Ian M.'s Reviews

On the first page Monica Youn says, “To mention the Asianness of the figures is also to mention, by implication, the Asianness of the poet.” This sets the tone for the entire collection as Youn mixes her life experience with an analysis of race in America. At times her analysis strays from the poetic genre but always manages to seamlessly blend back into her lyrical takes on the matter.  —IAN

This collection of stories is as magical as it is powerful. The line between real and not blurs as ghosts and aunties relentlessly remind the main characters of the weight of their ancestry. K-Ming Chang’s fantastical prose asks how one balances love and lots of family. Just like her previous book, Bestiary, this is both a love letter to and critique of the modern-day Asian American experience. 

—Ian

The morally bankrupt main character in Yellowface has claimed an identity not her own, taken credit for a bestseller she didn’t write, and is pretending to be Asian American when she decidedly is not. The book keeps the reader wondering how many ways June Hayward, using her assumed name of Juniper Song, can be a victim of her own premeditated actions. Part thriller, part meta social commentary on the publishing industry, the book’s gray areas make it simultaneously hard to keep reading and hard to put down. If you’re a fan of R.F. Kuang’s fantasy novels or are looking for a new voice in fiction, you will enjoy Yellowface. 

—Ian

Concepcion by Albert Samaha is a perfect book for anyone interested in the Philippines and its people. In it, Samaha traces his family’s life from precolonial times to the diaspora of today. It is a well-researched, comprehensive history, a story of familial bonds, and an exploration of what it means to be a hyphenated American.

—IAN

Asian American Histories of the United States by Catherine Ceniza Choy is exactly what it says it is: a concise history book detailing the relationship between America, Asian Americans, and the circumstances that continue to bring the two together. If you’re looking for a novel-esque book that touches on the unique histories of different ethnic groups across Asia, then this is it. —Ian

The Surfer and the Sage is the next book for anyone in your life curious about surfing. There's so much this book has to offer, as it goes beyond the simple joys of surfing and talks about what surfing has to say about life. Author Tomson is a legend of the sport whose perspective is always worth hearing, and poet-philosopher benShea contributes spiritual commentary to this special collaboration.  —Ian

If you’re looking for a serious meditation on writing, this is it. From what writing meant to her as a child to how she creates her characters, bestselling author Elena Ferrante (My Brilliant Friend) dives into her relationship with the craft she is famous for. The book is both exciting and informative as it gives a behind the scenes look at how challenging yet rewarding writing can be. —Ian