Literary Notes

35 | ARCHIVE: Karen Tei Yamashita | I Hotel

Writer Karen Tei Yamashita stopped by our studios to talk about her book I Hotel, a novel detailing the final years of San Fransisco's I Hotel. In the early 20th century, it was a hub for Filipino migrant workers and Chinese immigrants, and in later decades it became a hotspot of Asian American activism when its demolition was announced. This interview was conducted in 2011 by audiobook production supervisor John Pai.

34 | Jesse Q. Sutanto | Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block

Novelist Jesse Q. Sutanto comes to the WTBBL studios to discuss her new novel Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block. She speaks with library volunteer Ren Caldwell about the trophy-wife upbringing that inspired the novel, her passion for travel, living with ADHD, and much more.

33 | Andrea Pons | Mamacita: Recipes Celebrating Life as a Mexican Immigrant in America

Creative director and food stylist Andrea Pons stops by to discuss her cookbook Mamacita: Recipes Celebrating Life as a Mexican Immigrant in America, and the fascinating true story behind it. She joins WTBBL volunteer Margarita Muñoz to talk about immigration, compare pinto beans and black beans, and enjoy homemade conchas.

32 | Jane Wong | Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City

Poet Jane Wong stops by the WTBBL studios to chat about her memoir, Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City. Library volunteer Amber Wang, who recorded the book for our catalog, joins her to discuss researching her family without an archive, writing about memories from a distance, hearing new stories from her mom, and much more.

31 | Glen Erik Hamilton | Van Shaw (series)

Glen Erik Hamilton joins us to discuss his crime thriller series following the adventures of former criminal-in-training Van Shaw. He joins longtime WTBBL volunteer Rick Sipe to discuss his background, the logistics of Seattle as a setting for a thriller, his favorite (and least favorite) parts of being a writer, and much more.