kat | a 🇵🇭 booknerd in san diego

If you told me that my love of reading would lead to this…I wouldn’t believe you. I was invited to attend the 76th National Book Foundation - NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS on 11.19.25 at Cipriani. Wow. What a fever dream! These are just some highlights of the best.night.ever! We kicked off the event by pre-gaming with the amazing folks at @randomhouse @aaknopf @ireadvintage @prhaudio @doubledaybooks who took us on a lovely tour (and toast!) Thank you to @matthewsciarappa & @christophermetts (more later! That def needs its own post) I met the best bookish people IRL who I’ve always admired, heard wonderful, inspiring speeches from the winners, met authors (and literary folks), danced with George Saunders, and walked away feeling like I was on cloud nine! Congratulations to the winners! It was such a pleasure to talk to these talented writers. Thank you very much @nationalbookfoundation for having me! It was such an honor to attend. What a magical night ✨ PS - thank you to @readingwithpev for the @vintagallery dress. I got a lot of compliments! #NationalBookFoundation #nbawards

Review: COYOTELAND by Vanessa Hua - Happy Pub Day - 5.12.26 “Wealthy elsewhere was middle class in El Nido, and middle class might as well have been poor.” Through an ensemble cast, Hua’s dark, suburban drama explores class, race & environmental/land appropriation within the small, affluent, almost all-white neighborhood of El Nido, a suburb of the Bay Area, during the tail-end of the Covid-19 pandemic. Jin Chang & his family move into a fixer-upper with plans to flip it. His family doesn’t know he has been unemployed for months. Tensions begin with their white next-door neighbors, the Belles, who have tech-money and a Latine nanny who lives in an apartment behind the Belle’s home. While the neighbors are locked into not-so-passive aggressive behaviors against each other, a displaced coyote roams the neighborhood. Jin’s daughter Jane, befriends Tasha, one of the few Black girls in their community, who gets bitten by Wiley the coyote. Through different POVs (even the coyote’s!) we learn each of these character’s secrets & actions and how it comes to a boil at the end. I went into this book blind & was dropped into this community unaware of all the nuance & the drama unfolding. It’s hard to describe. Yes, it’s a dark suburban drama, but it’s also part-domestic thriller with large spoonfuls of classic coming-of-age, especially from the points of view of the teenagers. It’s also a cautionary tale of the pitfalls of land development and encroachment, Karen-culture, tech-money & power, and the way our veneers crack & niceties give way when pressure is applied. It’s one of those books where you need to marinate in it more to get the whole picture. I liked it, but it did feel slow in certain parts & it’s easy to lose track of the many characters in the beginning. Once you get going though, you’ll be riveted. To me, the book is reminiscent of LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE and Alam’s LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND. This is my first Hua book & I’m so impressed at the way she has threaded these characters, storyline, and themes together with such intricacy. The novel is ambitious, far-reaching, thoughtful, & sharp. Thank you to @flatiron_books @macmillanusa for the #gifted ARC.

Welcome back to my series, #OlderMainCharacterEnergy — where I highlight stories that feature main characters 45 years old and older. This is my 3rd post in the series. May is #AANHPIHistoryMonth and this weekend is Mother’s Day (at least in North America), and I’m featuring AANHPI MATRIARCHS AND MOTHERS (and how they dominate the story, even if they are not the main character). I’ve also lowered the age to 40 years old and above. In my very first post featuring older main characters, I had written that many books featuring older women (between the ages of 45-65) had motherhood in common. I wonder, maybe another decade from now —will stories featuring older women no longer center on their identity as mothers? Of course, I haven’t read every single book out there, but if you have recommendations for books where an older, female MC is not a mother (and is not musing about what-ifs, or regret at not being one), do let me know. And drop your recs for more AANHPI books featuring matriarchs & mothers! Lastly, I wanted to include books that I don’t often see on #bookstagram and #backlists. I haven’t read all of these books, but they are certainly on my TBR. What book would you recommend to your mother or mother-figure in your life?

Review: THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY by Elizabeth Strout Happy Pub Day! #TheThingsWeNeverSay is out today! This will not be a coherent review by any means. I read 3 sad books back-to-back and oh, the tears 😭 I’ve read a lot of Strout over the years beginning with Amy and Isabelle (which I feel the need to re-read) and have read all her Lucy Barton books.   Strout’s writing is a little hard to describe. The language is simple and sparse, yet elegant. She has a way of describing very real, human interactions with heart and a quiet grace.   I received an advanced copy of THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY, and read it in tandem with the audiobook version.   The story focuses on Artie, a teacher in his fifties who looks okay from the outside, but is dealing with isolation, loneliness & a disconnect from the world.   Character-driven, the story also takes us into the points-of-view of other characters and gives us peeks into the futures of each character and how we are influenced by the people in our lives in both small and big ways.   I love slice-of-life stories like this that explore what it means to be human, to be curious about the lives of others, to question what it is that is missing from our lives, and to recognize the good parts and to have empathy. Strout voices out many of the anxieties and insecurities I feel as a parent, as a friend, as a human –and that she just gets it.   The book is about moments in our life that make us who we are.   I highly recommend this book to everyone. It’s sad and it will break your heart, but it is also joyful, meaningful, thoughtful, and real.   Thank you for @randomhouse for the #gifted book and to @prhaudio for the audiobook version expertly narrated by Robert Petkoff.   Come back and tell me how you feel after you’ve read it! I want to know.

May is AANHPI History Month When May hits, I personally feel compelled to post something profound for some reason but at the same time, it feels like homework, you know? (I don’t know if other ‘grammers feel the same way). I appreciate that there is a month to “recognize” the contributions of AANHPI in US history (it first started off as recognition of two main Asian communities, and it broadened from there). I just don’t love how it turns into a quiet expectation to compress everything (history, culture, identity, meaning) —into something quick and digestible. In the past, I have created carousels and posts highlighting books, other accounts, businesses, and so on. And I love collaborating in a tour to highlight AANHPI creators. But I’m a little overwhelmed this month… because you know, life. This year, I’m opting for a slower approach and posting at my own pace. But who knows, I may have the energy to do something later this month. I am doing my best. There are so many amazing creators out there doing wonderful things this month (and all year round) to highlight AANHPI works. I encourage everyone to follow the #ANHPIBookstaTour (see schedule —>) & follow AANHPI creators all year round. Don’t ask for book recs only in May. We, as AANHPI creators, recognize our rich, diverse histories, and our stories don’t expire on June 1. Xoxo, #booknerdkat

Review: LAST NIGHT IN BROOKLYN by Xochitl Gonzalez - OUT NOW! Gonzalez is an auto-buy author for me since OLGA DIES DREAMING & like most books I read nowadays, I went in blind. #LastNightinBrooklyn felt like I’ve entered a mid-aughts fever dream that made me feel some type of way.  The story unfolds through the eyes of Alicia Canales Forten, a native of Gravesend, Brooklyn. Alicia is Puerto Rican and Black. Her father, who has been absent since her birth, decides to become a presence in her life & whisks her to spend two weeks every summer at the Vineyard to get to know the other, tonier side of the family.  I felt a little lost in the first few chapters, not knowing what to focus on. All I did was absorb, much like the main character Alicia when she is suddenly roped into new experiences when her cousin moves into her neighborhood of Fort Greene, and when Alicia starts to hang out with La Garza, her larger-than-life, fashion designer neighbor with an enigmatic past. This story is a vibe. Alicia & I went to the same lounges, danced to the same music, & her character is all about being caught in the in-between where you are not yet sure of how to shed your old skin & unsure of your metamorphosis. Gonzalez also explores the larger themes of gentrification, the pivotal advent of the 2008 election & fiscal crisis, racism and class, and the corruption of the American Dream for people of color. Her exploration of class and gentrification feels layered and precise, giving language to tensions felt by everyone affected.  I was definitely drawn to the character of Matteo, & while I was reading it, I had a feeling he was the same Matteo as in OLGA. I love that Alicia, Olga & Matteo exist in the same world.  It is definitely Gatsby-esque with modern flourishes & sharp observations. Gonzalez has a way of capturing emotions & the cultural zeitgeist of Fort Greene (and NYC as a whole). It evokes that familiar pull of nostalgia—the way that a series of moments revisited in hindsight, reveals how deeply it has shaped who we become.  Thank you to @flatiron_books for the #gifted ARC.

Saturday, April 25, is Independent Bookstore Day. Independent bookstores play a vital role in all of our communities and are at the heart of the book community. I wanted to feature Bel Canto Books @belcantobooks in Long Beach, California — a bookstore that is near and dear to my heart. 📙 BelCanto books is an AAPI-woman owned bookstore and the owner, Jhoanna, is the best. 📙 She opened the bookstore during Covid times for a special event & held an outdoor bookstagram meet-up. 📙 In 2021, Jho spearheaded the #StandUpforAAPI campaign. 📙 Since 2022, Bel Canto partners with the Long Beach Public Library and organizes the Festival of AAPI Books and Liwanag Fest each year! And of course, Bel Canto has an amazing selection of books, in-house and virtual events, educational workshops and many author events. Bel Canto has really become a staple of the community. 📍 BEL CANTO BOOKS | 2106 E. 4th St. Long Beaxh, CA ✨ DID YOU KNOW - You can support your local bookshop by buying an audiobook? For indie bookstore day, you can support your local bookstore without leaving your home through Libro.fm @librofm 🎧 Libro.fm is a much better, audible alternative that shares profits with independent bookshops 🎧 Libro.fm is having an Indie Bookshop Appreciation Sale (April 20-26) and they have a fantastic selection. They also offer membership (and I’m a proud member), offer gift bundles & it’s easy to gift a book to a friend. 🎧 Libro.fm shares profits with 4,000+ bookstores around the world and you can specify which bookstore you’d like to support with your purchase of an audiobook. Tell me about your favorite indie bookshop! How are you celebrating #IndieBookstoreDay this weekend? xoxo, #booknerdkat

Bali | Books | Birthdays - a life update I went to Bali for 11 days. It’s by far, the longest vacay I’ve taken in the past five years (I left 4/3 & returned 4/15). It was like a Hobbit’s tale and back with the journey to get there (2.5 hour drive from LAX to SAN, 16-hour flight from LAX to SIN, 3-hour flight from SIN to DPS each way) but it was worth it! Bali has been on my bucket list since 2001! We pre-gamed our milestone birthdays (two of us are turning 50 this year; two already turned 50). Part of our trip was with @gate1tours (& I highly recommend them especially if you’re on a budget). We met some cool new friends to hang out with! I flew ahead & spent some time in Sanur & took a fantastic day tour with @tripgotik - my guide Samba took some insanely good photos & took us to sites off-the-beaten path in addition to must-sees. At Lempuyang Temple, there was a torrential downpour & my book got soaked. It was already kinda wet during a visit to the rice terraces, but alas, my first book casualty ever! On Day 3, I went on a snorkeling trip to Nusa Penida & swam with manta rays and turtles - thanks to @thesavvypetal & @bluuu.tours - Amazing day in the ocean 🌊 Then we finally met up with our friends in Ubud for our Gate1 tour. We went to the Arma Museum, the Monkey Forest, waterfalls, chilled by the pool & visited a water temple where we participated in a purification ritual. So beautiful. Then we went to Benoa, visited the cultural center with its gorgeous statues, Tanah Lot in Seminyak, & saw a fire dance! Towards the end, I got really sick, which is a first for me because I have never gotten sick off of food before here or while traveling but I guess there’s always a first time. I had a fever, chills, & fatigue but luckily, got through the plane ride home. All in all, it was such a special & memorable trip! I got a lot of rest these past 2 days (but had to say NO to #Bookchella - the LA Times Festival of Books, & had to say no to an event in NYC for BookCon - believe me, it was hard to decline that party!) And now, back to the daily grind. What has been your favorite vacation so far? xoxo, #booknerdkat

Feature: SPIT: A LIFE IN BATTLES by Jonnie Park aka Dumbfoundead Happy Pub Week! #SPIT is out 4.14.26 As a fan of rap, as an immigrant, & as a teen who grew up in K-town in the early 90’s, SPIT definitely called out to me. I’m loving the vignette-style Park uses & love how he features Asian American artists for illustrations. SPIT is co-written by Donnie Kwak (of Complex) & published by @thirdstatebooks , an independent publishing company for AAPI stories. SPIT is the raw and electrifying memoir of Jonnie Park whose rise from an unruly childhood in L.A.’s iconic Koreatown to international rap stardom is as unlikely as it is exhilarating. Born in Argentina to Korean parents & smuggled by a coyote across the US-Mexico border at age three, Park grew up in L.A. amid cultural dislocation, his father’s violent alcoholism, & the turbulent protests and riots of the early 1990s. Trying to belong, Park found salvation in the highly competitive underground world of battle rap, where he was among the only successful Asian American battle rappers. He honed his freestyle superpowers at Project Blowed, the legendary South Central L.A. open-mic venue, amid a motley crew of characters. Told through the lens of his life’s greatest battles—his father’s rage, racist stereotypes, the “model minority” myth, the pressures of fame, and his own addictions—Park tells his story with his trademark humor, lyrical style, and unflinching honesty.. Featuring a dozen vivid graphic novel–style illustrations that bring his journey to life, SPIT visualizes the inner demons and outer adversaries Park faced along the way. From open-mics in South Central to freestyle cyphers in Seoul to music festivals across the globe, Park’s memoir is a testament to creativity, grit, and the power of speaking your truth—even when the world isn’t ready to hear it. SPIT is a groundbreaking story of identity, resilience, & reinvention. It is also the story of an American outsider who turned life’s challenges into his stage and battled his way to triumph. Thank you to @booksforwardpr @thirdstatebooks for the #gifted book. Check out the author’s account as he is on tour for this book!

