Episode #111 Chop Suey: Walk and Talk: Age!
On this very special Chop Suey! episode, Grace and Alvina record a walk and talk! The Book Friends are together in Northampton, MA and walking and talking about three topics relating to age, including getting older, staying relevant, and what makes a classic.
Happy Birthday Grace Lin!
TOPIC #1: How We Feel About Getting Older
The Book Friends decide to talk all about how they feel about getting older. Alvina begins with asking Grace, “when did you first feel like an adult?” Great question! Grace mentions how having her daughter Hazel probably was the first feeling like an adult and Alvina thought it may have been when she got an assistant at work. They both talk about feeling young and feeling old in the workplace and in their careers.
TOPIC #2: Staying Relevant
As we get older, how do we feel about trying to stay relevant? Alvina feels both: she feels less equipped to edit YA contemporary books, but still feels like she’s staying relevant on TikTok. Grace talks about wanting a long-lasting career but wonders if that’s possible; will her books even be published? Will people still read her books?
Topic #3: Definition of a “Classic”:
A classic book is defined as one that remains popular for at least three generations. Is the book timeless or timely? This is a question that Grace always ask herself when writing. What makes a book contemporary or timeless? What turns it into a classic? Grace and Alvina discuss all of these questions as they contemplate their own books and the ones that they love.
Book Recommendations! -with Alison Morris from First Book
Alison is highlighting books by Asian and Asian American and Pacific Islanders in honor of AAPI Heritage month:
Alison Morris is a nationally recognized children's book buyer with an infectious enthusiasm for reading and 20 years' experience matching books to readers. As the Senior Director of Title Selection for nonprofit First Book, she oversees the curation of children’s and young adult books on the First Book Marketplace, hand-selecting a diverse range of titles that speak to and address the needs of kids in underserved communities, with a keen eye to inclusion, authenticity, and kid-appeal. She previously served as Senior Editor at Scholastic Book Clubs, Children's Book Buyer for Wellesley Booksmith and The Dartmouth Bookstore, and was the founding blogger of the ShelfTalker children’s book blog for Publishers Weekly. She'll be joining us from her home near Washington, DC where she spends LOTS of time discussing books with her husband, illustrator and graphic novelist Gareth Hinds.
“What are we grateful for?”
Alvina is grateful for the road trip that she and Stephen are able to take this week and get a break from the city. She’s thankful they can integrate their friends into their new life together. Grace is grateful that she has another birthday to celebrate. She is reminded that not everyone gets to grow old and it is truly a special gift.
Thank you!
Thank you for tuning in! Thank you to Hachette Audio, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Alex at Pacyworks Studio. Be sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and tell a friend about us. (Use the hashtag #bookfriendsforever.)
You can find Alvina @Planetalvina on Twitter and TikTok and @Alvinaling on Instagram
You can find Grace @Pacylin on Facebook and Instagram
Alison Morris is @AlisonLMorris on Twitter and @kidlitgirl on Instagram
*If you’re a patron, don’t forget to check out this week’s Random Questions feed! Grace Lin with Debbie Michiko answer, “If animals could talk, which would be the rudest?” Click here to listen! If you’re not a patron already, join today!
*Don’t forget to check out the “Asians, Everyday” virtual exhibit at the Carle Museum that was curated by Grace! Click here to view the exhibit!
Other books and media mentioned in this episode:
