I’ve been a huge fan of Constance Wu ever since “Fresh Off the Boat” hit the airwaves. The series was the first TV show to feature an Asian-American family in 20 years, so it’s a no-brainer why it got so much media attention.
‘We Were Dreamers’ Is So Relatable For Every Asian Immigrant Kid
We Were Dreamers has received high praise, and rightly so. The memoir centers around being a child of immigrants and the stories Simu Liu tells are so full of heart, humour, and honesty that it’s hard to put this book down.
‘The Maid’ Is A Straightforward Murder Mystery Told From A Unique Perspective
When it comes to vacation reads, I tend to go for books that are light, quick and fun. That usually ends up being some sort of rom-com, but this time I found myself drawn to a quirky mystery. Enter: The Maid.
‘One True Loves’ Explores Romantic Love And Loss
I don’t usually reach for romance novels, but after discovering that Phillipa Soo and Simu Liu were cast as two of the three leads in the movie adaptation of One True Loves, I knew I had to read it.
The Best Books I Read in 2021
It’s been a wild year, but somehow I managed to read 27 books despite taking a long hiatus in the fall. I’m happy I made reading a priority in my life, and I’m hoping to do the same in 2022! I love year-end listicles, so here’s my roundup of my favourite reads of 2021.
‘Atlas of the Heart’ Explores 87 Emotions That Make Us Human
Brené Brown deep dives into emotions like wonder, resentment, nostalgia, disappointment, grief and compassion and reveals eye-opening insights that will make you reevaluate your feelings and how they impact your interactions with others.
‘The Silent Patient’ Lives Up To The Hype
This book wasn't even on my radar until I started seeing author Alex Michaelides' latest release The Maidens popping up on bestseller lists.
‘Seven Days in June’ Will Have You Rooting For Love
This was just such a great summer read. You fall for these characters the minute you meet them, but they aren’t perfect.
‘Seven Fallen Feathers’ Reveals Disturbing Truths Every Canadian Should Know
You can tell how well read a book is by the creases on it’s spine and the folded corners of its pages. When I picked up Seven Fallen Feathers from my local library, I was pleasantly surprised to find that that was the case for an important read like this.
‘Missing From The Village’ Is About So Much More Than A Serial Killer In Toronto’s Gay Village
Missing from the Village was an incredibly hard, but important read. Those who are from Toronto likely remember hearing about Bruce McArthur, a man who murdered eight men between 2010 and 2017. Yes, he was a serial killer, and he targeted Toronto’s queer community.
‘People We Meet On Vacation’ Is The Ultimate Beach Read
I was really craving a light read after Malibu Rising turned out to be a more serious story than I expected. People We Meet on Vacation had everything I was looking for: friendship, romance, travel, and believable characters.
‘Malibu Rising’ Is A Serious Summer Read About Family Perseverance
After reading (and loving!) Daisy Jones and the Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I couldn’t wait to read the next big title by Taylor Jenkins Reid. But, to be honest, I didn’t love Malibu Rising as much as I’d hoped.
‘A Pho Love Story’ Captures Romantic And Family Love In One Beautiful Tale
I’m simultaneously jealous and excited for the younger generation of Asians who get to grow up reading books that reflect their lived experiences — especially when it comes to immigrant parents.
‘I’ll Be There For You’ Is A Nostalgic Reminder Why Audiences Fell In Love With ‘Friends’
Even though I was only four years old when it first aired, “Friends” became one of my all-time favourite shows. I grew up watching it because it would come on at 7:30 p.m. every weekday after my dad watched the news.
‘My Sister, The Serial Killer’ Reveals A Dark, Complicated Relationship Between Sisters
This is the perfect summer read for those who like fun and quirky stories. The depiction of the sister relationship is a standout as it's both infuriating and totally relatable.
How Writing Has Helped Me Explore My Chinese-Canadian Identity
It’s no secret that I love exploring my cultural identity through my work as a writer. But it isn’t always easy.
3 Must-Read Books for Asian Heritage Month
Asian Heritage Month is about recognizing, reflecting and celebrating the contributions and achievements of the Asian community. So what better way to kick off the month than with a graphic novel by George Takei?
‘The Ex Talk’ Delivers A Delightfully Modern (And Believable) Rom-Com
I loved the modern take on the enemies to lovers trope told through the relationship between Shay and Dominic, two public radio co-hosts.
‘Happy Go Money’ Debunks How We Think About Money And Happiness
Never have I ever thought I’d be the type of person to read a personal finance book, but here we are.
‘The Woman In The Window’ Is A Page-Turning Thriller With Plenty Of Twists
I’m usually skeptical of thrillers with cheesy titles and those with female protagonists who are suffering with mental illness and alcoholism, but I’m glad I gave this one a shot.