When Dimple Met Rishi 5 stars Genre: YA contemporary romance Pros: Diverse main charactersInteresting cultural referencesCute flip of a theme Cons: Predictable love story I loved When Dimple Met Rishi! It features a cute romance. Not only do the two main characters fall in love, but you also start to adore them as a reader. I particularly liked how Menon flipped the theme of arranged marriages into something culturally positive. All the tidbits of the characters' … [Read more...]
WriteGirl
December 4, 2018 Leave a Comment
"Don't be surprised by the emergence of undiscovered talents." I had such an inspiring time over the weekend with teen girls! The nonprofit WriteGirl is a fabulous organization that pairs young women with mentors to express themselves through creative writing. Sunday’s afternoon event was a fiction workshop and drew over 100 attendees. Held at The Autry, mentors and mentees filled up the auditorium of the Wells Fargo Theater. I shared a few tips on jumping points for starting stories … [Read more...]
USC Pacific Asia Museum
November 26, 2018 Leave a Comment
"Education is the ability to meet life's situations." I had the fun pleasure of visiting the USC Pacific Asia Museum recently. Despite being a loyal Bruin, I really appreciated seeing this gem of an institute. The permanent exhibits are organized by culture, so I saw the Pacific Islands, China, Japan, etc. Established in 1971, you can find the museum in Pasadena. It did partner with USC in 2013. For a while, the museum also shut down to reorganize its displays. I liked wandering the … [Read more...]
Teen Vogue
November 20, 2018 Leave a Comment
"At this moment, someone is thinking good thoughts of you." Hi, all! It'll be a busy week for me since I'm prepping to host Thanksgiving :) Thus, this will be a super quick post. If you haven't already seen on my social media channels, Dragonfly Dreams was mentioned in a Teen Vogue article. It was picked as one of nine "Asian-Led Books that Deserve Their Own Movie Adaption." Squee! P.S. My book is listed in the #5 slot. If you don't want to click on the article, here's the full … [Read more...]
Vroman’s Walk of Fame
November 12, 2018 6 Comments
"Your loyalties are clear when it comes to friends." I was very excited to witness Naomi Hirahara getting inducted into Vroman’s Walk of Fame this weekend. The Author Walk of Fame started in 2014 to honor authors with a special connection to the bookstore and the community. Other writers who’ve been honored include Luis Rodriguez, Michael Connelly, and Lisa See. Hirahara immortalized her handprints and signature in concrete in front of Vroman’s, the iconic Pasadena bookstore. (She credits … [Read more...]
Vancouver Trip
November 5, 2018 Leave a Comment
"You long to see the Great Pyramids of Egypt." Sometimes it's nice to have a change of scenery. I took a short trip a few weeks back to Vancouver. Though I've been before for a whirlwind book talk, I didn't get the chance to soak in the city back then. This time around, I balanced spurts of writing (and reading) with exploration of the local area. Vancouver, to me, seems like a great mix of the natural and the urban. Here are a few highlights from my trip. From the nature side... I … [Read more...]
Cozy Launch & Comic Con
October 29, 2018 4 Comments
Wow, this weekend was a whirlwind! On Friday, I did Coffee & A Cozy. I enjoyed chatting about cover design, audiobook-making, and story creation. Here's the spread of treats: Fun time with friends! I also participated in LA Comic Con on Saturday. Seeing people dressed up was one of the highlights. Look at the mighty crowd! Great statues on the convention floor... Costumes galore! Can you figure out who everyone is? (My fave is the first … [Read more...]
Wayfarers Chapel
October 22, 2018 4 Comments
I've had this building on my list of to-visit sites for a while. Located in the scenic Rancho Palos Verdes, it's made of glass. Wayfarer's Chapel, also known as "The Glass Church," was designed by the son of Frank Lloyd Wright: Lloyd Wright. I love the surrounding redwood trees and ocean, which give this popular wedding spot a peaceful nature-filled atmosphere. Nestled on the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, it's got an amazing view: The chapel has some beautiful little gardens around it, … [Read more...]
October Fun
October 8, 2018 Leave a Comment
Want to see me in person in October? I've got two events lined up, so take your pick. Coffee or tea? Whatever your drink of choice, come chat with me or just hang out in Redondo Beach. Find me on Friday, Oct 26th at The Great Room! Is your superpower reading? Join me at the LA Comic Con! I'll be there Saturday, Oct 27th from 9:30am-12:30pm at the SCBWI booth. … [Read more...]
