To commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2022, we discuss 2 works of fiction by celebrated Asian authors in another books episode of The Korea Herald podcast.

Copy editors Beth Eunhee Hong and Naomi Ng discuss books that shaped their worldview and sense of identity as third culture kids with roots in Seoul and Hong Kong. Beth’s pick is “Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning,” a 2020 autobiographical book of 7 essays by Korean American author Cathy Park Hong. The essays center on what it’s like to grow up Asian American in a Western capitalist society. Naomi’s pick is “Everything I Never Told You,” the 2014 debut novel by Chinese American author Celeste Ng. The novel is about a mixed-race Chinese-American family whose middle daughter Lydia is found drowned in a nearby lake. Her death unravels the family’s web of secrets and pasts.

The YouTube version of this podcast also features a bonus new segment in which we ask readers in Korea: “What book would you recommend?”

We would love to hear your thoughts about this episode, or suggestions for other Korean books you’d like us to review or discuss. Tweet us (Beth @_paperfetishist / Naomi @ngnaomi) or leave a message on The Korea Herald’s Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram page. You can also email us at bethhong@heraldcorp.com or ngnaomi@heraldcorp.com.

More book picks for AAPI month:

1. “Runaway: Diary of a Street Kid” by Evelyn Lau https://bit.ly/3Nmtjcj

2. “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong https://bit.ly/3wDjLTA

3. “Love in a Fallen City” by Eileen Chang https://bit.ly/3yF5hF4

4. “The Impossible City: A Hong Kong Memoir” by Karen Cheung https://bit.ly/3wjbZyY

Special thanks to Book Park Lounge, Blue Square https://bit.ly/3FPb2lk

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/khbookspodcast

Intro: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)

Outro: ♪ Wine (Prod. by Lukrembo)