Author Talk: Useful Phrases for Immigrants

by May-lee Chai

Celebrate May-lee Chai's latest short story collection Useful Phrases for Immigrants. In the title story of this timely and innovative collection, a young woman wearing a Prada coat attempts to redeem a coupon for plastic storage bins while her in-laws are at home watching the Chinese news and taking her private phone calls. It May-lee Chai

is the lively and wise juxtaposition of cultures, generations, and emotions that characterize May-lee Chai's amazing stories. With hearts that break and sometimes mend, with families who fight and sometimes forgive, the timely stories in Useful Phrases for Immigrants illuminate complicated lives with empathy and passion.

Photo: Bob Hsiang

"With insight, compassion, and clarity, Chai vividly illustrates the reverberations of migration--both physical and psychological; between countries, cities, and generations; and within families and individuals. You won't forget these characters." --Lisa Ko, author of The Leavers

Upcoming Events

Author Talk: Cara Black: Tuesday, July 23, 2019, 6:30 pm
Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Rms A & B
Author Talk: Vanessa Hua, A River of Stars: Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 6:00 pm
Main Library, Koret Auditorium
Mandarin Story Time: Tuesday, July 30, 2019, 11:15 am
Ingleside, Ingleside Meeting Room

More related events

Upcoming Classes

Conversational Mandarin Group: Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 10:00 am
Main Library, Chinese Center
Wednesday Afternoon Tai Chi with Patrick Lau: Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 1:30 pm
Presidio, Presidio Meeting Room
Wednesday Afternoon Tai Chi with Patrick Lau: Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 2:45 pm
Presidio, Presidio Meeting Room

More related classes

Current Exhibits

Thread that Connects: Through Thursday, August 1, 2019
Main Library, International Center