For the ‘gram! Most of you know that I love to travel and take book pics wherever I go. I’m in Bali - a place I’ve wanted to visit for a long time, and it’s beautiful! During my sightseeing for the day, it started to rain. My poor book got wet (sorry to Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez). About 15 minutes after I took these photos, of course it stopped raining! Here’s to Instagram photos vs reality! Xoxo, #booknerdkat in Bali

The study of music and its intersection with culture and identity is not new (there are so many books on it). I always gravitate towards stories where music plays a role because of my own love for music. My family immigrated to the U.S. in 1988. I was about 12, & we settled in Los Angeles, along the outskirts of Koreatown. I floundered, as most kids do when they are yanked out of their “before” world. My main sources of comfort were music, books, and pop culture. 1990-1995 (my adolescent & early teen years) happened to be the best five years of music (this is fact 😄 ) —the birth of grunge, the britpop invasion, the golden age of rap music, & more...and I was there to witness it all. I’ve been a music lover ever since. Some music-related facts about me: 🎧 My first ever “big concert” was The Jets. My mom took me when we still lived in Manila. 🎧 My first ever show as a teenager was Lush & The Flaming Lips at The Palace in 1992. (I was mostly there for Lush - I was a big fan of Miki Berenyi & Emma Anderson). 🎧 My two favorite genres are rock & rap (but I listen to everything). 🎧 I have flown to another country & city to see a band. 🎧 in the early aughts, I had a quarter-life crisis & joined an all-female rock band in my late 20’s (you’ll see some pics in the slides). I was already working as a prosecutor then. We’d play a gig & tomorrow, I’d have court. We played CBGB’s before it closed! 🎧 My senior thesis was on hip-hop culture & Filipino immigrant youth. 🎧 I have been to more shows than I can count (small, big, at local bars, garages, etc). 🎧 And lastly, the book I’ve been working on is very much music fiction + coming-of-age + Filipino immigrant experience. I really, really hope to polish it this year. I made this guide as an ode to music. It is by no means a definitive or exhaustive guide. It’s meant for music fans, the casual listener, & for those who are just not into music. I guarantee you’ll find a book you’ll love. And if there’s a book you think I should add, please let me know. This was another labor of love & I hope you find it fun, useful & share it. Thank you for reading & indulging me! 🤘🏼 #music #musicfiction #musically

Review: INHERITANCE by Jane Park Pub Date: 4.7.26 Park’s aptly titled debut novel, INHERITANCE, meticulously examines the fault lines of a fractured Korean Canadian immigrant family with graceful precision, exploring the weight of trauma entwined with tradition and family expectations, the loneliness of growing up as “other” and coming to terms with a complicated family history and uncomfortable truths. Part coming-of-age novel & part historical family-saga, this debut novel authentically captures the emotional toll of family sacrifice & migration for the dream of a better life. The story unfolds in 2014 — as Anne, a lawyer at a large NYC law firm returns to Canada and navigates the funeral of her father. Anne went to Yale and is the “success” of the family, compared to her older brother Charles, a self-admitted fuck-up who just got out of rehab. Interspersed between the “now,” are scenes from Anne’s childhood in the 80’s and 90’s. So many scenes from the novel resonated with me. As an immigrant growing up in the late 80’s/90’s, some of my own life experiences parallel Anne’s. Scenes of covering for friends who are not allowed to date, being responsible and “good” in the way prescribed by my parents, the feeling of loneliness and isolation, being self-sufficient and caring for siblings while our parents worked — these all felt real and palpable. Anne’s parents immigrate to Canada for the ubiquitous desire for a “better life” but is it truly better? Anne’s father, a graduate of Seoul University, gave up his job to a friend before leaving Korea. In Canada, he struggles with jobs and with the language, ultimately buying a small business (with a hefty loan) in the prairies of Canada. When the friend visits from Korea bearing gifts and stories of corporate success thanking Anne’s father for giving him the job, Anne’s father reckons with his decision as an owner of a failing grocery store dealing with racism, vandalism, and isolation. Continued in comments: