In writing "When We Fell Apart," notable new novelist Soon Wiley has masterfully woven a story where his two protagonists come from very different experiences and places, yet share the struggle to carve out their own identities. Set in modern-day Seoul, it's also a love letter to Korea itself, but one that doesn't pull any punches.

Filmmaker Kate Tsang's inaugural creation "Marvelous and the Black Hole" has already garnered rave reviews at the Sundance Film Festival and from a bevy of stellar critics. It's about a rebellious 13-year-old (Miya Cech) who's struggling with the loss of her mother, only to embark on an adventure with a children's party magician (Rhea Perlman).

Austrian sinologist Regina Larko launched her Hashtag Impact podcast while living and working in Hong Kong. She herself is a person of impact, and she has populated her show with a variety of people who are also making a difference in the world. Of course, all this talk about making an impact led to our facing our mortality by living more purposefully.

Podcaster and author Sheena Yap Chan has amassed well over a million downloads in her mission to spotlight courageous Asian women, and to encourage Asian women everywhere to cultivate greater self-confidence.