Podcasts about Weike Wang

Following Chemistry and Joan Is Okay, Weike Wang again reflects on labor, home, place, and identity in Rental House, a novel that follows an interracial couples' two vacations. She describes how Keru and Nate's marriage is one that is ubiquitous in America but is hardly written about in the literary world. We also discuss race and class analysis, DINK (double income, no kids), politics as a source of inspiration, and our writing preferences and challenges.

di Matteo B. Bianchi | Dopo l'esperienza live a Bologna, Copertina torna in studio ma vi porta comunque a scoprire nuove voci del mondo dei libri sparse per tutta Italia. A cominciare da Marisa Raggi, creatrice della Biblioteca dei Libri Liberi di Portico di Romagna. Silvia di Cocco ci parla invece di Storie Effimere, nuova micro casa editrice fondata a San Donà di Piave, e per finire, da Londra l'autrice e maestra di scherma Olga Campofreda ci regala un suo consiglio di lettura.  LISTA LIBRI:  CHIMICA di Weike Wang, Clichy TAGLIARE IL NERVO di Anna Pazos, nottetempo VENDESI IO. PERCHÉ TRIONFA L'AUTOBIOGRAFIA, Treccani I Gialli di Fred Vargas, Einaudi IL MARE NON L'HA FATTO LUI di Debora Grossi, Minerva GENTILUOMO IN MARE di Herbert Clyde Lewis, Adelphi IL GIGANTE di Edna Ferber, Astoria LA POLVERE CHE RESPIRI ERA UNA CASA di Eleonora Daniel, Bollati Boringhieri Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Anna Bower and Natalie Orpett and Lawfare Contributing Editor Michel Paradis to talk about the week's biggest national security news stories, including:“A Justice Delayed Still Has Justice on the Mind.” After weeks of waiting, New York state court judge Justice Juan Merchan has finally become the first judge to apply the Supreme Court's Trump v. United States immunity decision, holding that incoming President Donald Trump's convictions under New York state law may stand and did not unduly rely on conduct for which he is immune. How persuasive is his ruling? And what can it tell us about the future of both Donald Trump's criminal case and the Supreme Court's immunity holding?“A Break in the Case.” Tectonic shifts in Syrian politics over the past few weeks that has led, among other consequences, to the release of thousands of former prisoners, have brought back to the fore the case of Austin Tice, an American journalist who has been missing in Syria for more than a decade. Believed to have been held by the Assad regime before its collapse, some are concerned that he might have been injured or killed during Israeli airstrikes over the past several weeks. What does Tice's case tell us about the challenges of wrongful detention cases like his? And what should we make of allegations that the Biden administration is not doing enough to bring him back?“Gym, Tan, Low-flying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.” The state of New Jersey has a new signature activity, as Americans and politicians of all stripes have been voicing concern over reports of mysterious drones of unknown origins operating in the state's skies. What might explain this phenomenon? And what should we make of the reactions around it? For object lessons, Anna recommended “Intermezzo,” by Sally Rooney as a read over the holiday. Natalie Orpett endorsed Washington, D.C.'s Eastern Market as a worthwhile visit for holiday shopping, and Scott doubled down with another local recommendation of Middleburg, VA, as a holiday wonderland not to be missed. And Michel wrapped things up with a final endorsement of Weike Wang's dryly comedic book “Rental House,” for those needing to commiserate over managing family relations over the holiday.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Anna Bower and Natalie Orpett and Lawfare Contributing Editor Michel Paradis to talk about the week's biggest national security news stories, including:“A Justice Delayed Still Has Justice on the Mind.” After weeks of waiting, New York state court judge Justice Juan Merchan has finally become the first judge to apply the Supreme Court's Trump v. United States immunity decision, holding that incoming President Donald Trump's convictions under New York state law may stand and did not unduly rely on conduct for which he is immune. How persuasive is his ruling? And what can it tell us about the future of both Donald Trump's criminal case and the Supreme Court's immunity holding?“A Break in the Case.” Tectonic shifts in Syrian politics over the past few weeks that has led, among other consequences, to the release of thousands of former prisoners, have brought back to the fore the case of Austin Tice, an American journalist who has been missing in Syria for more than a decade. Believed to have been held by the Assad regime before its collapse, some are concerned that he might have been injured or killed during Israeli airstrikes over the past several weeks. What does Tice's case tell us about the challenges of wrongful detention cases like his? And what should we make of allegations that the Biden administration is not doing enough to bring him back?“Gym, Tan, Low-flying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.” The state of New Jersey has a new signature activity, as Americans and politicians of all stripes have been voicing concern over reports of mysterious drones of unknown origins operating in the state's skies. What might explain this phenomenon? And what should we make of the reactions around it? For object lessons, Anna recommended “Intermezzo,” by Sally Rooney as a read over the holiday. Natalie Orpett endorsed Washington, D.C.'s Eastern Market as a worthwhile visit for holiday shopping, and Scott doubled down with another local recommendation of Middleburg, VA, as a holiday wonderland not to be missed. And Michel wrapped things up with a final endorsement of Weike Wang's dryly comedic book “Rental House,” for those needing to commiserate over managing family relations over the holiday.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Jason Blitman talks to author Weike Wang (Rental House) about her dream vacation, the commonality of in-laws, and their mutual love of House Hunters. Jason is then joined by Guest Gay Reader, Joseph Lezza, who talks about what he's reading and shares insights about how he navigates grief during the holiday season. The Trouble with Friends Weike Wang is a graduate of Harvard University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry and her doctorate in public health. She received her MFA from Boston University. Her fiction has been published in literary magazines, including Alaska Quarterly Review, Glimmer Train, and Ploughshares, which also named Chemistry the winner of its John C. Zacharis Award. A “5 Under 35” honoree of the National Book Foundation, Weike currently lives in New York City. Joseph Lezza is a writer in New York, NY. Holding an MFA in creative writing from The University of Texas at El Paso, he is a 2021 finalist for the Prize Americana in Prose. His work has been featured in, among others, Occulum, Variant Literature, The Hopper, Stoneboat Literary Journal, West Trade Review, and Santa Fe Writers Project. His debut memoir in essays, I'm Never Fine: Scenes and Spasms on Loss, is out February 2023 from Vine Leaves Press. BOOK CLUB!Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply.http://aardvarkbookclub.comWATCH!https://youtube.com/@gaysreadingBOOKS!Check out the list of books discussed on each episode on our Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/gaysreading MERCH!Purchase your Gays Reading podcast merchandise HERE! https://gaysreading.myspreadshop.com/ FOLLOW!@gaysreading | @jasonblitman CONTACT!hello@gaysreading.com

Tensions are running high for married couple Keru and Nate, who decide to rent a house in Cape Cod, sharing it with each set of parents at different points of a month-long trip. Their vacation seems to have stoked the fires of family dysfunction, eventually pushing Keru to a breaking point. Author Weike Wang believes in putting one's characters through trial by fire, which she does quite literally in her latest novel, Rental House. In today's episode, Wang speaks with NPR's Scott Simon about sometimes-frustrating family life, coexistence, and obstacles for characters.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Perdiamo più amici di quanti ne facciamo? Weike Wang esplora le dinamiche dell'amicizia all'età adulta, in un articolo sul The New Yorker - intitolato "The Trouble with Friends". In questo saggio, l'autrice esplora come le relazioni amicali si trasformano con il matrimonio, la genitorialità e altre priorità di vita. E prosegue affermando che l'amicizia richiede impegno e adattamento, ma è davvero possibile mantenere legami profondi nel tempo? Questo episodio riflette su quanto siano fragili, ma preziosi, i nostri rapporti. ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Contatti ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Email: chahaotic@gmail.com Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/4iexis/ Letterboxd: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/4lexis/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chahaotic Supporta il canale anche qui su Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chahaotic

Weike Wang is the author of the novels "Chemistry" and "Joan Is Okay." Her new novel, "Rental House," is a wry, snappy, and insightful story of a married couple vacation with both of their parents. Wang will be at The Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley, Massachusetts on December 5.

I love that we've been doing this podcast long enough to have repeat guests!  It's been two and a half years since Weike's last book came out, and we talked with her about it back then.  Weike's newest novel Rental House is out December 3rd, 2024, and we're pumped that we got to speak with her last week! This book is about an interracial couple in their mid-30's who rent a vacation home in Cape Cod, and spend a week with each of their parents/in-laws.  Keru's parents are Chinese immigrants, while Nate's are anti-vaxing Trumpers.  Both sets of parents have strong opinions and peculiar idiosyncrasies. If you've ever been on an awkward vacation with extended family, this book will ring very true! Get Rental House, wherever you get books. It's a perfect read before your holiday gatherings! Follow Weike @weikewang on social media As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠infatuasianpodcast@gmail.com⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast  Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around  Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World) #asianauthor #bookstagram #RentalHouse #WeikeWang #LiteraryFiction #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters  

Date With A Debut is a podcast hosted by writer Nick Wasiliev: shining a light on debut authors, their incredible books and their journeys to publication. For the thirteenth episode of series two, Nick sits down with Ernest Price, author of The Pyramid of Needs. They discuss the book, releasing it on the International Transgender Day of Visibility, family dynamics, different forms of truth, and more. TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast and book discuss topics of mental health and transphobia, so reader and listener discretion is advised. If these topics cause distress, know there is help out there. Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. BOOKS: Debut Feature: The Pyramid of Needs by Ernest Price: https://angusrobertson.4tqiav.net/Y9OV1q Other Books Mentioned: Erasure by Percival Everett: https://angusrobertson.4tqiav.net/KjVBJz Chemistry by Weike Wang: https://bit.ly/474BDZ6 Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters: https://bit.ly/47dawv1 Pageboy by Elliot Page: https://angusrobertson.4tqiav.net/Y9OVqK Nothing to Hide: Voices of Trans and Gender Diverse Australia, edited by Yves Rees, Sam Elkin, Alex Gallagher and Bobuq Sayed: https://bit.ly/4e11Da9 PRODUCTION NOTES: Host: Nick Wasiliev Guest: Ernest Price Editing & Production: Nick Wasiliev Podcast Theme: ‘Chill' by Sakura Hz Production Code: 2:13 Episode Number: #26 Additional Credits: Dani Vee (Words & Nerds), Ariane Ryan, Tace Kelly (Affirm Press) © 2024 Nick Wasiliev and Breathe Art Holdings ‘Date With A Debut' is a Words and Nerds and Breathe Art Podcasts co-production recorded and edited on Awabakal Country, and we pay our respects to all elders past and present.

Host Meg Wolitzer presents three works in which characters have unusual friends who change their lives—whether they like it nor not.  In “Unicorn Me,” by Elizabeth Crane, a magical box delivers a unicorn who offers ambiguous advice. Miriam Shor performs.A sentient cockroach intrigues and alarms a woman in “The Double Life of the Cockroach's Wife,” by Helen Phillips.It's performed by Sarah Steele. And the latest iPhone knows everything about you in Weike Wang's “iPhoneSE,” performed by Dawn Akemi Saito. All three stories were commissions for SELECTED SHORTS' anthology Small Odysseys.

“What really amazed me here was that so many of the authors who submitted stories wrote something completely outside their genre,” reflects best-selling author Douglas Preston, one of the project editors behind the dynamic new collaborative novel Fourteen Days. “This book is full of all kinds of weird stories.”  Yes, it is. And so is podcast guest Douglas Preston, co-author of dozens of New York Times best-selling thrillers written with his longtime writing partner Lincoln Child—a shining example of what it means to write in collaboration. In all, Preston has published 39 books of fiction and non-fiction. In addition to books, Preston writes about archaeology and paleontology for the New Yorker. He has worked as an editor for the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and taught nonfiction writing at Princeton University and is the recipient of numerous writing awards in the U.S. and Europe. He served as president of the Authors Guild from 2019 to 2023. Set in a Lower East Side tenement in the early days of the COVID-19 lockdowns, Fourteen Days turns on a narrative frame written by Preston, with contributions from a disparate collection of contemporary writers, headed by fellow project editor Margaret Atwood. In addition to Atwood and Preston, the novel features the “voices” of Charlie Jane Anders, Joseph Cassara, Jennine Capó Crucet, Angie Cruz, Pat Cummings, Sylvia Day, Emma Donoghue, Dave Eggers, Diana Gabaldon, Tess Gerritsen, John Grisham, Maria Hinojosa, Mira Jacob, Erica Jong, CJ Lyons, Celeste Ng, Tommy Orange, Mary Pope Osborne, Alice Randall, Ishmael Reed, Roxana Robinson, Nelly Rosario, James Shapiro, Hampton Sides, R.L. Stine, Nafissa Thompson-Spires, Monique Truong, Scott Turow, Luis Alberto Urrea, Rachel Vail, Weike Wang, Caroline Randall Williams, De'Shawn Charles Winslow, and Meg Wolitzer. All proceeds from the book will be directed to the Authors Guild Foundation, the charitable and educational arm of the Authors Guild, dedicated to empowering all writers, from all backgrounds, at all stages of their careers.  Learn more about Douglas Preston: Author's Guild Author's Guild Foundation Instagram Facebook Preston & Child website The Lost Time: And Other Real-Life Stories of Bones, Burials, and Murder Please support the sponsors who support our show: Daniel Paisner's Balloon Dog  Daniel Paisner's SHOW: The Making and Unmaking of a Network Television Pilot Unforgiving: Lessons from the Fall by Lindsey Jacobellis Film Movement Plus (PODCAST) | 30% discount Libro.fm (ASTOLDTO) | 2 audiobooks for the price of 1 when you start your membership Film Freaks Forever! podcast, hosted by Mark Jordan Legan and Phoef Sutton A Mighty Blaze podcast The Writer's Bone Podcast Network Misfits Market (WRITERSBONE) | $15 off your first order  Film Movement Plus (PODCAST) | 30% discount Wizard Pins (WRITERSBONE) | 20% discount

On this edition of The Weekly Reader, we review tow new books, one novel, and a collection of stories, about life during Covid 19: Joan is Okay, by Weike Wang, and Fourteen Days, edited by Margaret Atwood and Douglas Preston.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 151 brings author Angie Kim back to the podcast with her sophomore novel, Happiness Falls. Angie is carving out her niche with literary mysteries featuring children with disabilities or illnesses, drawing inspiration from her own family's encounters. I broke my own rules for podcast guests because Happiness Falls is now in the running for my #1 book of 2023 and it's the smartest book I've read all year! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Angie shares a spoiler-free summary of Happiness Falls. Angie's own life experiences that shape her stories. How Angie's move as a pre-teen to the United States from South Korea influenced the happiness experiments in this novel. Angie's expectations going into her sophomore book release. How long Angie had been ideating and writing Happiness Falls. The differences in Angie's approach to writing this novel compared to her debut. How Angie discovered Angelman's Syndrome and decided to include it in her novel. The differences in perspectives between a parent of a child with disabilities and and the sibling of a child with disabilities as portrayed in Miracle Creek and Happiness Falls. Angie gives a small teaser about her next book! Angie's Book Recommendations [40:34] Two OLD Books She Loves Swamplandia! by Karen Russell | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:45] Chemistry by Weike Wang | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [42:48] Other Books Mentioned: Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang [44:47] Two NEW Books She Loves Greek Lessons by Han Kang | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:10] Hestia Strikes a Match by Christine Grillo | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:05] Other Books Mentioned: The Vegetarian by Han Kang [45:27] One Book She Didn't Love The Godfather by Mario Puzo | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:48] NEW RELEASE She's Excited About Same Bed Different Dreams by Ed Park (November 7, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:05] Other Books Mentioned: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell [54:09] Last 5-Star Book Angie Read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:24] Other Links Ep. 22: Angie Kim (Author of Miracle Creek)

Deixámos a nossa viagem a Amesterdão bem guardada, para vos contar tudo num episódio dedicado. Apertem os cintos: hoje temos livros para algumas músicas do Joji (o concerto que originou a viagem), um mini roteiro de livrarias e, como não podia deixar de ser, um blind date with a book. Livros mencionados neste episódio: - Half of a Yellow Sun, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (0:56) - Body Grammar, Jules Ohman (1:19) - We Had to Remove this Post, Hanna Bervoets (11:06) - Business or Pleasure, Rachel Lynn Solomon (11:36) - Joan Is Okay, Weike Wang (12:28) - You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty, Akwaeke Emezi (12:59) - The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, Maggie O'Farrell (14:28) - Britt-Marie Was Here, Fredrik Backman (16:44) - Talking at Night, Claire Daverley (21:13) - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor Jenkins Reid (21:51) - The Paper Palace, Miranda Cowley Heller (22:22) - Every Summer After, Carley Fortune (22:25) - Exe's and O's, Amy Lea (25:49) - Daisy Jones and The Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid (25:57) - Giovanni's Room, James Baldwin (27:43) - Swimming in the Dark, Tomasz Jedrowski (27:46) - Normal People, Sally Rooney (28:55 & ) - The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller (29:27) - Our Wives Under the Sea, Julia Armfield (30:05) - Sorrow and Bliss, Meg Mason (31:01) - In the Dream House, Carmen Maria Machado (31:59) - Galatea, Madeline Miller (32:34) - Thank You For Listening, Julia Whelan (35:35) - Funny Feelings, Tarah Dewitt (36:00) - The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, V. E. Schwab (36:24) - Normal People, Sally Rooney (37:17) ________________ Enviem as vossas questões ou sugestões para livratepodcast@gmail.com. Encontrem-nos nas redes sociais: www.instagram.com/julesdsilva www.instagram.com/ritadanova twitter.com/julesxdasilva twitter.com/ritadanova Identidade visual do podcast: da autoria da talentosa Mariana Cardoso, que podem encontrar em marianarfpcardoso@hotmail.com. Genérico do podcast: criado pelo incrível Vitor Carraca Teixeira, que podem encontrar em www.instagram.com/oputovitor.

Primeiro episódio da terceira temporada e nós trouxemos tu-do. Falamos (muito) do que nos passou pelas mãos durante o mês de férias. Houve também a habitual discussão dos livros do Clube do Livra-te (COM SPOILERS) — desta vez dos escolhidos de Agosto, tudo sem deixar de fora a antevisão dos selecionados para Setembro. Livros mencionados neste episódio: - All the Lovers in the Night, Mieko Kawakami (1:46) - Mr. Wilder & Me, Jonathan Coe (2:32) - Exes & O's, Amy Lea (6:39) - Girl Friends, Holly Bourne (7:59) - Send Nudes, Saba Sams (9:59) - Cursed Bread, Sophie Mackintosh (10:54) - Done and Dusted, Lyla Sage (12:11) - The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, Gabrielle Zevin (12:52) - A Room of One's Own, Virginia Woolf (15:01) - Mercy Street, Jennifer Haigh (15:55) - Natureza Urbana, Joana Bértholo (18:11) - She and Her Cat, Makoto Shinkai & Naruki Nagakawa (19:20) - Pageboy, Elliot Page (20:13) - Nightcrawling, Leila Mottley (21:51) - A História de Roma, Joana Bértholo (24:22) - Craigslist Confessional, Helena Dea Bala (24:29) - As Primas, Aurora Venturini (24:40) - Last Summer in the City, Gianfranco Calligarich (27:01) - We Had to Remove this Post, Hanna Bervoets (28:05) - The Prisoner, B. A. Paris (29:47) - Joan is Okay, Weike Wang (30:59) - Do Outro Lado, Mafalda Santos (32:58) - A Visão das Plantas, Djaimilia Pereira de Almeida (34:30) - To Paradise, Hanya Yanagihara (36:44) Sobre os livros de Agosto: - The Summer of Broken Rules (O Verão em que Quebrámos Todas as Regras), K. L. Walther (42:54) - Um Muro e Uma Cerca, Elisabete Martins de Oliveira (49:04) ✨ Livros de Setembro do Clube do Livra-te: ✨ - Half of a Yellow Sun (Meio Sol Amarelo), Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (52:18) - Talking at Night (Falar Pela Noite Dentro), Claire Daverley (55:40) ________________ Enviem as vossas questões ou sugestões para livratepodcast@gmail.com. Encontrem-nos nas redes sociais: www.instagram.com/julesdsilva www.instagram.com/ritadanova twitter.com/julesxdasilva twitter.com/RitaDaNova Identidade visual do podcast: da autoria da talentosa Mariana Cardoso, que podem encontrar em marianarfpcardoso@hotmail.com. Genérico do podcast: criado pelo incrível Vitor Carraca Teixeira, que podem encontrar em www.instagram.com/oputovitor.

Weike Wang reads her story “Status in Flux,” which appeared in the June 26, 2023, issue of the magazine. Wang is the author of two novels: “Chemistry,” which won the PEN/Hemingway Award in 2018, and “Joan Is Okay,” which was published in 2022.

The cluster up for discussion today is Minimalisms Now: Race, Affect, Aesthetics, edited by Connor Bennett and Michael Dango. This is somewhat ironically a rather maximalist cluster on minimalism, comprising eleven fantastic essays, including Connor and Michael's introduction, plus a great interview with Mark McGurl. Contemporaries co-editor Michael Docherty sat down with Connor and Michael to think through some of the issues in contemporary minimalism with which the cluster engages, and the questions it invites. Joining us in our discussion were Annabelle Tseng and Tina Post. Annabelle wrote “On Being Okay,” one of two essays in the cluster that respond to the writing of Weike Wang, and one which explores what Annabelle calls “a commitment to an unwavering state of being okay” as way of refusing racialized expectations of Asian American affective performance. Listeners who like the sound of that may also want to check out our previous cluster and accompanying podcast episode Gestures of Refusal, where similar ideas are explored. Tina doesn't feature in the cluster itself but we were delighted she could join us to share her expertise on the intersections of race, performance, withholding, and minimalism of both affect and aesthetics. Tina's book Deadpan: The Aesthetics of Black Inexpression was recently published by NYU Press. Michael Dango's book Crisis Style: The Aesthetics of Repair is available from Stanford University Press. Find Minimalisms Now at https://post45.org/contemporaries/. Follow Post45: Contemporaries on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AtPost45. Pitch us a cluster at post45contemporaries@gmail.com

Listen in as we chat about Joan is Okay by Weike Wang, with Dr. Ellane Park. As always, we'll share meaningful segments and discuss how many of these bookish moments connect to our lives. Don't forget about our choice of emoji at the end!

Gary Shteyngart joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Omakase,” by Weike Wang, which was published in *The New Yorker* in 2018. Shteyngart is the author of five novels including, most recently, “Lake Success” and “Our Country Friends.” 

Narrator Joniece Abbott-Pratt joins AudioFile's Robin Whitten to tell listeners about narrating NIGHTCRAWLING. Leila Mottley's powerful debut novel is one of AudioFile's 2022 Best Fiction Audiobooks for its immersive listening experience crafted beautifully by Joniece. Listen to hear about the emotional intimacy of Joniece's performance, how she prepared to narrate the moving dialogue, and what's stayed with her about NIGHTCRAWLING. Read AudioFile's review of the audiobook at audiofilemagazine.com. Published by Random House Audio. AudioFile's 2022 Best Fiction Audiobooks: THE ANGEL OF ROME by Jess Walter, read by Edoardo Ballerini, Julia Whelan I WALK BETWEEN THE RAINDROPS by T.C. Boyle, read by T.C. Boyle, Cheryl Smith, Jason Culp, Derek Perkins, Jeremy Arthur, Stephen Mendel, Johnathan McClain, Ewan Chung, Pete Simonelli, David de Vries, Nan McNamara, Rex Anderson JOAN IS OKAY by Weike Wang, read by Catherine Ho THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT by Maggie O'Farrell, read by Genevieve Gaunt, Maggie O'Farrell [Afterword] NIGHTCRAWLING by Leila Mottley, read by Joniece Abbott-Pratt THIS TIME TOMORROW by Emma Straub, read by Marin Ireland For the full list of 2022 Best Audiobooks, visit: audiofilemagazine.com Support for our podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of DEATH TO DECONSTRUCTION: Reclaiming Faithfulness as an Act of Rebellion by Joshua S. Porter. Available everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Tepper Reads podcast, Accelerate Leadership Center Academic Program Managers Matthew Stewart and Michelle Stoner discuss the character of Mark in Weike Wang's Joan is Okay. Topics covered include: how exposure to diversity and different cultures increases self-awareness and helps you grow as a person, the Golden Rule v. the Platinum Rule, and more.

Joan is an ICU doctor in a busy New York City hospital. She's extremely devoted to her work and interested in little else, which causes people around her to try to steer her toward other things in life. We talk to Weike Wang about her new novel, Joan is Okay.

In the first of two podcasts this fall about Weike Wang's Joan is Okay, Academic Program Managers in the Accelerate Leadership Center, Matthew Stewart and Michelle Stoner, discuss how people don't always lead or influence in the same way, learning to empathize with characters you don't like, and the paradox of what makes an American.

Host Meg Wolitzer presents three works in which characters have unusual friends who change their lives—whether they like it or not. In “Unicorn Me” by Elizabeth Crane, a magical box delivers a unicorn who offers ambiguous advice. Miriam Shor performs the story followed by a musical piece "Breathe," inspired by the story which was composed by Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler.  Singer Maddie Corman, bassist Matt Scharfglass, and Zina Goldrich perform. A sentient cockroach intrigues and alarms a woman in “The Double Life of the Cockroach's Wife” by Helen Phillips. It's performed by Sarah Steele. And the latest iPhone knows everything about you in Weike Wang's “iPhoneSE,” performed by Dawn Akemi Saito. All three stories were commissions for Selected Shorts' anthology Small Odysseys.

The omniscient point of view, beloved by 19th century authors and most often found in the western literary canon, but this perspective came under suspicion in the early 1900s, only to recently make a strong recurrence. And it might just be the most difficult point of view to handle. What is third and first person omniscient? What are the best practices behind handling this point of view and why might you want to avoid it? We discuss these questions with our guests Weike Wang and Julia Rold.Julia Rold is a fiction writer, essayist, and playwright whose work has appeared in The Missouri Review, The Boston Globe Magazine, the Best New Voices collection, and named for a Pushcart Prize. Her plays have been staged at the Boston Center for the Arts, The Electric Theatre, and the Boston Playwrights' Theatre. A winner of Artist Grants in both playwriting and fiction from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, she has also received awards from the St. Botolph Foundation, has been a Fulbright Scholar to El Salvador, and has twice been among the winners of the Faulkner-Wisdom Award for Novella. She currently is on faculty in the School of Critical Studies at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in Los Angeles. Weike Wang is the author of CHEMISTRY (Knopf 2017) and JOAN IS OKAY (Random House 2022).  She is the recipient of the 2018 Pen Hemingway, a Whiting award and a National Book Foundation 5 under 35. She earned her MFA from Boston University and her other degrees from Harvard. She currently lives in New York City and teaches at the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University and Barnard College. Also recommended during our discussion: Robert Boswell's chapter “On Omniscience” in his craft book The Half Known World. Find my list of favorite craft books and the most recent works by our guest authors here: https://bookshop.org/shop/the7amnovelist This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 7amnovelist.substack.com

All the titles discussed in this Literary Lounge episode are about outsiders: those who have been othered by society and taught that they don't belong for one reason or another. Join Alison and Ineka and find out that love wins, every time. Books mentioned in this programme can be requested for Click and Collect by Auckland Libraries members, and are often available in multiple formats: Not quite white by Laila Woozeer / 2022 / Non-fiction - Memoir / eAudiobook: bit.ly/3RTStBn How to be a bad Muslim and other essays by Mohamed Hassan / 2022 / Non-Fiction NZ: bit.ly/3TY0QgQ Joan is okay by Weike Wang / 2022 / Fiction: bit.ly/3B660yZ Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka / 2022 / Crime Fiction: bit.ly/3BsPlHh Delilah Green doesn't care by Ashley Herring Blake / 2022 / Romance Fiction: bit.ly/3TSAZaa

Marta, Aïsha, and Meixi discuss Weike Wang's Chemistry (Text, 2018), focusing on the novel's treatment of the experience of second-generation immigrants, relationships between parents and children, and the search for a vocation. For more from the Hart House Student Literary and Library Committee, visit hhlitandlib.ca.

Recording of Off the Shelf Radio Show from WDLR with co-hosts George Needham and Nicole Fowles. This week we talk to James Gonzales who is a Senior Account Executive at Midwest Tape and Hoopla. We speak with him about a new app called Just Watch and other amazing things available through Hoopla. Recommendations include The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey, The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed by Sara Gay Forden, and Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang.  Read more about today's episode here. Listen live every Friday morning at 9 AM https://wdlrradio.com/program-schedule/off-the-shelf/  This episode originally aired on August 12, 2022

3 consigli di lettura per immergersi tra le pagine di libri che vedono come protagoniste donne alle prese con la vita e con alcuni mali, più o meno gravi, che si ritrovano a dover affrontare. - “Mia sorella è una serial killer” di Oyinkan Braithwaite: Ayoola è del tutto fuori controllo: è solita, infatti, uccidere i propri fidanzati per cosiddetta "autodifesa", ed è ormai quotidianità sbarazzarsi dei cadaveri con candeggina e guanti di gomma... - "Blue Nights" di Joan Didion: Didion ripensa a sua figlia Quintana, ormai scomparsa, e ripercorre con la memoria non solo i momenti più belli ma anche quelli più duri vissuti con sua figlia, facendo i conti con se stessa e con le responsabilità che si è assunta nel corso della sua vita. - "Chimica” di Weike Wang: un romanzo ironico, divertente e sagace sui Millennials e sulla Generazione Z, in cui trovare tutti gli ingredienti degni di questo tema: la precarietà del lavoro, i desideri e i sogni, l'instabilità della propria condizione e del proprio futuro, gli amori deludenti, un vago senso di incompletezza generale. Se apprezzi il podcast, lasciami una recensione o qualche stellina! Puoi anche supportarmi offrendomi un caffè virtuale su Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/zonalettura Scrivimi per commenti, idee e proposte: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zonalettura/ E-mail: woozingstar@gmail.com Foto di Gabriele Taormina Musica: Acoustic Blues e Saloon Rag, di Jason Shaw, da https://audionautix.com Rendezvous, di Shane Ivers, da https://www.silvermansound.com

Here's a little bonus sound from our chat with author Weike Wang.  She talks about why both of her books are yellow, as well as gives us her NYC Chinese food pics!  

Emily and Curtis had such a great time chatting with author Weike Wang!  She's smart, funny, thoughtful and the author of Chemistry: A Novel and Joan is Okay.  She won the PEN/Hemmingway award in 2018 (awarded to noteworthy 1st-time authors), and was recognized as one of the 5 Under 35 authors to keep an eye on by the National Book Foundation (among many other awards)!  We discuss her childhood and upbringing, studying chemistry at Harvard, her writing process, and dive a little deeper into her latest novel, Joan is Okay. You can learn more about Weike from her website www.weikewangwrites.com  or follow her Instagram @weikewang   Helping me co-host is Emily Hoang!  Emily is a former student of mine, who like Weike started out studying science, but also shifted to studying literature and creative writing.  Emily's work can be found at her website:  emily-hoang.com Music: “Dear Prudence (2018 Mix)”  The Beatles (YouTube) Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around    #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #iinfatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian #weikewang #joanisokay #chemistryanovel #asianamericanpodcaster #chineseamericanauthor #asianauthor #representationmatters

For this episode we chat with author Weike Wang on her book Joan Is Okay. This book platforms a new generation of Chinese Americans and the struggle with identity faced in everyday life. Prepare for a read where one second, witty dry humor has you giggling out loud, and the next, you're hit hard with a notion so deeply profound it resonates in your bones. ----- For a more detailed write-up on this episode, including links to resources mentioned, please visit our website: wildchina.com

Martene McCaffrey of Unity Books Auckland reviews Joan is Okay by Weike Wang, published by Text Publishing.

Yanira shares why she deleted Goodreads and how it's improved her reading life, and we talk about rereading books before we dig into books we've read and liked lately. Download or listen via this link: Reading Envy 246: Unsettling Endings Subscribe to the podcast via this link: FeedburnerOr subscribe via Apple Podcasts by clicking: SubscribeOr listen through TuneIn Or listen on Google Play Or listen via StitcherOr listen through Spotify Or listen through Google Podcasts Books discussed: Very Cold People by Sarah MangusoEnd of the World House by Adrienne CeltA Very Nice Girl by Imogen CrimpThe Memory Librarian and Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe, Yohanca Delgado, Eve L. Ewing, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Danny Lore, and Sheree Renee ThomasJoan is Okay by Weike WangOther mentions:  A House of My Own: Stories from My Life by Sandra CisnerosThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldThe Hating Game by Sally ThorneThe Hating Game (film)Normal People by Sally RooneyConversations with Friends (tv adaptation)Bridgerton (Netflix)Leave the World Behind by Rumaan AlamThe Queue by Basma Abdel Aziz, translated by Elisabeth JaquetteThe Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn JohnsonDirty Computer (album)Dirty Computer [Emotion Picture]Chemistry by Weike WangEither/Or by Elif BatumanThe Idiot by Elif BatumanThe Possessed by Elif BatumanLessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, read by Miranda RaisonRelated episodes: Episode 070 - Words Like Weapons with Yanira Ramirez Episode 096 - Not Without Hope with Yanira RamirezEpisode 108 - Venn Diagram with Yanira Ramirez  Episode 141 - Profound and Tedious Work with Yanira RamirezEpisode 181 - An Awkward Woman with Yanira RamirezStalk us online:Jenny at GoodreadsJenny on TwitterJenny is @readingenvy on Instagram and Litsy All links to books are through Bookshop.org, where I am an affiliate. I wanted more money to go to the actual publishers and authors. I link to Amazon when a book is not listed with Bookshop.

The first chapter can make or break a reader's engagement with a story. We as writers must craft brilliant opening pages in order to hook those picky readers, so let's study the stories of others to see how they do it! The first pages of Joan is Okay by Weike Wang are unlike anything we've read on previous episodes of this podcast. We're not diving into genre fiction here--no fantasy, no science fiction, no horror, etc. This is life, and it's the life of an Asian American woman who is forced to take on the journey of grief by returning to China for her father's funeral. The prose is sharp and cuts to the bone in its lack of emotion, which makes readers wonder just what the relationship between the narrator and her family had been. As one who also lost her father suddenly, the journey of grief is not an easy one to walk alone, so I am naturally drawn to Wang's storytelling here. What will you, fellow creatives, make of these first five pages? Let's find out!

Centering Weike Wang's essay, “Notes on Work” published in The New Yorker, we discuss how her views on work in Chemistry and Joan Is Okay intersects with the model minority myth, craft writing/workshopping, and her experiences as both a doctoral student in an epidemiology program and an MFA student. Wang also shares why she revised Joan Is Okay to include Covid and whether her future writing projects will allude to the ongoing pandemic.

Librarians Sarah and Katie chat about what they're currently reading and new books on their to-read list. They riff on short stories, memoirs, mysteries, family reads, the '90s and more. Plus, they talk about novels versus short stories and what BookTok offers readers. Titles and authors discussed in this episode include: These Ghosts Are Family by Maisy Card, The Wreckage of My Presence by Casey Wilson, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections by Eva Jurczyk, Starfish by Lisa Fipps, and Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston. Also mentioned: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi; A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan; Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips; The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman; Jackson Brodie mysteries by Kate Atkinson; Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan; The Shadows of Men by Abir Mukherjee; Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang; The Nineties, Killing Yourself to Live, and Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman; I Came All This Way to Meet You by Jami Attenberg; It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey; Best Wishes, Warmest Regards by Daniel Levy and Eugene Levy. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Weike Wang planned to pursue a career in medicine. She obtained a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a doctorate in public health, both from Harvard University. But she also earned an MFA from Boston University and it changed the trajectory of her career. Joan is Okay is her second novel. Her debut novel, Chemistry, won the Pen/Hemingway Award in Fiction and a Whiting Award in 2018. Joan is Okay tackles issues of race, culture, gender, family and economics, all set against the backdrop of the pandemic. Wang joined Marrie Stone to talk about unlearning how to write like an academic, finding the voice for an elusive character, how writing in the collage structure paid unexpected dividends, and more. Download audio.  (Record date: January 27, 2022Broadcast date: February 14, 2022)

Narrator Catherine Ho gives a superb performance of Weike Wang's audiobook about Joan, a first-generation Chinese-American ICU physician. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Michele Cobb discuss how brilliantly Catherine Ho inhabits the character of Joan, making for a fascinating ride that delves into the psyche of someone who interacts with the world in an unusual way. Joan is grieving the loss of her father while struggling with the direction of her life. Joan is a wary but sharply observant character, and Ho mines the expanse of Joan's acuity and introspection to depict a complex woman. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now, Tom welcomes to the show an author whose literary debut is getting a lot of buzz. Her debut collection of stories centers on two Taiwanese American women who have been best friends since the second grade. As adults, Fiona Lin and Jane Shen lead very different lives, but there is a poignant and complex bond that binds them together, through good times and bad. Author Jean Chen Ho  writes with compassion, insight and authority. Her new book is called Fiona and Jane. Jean Chen Ho joins us on our digital line from Los Angeles. _______________________________________________ Jean Chen Ho will be part of an on-line panel with the authors Jessamine Chan and Weike Wang sponsored by the Asian American Writers Workshop on Friday, February 4 at 7:00pm. For more information and to register for the event, click here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jean-Luc Baker and Kaitlin Hawayek are partners in the event called ice dance, known as a cross between figure skating and ballroom dancing. They join us to discuss their expectations for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. And, Weike Wang speaks about her new novel "Joan is Okay," which centers around a Chinese American ICU doctor trying to chart her own course through family troubles and the pandemic.

“…So much of American media is, As long as we have each other, it doesn't matter what happens, we're going to be fine. I don't always think that's true. Circumstances can really tear families apart. But, you know, I'm not going to write Succession.” Weike Wang follows up her acclaimed debut novel, Chemistry, with the deadpan, darkly comic Joan is Okay. She joins us on the show to talk about how (and why) work becomes home for Joan, family and grief and William Faulkner, the horror of Mickey Rooney's yellowface performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's, and much more.  Featured books: Joan is Okay and Chemistry by Weike Wang, Convenience Store Woman by Sayata Murata, The Stranger by Albert Camus, As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner, Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe, and The Art of Revision by Peter Ho Davies. Poured Over is produced and hosted by Miwa Messer and engineered by Harry Liang. Follow us here for new episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional bonus episodes on Saturdays).

Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang by Poets & Writers

On this episode, we discuss our Books & Boba September 2021 pick Chemistry by Weike Wang, an adult coming-of-age novel about an ex-overachieving chemistry PhD candidate at a crossroads in her life, despite having what some might consider a perfect life. This was a humorous story chock full of moments that will resonate with any disaffected millennial, especially if you are a child of immigrant (tiger) parents. *Support the podcast by purchasing books at our bookshop *---It's our 5th anniversary! to celebrate, we're releasing a limited merchandise campaign! Until October 21, you can take part of this first run of Books & Boba apparel & tote bags! You can check out our initial line of merch at https://www.bonfire.com/store/booksandbobaOrders are open until October 21!---Follow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:FacebookTwitterGoodreads GroupThe Books & Boba September 2021 pick is The Inugami Clan by Seishi YokomizoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Author and journalist Kristen Millares Young shares lessons she learned from her Cuban mom Carmen on how to break ground while having a community orientation, how to be adaptable and resilient and thrive in a new environment, and on novels being a way of studying the human mind. Kristen also talks about her new novel “Subduction”, about the Makah Tribe featured in her novel, and about the challenges of motherhood. To learn more about Kristen and her novel "Subduction", please visit her website.  To contact Ana, please send your mail to: info@thankyoumama.net For more about “Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the monthly newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net The books we mentioned are "Wintering" by Katherine May and "Chemistry" by Weike Wang.   

Weike Wang joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Katania,” by Lara Vapnyar, which appeared in a 2013 issue of the magazine. Wang's first novel, “Chemistry,” won the PEN/Hemingway Award in 2018.

This week, take some advice from comedians and don't punch down. Book recommendation: CHEMISTRY, by Weike Wang.   You can subscribe at Apple Podcasts. Please rate and review the podcast there; it really helps the podcast grow.  

In Episode 66, Kate Stayman-London (author of One to Watch) talks about how The Bachelor / ette franchise inspired her book, diversity in the franchise, and shares her biggest fear before her book came out. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights How Kate got from writing for Hillary Clinton to writing fiction about reality TV. The novel Kate thought she was going to write before she ended up writing One to Watch. The Bachelor season Kate was watching when she got the idea for the book. Kate’s biggest fear about One to Watch before it came out. The real life Bachelor incident that caused her to have to take her fictionalized version of something similar out of the book. Random House’s legal department’s view of the book. What happened when she went on Reality Steve‘s podcast. Why Kate chose to focus on body type diversity in One to Watch rather than any of the other types of diversity (racial, sexuality, etc). The prejudice overweight women face in daily life. What changes Kate would like to see The Bachelor / ette franchise make re: body type diversity (and diversity in general). Kate answers listener questions. The book Kate feels is One to Watch‘s “big cousin.” Kate’s Book Recommendations [37:50] Two OLD Books She Loves Chemistry by Weike Wang | Buy from Amazon [38:09] The Grisha Series by Leigh Bardugo | Buy from Amazon [39:42] Two NEW Books She Loves Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner | Buy from Amazon [42:16] Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory | Buy from Amazon [44:33] One Book She DIDN’T LOVE Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin | Buy from Amazon [46:43] One NEW RELEASE She’s Excited About Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline (Release Date: November 24, 2020) | Buy from Amazon [50:23] Last 5 Star Book Kate Read [52:06] Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid | Buy from Amazon [51:42] Other Books Mentioned One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [2:00] It’s Not Okay by Andi Dorfman | Buy from Amazon [9:38] Bachelor Nation by Amy Kauffman (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [9:38] Shrill by Lindy West | Buy from Amazon [29:29] The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo | Buy from Amazon [39:48] Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo | Buy from Amazon [40:03] Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo | Buy from Amazon [40:03] Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo | Buy from Amazon [40:11] Hungry Heart by Jennifer Weiner (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [43:58] The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory | Buy from Amazon [41:12] The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson | Buy from Amazon [48:31] Ready Player One by Ernest Cline | Buy from Amazon [50:32] Other Links Kate’s podcast episode with Reality Steve About Kate Website | Instagram | Twitter Kate is a novelist, screenwriter, and political strategist. She served as lead digital writer for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and has written for notable figures ranging from President Obama and Malala Yousafzai to Anna Wintour and Cher. When not writing or traveling, Kate can be found obsessively ranking Taylor Swift songs, laughing loudly with friends over really good bottles of wine, and of course, watching reality TV. She lives in Los Angeles. Next Episode There will not be a new episode next week since the podcast is on a bi-weekly schedule. The following week, there will be a full length episode featuring Kelly Jensen talking about libraries & COVID (airing September 30).

Amanda and Jenn discuss novels about cranky old ladies, rich people problems, great graphic novels, and more in this week's episode of Get Booked. This episode is sponsored by TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations, Literati, and Book Riot Insiders. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. Feedback A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Bachman and The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa (rec'd by Mardy) Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger (rec'd by Kim) The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon  (rec'd by Kelly) The Road to Nowhere series by Meg Elison (rec'd by Nicole) World War Z by Max Brooks (rec'd by Elizabeth) Questions 1. I know you're receiving a lot of requests about quarantine reading, but this one is a bit different. My name is Jennie and I am a state unemployment employee. We are working 60+ hours per week and we're still going into the office every day. I'm struggling with relaxing during my meager downtime. I'm looking for something funny to read or a fun romance or even a chill cozy mystery. As far as funny books go, my humor is more dry, so I can be picky and I don't like gross humor at all. Romance I like things that don't really have sex on the page but that's not a real deal breaker. I'm not a huge romance person so I haven't read a lot. Please don't recommend Red, White and Royal Blue. I did not enjoy it... It just wasn't for me. Any thoughts on books that could help me wind down after my long days would be great. Thanks ladies!!! -Jennifer 2. I don't have good words about the situation we're all in right now, only hopes that you and those you love are well! I'm writing because I need a little help with a birthday gift for my daughter. She will be 11 on April 30, and had been looking forward to hosting a Harry Potter-themed sleepover with her besties. Obviously, that will not be happening. Of course, we will still celebrate her like whoa, and the party can still happen at some time in the hazy future, but for now, but for now, she's pretty bummed. I would like to get her a book (or several) or her birthday to help fill the hours and distract her a bit. She is an advanced reader, and reads widely, but lately has been wanting to read some graphic novels and/or manga. So far she has enjoyed a manga of Pride and Prejudice and another of Emma, as well as the Zita the Space Girl series (thanks for that rec!), the graphic novels of the Baby Sitters Club, and everything Raina Telgemeier has ever done. She also LOVES Ms. Marvel and Squirrel Girl, and I just ordered the first trade of Lumberjanes, thinking some combination of Baby Sitters Club plus supernatural content might be a hit with her. Her tastes are all over the map right now. Favorite recent reads have been the Harry Potter series, the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, the Hunger Games series, The Land of Stories series, all of Karina Yan Glaser's Vanderbeekers books, and every old Baby Sitters Club book I had (she found a box in my parent's attic over Christmas, and has blazed through them), and she is on the second book of the School for Good and Evil Series currently. She also recently read and enjoyed "The Selection" by Kiera Cass, which she said she liked "because of the romance;" she enjoyed the romance subplots of the Hunger Games as well. She's really grooving on the identity of being a self-described "nerdy girl" right now, loves theater, and plasters all her notebooks with cat stickers and NASA stickers (to give you a little bit more of who she is). We don't really limit what she reads, and she chooses for herself what she's comfortable with. Clearly violence/peril isn't a deal-breaker because she loved the Hunger Games. However, she picked up a manga shelved in our library's YA section that featured some nudity, and she was NOT a fan. Can you help me find some graphic novels/manga/comics that might appeal and help brighten up her birthday? Thank you!!! -Jenn 3. Hi, I hope you guys are staying safe and healthy! I’ve recently read Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng and Normal People by Sally Rooney and I fell in love with the complex dynamics between characters, power shifts, and ESPECIALLy the upending of a seemingly pristine, wealthy veneer. In Little Fires Everywhere I loved how there was the seemingly perfect planned community of Shaker Heights and the equally perfect, wealthy Richardson family, but as the plot develops and you dive deeper into the characters’ psyche and background you realize that it’s all hanging on by just a thread. A similar concept happens in Normal People as Marianna lives in this beautiful mansion in the nice part of town but although raised in material wealth you soon realize she lives in significant emotional deprivation which has negatively affected her sense of self. I would love to find another book that touches on this same idea, the uncovering of a seemingly perfect, wealthy and beautiful setting, life, person or family. In a book I love discovering that there’s more to the story than a person’s projected image, that the surface is just the touch of the iceberg. Other books I’ve enjoyed: The Mothers by Brit Bennett (SO GOOD!), Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney and The Learning Curve by Mandy Berman. Thanks!! -EW 4. I'm looking for a light read to recommend to a friend as a distraction. She recently had to cancel her wedding because of COVID and could use some fluff (but maybe not anything with too much of an over the top love celebration HEA just yet). Typically she reads more non-fiction (David Sedaris is a favorite) or literary fiction with her book club but I'd like to gift her the book-equivalent of binge watching Great British Bake Off or Project Runway. Any suggestions? -Heather 5. I recently read a couple of New Adult college romance books. For the first time in a while I've found characters that I can identify with. I'm also in my early twenties, in college and doubting my career path. The problem is that in these books boys and relationships are always the answer to their problems. Do you know of any books with this kind of setting without the relationship being the answer to everything? I really dislike YA and would prefer the characters to be more mature. -Rose 6. I discovered your show about 3 months back. I love it. Can't get enough of it! I recently read the book "Night Boat to Tangier". More than the plot I loved the way the book is written. Long, winding conversations between two old friends. I also love the "Before Sunrise" movie series for the conversation between the leads. I would love to read more books of this type. I read all genres. -Pragna 7. I've just finished All the Single Ladies (Rebecca Traistor), as recommended by one of the Book Riot podcasts! I'd love something similar, strong single women having great lives and dealing with the judgmental parents, but with less statistics and politics than All the Single Ladies. Female led chick lit? Bio of a fab business woman? Anything to combat the "but don't you want a boyfriend?!??" people! -Caroline Books Discussed Spirit Run by Noe Álvarez The Outrun by Amy Liptrot To Have and To Hoax by Martha Waters An Elderly Lady is Up To No Good by Helene Tursten, transl. by Marlaine Delargy Jonesy #1 by Sam Humphries, illustrated by Cailtin Rose Boyle Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Vol. 1: BFF by Amy Reeder and Brandon Montclare, illustrated by Natacha Bustos (also, Rocket Girl) Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty by Ramona Ausubel (rec’d by Rebecca) The Clancys of Queens by Tara Clancy Naturally Tan by Tan France (tw: discussion of racism, depression, and suicidal ideation) Normal People by Sally Rooney (tw: emotional abuse) Chemistry by Weike Wang (tw: bad parents) This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone Outline by Rachel Cusk (rec’d by Jessica) Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes All Grown Up by Jami Attenberg (tw: sick child)

Charlie and Weike Wang (Chemistry) discuss having both a scientific – in epidemiology no less! – and a writer background, making use of extracts and white space and preferring them beyond more long-form prose, the difficulties of studies and incorporating friends' experiences in your stories, and fictional dogs who are inherently important to the text. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-12-weike-wang Short story ‘Omakase' in The New Yorker Short story ‘Nanjing' in the Alaska Quarterly Review Short story ‘By the Pantheon' in Kenyon Review Short story ‘The Poster' in the Gulf Coast journal Weike Wang on the Privilege of Not Having to Think About Race Question Index 01:01 Your background is in Chemistry and Public Health - how have you come to mix these with writing and are you still doing Chemistry? 03:23 You wrote an introduction to Villette - does Bronte inspire your writing, and who else inspires you? 06:02 Why an unnamed narrator? 08:34 How did you come to strike the balance between the presence and the lack of a presence in regards to the narrator's boyfriend? 10:10 Was the dog always a part of the book, and can you discuss his role? 11:55 Is the dog based on your own? 18:00 Is the writing style (vignettes and so forth) something that was in your mind and something you'll continue in future? 20:46 So with this 'excess', you've potentially got lots of ideas you could use for future books? 21:23 When did the narrator first arrive in your mind, so to speak? 23:25 How did you com to strike the balance between the different cultures and how important was it to the overall effect? 25:33 Is there a lot you see in chemistry that we can learn from? 30:32 The narrator's growth in knowledge of English idioms and metaphors 32:21 Might the narrator be a successful teacher one day? 33:35 How true to life are the experiences of specific pressures for PhD students? 36:44 What's next? Purchase Links Chemistry: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble I am an Amazon Associate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with permission from the author. Credit: Shang Saavedra

Weike Wang reads her story from the November 18, 2019, issue of the magazine. Wang’s first novel, “Chemistry,” which won the PEN/Hemingway Award, was published in 2017, and she was named one of the National Book Foundation’s 5 Under 35 the same year. 

"When men feel like they're disempowered, it's easy for them to create power by bonding together and belittling women." - Crystal Hana Kim   Crystal Hana Kim’s debut novel If You Leave Me was named a best book of 2018 by The Washington Post, Booklist, Literary Hub, The New York Post, Cosmopolitan, Real Simple, Nylon, and others. It was also longlisted for the Center for Fiction Novel Prize. It is now available in paperback! Kim was a 2017 PEN America Dau Short Story Prize winner and has received scholarships from the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, Sewanee Writers’ Conference, Hedgebrook, and Jentel, among others. Her work has been published in Elle Magazine, The Paris Review, The Washington Post, and elsewhere. She is a contributing editor at Apogee Journal.  Connect with Crystal on her website, Instagram or Twitter.  Crystal's book recommendations: Halsey Street by Naima Coster and Chemistry by Weike Wang   Also mentioned in this episode: Feminist Book Club ep. 24: Top 5 Feminist Books with Traci Thomas #HappyPeriod - hashtaghappyperiod.org and @wearehappyperiod   Get $5 off your Feminist Book Club Box with the code PODCAST at feministbookclub.com/shop. -- Website: http://www.feministbookclub.com Instagram: @feministbookclubbox Twitter: @fmnstbookclub Facebook: /feministbookclubbox Email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dINNkn   -- Logo and web design by Shatterboxx  Editing support from Phalin Oliver Original music by @iam.onyxrose Transcript for this episode: bit.ly/FBCtranscript39   Get $5 off your Feminist Book Club Box with the code PODCAST at feministbookclub.com/shop.  

本期围绕我们喜爱的两位女性影视角色 Olive Kitteridge 和 Fleabag，展开讨论了刻薄的女人及她们的动人之处（4:14），中途跑题聊到了 Me Too 运动在开展两年后、此刻的舆论现状（28:20）；接着基于两本女性作者的回忆录《Hunger》和《Educated》，吐槽了阅读回忆录的 how & why（48:58）；节目最后分享了近期喜欢的艺术作品（64:50）： -「读过」The Collected Schizophrenias by Esmé Weijun Wang, Chemistry by Weike Wang; -「看过」The Farewell by Lulu Wang, Autumn Sonata by Ingmar Bergman, -「想读」Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout, Year of the Monkey by Patti Smith, Sula by Toni Morrison. 主持：小捌 & 赋格 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/GFtherapy/message

In the wide and varied world of entertainment, there are standup comedy shows, there are author readings – and then there’s the “literary reading comedy mashup.” That’s how the staff of the St. Louis-based literary magazine Boulevard is billing next week’s Three Writers and a Comedian shindig at the Schlafly Tap Room. Local writers Christopher Candice and Gabe Montesanti as well as Tina Dybal, the reigning champion of St. Louis’ Funniest Person Competition, discuss humor, writing and more ahead of the free event.

This week, Jenn discusses a few great older books, including Made in Indiaby Meera Sodha. This episode is sponsored by Mem by Bethany Morrow. Subscribe to All the Books! using RSS or Apple Podcasts and never miss a book. Sign up for the weekly New Books! newsletter for even more new book news. BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: Made in India by Meera Sodha Chemistry by Weike Wang (tw: family violence) On Trails: An Exploration by Robert Moor Pegasus by Robin McKinley

Discussion Notes: Omakase This week’s story: Omakase by Weike Wang Next week’s story: Us and Them by David Sedaris Rated: Clean This week we welcomed Alli Hoff Kosik as a guest to discuss “Omakase” by Weike Wang. She is a full-time freelance writer. Her work has been published in outlets like Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Brit +... The post Omakase | Weike Wang | Literary Roadhouse Ep 151 appeared first on Literary Roadhouse.

Amanda and Jenn discuss good “relationship reads,” Asian authors, classic retellings, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked. This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal, But That’s Another Story podcast and Life, Death, and Cellos by Isabel Rogers. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher.   Questions 1. Hi! So I’m a part of this book club and we are in need of a new book. All the members of our book club are recent college grads and have just entered adulthood. Most of us have just moved to a new city and are in the process of finding our place, launching our careers and figuring out what we want to do with our lives. Collectively we often feel a sense of ‘being lost’. There are so many options in this world and decisions we need to make and those choices can be overwhelming. We would love to read a book that resonates with the struggles, excitement and growing pains of the season we are currently experiencing. We also would love to read something that can serve as a source of hope for us-hope that we will figure out how to approach this season and who we want to be in this world. Also, we prefer to read novels. Thank you so much! –Emily   2. Hi! In the last month, I have been reading If We Had Known by Elise Juska, Vox by Christina Dalcher, The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang, and Red Clocks by Leni Zumas. I didn’t set out to read books surrounding heavy and/or politically-charged issues, and I generally wouldn’t characterize my reading life as trigger warning heavy. However, I really enjoyed reading these books that aren’t strictly reality but are still very real and can help me think through real and pressing issues. Can you recommend more novels like these? Please no white male authors because its 2019 and I’m tired of hearing men talk—thanks! –Tally   3. I’m looking for a book I can listen to on audio with my husband. We have listened to A Walk in the Woods, Ender’s Game, the King Killer Chronicles, The Expanse series etc. He is a history buff who loves fantasy, classic adventure literature (like the Count of Monte Christo) and long history books like The history of Salt, Heart of the Sea, McCullogh presidential biographies etc. I am an ex-English major. Recently on audiobook I have enjoyed Spinning Silver, A Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, My Lady Jane, Becoming by Michelle Obama and The Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah. I love your weekly recs! Thanks in advance. –Sarah   4. Hello, book friends! And help! I just finished a reread of Kristin Cashore’s trilogy (Graceling, Fire, and Bitterblue) and now I’m flailing around at just how great they are, and how I’ve never read anything that feels quite like them. I love how the characters take care of each other. I love the characters! They’re very likeable people, and I also love how practical they are. I like how these books are books with romance in them rather than books about romance. Same for the magic–it’s mostly very low key, but is still unique and interesting. I am so desperate to find other books that feel the same way these do! They don’t have to be YA, though I would prefer sticking to secondary fantasy worlds. Extra super special brownie points if the main character is queer! THANK YOU! –A   5. Hi Jenn and Amanda, Thank you for this amazing podcast and all the recommendations that you make. One of my main reading goals this year is to continue reading more diversely and as part of that I want to read fewer American authors. American authors always end up making a big chunk of my reading and I am trying to change that to broaden my perspective. So, could you please recommend any books by Asian female authors? No Asian-American ones as I feel that would still be cheating. I have read the more popular authors like Arundhati Roy, Han Kang, Celeste Ng, Mira Jacob, Jhumpa Lahiri, Kamila Shamsie etc. I read all kinds of genres, fiction or non-fiction, and would love to hear your recommendations. Thanks a lot! –Nikhila   6. Hi, looking for some books I could give my sister. She reads mostly fiction, mixing classics and modern picks. Some favourites of hers include Pride & Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, His Dark Materials, The Book Thief, The Last Runaways. This year she loved Naomi Novik’s Uprooted and Spinning Silver and Eleanor Catton’s The Luminaries. I gave her Hannah Kent’s Burial Rites and she really liked it but found it hard because of how sad it is. I keep thinking of and giving her books I think she will love but they are often pretty bleak, and she would love some less depressing books to throw in the mix (I gave her Ferrante, her best friend gave her A Little Life, she will need something in between) They don’t have to be all light and fluffy but at least a happy ending would be great. Thank you! I love the show, you have made my tbr almost impossible, which is the best problem to have.   7. I’m looking for a fun book to listen to on audio with my husband on a roadtrip. The problem is that we have quite different interests–I love literary fiction and popular fiction: Crazy Rich Asians, Outlander, The Goldfinch, The Marrying of Chani Kaufman. He mostly reads nonfiction–Stephen Pinker, books on objectivism, and comparative religions. Some books we’ve listened to together and liked are The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, Shroud for a Nightingale by P.D. James, and The Martian by Andy Weir. I know this is kind of a tough one, so thanks in advance! You guys are awesome. –Aaryn   Books Discussed Upstream by Mary Oliver Becoming by Michelle Obama Startup by Doree Shafrir (rec’d by Rebecca) Chemistry by Weike Wang (tw: family emotional abuse) Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez How Long Til Black Future Month by NK Jemisin The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker (tw: rape, gendered violence) On Such a Full Sea by Chang-Rae Lee (narrated by BD Wong) The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner Witchmark by CL Polk The Good Women of China by Xinran, trans. By Esther Tyldesley The Lonesome Bodybuilder by Yukiko Motoya, translated by Asa Yoneda (tw: body horror) Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye Pride by Ibi Zoboi Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders The Fortunes by Peter Ho Davies

This episode is way too late, and we will get the last one out before the new year!! We read Chemistry by Weike Wang right before the holidays. While it isn't a seasonal book, it does lead us into a discussion of bad boyfriends, toxic families, and how awful grad school is! Doesn't that sound like a great way to get ready for the holidays? Juuuuuust kidding!  Join us for our final 2018 episode where we read The Gunslinger by Stephen King!  Find us on the web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Email: judgingcoverspodcast@gmail.com Find our hosts: Meghan's Twitter | Stephanie's Instagram

A lively and wide-ranging discussion with teacher-leaders and Writing Project staff, recorded live at the NWP Resource Development Retreat in Albuquerque, NM. Books from the Conversation Pure Drivel by Steve Martin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_Drivel Bearstone by Will Hobbs: https://www.willhobbsauthor.com/books/bk_bearstone.html Shifting the Monkey by Todd Whitaker: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13265535-shifting-the-monkey Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover: https://tarawestover.com/book/ So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo: https://www.sealpress.com/titles/ijeoma-oluo/so-you-want-to-talk-about-race/9781580056779/ Ayiti by Roxane Gay: https://groveatlantic.com/book/ayiti/ Another Bullshit Night in Suck City by Nick Flynn: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Another_Bullshit_Night_in_Suck_City Doc Savage Novels/Comics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_Savage Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consider_the_Lobster Poetry from: Avery Guess, Brett Gafney, Bianca Spriggs, Frank X. Walker, Crystal Wilkensen, Jeremy Paden Money to Burn by James Zagel: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/916313.Money_to_Burn Dragonfly Dance by Denise Lajimodiere: https://tribalcollegejournal.org/dragonfly-dance/ Curator of Ephemera at the New Museum of Archaic Media by Heid E. Erdrich: http://msupress.org/books/book/?id=50-1D0-3FCC#.W1EhGNhKjxs We Are Growing by Laurie Keller and Mo Willems: http://pigeonpresents.com/books/we-are-growing/ The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monster_at_the_End_of_This_Book:_Starring_Lovable,_Furry_Old_Grover Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi: http://www.tomiadeyemi.com/books/ Chemistry by Weike Wang: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/549723/chemistry-by-weike-wang/9780525432227/ The Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062694058/future-home-of-the-living-god/ Room by Emma Donoghue: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Room_(novel) Bear Town by Fredrik Backman: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Beartown/Fredrik-Backman/9781501160769 A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseinis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Thousand_Splendid_Suns

