15. The Empress of Salt and Fortune – Nghi Vo

17. A Magic Steeped in Poison - Judy I. Lin

Hi bookworms and casual listeners! This week I’m going back to my comfort genre - fantasy YA - with A Magic Steeped in Poison, the debut novel of Taiwanese-born author Judy I. Lin. This book combines all of the elements that I look for when I want to relax but also stay strongly invested at the same time: a delightful and fascinating world with a unique system of tea-based magic, a strong-willed Asian female protagonist, and a plot full of challenges and deadly intrigue. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://theminhibookworm.wordpress.com/2023/02/19/a-magic-steeped-in-poison-judy-i-lin/

16b. Bridgerton - The Netflix Series (pt. 2): In Defense of Penelope Featherington, Flawed Characters, and Women Who Put Themselves First

Hi bookworms and casual listeners! This is part 2 of my Bridgerton review - which, in actuality, is less of a review, and more of a full-blown character deep dive and defense of Penelope Featherington, one of my all-time favorites from the show. When I found out that there was a vocal majority of fans who really did not like her, especially when I myself love her to bits, I had the most insistent urge to sit down and write a full-blown essay explaining why exactly I believe she deserves better. So, I did, and here is the result! Spoiler warning: this episode contains almost all of the spoilers around Penelope, so don't listen to this episode if you haven't already watched both seasons of Bridgerton. And if you do take a listen - I hope you enjoy my (perhaps excessively) passionate treatise on the wonderful and complex character of Penelope. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://theminhibookworm.wordpress.com/2023/01/29/bridgerton-in-defense-of-penelope-featherington-flawed-characters-and-women-who-put-themselves-first/

16a. Bridgerton - The Netflix Series (pt. 1)

Hi bookworms and casual listeners, and happy belated Lunar New Year! In the spirit of the new year, I have finally returned from my year-long hiatus, and this episode is part 1 of my review of Bridgerton - the hit Netflix series that took the world by storm last year, and which I finally sat down to watch. Bridgerton is an escapist historical romance drama that is enthralling and totally swoon-worthy, and it was the perfect show to get engrossed in during my extended Lunar New Year break. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://theminhibookworm.wordpress.com/2023/01/29/bridgerton-the-netflix-series/

15. The Empress of Salt and Fortune – Nghi Vo

Hi bookworms and casual listeners! This week I’m reviewing The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo - an incredible novella that combines high fantasy, Asian cultures and lore, and feminism through the enthralling tale of Empress In-yo and her retribution. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://theminhibookworm.wordpress.com/2021/08/22/the-empress-of-salt-and-fortune-nghi-vo/

14. Strange Weather In Tokyo – Hiromi Kawakami

Hi bookworms and casual listeners! This week I’m back with another romance novel, but one that is pretty atypical of the genre. Strange Weather In Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami is a calm, soothing romance that beautifully elevates the ordinary and highlights the need to savor every moment in life and in relationships, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://theminhibookworm.wordpress.com/2021/08/15/strange-weather-in-tokyo-hiromi-kawakami/