https://amzn.to/39fKkE3
Not THAT Rich looks like an exciting story. Compared to Gossip Girl and Crazy Rich Asians, what can you tell us a little about it?
I wrote Not THAT Rich through the lens of being the book that I wish I had as a high schooler. Growing up, there wasn’t much Asian American representation in pop culture, and even when there was an Asian American actor on TV or in a book, I felt like it didn’t reflect my own experience of being a second-generation daughter of Chinese immigrants. I wanted to write a book that encompassed the glitz and glam I sought out in books growing up (like Gossip Girl and The Clique) but also gave readers a glimpse into the diversity of perspectives and experiences that can be found in the world of being Asian American (like Crazy Rich Asians to a certain extent, despite being set in Singapore).
Most importantly, I wanted the book to be fun. Young adults already have so much on their minds these days from juggling family, friends, education, and just being a teenager. The heaviness cast on 2020 by the pandemic and political turmoil made it even more important for me to write a lighthearted and juicy book that helped readers escape into a satirical world. It ultimately became a delicate balance of being a cerebral read while also still drawing out reflections about identity, motivations, and consequences.
Congratulations on making it as a #1 New Release on Amazon. What about the book do you think makes it such a big hit?
This is a tough question because I wish I knew as well, then I can make it an even bigger hit *laughs*. I think everyone has their own reason for liking the book but what I’ve heard the most often is that despite how “extra” and dramatic some characters and scenes are – the book is relatable. The emotions, cultural adversities, familial tension, miscommunications in friendship, and educational pressures all strike a chord in the reader in some way or another.
What inspired you when writing Not THAT Rich?
Not THAT Rich is inspired by a lot of stories, scenery, people and experiences that I witnessed growing up in an Asian American suburban bubble. There are parts of the book that are exaggerated (like having a $2 million dollar teddy bear, which is only found in a museum in South Korea), but the intense drive for monetary and educational success, the struggles of managing a multicultural identity, and the awkwardness of young love are all things I either experienced or saw firsthand in my own life.
There are quite a few characters in your book with different backgrounds and perspectives. Can you tell us a little bit about them?
Because my book is arranged in chapters with alternating perspectives of characters from the elite private high school, Winchester High, it might be easier to go down the list of them one-by-one:
Hunter Wang – He’s the popular and athletic overachiever who has a bullseye target on getting into Stanford. Tall, handsome, and smart, he’s also dating the most popular girl on campus – Sierra Jones. His obsession with college admissions drives him to take actions that cause many regrets in Not THAT Rich.
Trisha Wang – The goody two shoes perfectionist who has a massive crush on the new kid, Ray Martinez. She’s the younger sister of Hunter and while more practical than him in love, she struggles to maintain her straining friendship with her best friend, Pamela Shah.
