Asian American Titles to Check Out

Titles and Reviews from Audrey: the Asian American Women's Lifestyle magazine. October/November 2007.

Books:
Jia: a Novel of North Korea by Hyejin Kim. Cleis Press: 2007.
True story of a North Korean woman's journey from an impoverished orphanage in Pyongyang, North Korea to abundance and freedom in Communist China.

Midori by Moonlight by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga. St. Martin's Press: 2007.
After falling in love with an English teacher, Midori follows him back to California in hopes of starting a new life away from the strictures of Japanese society.

Woman on the Other Shore by Mitsuyo Kakatua. Kodansha America, 2007.
Two women's struggle to escape the mundane responsibilities of work and childbearing. One woman's past strains their relationship as they both pursue careers, raise families and hope for personal fulfillment.

The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam. Anne Marie Fleming. Riverhead Books, 2007.
Based on the award winning documentary, The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam, by his great-grand-daughter Ann Marie Fleming, mixes humor, history and personal stories in this memoir.

Julie Black Belt: the Kung Fu Chronicles by Oliver Chin, illus. by Charlene Chua. Immedium, 2007. (ages 4-8)
Can Julie take her kung fu class to heart and learn the lessons of the sport?

Movies/DVDs:
Se, jie (Lust, Caution) directed by Ang Lee Rated: NC-17
Based on the short story by Eileen Chang, this espionage thriller takes place in Shanghai during World War II.

Wristcutters: a Love Story directed by Goran Dukic Rated: R
Zia cuts her wrists and enters a bizarre afterlife where everyone still bears the scars of how they committed suicide.

Why Did I Get Married? directed by Tyler Perry PG-13
A close look at married friends back in Colorado for an annual reunion, where it's clear that one has had an extramarital affair.

Comedy Zen (Season 1)
Stand up comedy showcasing comedians, including the best Asian American comedians today.