On this episode, we discuss our March 2021 book club pick, Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan, an Asian inspired fantasy/action/romance taking about Lei, an independent girl whos been taken from her family to serve as a "Paper Girl" in the Chinese-inspired imperial court of the demon bull king.  We chat about the books themes of oppression and objectification of women, as well as Lei's romance with fellow Paper Girl Wren.

Trigger Warning: Discussion of psychlogical and sexual abuse

*Support the podcast by purchasing books at our bookshop *

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The Asian American community is going through a time of collective grief following a year of rising racial tensions and fear, punctuated by this week’s tragic murders in Atlanta. To our listeners who are looking for ways to take more direct action, either to spread the word, protect our community, or support the victims, here are some resources for you:

• Support the AAPI Community Fund to uplift and protect Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
• 3 Ways to support our community in Atlanta (courtesy of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta):
• Sign on to AAJA-Atlanta’s collective community statement
• Donate to support the victims and their families and to support crisis intervention
• Offer to share crisis response resources to those in need

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

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The Books & Boba April 2021 pick is  How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa

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