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px} The boy asks the girl a question. It is a question of marriage. Ask me again tomorrow, she says, and he says. That’s not how this works.So begins the delightful and insightful little novel by Weike Wang entitled Chemistry. It is Wang’s debut novel about a young woman working on a PhD in chemistry. Her boyfriend roommate is also about to receive a PhD, and he proposes to her often, but is always put off until 'later'. Besides loving the whacky story of this couple’s courtship, I also relished the asides about academic writing, competition amongst grad students, and remarkable little facts about the universe we live in.Wang got her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Harvard where she also earned a PhD in Public Health. Beyond that, she got an MFA from Boston university. She understands the politics of graduate education very well. Her narrator (whose name I don’t think the reader ever gets) is at a standstill in her life. Besides pressure from her boyfriend to marry him and then accompany him to a Midwestern university where he will teach, she is also under constant pressure from her Chinese parents to finish her PhD and begin her career. But while she has always been an excellent and diligent student, she seems unable to come up with a creative idea for her dissertation, and so is also under pressure from her Advisor. Despite all the pressure, or because of it, she seems unable to move forward on any of these issues. She remarks that she has read somewhere that “the average number of readers for a scientific paper is 0.6,” with the clear implication that it is really not worth the effort to produce such papers. What use is this work in the long run? I ask myself in the room when I am alone. The solvent room officially, but I have renamed it the Fortress of Solitude.Unable to answer affirmatively to her boyfriend, but not wanting to leave the relationship, she makes up a list of pros and cons to help her to decide—the making of such lists a lifelong habit of hers.The pros are extensive. Eric cooks dinner, Eric cooks great dinners. Eric hands me the toothbrush with toothpaste on it and sometimes even sticks in in my mouth. Eric takes out the trash, the recycling; waters all our plants because I can’t seem to remember that they’re living things.Unlike the narrator, Eric sails through graduate school and is celebrated for his creative work. While she in a fit of frustration intentionally breaks a number of beakers in the lab, and stops attending class. It is common knowledge now that graduate students make close to nothing and that there are more PhD scientists in this country than there are jobs for them.Afraid to accept the marriage proposal, and even more afraid to tell her parents that she is abandoning her doctoral studies, she takes on students, tutoring them in math and chemistry to eek out a living. The pressure from her parents is constant. She recalls how she was forbidden from attending social activities by her brilliant father. I once had a math teacher who made me play a game. The teacher is my father and the game involves a deck of cards….He sees no value in a school dance. The rule is I cannot go anywhere until I have beaten him, and he knows I can’t beat him.While this is a sometimes uproariously funny book, there is a cutting edge of genuine sorrow and desperation that drives it. She sees her parent’s marriage as one of constant fighting, and she cannot let herself marry given what she sees. At some point my mother, probably to comfort me, tells me that there is no good marriage without constant fighting. Fighting is how a husband and wife talk.  I pose a hypothetical to Eric. If I go with you, will you take the other question off the table? {i.e. the question of marriage.} Until when?Until forever? He doesn’t think so.All in all this is a funny and fine little novel, and the questions raised are more serious than I’ve made them appear. Also, the narrator is much more conflicted by and caring for her parents than I’ve made her appear. As she tries to find a way to reconcile both with her parents and Eric, she reminds herself:In Chinese, there is another phrase about love. It is not used for passionate love, but the love between family members. In translation, it means I hurt for you.And she reminds herself that she hurts for her parents and for her devoted boyfriend, so she loves them after all. This is a beautiful little book, and it can be read in a single sitting.

Weike Wang reads her story "Omakase," from the June 18, 2018, issue of The New Yorker. Wang's first novel, "Chemistry," which won the PEN/Hemingway Award, was published last year.

Seán Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway’s grandson, presents the 2018 PEN/Hemingway Award at this ceremony to Weike Wang for her novel Chemistry. Ricardo Cortez Cruz, author of Straight Outta Comptonand Five Days of Bleeding, will be the keynote speaker. The Kennedy Library is the major repository of Ernest Hemingway's personal papers. This program is presented in partnership with PEN/New England and PEN/America.

This episode, Brea and Mallory help you make some New Year’s reader resolutions and test out a reading journal! Use the hashtag #ReadingGlasses to participate in online discussion! Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!   Reading Glasses Tote Bags Links -   Reading Glasses Transcriptions on Gretta Reading Glasses Facebook Group   Reading Glasses Goodreads Group Apex Magazine Page Advice Article     Reading Journal Book Riot Read Harder Challenge   Books Mentioned -   Chemistry by Weike Wang   The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne   Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle  

This month we discuss Chemistry, in which First-time novelist Weike Wang takes us inside the mind of a Chinese American PhD student in Boston

Weike Wang is a graduate of Harvard University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry and her doctorate in public health. She received her MFA from Boston University. Her fiction has been published in or is forthcoming from Alaska Quarterly Review, Glimmer Train, The Journal, Ploughshares, Redivider, and SmokeLong Quarterly.ABOUT THE BOOK Three years into her graduate studies at a demanding Boston university, the unnamed narrator of this nimbly wry, concise debut finds her one-time love for chemistry is more hypothesis than reality. She's tormented by her failed research—and reminded of her delays by her peers, her advisor, and most of all by her Chinese parents, who have always expected nothing short of excellence from her throughout her life. But there's another, nonscientific question looming: the marriage proposal from her devoted boyfriend, a fellow scientist, whose path through academia has been relatively free of obstacles, and with whom she can't make a life before finding success on her own. Eventually, the pressure mounts so high that she must leave everything she thought she knew about her future, and herself, behind. And for the first time, she's confronted with a question she won't find the answer to in a textbook: What do I really want? Over the next two years, this winningly flawed, disarmingly insightful heroine learns the formulas and equations for a different kind of chemistry—one in which the reactions can't be quantified, measured, and analyzed; one that can be studied only in the mysterious language of the heart. Taking us deep inside her scattered, searching mind, here is a brilliant new literary voice that astutely juxtaposes the elegance of science, the anxieties of finding a place in the world, and the sacrifices made for love and family.

Weike Wang is a graduate of Harvard University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry and her doctorate in public health. She received her MFA from Boston University. Her fiction has been published in or is forthcoming from Alaska Quarterly Review, Glimmer Train, The Journal, Ploughshares, Redivider, and SmokeLong Quarterly. ABOUT THE BOOK Three years into her graduate studies at a demanding Boston university, the unnamed narrator of this nimbly wry, concise debut finds her one-time love for chemistry is more hypothesis than reality. She’s tormented by her failed research—and reminded of her delays by her peers, her advisor, and most of all by her Chinese parents, who have always expected nothing short of excellence from her throughout her life. But there’s another, nonscientific question looming: the marriage proposal from her devoted boyfriend, a fellow scientist, whose path through academia has been relatively free of obstacles, and with whom she can’t make a life before finding success on her own. Eventually, the pressure mounts so high that she must leave everything she thought she knew about her future, and herself, behind. And for the first time, she’s confronted with a question she won’t find the answer to in a textbook: What do I really want? Over the next two years, this winningly flawed, disarmingly insightful heroine learns the formulas and equations for a different kind of chemistry—one in which the reactions can’t be quantified, measured, and analyzed; one that can be studied only in the mysterious language of the heart. Taking us deep inside her scattered, searching mind, here is a brilliant new literary voice that astutely juxtaposes the elegance of science, the anxieties of finding a place in the world, and the sacrifices made for love and family.

Mental healthTypically arise from biological and/or environmental factorsExamples of illnesses with highly biological components: - Schizophrenia - Bipolar II disorder - De novo mutations in autism spectrum disordersMore info on John Nash t mental health in academiaPhD students face significant mental health challengesWork organization and mental health problems in PhD studentsSuicide in science and in theMore about the author"Weike Wang is the graduate of Harvard University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry and her doctorate in public health. She received her MFA from Boston University. Her fiction has been published in literary magazines including Alaska Quarterly Review, Glimmer Train, and Ploughshares. She currently lives in New York City, and Chemistry is her first novel."

Episode Twenty Show Notes CW = Chris Wolak EF = Emily Fine – Giveaway – To celebrate our 20th episode we are giving away two stacks of books. In order to enter please email us via our contact page with the message “Giveaway”: https://www.bookcougars.com/contact/ – The 10th emailer will receive – Shiver Hitch – Linda Greenlaw The Immortalists – Chloe Benjamin An American Marriage – Tayari Jones – The 20th emailer will receive – The Essex Serpent – Sarah Perry Little Fires Everywhere – Celeste Ng Winged Obsession: The Pursuit of the World’s Most Notorious Butterfly Smuggler – Jessica Speart The Constitution of the United States of America – Grapes of Wrath Read-Along – Chris and Emily will be doing a joint read of John Steinbeck’s the Grapes of Wrath. The discussion of the book will be live on August 22nd. If you have any questions or comments you would like us to address, please get in touch via email or social media by August 17th. – Just Read – The Immortalists – Chloe Benjamin (EF) release date January 2018 New Haven Noir – edited by Amy Bloom (CW) release date August 3 Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home – Rhoda Janzen (EF) (audio) Tokens of Affection: The Letters of a Planter’s Daughter in the Old South – Maria Bryan, Bryan Harford Connell, Carol K. Bleser (Editor) – (CW) Little Fires Everywhere – Celeste Ng (EF) release date September 12 – Currently Reading/Listening – The Tincture of Time: A Memoir of (Medical) Uncertainty – Elizabeth L. Silver (EF) Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula – Loren D. Estleman (CW) Stay With Me – Ayòbami Adébáyò (EF) release date August 22 – Biblio Adventures – Emily watched the BFG based on the Roald Dahl book. Directed by Steven Spielberg. June 29 – Chris and Emily went to Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore to see Weike Wang author of Chemistry July 7 – Laura Thoma author of Mastering the Art of Self-Expression in conversation with John Valeri at Bookclub Bookstore – Upcoming Jaunts – July 12 – Chris Colfer author of The Land of Stories: Worlds Collide at RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT July 17 – Bill Roorbach author of The Girl of the Lake: Stories at RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT July 29 – Benjamin Thomas author of Jack Be Quick at Bookclub Bookstore Emily is headed to Long Beach Island, New Jersey where she will visit: The Bookworm and LBI Bookswap Then she is headed to Quoque, Long Island where she will visit: Open Book and Burton’s Book Store – Upcoming Reads – The Farm in the Green Mountains – Alice Herdan-Zuckmayer (EF) Black Orchid Blues – Persia Walker (CW) The Going and Goodbye: A Memoir – Shuly Xóchitl Cawood (CW) (EF) http://www.shulycawood.com/memoir/ Available from the UK Publisher: http://platypuspress.co.uk/thegoingandgoodbye Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-going-and-goodbye-shuly-x-chitl-cawood/1126550596?ean=9780993532191 Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Going-and-Goodbye-Shuly-Xochitl-Cawood/9780993532191 – Also Mentioned – Episode 90 of Reading Envy where they discuss East of Eden – John Steinbeck John Steinbeck Museum Everything I Never Told You – Celeste Ng McLean & Eakin Booksellers in Petoskey, MI

