Nest of Tongues: A Book Launch With Randy Ribay

Saturday, August 15, 2026 2-4 pm FREE Join us for a conversation with National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author Randy Ribay about his newest YA novel, Nest of Tongues, a story about Filipino American teenage siblings/manananggals trying to survive as they’re hunted down by a legendary Filipino monster slayer. This event will begin with a preview of filmmaker Ara Chawdhury’s Marichin Marukoy: Mangayo Ko’g Asin/Can I Ask For Salt, an animated series about a baby shapeshifter, born into a world shaped by ancient Visayan animism. She must navigate monsters, memory, and mistrust to discover the true power of being different—and the fragile magic of her disappearing homeland. Presented by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center in partnership with East Wind Books and Sama-Sama Cooperative. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free to attend, but registration is requested. Praise for Nest of Tongues “A riveting, unputdownable contemporary take on Filipino folklore with a deliciously sharp bite.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review “It’s a page-turning murder mystery anchored by a heartwarming portrayal of siblinghood.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review “Ribay delivers an utterly unique take on Filipino folklore…a riveting crash course on Filipino mythology and history.” —Booklist, starred review “A horror story about vampires, relationships, friendship, and protecting your community that lovers of the paranormal will deeply enjoy.” —School Library Journal Register for Free Tickets ABOUT THE AUTHOR Randy Ribay writes stories for young people and the young at heart. He’s the author of Patron Saints of Nothing; Everything We Never Had; Avatar, the Last Airbender: The Reckoning of Roku; and more. He’s a two-time National Book Award nominee, a co-winner of the Michael L. Printz award, and a recipient of the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association book award and the Boston Globe-Horn Book award. His books have appeared on the New York Times, Indie, and USA Today best-sellers lists. Photo by Leopaldo Macaya ABOUT THE FILMMAKER Ara Chawdhury is a Bisaya Bengali immigrant translator, filmmaker, and theater maker. Her film Miss Bulalacao screened at the YBCA’s 2016 Best of Philippine Cinema program in San Francisco. She staged a devised multimedia play, Maldisyon, in San Jose for the More Mas Marami company and self published the Cebuano English children’s book, Marichin Marukoy, Mangayo Ko’g Asin (May I Have Salt) which she is currently adapting into a stop motion film.