BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press
A fun look at fiction and non-fiction on East Asia and further afield. Hosts John Ross and Eryk Michael Smith (co-founders of Plum Rain Press and the Formosa Files Taiwan history podcast) share their love of this fascinating region by exploring the best books on Asia’s culture and history.
Recent Episodes
Nov. 25, 2025
E-16 - THE WONDROUS ELIXIR OF THE TWO CHINESE LOVERS by Tim McGirk (Plum Rain Press, 2025)
The first emperor of China dispatched a Taoist priest named Xu Fu to bring back the elixir of immortality. Xu Fu and his fleet vanished. Some legends say he settled in Japan. In Tim McGirk's novel, Xu Fu goes beyond Japan, tr...
July 31, 2025
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 himself in Sukhan’s toughest p...
May 26, 2025
E-14-CHINA RUNNING DOG by Mark Kitto
China Running Dog by Mark Kitto Controversial China figure and author Mark Kitto chats with John about his new novel, China Running Do g, set in the days of peak Shanghai Fever. It’s a brilliant novel and arguably more reveal...
May 22, 2025
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. Years later, looking for a b...
Feb. 6, 2025
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 backwoods location, especially du...
Jan. 5, 2025
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 adventures are discussed, th...