On this episode, we discuss our February 2026 book club pick, Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen Cho, a romantic comedy about two Asian lawyers in London who share an (kinda?) adversarial relationship who end up sharing an office and perhaps become something more as they find themselves in a pseudo fake relationship to help with each other's personal troubles. We read Zen Cho's Regency era fantasy romance Sorcerer to the Crown almost a decade ago and were very excited to see what a contemporary Zen Cho romance looks like.

Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors

Support the Books & Boba Podcast by:

1. Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perks
2. Purchasing books at our bookshop
3. Rocking our Books & Boba merch

Follow our hosts:

1. Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)
2. Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)

Follow us:

1. Instagram
2. Twitter
3. Goodreads
4. Facebook

The Books & Boba May 2025 pick is Butter by Asako Yuzuki

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin

Coming to the Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew, following three high-powered businesswomen who meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

Happy New Year! On our first mid-month book news check-in episode for the year of the horse, we go over a hefty list of latest Asian American publishing news as the publishing industry revs back into gear after the holidays.

Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:

1. Blur the Lines by Kanitha P.
2. Paper Ghosts by Samantha Chong
3. Cold Blood by Aashna Avachat
4. Untitled Contemporary YA By Jesmeen Kaur Deo
5. The Strange Sketches of Luna Li by Gloria L. Huang
6. She Comes Out at Night by Michelle Jing Chan
7. If We Could Be Everywhere by Sarah Suk
8. The Sisterhood of Southern Peaches by Katrina Moore
9. Footprints in Snow by Keiko Hayner
10. Something Inside Me Knows by Malinda Lo
11. The Luckies by Sarah Mlynowski and Christina Soontornvat; illust. by Madi Wong
12. The Monster Inside by Cherry Mo
13. Jitty and the Machine by Mitali Banerjee Ruths; illust.by Iacopo Bruno
14. Wipe Out by Saadia Faruqi; illust. by Karen De la Vega
15. The Erhu Sings by Sally Deng
16. Blooming Behind Barbed Wire by Traci Huahn; illust. by Mayumi Sasage
17. House of Forgotten Souls by Kat Cho
18. Hello, DELA, by Kiku Hughes
19. Tae Lim Decks It Out by Angela Ahn
20. Izzy and Wolfi by Dane Liu; illust. by Maya Tatsukawa
21. The Light Garden by Joanna Ho; illust. by Minako Tomigahara

Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors

Support the Books & Boba Podcast by:

1. Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perks
2. Purchasing books at our bookshop
3. Rocking our Books & Boba merch

Follow our hosts:

1. Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)
2. Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)

Follow us:

1. Instagram
2. Twitter
3. Goodreads
4. Facebook

The Books & Boba February 2026 is Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen Cho

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin

Coming to the Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew, following three high-powered businesswomen who meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

Happy New Year! We ring in the Year of the Horse with an exciting author chat with Lillian Li (author of past book club pick #1 Chinese Restaurant), who joins us to chat about her newest novel Bad Asians, a coming of age story following four childhood friends who all move home after graduating college in 2008 after their well laid plans were derailed by the great recession. They inadvertently become part of a viral Youtube documentary that will continue to haunt them throughout their adult lives as they drift apart and come back together again and again.

Follow Lillian on Instagram at @zillianzi and check out her new novel Bad Asians 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:

1. Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perks
2. Purchasing books at our bookshop
3. Rocking our Books & Boba merch

Follow our hosts:

1. Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)
2. Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)

Follow us:

1. Instagram
2. Twitter
3. Goodreads
4. Facebook

The Books & Boba February 2026 is Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen Cho

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin

Coming to the Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew, following three high-powered businesswomen who meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

On this episode, we sit down with Yosha Gunasekera to chat about her debut novel, The Midnight Taxi. A murder mystery following a true crime loving Sri Lankan American cab driver who ends up accused of murder when a passenger ends up mysteriously murdered in her cab. Yosha shares with us her personal journey to writing her novel as well as how she drew from her experience as an attorney for The Innocence Project to construct her mystery.

Follow Yosha on Instagram at @yosha.gunasekera and check out her debut novel The Midnight Taxi 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:

1. Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perks
2. Purchasing books at our bookshop
3. Rocking our Books & Boba merch

Follow our hosts:

1. Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)
2. Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)

Follow us:

1. Instagram
2. Twitter
3. Goodreads
4. Facebook

The Books & Boba February 2026 is Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen Cho

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin

Coming to the Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew, following three high-powered businesswomen who meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

On this episode, we discuss our January 2026 (and patron's choice) pick, Reef by Romesh Gunesekera, a historical fiction novel about a boy who grows up as the personal cook and housekeeper for a wealthy marine biology enthusiast in Sri Lanka, blissfully and willingly unaware that the world outside the walls of his residence is slowly descending into chaos in the years leading up to Sri Lanka's civil war.

Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors

Support the Books & Boba Podcast by:

1. Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perks
2. Purchasing books at our bookshop
3. Rocking our Books & Boba merch

Follow our hosts:

1. Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)
2. Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)

Follow us:

1. Instagram
2. Twitter
3. Goodreads
4. Facebook

The Books & Boba February 2026 is Behind Frenemy Lines by Zen Cho

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin

Coming to the Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew, following three high-powered businesswomen who meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

On our first mid-month book news check-in episode for 2026, we go over the latest Asian American publishing news from the holiday season, as well as check out some of January's new releases from Asian and Asian American authors.

Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:

1. Death Wish by Lilly Lu
2. What Hungers in the Dark by Monika Kim
3. How to Crash a Kite by Ellie Peterson
4. Tokki's Tricks by Aram Kim
5. Girl Gods by K-Ming Chang
6. Cerulean by Sajni Patel
7. Hanging Out with Nani by Vikram Madan

January New Releases mentioned in our book news:

1. The Swan's Daughter by Roshani Chokshi (Jan 6)
2. Fly, Wild Swans: My Mother, Myself and China by Jung Chang (Jan 13)
3. A Year Without Home by V.T. Bidania (Jan 13)
4. This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin (Jan 13)
5. City of Others by Jared Poon (Jan 13)
6. The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller (Jan 13)
7. A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang by Lee Onhwa (Jan 13)
8. How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder by Nina McConigley (Jan 20)
9. The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao (Jan 20)
10. The Poet Empress by Shen Tao (Jan 20)
11. Two Women Living Together by Kim Hana, Hwang Sunwoo; Gene Png (Translator) (Jan 20)
12. Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe by Janet Tay (Jan 27)
13. A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang (Jan 27)

Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors

Support the Books & Boba Podcast by:

1. Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perks
2. Purchasing books at our bookshop
3. Rocking our Books & Boba merch

Follow our hosts:

1. Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)
2. Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)

Follow us:

1. Instagram
2. Twitter
3. Goodreads
4. Facebook

The Books & Boba January 2026 pick is Reef by Romesh Gunesekera

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin

Coming to the Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew, following three high-powered businesswomen who meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

Hey everyone! We're back from our holiday break for our first podcast of 2026 and we're finally discussing our December 2025 Book Club Pick Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala. A X'mas themed cozy mystery (but actually a story about family and Filipino noms). At this point, we're kind of murder mystery connoisseurs so this was the perfect end of year treat for us. Fun fact, we did an author chat with the author back in 2021 for her first book so we're excited to come back to this world for the holidays!

Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors

Support the Books & Boba Podcast by:

1. Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perks
2. Purchasing books at our bookshop
3. Rocking our Books & Boba merch

Follow our hosts:

1. Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)
2. Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)

Follow us:

1. Instagram
2. Twitter
3. Goodreads
4. Facebook

The Books & Boba January 2026 pick is Reef by Romesh Gunesekera

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin

Coming to the Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew, following three high-powered businesswomen who meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

On our final mid-month book news episode in 2025, we review some of the latest Asian American publishing announcements, and weigh in on some recent book tea for December 2025!

Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:

1. Light and Thread by Han Kang
2. When We Swallowed the Sea by Janet Hong
3. Limitlessly, Mina by Gianna Lakenauth
4. Take to the Sky by Christina Soontornvat
5. Not Again, Dragon Chen! by Amanda Adams; illust. Wazza Pink
6. Jin Young, In Between by Ellen Oh
7. Don't Print This by Monica Chin
8. A Super Definitely True Story of the Great Animal Race by Dane Liu; illust. Aki
9. Foreigners by E.L. Shen

Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors

Support the Books & Boba Podcast by:

1. Joining our Patreon to receive exclusive perks
2. Purchasing books at our bookshop
3. Rocking our Books & Boba merch

Follow our hosts:

1. Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)
2. Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)

Follow us:

1. Instagram
2. Twitter
3. Goodreads
4. Facebook

The Books & Boba December 2025 pick is Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin

Coming to the Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew, following three high-powered businesswomen who meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

On this episode we discuss our November 2025 book club pick, Taiwan Travelogue by Shuang-zi Yang, translated by Lin King, a historical fiction novel (with a meta-fiction twist) about a Japanese travel writer invited to write about the imperial colony of Taiwan by the Japanese government in the 1930's, and follows her budding relationship with her Taiwanese translator as they eat through the island while she pushes on the boundaries between colonizer and colonized.

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 perks
• Purchasing books at our bookshop
• Rocking our Books & Boba merch

Follow our hosts:

• Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)
• Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)

Follow us:

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Goodreads
• Facebook

The Books & Boba December 2025 pick is Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin

Coming to the Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew, following three high-powered businesswomen who meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

On this episode, we chat with bestselling author Lyla Lee to chat about her new YA romance novel, The Cuffing Game, a modern Korean American take on the timeless enemy-to-lovers tale Pride & Prejudice, remixed with the chaotic reality TV energy of Love Island about an aspiring student producer who reluctantly recruits her crush to participate in the college dating show she is producing. Lyla shares with us her journey to becoming an author of young, middle-grade, and young adult fiction, as well as all her inspirations for The Cuffing Game.

Follow Lyla on Instagram at @authorlylalee and check out her newest novel The Cuffing Game 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 perks
• Purchasing books at our bookshop
• Rocking our Books & Boba merch

Follow our hosts:

• Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)
• Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)

Follow us:

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Goodreads
• Facebook

The Books & Boba November 2025 book club pick is Taiwan Travelogue by Shuang-zi Yang, translated by Lin King

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin

Coming to the Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew, following three high-powered businesswomen who meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!