Unboxing the Influencer Life

This week, we're diving into a debut thriller that's frothy, funny, and unhinged in the best way. Liann Zhang joins me for a laugh-out-loud conversation about her new novel, Julie Chan Is Dead—a genre-blending con-artist thriller about identical twin sisters whose lives split in dramatically different directions… until one of them winds up dead.When the authorities mistake Julie for her famous sister, she makes a bold choice: to step into Chloe's perfectly curated shoes and steal her life. What follows is a fast-paced, satirical exploration of influencer culture, viral content, and the dark side of social media fame.In the spirit of the influencer theme, we share the most bizarre influencer swag we've ever received before digging into how a pandemic-fueled fascination with influencer culture allowed Liann to take a break from her dreams of writing about the Ming Dynasty.We also talk about what it's like to write a morally murky protagonist, the grotesque cult subplot that takes things to the next level, and why this book just might be Bunny meets Yellowface with a touch of The Bling Ring.In this fun conversation, Liann and I discuss:How Liann pivoted from writing about the Ming Dynasty to a con-artist thrillerWhy influencer culture during the pandemic was the perfect satirical settingCreating the character of Julie: an intriguing anti-heroine who fully leans into her morally gray side.The ongoing need for critical consumption of influencer content📚 BONUS BOOK LIST: Books About TwinsCan I parent-trap you into a new book list? If Julie Chan Is Dead got you hooked on stories about sisters and identity swaps, don't miss this week's themed list on Books About Twins. You'll find chilling mysteries, psychological thrillers, and heart-tugging literary fiction that explore the unique dynamics only twins can share!📚 Book Club Reminder:Don't forget—our next MomAdvice Book Club meeting is on May 30th at 8 PM ET, and we'll discuss Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino. We can't wait to hear your thoughts on this surreal and moving novel during our community conversation!🎧 LET'S CONNECT: What's your favorite twin-themed book? Tap the comment feature on Spotify and share your pick—I'd love to hear from you!📝 Love this episode? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts—it's a free way to support the show and help more readers discover our conversations.Meet Liann ZhangLiann Zhang is a second-generation Chinese Canadian who splits her time between Vancouver, British Columbia and Toronto, Ontario. After a short stint as a skincare content creator, she graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in psychology and criminology. Julie Chan Is Dead is her first novel.Mentioned in this episode:Download Today's Show TranscriptJoin the May Book Club Chat (Beautyland)Julie Chan is Dead by Liann ZhangAnna DelveyApple Cider VinegarJulie Chan is Dead PR boxBookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches 10% to independent bookstores!Connect With Us:Join the Book Gang PatreonConnect with Liann on Instagram or her WebsiteConnect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdviceGet My Happy List NewsletterGet the Daily Kindle Deals NewsletterBuy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)