O.C. readers spend Lunar New Year with author Kevin Kwan

Author Kevin Kwan laughed as he shared his mother’s concern for the turnout of his special appearance in Orange County, since the event fell on Lunar New Year. Kevin Kwan, author of “Crazy Rich Asians,” discussed his latest book, “Lies and Weddings,” and other upcoming projects with journalist Jennifer Tanaka at the Norma Hertzog Community Center in Costa Mesa. If Hollywood studios don’t want to involve me, then they are not going to get to do this.” Author Kevin Kwan at the OC Public Libraries event series, “A Slice of Literary Orange.” Readers have gravitated to Kwan’s storytelling for its insight into modern, albeit lavish, Asian culture, but they have also found themselves pulled in by his knowledge and colorful description of popular foods from Singapore, Malaysia and Hawaii. “Barely two hours later, Arabella found herself at a table on the glorious outdoor terrace of Rosina’s rooftop garden suite, alternately sipping champagne and chrysanthemum tea and enjoying a simple lunch of flame blue lobster with caviar, Sichuan-style mapo tofu with minced Iberico pork, lacquered abalone with ginger and butter and lime, lotus roots with seasonal vegetables and golden garlic, braised boneless beef ribs flambe with wine, goji berries and radish in a stone pot and wok-fired rice noodles with wagyu beef and bok choy in a silky egg gravy,” Kwan read. “Start with a page a day, and in a year you will have a book.” Copies of author Kevin Kwan’s latest release, “Lies and Weddings.” “A Slice of Literary Orange” series has more keynote speakers lined up throughout the year, including Erika L. Sánchez, author of the New York Times bestseller “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” on Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Clifton C. Miller Community Center in Tustin and national best-selling author ReShonda Tate on Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Norma Hertzog Community Center in Costa Mesa.