
What are your recommendations, or what will you plan to read in April in support of #stopAAPIhate?