Rephonic
Artwork for Books on Asia
Japan
Bitcoin
Mt. Gox
China
Yakuza
Japanese Literature
Taiwan
Tokyo Vice
Japanese Gardens
Japanese Media
Korea
Buddhism
Japanese Culture
Cryptocurrency Crimes
Satoshi Nakamoto
Shintoism
Heian Period
Translation
Edo Period
Hiromi Kawakami

Books on Asia is your guide to finding quality books on Japan and Asia, including travel, literature, current events, and culture. Explore Asia in-depth. Hosted by Amy Chavez.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes78Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & CulturePlaces & TravelBooks

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Artwork for Books on Asia

Latest Episodes

Amy Chavez talks with Jane Lawson about her book Secret Japan: An Insider's Guide to Deeper Travel in the World's Most Fascinating Country (Simon & Schuster, 2026).

Jane encourages people to get off the beaten track to discover the most amazing peop... more

Amy Chavez talks with Alex Kerr about his book Finding the Heart Sutra: Guided by a Magician, an Art Collector and Buddhist Sages from Tibet to Japan (Penguin U.K., 2020).

Kerr is the author of several books, including Lost Japan, Dogs and Demons, A... more

John talks to Anna Beth Keim about her acclaimed biography, Heaven Does Not Block All Roads: A History of Taiwan Through the Life of Huang Chin-tao. Huang Chin-tao (1926–2019) lived through every twist and turn of Taiwan’s turbulent twentieth century... more

Show Notes

Mike Freiling was born in San Francisco. His interest in poetry was first kindled in the mid-‘60’s, when he attended high school near the Haight Ashbury district, and attended readings by American Beat poets Gary Snyder, Allen Ginsberg, a... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Alex Kerr
Author and subject of the episode, based in Bangkok
Author, Finding the Heart Sutra
Episode: Replay: Alex Kerr on Finding the Heart Sutra
Anna Beth Keim
American journalist and writer
Episode: Anna Beth Keim: A History of Taiwan Through the Life of Huang Chin-tao
Michael Freiling
Translator of 100 Poems from Old Japan (Hyakunin Isshu)
Freiling Translation
Episode: Michael Freiling—100 Poems from Old Japan
Bruce Rutledge
Publisher and founder of Chin Music Press
Chin Music Press
Episode: Bruce Rutledge and Chin Music Press
Steven Herman
Author of Behind the White House Curtain; veteran journalist
Former Voice of America; Author
Episode: Steven Herman: Behind the White House Curtain
David Leffman
Travel writer and photographer, author of A Murder in Yunnan
Author, Books on Asia interviewee
Episode: David Leffman "A Murder in Yunnan"
Angus Waycott
Author and travel writer whose works include Sado, Island of Exile
Episode: Replay: Angus Waycott Walks Sado Island
Robert Norris
Author and long-time resident of Japan, memoirist and novelist
Author / Writer
Episode: Robert Norris on Living and Writing in Japan
Lee Moore
Author of China's Backstory, The History Beijing Doesn't Want You to Read
Author, Books on Asia topic expert
Episode: China's Backstory with Lee Moore

Host

John Ross
Interviewer and guide for interview segments; co-host in many episodes

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 19 ratings
  • Informed and insightful

    Having listened to all seven podcasts to date, all you need to know is that Amy Chavez is an informed and insightful interviewer. Five stars!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yet Another Vancouver Mike
    Canada5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Excellent for listeners who love deep dives into East Asian cultures and books
Thoughtful, informed interviews with a clear, curious host
High-quality guests and engaging literary discussions

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#136
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#221
New Zealand/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Anna Beth Keim: A History of Taiwan Through the Life of Huang Chin-tao
Q: The title, Heaven Does Not Block All Roads, a history of Taiwan through the life of Huang Chin-tao. Why choose a single life to tell a broad history?
A biography through Huang Chin-tao allows readers to understand major events—like 228 and the White Terror—through the choices of an ordinary person who navigated extraordinary circumstances, making the history approachable and human.
Steven Herman: Behind the White House Curtain
Q: Can you describe the dynamics of pool reporting on Air Force One and how you ensured timely communication with your desk?
Pool reporters shared responsibilities; we had to relay our observations quickly as aircraft processes demanded swift updates, often rushing to file between movements and ensuring our networks received the reports in real time.
Steven Herman: Behind the White House Curtain
Q: What was it like covering the Kobe earthquake and the Fukushima disaster, and how did you manage information in those crises?
Covering Kobe was surreal and chaotic, with sights of total destruction juxtaposed against pockets of normalcy; in Fukushima, the challenge was obtaining reliable data in a shifting situation, relying on local sources and cautious reporting to avoid misinformation.
Steven Herman: Behind the White House Curtain
Q: How did your early life and time in Japan shape your approach to journalism?
Early experiences in Japan, including live reporting and adapting to a different media landscape, instilled a practical, on-the-ground approach and a respect for cross-cultural understanding that guided my later work.
Bruce Rutledge and Chin Music Press
Q: You have a New Orleans book, right?
Yes, they published New Orleans titles after Hurricane Katrina, including an imprint called Broken Levee Books; although Asia-leaning overall, they maintain a catalog that includes regionally focused works.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Books on Asia

What is Books on Asia about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on non-fiction and literary explorations of Asia, with a strong emphasis on Japan. Episodes frequently feature author interviews, translations, and deep dives into cultural history, travel writing, and how literature intersects with place. Guests range from travel journalists to translators and scholars, offering accessible storytelling that sheds light on regional histories, contemporary culture, and the ways books shape understanding of Asia. A few standout threads include guided tours of specific places (gardens, islands, guidebooks), careful translations of Japanese literature, and thoughtful conversations about memory, identity, and cross-cultural exchange. The show is particularly notable for its characterful host wh... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Books on Asia:

1. 99% Invisible
2. On the Media
3. In Our Time
4. History of Japan
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of Books on Asia are there?

Books on Asia launched 5 years ago and published 78 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Books on Asia?

Recent guests on Books on Asia include:

1. Alex Kerr
2. Anna Beth Keim
3. Michael Freiling
4. Bruce Rutledge
5. Steven Herman
6. David Leffman
7. Angus Waycott
8. Robert Norris

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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