Episode Eighteen Show Notes CW = Chris Wolak EF = Emily Fine – Just Read – Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body – Roxane Gay (CW)(EF) An American Marriage – Tayari Jones (EF) release date February 2018 The Gypsy Moth Summer – Julia Fierro (CW) books we Just Couldn’t Read (or DNF’d) The Essex Serpent – Sarah Perry (CW) – Currently Reading/Listening – This I Believe: Life Lessons – edited by Dan Gediman, Mary Jo Gediman and John Gregory (EF) New Haven Noir – edited by Amy Bloom (CW) release date August 3 The Immortalists – Chloe Benjamin (EF) release date January 2018 The Tincture of Time: A Memoir of (Medical) Uncertainty – Elizabeth L. Silver (EF) – Biblio Adventures – June 14 – Annual Meeting of The Community Fund for Women & Girls of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Guest Speakers: Linda Sarsour and Rebecca Traister Rebecca is the author of: All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation and Big Girls Don’t Cry: The Election that Changed Everything for American Women Look into donating to your local community foundation! June 14 – Chris went to RJ Julia Bookstore to see Linda Greenlaw author of Shiver Hitch – Upcoming Jaunts – June 29 – Chris and Emily will head to Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore to see Weike Wang author of Chemistry July 7 – Laura Thoma author of Mastering the Art of Self-Expression in conversation with John Valeri at Bookclub Bookstore – Upcoming Reads – Jack be Quick – Benjamin Thomas (CW) Hack-Proof Your Life Now! – Sean M. Bailey and Devin Kropp (EF) Love and Other Consolation Prizes – Jamie Ford (EF) – New York Review Books Raffle Booklist – Agony – Mark Bayer Wish Her Safe at Home – Stephen Benatar The New York Stories of Elizabeth Hardwick – Elizabeth Hardwick In Love – Alfred Hayes Loving – Henry Green Don’t Look Now – Daphne Du Maurier Tolstoy, Rasputin, Others, And Me – The Best of Teffi The Dud Avocado –Elaine Dundy Family Lexicon – Natalia Ginzburg The If Borderlands: Collected Poems – Elise Partridge During the Reign of the Queen of Persia – Joan Chase The Continuous Katherine Mortenhoe – D.G. Compton The Vet’s Daughter – Barbara Comyns The Farm in the Green Mountains – Alice Herdan-Zuckmayer The Invention of Morel – Adolfo Bioy Casares A Month in The Country – J.L. Carr – Also Mentioned – The Color Purple – Alice Walker Winged Obsession: The Pursuit of the World’s Most Notorious Butterfly Smuggler – Jessica Speart Rachel Porter mystery series – Jessica Speart My Cousin Rachel – Daphne Du Maurier Stoner – John Williams

Episode Seventeen Show Notes CW = Chris Wolak EF = Emily Fine – Just Read – It’s Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too) – Nora McInerny (EF) Aaron Joseph Purmort’s obituary Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis – J.D. Vance (CW) History of Wolves – Emily Fridlund (EF) Shiver Hitch – Linda Greenlaw (EF & CW) The Grand Central Baking Book – Piper Davis and Ellen Jackson (EF) Georgia – Dawn Tripp (EF) – Currently Reading/Listening – The Gypsy Moth Summer – Julia Fierro (CW) Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home – Rhoda Janzen (EF) (audio) – Biblio Adventures – May 23 – Girls Write Now Awards Awards were given to: Zadie Smith, Sophia Amoruso, Ilana Glazer, Melissa Harris-Perry, Abbi Jacobson Melissa Harris-Perry’s most recent OpEd in the NY Times Girls Write Now Anthologies May 26 – Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore and Russell Library May 31-June 2 – Book Expo Conference Sessions from Book Expo: Adult Editor’s Buzz The First Amendment Resistance Presented by PEN America An Evening With Hillary Rodham Clinton Book Reviews: The Diversity of Race, Ethnicity and Sexual Orientation Anti Oppression Web Tool WTF is Happening, Senator Franken Chris went to her niece’s graduation at Williams College where the commencement speaker was Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche. Listen to it here. Chris went out West and visited three bookstores: Godfather’s Books and Espresso in Astoria, OR Powell’s in Portland, OR Green Bean Books in Portland, OR Emily went up to Maine and visited three bookstores (and chased Linda Greenlaw to no avail): Library Bookstore in Bath, ME Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shops and Cafe in Damariscotta, ME Print: A Bookstore in Portland, ME – Upcoming Jaunts – June 14 – Chris will head to RJ Julia Bookstore to see Linda Greenlaw author of Shiver Hitch June 29 – Emily will head to Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore to see Weike Wang author of Chemistry – Upcoming Reads – Foxlowe – Eleanor Wasserberg (CW) The Standard Grand – Jay Baron Nicorvo (CW) The Immortalists – Chloe Benjamin (EF) An American Marriage – Tayari Jones (EF) – Also Mentioned – Let the Great World Spin and TransAtlantic - Colum McCann Silver Sparrow – Tayari Jones Queer, There and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World – Sarah Prager Plainsong – Kent Haruf Honey Paw Restaurant in Portland, OR

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to another edition of The Avid Reader. Today we are pleased to have with us Weike Wang author of Chemistry, her first novel, published in May by Knopf. Weike is a graduate of Harvard where she earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry and her doctorate in public health. She received her MFA from Boston University and her fiction has been published in Ploughshares, Glimmer Train and Redivider. Chemistry is an academic novel of sorts. It’s a love story too and a life journey as well, but it is the academic side of it that I really like because it is really really funny. I learned that a Chinese proverb dictates that a mastery of math, physics and chemistry leads to fearlessness anywhere in the world. I also learned that our unnamed narrator who tutors science students feels that they want the mastery of this knowledge delivered through a tube, uploaded by the tutor at their weekly sessions. I learned that the triangle is the strongest of shapes. As Weike says, when you think geometry think triangles. What is so strange about this book and so enchanting is that that sentence is followed with a desire to design apartments that do not echo. A revocation of sound’s ability to echo in the first place. Strange. But cool. Whether I am learning that there is a mineral 58 percent harder than diamonds. Lonsdaleite which can only be made by smashing meteorites together (kinda) or that there is something called an argon box that chemistry students use to do their experiments or when the experiments go wrong want to put their heads inside of, I was always learning. The key to this book, is that each little factoid, aphorism or hint from Steven Hawking is also a hint at our narrator’s life situation. And it is a pretty gnarly one. She has a great boyfriend, a pretty horrible academic career going on and a seeming inability to decide pretty much anything. She is also a bit of a drunk. So the question is, as we learn and read, where is she going to end up. Which I can’t tell you and I don’t even know for sure where she does end up. But the trip is lots of fun, and even though we feel for I’ll call her Samantha, we also are able to laugh out loud through the whole of this short but jam packed first novel.

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to another edition of The Avid Reader. Today we are pleased to have with us Weike Wang author of Chemistry, her first novel, published in May by Knopf. Weike is a graduate of Harvard where she earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry and her doctorate in public health. She received her MFA from Boston University and her fiction has been published in Ploughshares, Glimmer Train and Redivider. Chemistry is an academic novel of sorts. It’s a love story too and a life journey as well, but it is the academic side of it that I really like because it is really really funny. I learned that a Chinese proverb dictates that a mastery of math, physics and chemistry leads to fearlessness anywhere in the world. I also learned that our unnamed narrator who tutors science students feels that they want the mastery of this knowledge delivered through a tube, uploaded by the tutor at their weekly sessions. I learned that the triangle is the strongest of shapes. As Weike says, when you think geometry think triangles. What is so strange about this book and so enchanting is that that sentence is followed with a desire to design apartments that do not echo. A revocation of sound’s ability to echo in the first place. Strange. But cool. Whether I am learning that there is a mineral 58 percent harder than diamonds. Lonsdaleite which can only be made by smashing meteorites together (kinda) or that there is something called an argon box that chemistry students use to do their experiments or when the experiments go wrong want to put their heads inside of, I was always learning. The key to this book, is that each little factoid, aphorism or hint from Steven Hawking is also a hint at our narrator’s life situation. And it is a pretty gnarly one. She has a great boyfriend, a pretty horrible academic career going on and a seeming inability to decide pretty much anything. She is also a bit of a drunk. So the question is, as we learn and read, where is she going to end up. Which I can’t tell you and I don’t even know for sure where she does end up. But the trip is lots of fun, and even though we feel for I’ll call her Samantha, we also are able to laugh out loud through the whole of this short but jam packed first novel.

Episode Fifteen Show Notes – Biblio Adventures – Books on the Nightstand debrief with Ann Kingman Jane Sobel Klonsky – Unconditional: Older Dogs, Deeper Love Lauren Grodstein – History of Love Victor Lodato – Edgar & Lucy Lisa Ko – The Leavers Kathleen Rooney – Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk Jason Rekulak – The Impossible Fortress Jim Shepard – The World to Come: Stories Peter Heller – Celine Jessica Shattuck – Women in the Castle Will Schwalbe – Books for Living – Ann’s Book Recommendations – Saints for All Occasions – J. Courtney Sullivan Chemistry: A novel – Weike Wang (release date 5/23/2017) A House Among the Trees: A novel – Julia Glass (release date 6/13/2017) Stay With Me – Ayòbami Adébáyò (release date 8/22/2017) The Red-Haired Woman: A novel – Orhan Pamuk (release date 8/22/2017) Norma – Sofi Oksanen (release date 9/5/2017) An Odyssey: A Father, a Son, and an Epic – Daniel Mendelsohn (release date 9/12/2017) Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery – Scott Kelly (release date 10/17/2017) – Also Mentioned – Russell Gray blogs at https://www.inkandpaperblog.com/ and vlogs at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnHIesGYARon0fpRkyBGJoQ Kathleen Rooney is founder of Poems While You Wait Jason Rekulak runs the publishing company Quirk Books and he spoke about his book Penis Pokey – look it up! A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara