Past Events
Bay Area Book Festival: Memoir Panel
Sunday, June 1, 2025
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
The Marsh Theater — Downtown Berkeley
2120 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
DETAILS
Join Susan on a panel of fellow memoirists, Abby Reyes (Truth Demands: A Memoir of Murder, Oil Wars, and the Rise of Climate Justice) and Eirinie Carson (The Dead are Gods), in conversation with librarian and public historian Dorothy Lazard. This discussion will explore the process of documenting long-buried truths that shape us in our grief.
This event is free to the public with no registration required.
Life After Loss: Susan Lieu & Genevieve Kingston
Saturday, May 31, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Book Passage - Corte Madera
51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera, CA 94925
DETAILS
Join us for a special conversation between two authors who have led parallel lives. Susan Lieu, author of The Manicurist's Daughter, and Genevieve Kingston, author of Did I Ever Tell You, both grew up in Sonoma County and lost their mothers at age 11. Join them in conversation with journalist Katia Savchuk to discuss themes of grief, family relationships, and life after loss.
Registration is not required to attend.
Susan in San Francisco!
Thursday, May 29, 2025
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore
3036 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
DETAILS
Join us for an evening at Medicine for Nightmares where Susan will present a reading from her memoir, followed by a moderated conversation, audience Q&A, and book signing.
While this is a free event, we ask that you register in advance.
Susan in Santa Barbara!
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
KAAREM
1221 State St #14, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
DETAILS
Join Susan in conversation with SuChin Pak as we dive into themes of grief, healing, and identity in The Manicurist’s Daughter. Reading followed by a moderated conversation, audience Q&A, and book signing. Books available for purchase onsite!
While this is a free event, we ask that you register in advance.
Susan in Portland!
Thursday, May 22, 2025
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Literary Arts
716 SE Grand Ave Portland, OR 97214
DETAILS
Literary Arts and Dougy Center present Susan Lieu.
Susan will be in conversation with Jana DeCristofaro, the Advocacy & Education Manager at Dougy Center and host of the Grief Out Loud podcast.
Although this is a free event, we kindly ask to RSVP in advance.
Sonoma County Office of Education AAPI Heritage Celebration
Wednesday, May 21st, 2025
Private Event
The Sonoma County Office of Education is hosting Susan at their Teacher Learning Center in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month.
Susan in Minneapolis!
Tuesday, May 20th, 2025
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Moon Palace Books
3032 Minnehaha Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55406
DETAILS
Join Moon Palace Books and author Susan Lieu on Tuesday, May 20th at 6:00pm for a discussion of her new book The Manicurist's Daughter. Susan will be joined in conversation by Jamie Kalakaru-Mava. The reading and discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A and signing.
Susan in Salt Lake City!
Thursday, May 8th, 2025
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Salt Lake City Public Library — Glendale Branch (Meeting Rooms A & B)
1375 Concord Street, Salt Lake City, UT, 84104
DETAILS
Join us at the Glendale Branch in conversation with Vietnamese-American author Susan Lieu as she discusses her memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter.
The King's English Bookshop will be onsite during the event selling copies of Susan's memoir.
Please register for this free event!
Susan in Louisville!
Wednesday, May 7th, 2025
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Americana World Community Center
4801 Southside Drive Louisville, KY 40214
DETAILS
Join us at Americana World Community Center to be in conversation with Susan. She will present a reading from her memoir, followed by a moderated conversation, audience Q&A, and book signing. Books will be available for purchase.
All proceeds for this event will be split between Susan and Americana World Community Center to keep the arts alive. We appreciate your support.
Susan in Nashville!
Tuesday, May 6th, 2025
6:30 PM
Parnassus Books
3900 Hillsboro Pike Suite 14, Nashville, TN 37215
DETAILS
Parnassus Books is pleased to welcome Susan Lieu to celebrate the paperback release of her memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter, in conversation with author Lauren Kung Jessen.
Because space is limited, registration is required to attend.
Virtual Author Chat w/ @LBtheLoverofBooks
Monday, May 5, 2025
5:00 PM PST
Zoom - Register via Facebook Events Below
DETAILS
Join book lover and seasoned interviewer, Laura Beth Vietor for a virtual author chat with Susan! This is the perfect way to kick off AAPI month.
Click going/interested on the Facebook event to receive Zoom notifications.
Susan in Seattle!
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
7:30 PM
Town Hall Seattle
1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
DETAILS
In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, Susan will be joined in conversation with Quynh Pham, Executive Director of the Friends of Little Sài Gòn, to talk about Susan’s memoir, The Manicurist’s Daughter.
Susan in DC!
Saturday, April 26, 2025
2:30 - 4:00 PM
American University Campus
Hughes Formal Lounge
4400 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20016
DETAILS
Join Susan in conversation with Thu Nguyen, Executive Director of OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates, to discuss The Manicurist’s Daughter and Susan’s story. This event is in collaboration with Asian Networks Association.
Finding the venue:
Hughes Formal Lounge is located in Hughes Hall (4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016). Once you enter Hughes Hall, the lounge is straight ahead. There will also be a front desk person to assist if there are any questions.
Virtual Event:
We Are Not OK —Motherhood, Mental Health, and the Quest to Break Intergenerational Trauma
Monday, April 21, 2025
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Zoom - Registration Required
DETAILS
Join us for a virtual fireside chat featuring Vietnamese-American storyteller Susan Lieu and award-winning filmmaker Elizabeth Ai. Through their unique lenses, they explore themes of identity, resilience, and intergenerational trauma. Susan Lieu, known for her powerful solo performances and memoir The Manicurist's Daughter, delves into personal narratives of loss and healing. Elizabeth Ai, celebrated for her documentary New Wave, captures the vibrant spirit of 1980s Vietnamese-American youth culture while addressing deeper cultural and emotional layers. Together, they offer a compelling dialogue on storytelling, heritage, and the power of art to bridge generations.
Zoom link will be emailed upon registration.
“140 LBS” Screening & Discussion in Santa Rosa
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
5:15 PM - 8:00 PM
Maria Carrillo High School Theater
6975 Montecito Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95409
DETAILS
Join AAPIC for a special evening featuring Susan Lieu's powerful one-woman show, 140 LBS Susan will share her Vietnamese family's experience with escaping their country and the trauma in an immigrant family's life.
After the screening, Susan will hold a discussion and Q&A about her story.
Tickets:
$20 for adults and non-students
Free for students, registration required
This program is hosted by AAPIC NextGen, Maria Carrillo High School Book Club, and Maria Carrillo High School Asian Club, and sponsored by CAAPLE - California Association of Asian & Pasifika Leaders in Education.
Susan @ Sonoma State University
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Rohnert Park, CA
Private Event
The HUB Cultural Center and Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Student Achievement Program (ASAP) at Sonoma State University (SSU) will host author, Susan Lieu, as a guest lecturer in the ASAP Lecture Series Program in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon.
Susan @ Microsoft: Asians in Marketing
Monday, March 31, 2025
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Redmond, CA
Private Event
Susan joins Asian Microsoft employees at Microsoft headquarters focusing on the Asian American experience and body image in commemoration of Women’s History Month. Interview, Q&A, and book signing.
Literary Lions Gala
Saturday, March 15, 2025
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Bellevue Library, Bellevue, WA 98004
DETAILS
A night of “literacy and legacy” to raise vital funds for the King County Library Foundation while honoring local authors and celebrating the art and power of storytelling. Join us for a festive evening of live music, mingling with 20 Literary Lions (including Susan!), Makerspace activities, signature cocktails and mocktails, hearty hors d'oeuvres, and much more. Authors will be available to sign books. Keynote speaker is Susan Orlean, author of The Orchid Thief and MC is Jay Martin Jr, National PBS Host.