Our first read of book club pick #7 and we're already disoriented! In this section, we learn about the various traits that make up our main character, PhD candidate Ingrid Yang. What we find is an easily malleable woman who's governed by her circumstances . . . until she finds a curious note in the archives.

Elaine Hsieh Chou is "a Taiwanese American writer from California." She's also a writing and workshop instructor, a former Rona Jaffe Graduate Fellow at NYU, a NYFA Artist fellow, and the 2023 Fred R. Brown Literary Award recipient. You can learn more about her and her work on her website at ElaineHsiehChou.com and on Twitter / X @⁠ElaineHsiehChou.

Find us on AsianBookClubPod.com and on Instagram @AsianBookClubPod. You can also support us by buying books through Asian Book Club's Bookshop.

Recommendation of the Week: Belcanto Books is a woman- and BIPOC-owned indie bookstore, led by Jhoanna Belfer. Learn more about their events and three locations at BelCantoBooks.net and on Instagram @BelCantoBooks.

Hosts: Jamae Ann Sabangan and Steven Park

Edits: Steven Park

Music: Drop It by Lunareh

[Content warning: sexual abuse, child abuse, drug abuse]

We've come to the final read of book club #6. In this read, we encounter new characters who're integral to the overall plot. As the story comes to a close, the author shows us just how intertwined the protagonist's and antagonist's stories truly are. Oof, what a ride!

Melissa Chadburn is a distinguished writer, whose work has appeared in the LA Times and The NYT Book Review among many other publications. She lives in greater Los Angeles and "strives to upend economic violence". You can learn more about her and her work on her website at MelissaChadburn.com and on Instagram @⁠MChadburn⁠.

Find us on AsianBookClubPod.com and on Instagram @AsianBookClubPod. You can also support us by buying books through Asian Book Club's Bookshop.

Recommendation of the Week: Zelina is known for posting videos of her skating and fashion, displaying both the successes and fails. You can see Zelina's work on Instagram @ZelinaOnWheels.

Hosts: Jamae Ann Sabangan and Steven Park

Edits: Steven Park

Music: Drop It by Lunareh, Unchained by Lunareh

[Content Warning: sexual abuse, child abuse, rape]

In this third read of Book Club Pick #6, we see the two worlds of Marina's birth family and and her chosen family in The Pines influence her while she's in the government group foster home. We're also taken through Marina's first love Alex's heartbreaking origin story. As you continue to read along with us, please take care.

Melissa Chadburn is a distinguished writer, whose work has appeared in the LA Times and The NYT Book Review among many other publications. She lives in greater Los Angeles and "strives to upend economic violence". You can learn more about her and her work on her website at MelissaChadburn.com and on Instagram @⁠MChadburn⁠.

Find us on AsianBookClubPod.com and on Instagram @AsianBookClubPod. You can also support us by buying books through Asian Book Club's Bookshop.

Recommendation of the Week: Inga Lam is a YouTuber who creates light-hearted, fun, and honest food- and cooking-related content. You can see Inga's work on YouTube @IngaLam and on Instagram @IngaTyLam.

Hosts: Jamae Ann Sabangan and Steven Park

Edits: Steven Park

Music: Drop It by Lunareh

[Content Warning: sexual violence]

In this second read of Book Club Pick #6, we are taken deep into the past to see a closer look at Mutya's character and the imbalanced mother-daughter relationship she has with Marina. We are also shown the inciting incident that led Marina away from her strong-willed, independent self toward the placid, survival-focused person she became. Like in the first read, please proceed with caution and care.

Melissa Chadburn is a distinguished writer, whose work has appeared in the LA Times and The NYT Book Review among many other publications. She lives in greater Los Angeles and "strives to upend economic violence". You can learn more about her and her work on her website at MelissaChadburn.com and on Instagram @⁠MChadburn⁠.

Find us on AsianBookClubPod.com and on Instagram @AsianBookClubPod. You can also support us by buying books through Asian Book Club's Bookshop.

Recommendation of the Week: Malaka Gharib's newsletter "A List of Beautiful Things" features images and articles that the author-cartoonist finds fascinating and / or moving, from the mundate to the mind-blowing. Subscribe to the newsletter through Malaka's webiste at MalakaGharib.com or directly at Malaka.Substack.com/About. You can also find some of these newsletter entries on her Instagram @MalakaGharib.

Hosts: Jamae Ann Sabangan and Steven Park

Edits: Steven Park

Music: Drop It by Lunareh

[Content Warning: NSFW, violence, death, gore, sexual abuse, physical intimacy]

We start the first read of Book Club Pick #6! And the book was not what we were expecting. Despite the NSFW nature of the story, the mythical lore of the aswang mixed in with layers and generations of tragedy and interconnected story weaves an intriguing tale that traps our attention. Proceed with caution.

Melissa Chadburn is a distinguished writer, whose work has appeared in the LA Times and The NYT Book Review among many other publications. She lives in greater Los Angeles and "strives to upend economic violence". You can learn more about her and her work on her website at MelissaChadburn.com and on Instagram @⁠MChadburn⁠.

Find us on AsianBookClubPod.com and on Instagram @AsianBookClubPod. You can also support us by buying books through Asian Book Club's Bookshop.

Recommendation of the Week: Since the recording of this episode, Yu and Me Books in NYC is scheduled for a grand opening at their temporary relocation at The Market Line on September 16, 2023. Founded by Lucy Yu, the bookstore "focuses on the strong diverse voices of our community, with a focus on immigrant stories." Follow along on their journey through their website YuAndMeBooks.com and via their Instagram @YuAndMeBooks.

Hosts: Jamae Ann Sabangan and Steven Park

Edits: Steven Park

Music: Drop It by Lunareh

After reading Min Jin Lee's Pachinko, we - Jamae and Steven - watch the AppleTV+ series. In this special episode, we talk about the cinematic qualities of the show, the strong cast, and the easter eggs we find as the story unfolds. The show also breaks up the timeline while keeping the "feel" of the book's tone. This is both our first times watching the series, and the show kept us on our toes.

Find us on Instagram @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AsianBookClubPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AsianBookClubPod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also support us by buying books through ⁠⁠⁠⁠Asian Book Club's Bookshop⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Hosts: Jamae Ann Sabangan and Steven Park

Edits: Steven Park

Music: Drop It by Lunareh

[Content Warning: NSFW / physical intimacy]

In this final read of book club pick #5, full circle moments and fulfilled predictions close the story. As part of our final thoughts, we highly recommend reading Min Jin Lee's Pachinko!

Min Jin Lee is a distinguished writer and the author of Pachinko and Free Food for Millionaires. She is a National Book Award Finalist and the recipient of 2022 Manhae Grand Prize and fellowships from Guggenheim Foundation and Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study of Harvard. You can learn more about her and her work on Instagram @Lee_MinJin and on her website at MinJinLee.com.

Find us on AsianBookClubPod.com and on Instagram @AsianBookClubPod. You can also support us by buying books through Asian Book Club's Bookshop.

Recommendation of the Week: Schuyler Bailar is the first trans Division 1 NCAA men's athlete in swimming. He's also an inclusion advocate and celebrated inspirational speaker. He shares his story and advocacy work on Instagram @PinkMantaray. Learn more on his website https://PinkMantaray.com.

Hosts: Jamae Ann Sabangan and Steven Park

Edits: Steven Park

Music: Drop It by Lunareh, Unchained by Lunareh

[Content Warning: physical intimacy, death, suicide]

In this fourth read of book club pick #5, we see the characters go through love, loss, grief, and discovery - a wild ride of highs and lows. As we go through this section, please take care, friends.

As we mention at the top of the episode, if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal ideation, please reach out for help. Consider the following resources:

Min Jin Lee is a distinguished writer and the author of Pachinko and Free Food for Millionaires. She is a National Book Award Finalist and the recipient of 2022 Manhae Grand Prize and fellowships from Guggenheim Foundation and Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study of Harvard. You can learn more about her and her work on Instagram @Lee_MinJin and on her website at MinJinLee.com.

Find us on AsianBookClubPod.com and on Instagram @AsianBookClubPod. You can also support us by buying books through Asian Book Club's Bookshop.

Recommendation of the Week: Angela of Internationally ME is a Tokyo-based and New Zealand-raised travel blogger. Her content focuses on travel spots that are "off the beaten path". Find more about her work on YouTube @internationallyME and on Patreon @internationallyME.

Hosts: Jamae Ann Sabangan and Steven Park

Edits: Steven Park

Music: Drop It by Lunareh

We're past the halfway point of the book at this point. During this third read of book club pick #5, our predictions have been dashed . . . for the most part. We learn about characters returning, characters leaving, and the war's aftermath. If you're like Jamae, you probably said the F* Word many times "verbally out loud" throughout this particular section.

Min Jin Lee is a distinguished writer and the author of Pachinko and Free Food for Millionaires. She is a National Book Award Finalist and the recipient of 2022 Manhae Grand Prize and fellowships from Guggenheim Foundation and Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study of Harvard. You can learn more about her and her work on Instagram @Lee_MinJin and on her website at MinJinLee.com.

Find us on AsianBookClubPod.com and on Instagram @AsianBookClubPod. You can also support us by buying books through Asian Book Club's Bookshop.

Recommendation of the Week: Youngmi Mayer is a comedian, who is known for her honesty (read: frankness), openness, and social awareness in her work. She's the host of Hairy Butthole podcast and a former co-host of the now archived Feeling Asian podcast. Find more about her work on Instagram @YMMayer and Tiktok @YoungMiMayer.

Hosts: Jamae Ann Sabangan and Steven Park

Edits: Steven Park

Music: Drop It by Lunareh

[Content warning: physical intimacy]

In this second read of book club pick #5, we see the characters struggle with culture shock, patriarchal society, misogyny, and unfair allegations. We follow Sunja, Isak, Yoseb, and Kyunghee through their individual hardships while they communally raise Noa and Mozasu.

Min Jin Lee is a distinguished writer and the author of Pachinko and Free Food for Millionaires. She is a National Book Award Finalist and the recipient of 2022 Manhae Grand Prize and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study for Harvard. You can learn more about her and her work on Instagram @⁠Lee_MinJin⁠ and on her website at ⁠MinJinLee.com⁠.

Find us on ⁠⁠AsianBookClubPod.com⁠⁠ and on Instagram @⁠⁠AsianBookClubPod⁠⁠. You can also support us by buying books through ⁠Asian Book Club's Bookshop⁠.

Recommendation of the Week: Yumi Sakugawa is an artist, author, and illustrator. She creates spaces for creativity and humanity in ways that are grounded in reality. Learn more about her work, including her books and webinars, on her website at YumiSakugawa.com and through Instagram @YumiSakugawa.

Hosts: Jamae Ann Sabangan and Steven Park

Edits: Steven Park

Music: Drop It by Lunareh