What Did I Miss?: July 2019

Published Works

Review of Unsung Heroine by Sarah Kuhn – For Goodreads, I provide my impressions on this novella companion to this author’s beloved super heroine trilogy.

Director Lulu Wang Explores Telling a Story Based on an Actual Lie in “The Farewell” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I sat down with this thoughtful director on the making of this very moving film.

From Fan to Writer: F.C. Yee on Developing the Story of Avatar Kyoshi – For The Nerds of Color, I got deep and geeky with this author/Avatar fan about the honor (*wink*) of writing the first YA novel in the Avatar universe.

The Circle of Life of “He Lives in You” from ‘The Lion King’ – For The Nerds of Color, I give an overview of the different iterations over the years of this underrated yet powerful song from “The Lion King” repertoire.

Review of The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee – For Goodreads, I explain why fans of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” will relish in this novel about one of the most incredible avatars prior to Aang.

‘Cobra Kai’ Has Got to Step Up Its Representation Game in Season 3 – For The Nerds of Color, I address a flaw this YouTube series has had over the course of its first two seasons, in the midst of a recent reveal about what’s to come in the new season.

Appearances

Lauren (San Francisco Bay Area, California) – I recently shared my experience for Mixed (Me)dia about being a mixed race person, by explaining a little bit about who I am, my thoughts about being mixed race, and advice for those who’re navigating their own mixed race journeys.

Writers’ Spotlight: Summer 2019 – Asienne Magazine gives previews to two separate interviews that were done with two California-based Filipino American writers (I being one of them).

Other News

CAAM Production of Wayne Wang’s “Coming Home Again” to World Premiere at TIFF – A film I briefly worked on last year, “Coming Home Again,” will be having its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.

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What Did I Miss?: May 2019

Published Works

Review of This Is Paradise: Stories by Kristiana Kahakauwila – For Goodreads, I give my general impression on this debut collection that gives a very real look at Hawaii.

Actor Charles Melton Discusses Filming “The Sun Is Also a Star” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I sit down with the “Riverdale” star as he gives me a deep analysis of his role in the upcoming teen drama.

Review of Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen – For Goodreads, I give a brief rundown of my thoughts on this debut novel that will surely tug on the heartstrings.

Actress Nichole Bloom Discusses Her Journey to “Superstore” at CAAMFest 37 – For the Center for Asian American Media, I did a cover story on the conversation with one of the lead actors of the NBC hit series on how she got her start and her journey in acting.

The Stars and Director of “Always Be My Maybe” on Creative Collaboration and Love for San Francisco – For the Center for Asian American Media, I sit down with Ali Wong, Randall Park, and Nahnatchka Khan to discuss the making of this upcoming Netflix rom-com.

Review of I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn – For Goodreads, I go over my general impressions of this author’s first venture into the YA genre.

Appearances

defining the fil-am identity with lauren lola – I was recently interviewed for a feature profile for Asienne Magazine. I talk about living life as a mixed race Filipino American, my journey as a writer, and my desire to collaborate with Wong Fu Productions on a short film one day.

What Did I Miss?: March 2019

Published Works

Playwright Lauren Yee on New Worlds and Inspirations – For the Center for Asian American Media, I interview this rising prolific playwright on how she gets her ideas for her wide variety of plays, the origin story of “The Great Leap,” and her thoughts about what it’s like to be a working playwright where diversity in the performing arts is no longer just lip service.

Review of I am Jake by Jake Zyrus – For Goodreads, I go over my shell shock and praise for this very honest memoir from one of the Philippines’ (and the world’s) best music artists.

What Did I Miss?: January 2019

Published Works

Review of Rainbirds by Clarissa Goenawan – For Goodreads, I give my general impression of this author’s debut novel and how fans of Haruki Murakami’s works will most surely fall into this one.

Review of The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon – For Goodreads, I present my thoughts on this second work by this thoughtful-minded YA author.

Review of Enlightenment by Reno Ursal – For Goodreads, I go over my opinions on this author’s debut novel that mixes Filipino history and folklore with a destiny of epic proportions.

Appearances

To the Cast & Crew of So Weird: Video Celebration – My spoken word piece I wrote and performed for #SoWeird20 is featured in this video compilation. My appearance starts at 7:40.

What Did I Miss? (April 22nd-28th)

Published Works

Review of Cyan Night’s Girl Fighter – For Goodreads, I provide my thoughts and questions about this emotionally-impacting – and relate-able – novel.

COBRA KAI Strikes Attention with Unique Storytelling – For YOMYOMF, I give my take on the first two episodes on the upcoming YouTube Red series on how effective it is in continuing “The Karate Kid” story.

Anime-Inspired STAR WARS RESISTANCE Coming This Fall – For YOMYOMF, I share the announcement regarding the next “Star Wars” animated series, and shed light on one of its cast members.

Interviews

Featured Author Lauren Lola – Book Reader Magazine asks me about how I got my start in writing, my favorite authors and genres, and what An Absolute Mind is all about.

What Did I Miss? (April 8th-14th)

Appearances

GEEK SHOW: BINDLECON Opens In San Francisco This Weekend – In his write-up about the (now playing) theatrical production “The Geek Show 2: BindleCon” for YOMYOMF, Offender Dominic briefly acknowledges my involvement in the show.

BBC World Book Club, Celeste Ng – I can be heard asking author Celeste Ng a question regarding her New York Times Bestselling novel, Everything I Never Told You, at one point during this conversation with her for the BBC World Book Club. The lead-in to my question starts at 17:22.

Published Works

Review of Crystal Chan’s All That I Can Fix – In exchange for an ARC of her second novel, for Goodreads, I provide my thoughts about how well written and, at times, mysterious, this novel was.

How NOT to Write a Book Review

Being both the author of two novels and an adamant reader, I’ve become familiar with the process and the way that reviews are written online from other readers from around the world. As a result, I’d like to think I’ve become accustomed to the qualities that make a good review, and qualities that make a poorly executed one.

It’s the latter that drive me crazy, especially as the recipient of quite a few of them. That’s why today, I break it down for everyone by explaining how NOT to write a book review: