Episode Details

In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Jananie K. Velu of thisstoryaintover to celebrate AAPI Month with a stack of incredible Asian lit you’ll want to add to your TBR immediately. 

Together, they dive into a wide range of must-read books highlighting stories that span genres, perspectives, and lived experiences. From deeply personal narratives to sweeping, unforgettable storytelling, this conversation is all about discovering books that stay with you and expanding your reading list to celebrate these voices all year long. 

Whether you’re looking to build out your AAPI Month reading list, discover new favorite authors, or simply find your next great read, this episode is packed with recommendations that bring heart, perspective, and unforgettable storytelling. 

Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! 

Link to our full book list: 

Find all the books mentioned in Season 3 on Libby Life! 

Book recommendations: 

Jananie’s Picks: 

• We Dance Upon Demons - Vaishnavi Patel 

• Burn the Sea - Mona Tewari 

• Capitalists Must Starve - Park Seolyeon 

• Natural Beauty & Immaculate Conception - Ling Ling Huang 

• Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead - Mai Nguyen 

• A Kiss of Crimson Ash - Anuja Varghese 

• Breasts and Eggs – Mieko Kawakami 

• Tall Water – SJ Sindu 

• Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop - Hwang Bo-reum 

 Joe’s Picks: 

• Counterattacks at Thirty & Almond – Won-Pyung Sohn 

• Séance Tea Party – Reimena Yee 

• What You Are Looking For is in the Library – Michiko Aoyama 

• The Midnight Taxi – Yosha Gunasekera 

• Convenience Store Woman & Earthlings - Sayaka Murata 

• Detective Aunty & Moonlight Murder - Uzma Jalaluddin 

• Shoutout: Strange Pictures, Strange Houses & Strange Buildings - Uketsu 

Who’s in this episode: 

Jananie K. Velu -