BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press Podcast
1) E-15 - THE CUTTLEFISH by Chris Tharp
Busan-based author Chris Tharp chats with John about The Cuttlefish, his hilarious novel set in the fictional East Asian island nation of Sukhan. The protagonist, an American called Zach, finds himsel...Show More
2) E-14-CHINA RUNNING DOG by Mark Kitto
China Running Dog by Mark KittoControversial China figure and author Mark Kitto chats with John about his new novel, China Running Dog, set in the days of peak Shanghai Fever. It’s a brilliant novel a...Show More
3) E-13-TAIWANESE FEET: MY WALK AROUND TAIWAN by John Groot (Almas Books, 2020)
Taiwanese Feet: My walk around Taiwan by John Groot (Almas Books, 2020) Canadian John Groot first came to Taiwan in 2001, fell in love with the island and its friendly people, and decided to stay. Yea...Show More
4) E-12 - FOR FUKUI’S SAKE: TWO YEARS IN RURAL JAPAN by Sam Baldwin (2011, Baka Books)
Sam Baldwin chats about his life-changing two years as an English teacher on the JET Programme in the Japanese town of Ono, Fukui Prefecture. Snow-loving Sam made the most of his time in this backwood...Show More
5) E-11 - SHOOT, ASK... AND RUN! by Chris Stowers (2025, Earnshaw Books)
John talks with Taipei-based photographer Chris Stowers about his new book, “Shoot, Ask ... and Run!,” an account of his journalistic travels and life in Asia in the early 1990s. On this episode adven...Show More
6) E10 - 50 USEFUL TIPS ON CHINA: FROM A GUY WHO ALMOST GO IT by Ralph Jennings (Earnshaw Books, 2023)
Veteran East Asia journalist Ralph Jennings discusses his guide to understanding Chinese people and culture. His “Useful Tips” are better described as “insights,” as these are not your usual “Never st...Show More
7) E9 - THE MAN WHO MADE CHINA A LITERATE NATION – ZHOU YOUGUANG, FATHER OF THE PINYIN WRITING SYSTEM by Mark O’Neill (Joint Publishing H.K., 2023)
Zhou Youguang (周有光) was one of the creators of Hanyu Pinyin, a system of romanization for Chinese characters. Introduced to PRC elementary schools in the late 1950s, it was instrumental in improving C...Show More
8) E8 - THE GOOD LORD WILLING AND THE CREEK DON’T RISE: PENTIMENTO MEMORIES OF MOM AND ME by Robert Norris (Tin Gate, 2023)
Robert Norris has been in Japan since 1983, mostly in Dazaifu (near Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu). He retired from university teaching in 2016, returning once more to his passion of writing. The re...Show More
9) E7 - THE BARTER TRADE: A NOVEL by Chris Ruffle (Earnshaw Books, 2024)
Chris Ruffle returns to Bookish Asia (we covered his memoir A Decent Bottle of Wine in China in Episode 2) to discuss his autobiographical novel, which is set in Beijing in 1983. After decades of Cold...Show More
10) E6 - WHERE EVERY GHOST HAS A NAME: A MEMOIR OF TAIWAN INDEPENDENCE by Kim Liao (Rowman & Littlefield, 2024)
American Kim Liao describes unraveling her family’s mysterious history. Her grandfather was Taiwanese independence movement leader Thomas Liao (1910–1986); Kim, who grew up with family members and rel...Show More