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.
What makes Japan such a good country to explore by bicycle? John Ross talks with longtime Japan resident Tom Gibb about the 2,500-km journey behind his new book, Charinko, published by Plum Rain Press.
Tom set off spectacularly underprepared: he had never done a long-distance cycling trip, knew almost nothing about bicycle maintenance, and was riding a decidedly unfashionable bike. Somehow, it carried him from Kyushu through western Japan and back towards his home in Ibaraki.
The conversation ranges from mountain roads, roadside camping and nightly onsen visits to Japan’s ubiquitous convenience stores, the pleasures of getting off the tourist trail, and the remarkable kindness Tom encountered along the way. They also discuss how travelling – alone and setting himself the challenge of having a conversation every day – helped Tom turn a cycling adventure into an immersion course in Japanese language and culture.
And if you want more Tom and John, check out their companion conversation on the Books on Asia podcast. You can support the podcast and press by buying the ebook, either on Plum Rain Press or Amazon.
27 Sept 2026
SPECIAL SERIES: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – Ep. 10
With Episode 10 we’ve reached the end of our journey through Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s Three Tribes. Rather than give too much away about the novel’s final chapters here, we simply want to say thank you to everyone who has followed along with us. And special thanks to Scott Crawford for his help (learn more about his work at: www.scottforbescrawford.com (http://www.scottforbescrawford.com/))
And although this is the end for Maria, Chen Ze, and Uma, it isn’t quite the end of the story for us. We are working on a historical drama series called Plunder Isle, which is also set in Taiwan’s wild 1600s. And if you have any suggestions for future book read-along series, let us know. Happy reading.
E-book: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-book (https://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa-e-book)
Paperback / Collector’s Edition: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback (https://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa)
23 Sept 2026
SPECIAL SERIES: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – Ep 9
Things move quickly as various threads come together in this gripping episode. The Dutch colony is nearing its end. Maria Hambroeck learns the fate of her family.
If you’ve come this far in our trial ten-part series, we’re very grateful. Thanks. And just in case you want to buy the book (to read along or for a friend):
E-book: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-book (https://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa-e-book)
Paperback / Collector’s Edition: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback (https://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa)
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