What Ya Reading?

In today's episode, you'll listen to a buddy read discussion on Biting the Hand by Julia Lee. In this memoir, Julia shares her experience growing up Asian in a black-and-white America.

Tune in to hear Jay and the other book club members chat about their thoughts on this book and the impression it left on them.

*Some of the contents discussed in this episode could be considered a spoiler.

What we talked about:

• Our first impressions of the book.

• Julia's parent's immigration story.

• Dealing with the emotional trauma of our ancestors.

• The stereotypes of "the angry Asian Woman" and "the angry Black Women".

• Have we become overly sensitive when it comes to race?

• The LA riots.

• The killing of Latasha Harlins in LA.

• Our final ratings and thoughts on the book.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Biting the Hand by Julia Lee

• By The Book by Julia Sonneborn

• Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

• Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zaune

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission.

Final Thoughts:

• Connect with Jay on Instagram @bookswithjaybraggs

• Connect with Brittany on Instagram @britt.kirkland

• Connect with on Instagram @thriftsandtangles

• Join us on the Geneva App for our December Buddy Read - The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

• For inquiries, please email Jay at [email protected] .

• Don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.

In today's episode, Jay sits down with her book bestie Brittany to chat about their winter reading. Tune in to hear the books they'd recommend to other readers and what they have on their TBR list this winter and holiday season.

What we talked about:

• Introducing you to one of my book besties.

• What we look for in our winter reading.

• The struggle of finding good holiday books.

• Winter books we suggest.

• Winter books we're excited to read.

Books mentioned in this epsiode:

• The Heir (Kingmakers Series) by Sophie Lark

• Brutal Birthright Series by Sophie Lark

• My Dear Henry by Kalynn Bayron

• Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker

• The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

• The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox

• Indigo by Beverly Jenkins

• Long Live The Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw

• Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

• My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

• Two PartsSugar, OnePart Murder by Valerie Burns

• Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood

• Wreck The Halls by Tessa Bailey

• The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett

• You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh

• Love Light Farms by B. K. Borison

• Snow King Catches His Snowflake by A.E. Valdez

• A Christmas To Remember by Beverly Jenkins

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast, will earn a small commission.

Other links mentioned in this episode:

• Let's Talk Orange Podcast

• Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Recap on YouTube

Final Thoughts:

• Follow Jay on Instagram @bookswithjaybraggs

• Follow Brittany on Instagram @britt.kirkland

• Join us on the Geneva App for our December Buddy Read - The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

• For inquiries, please email Jay at [email protected] .

• Don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.

It's the first episode of the podcast!

Today Jay is sitting down for a solo episode to chat about her top tips for increasing your reading volume.

If you are looking to get back into the habit of reading, or if you want to improve your reading journey, tune in to hear Jay discuss the five things that have helped her read more books each year.

What I talked about:

1. My reading background.

2. Building a strong reading habit.

3. How reading has helped me relax.

4. 5 tips on how to increase your reading volume.

5. Accepting that I'm a slower reader.

6. Exploring your local library.

Books mentioned in this episode:

1. None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

2. A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

3. All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

4. A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

5. Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

6. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

7. Long Shot (Hoops Series) by Kennedy Ryan

8. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

9. How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith

10. The Meaning of Mariah Carey

11. Yellow Face by R. F. Kuang

12. Falling by T. J. Newman

13. Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

All book links above are affiliate links. By purchasing the books through the links What Ya Reading? Podcast will earn a small commission.

Other links mentioned in this episode:

1. The Libby App

2. The Storygraph

3. Sabaa Tahir on Instagram

Today's Host:

1. Follow Jay on Instagram @bookswithjaybraggs

Final Thoughts:

1. Join us on the Geneva App for our December Buddy Read - The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray. Our virtual meet-up will be on Sunday, January 14, 2024.

2. For inquiries, please email Jay at [email protected] .

3. Don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.

Description:

Welcome to What Ya Reading?, a new podcast where I'll connect with fellow book enthusiasts to chat about our latest reads, the topics that fuel our book obsession, and all the things that keep us glued to those pages.

What Ya Reading? premiers on Monday, December 4, 2023, with new episodes releasing weekly.

Connect with Jay:

1. Follow Jay on Instagram @bookswithjaybraggs

2. Join us on the Geneva App for our December Buddy Read - The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

3. Don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.