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Must-read novels by Asian American authors
Fiction that celebrates and honors the many cultures within the AAPI community.
Опубликовано 03 мая 2024
The Sympathizer: A Novel (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)
Viet Thanh NguyenNot only was “The Sympathizer” the breakout book of 2015, it was also author Nguyen’s (Vietnamese American) debut novel — extremely impressive for a story that took home the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the Andrew Carnegie Medal For Literary Excellence, and the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. And now, in 2024, it’s a miniseries from HBO/A24 directed by Park Chan-wook (“The Handmaiden”) and starring Hoa Xuande (“Cowboy Bebop”). This captivating tale follows a spy torn between worlds during and after the Vietnam War and explores themes like identity, allegiance, colonialism, and more.
Land of Big Numbers: Stories
Te-Ping ChenWhat do you think you know about China? Prepare to have your assumptions thrown for a loop with these short stories from journalist Te-Ping Chen (Chinese American). Throughout the collection, all characters are searching for something bigger, something better; a way into the communist party, a way out of the communist party; something to curb the idea of American exceptionalism, to show that it’s paved the way for Chinese greatness. “Land of Big Numbers” blurs the lines between the East and the West and employs magical realism in low doses, making the reader question what’s real and what’s a product of Chinese censors and American stereotypes.
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy: A Novel
Jamie FordFord’s (Chinese American) not-quite-time-travel novel soars back and forth and in-between the 1830s and the 2040s, exploring intergenerational connections — the good, the bad, the traumatic, and the ecstatic. This stirring novel explores the uncanny links in the lives of a nurse in WWII, a dating app developer in the present day, a poet laureate in the future, and more — all descendants of Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman in America.
Nuclear Family
Joseph Han“Nuclear Family” follows the Chos, a Korean American family from Hawaii. When Jacob Cho is caught sneaking into North Korea while teaching English abroad, his parents balance shame and fear over their son’s actions, not realizing he’s been possessed by the spirit of his late grandfather. Han’s fantastical debut uses magical realism to address loneliness, immigrant struggles, and the weight of family obligations. The National Book Foundation named Korean American Han among their 2022 “5 Under 35.”
The Space Between Us: A Novel
Thrity UmrigarIndian American novelist and journalist Umrigar delivers a deeply moving story about the bond between a wealthy widow and her loyal maid. Despite knowing one another for 20 years and the heartaches and losses that bring them together, socioeconomic and cultural barriers create a painfully tangible space between them that prevents a true and genuine friendship.
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe
Charles YuWhere are all the quantum physics and time-travel story-loving nerds? This post-modern science fiction novel from Charles Yu (Taiwanese American) could not be more for you. Every sci-fi trope receives a hilarious spin in this existential crisis of a novel.
The Only Living Girl on Earth
Charles YuIf you can’t get enough of Charles Yu’s writing, check out this Scribd Original. The National Book Award winner welcomes you to Earth: The Gift Shop, where the history of Earth: A Bunch of Civilizations has been commodified into knick knacks sold by the last living soul on this planet, Jane. A witty and absurd tale about the destruction of Earth, the survival of capitalism, and the strength of the human spirit.
The Joy Luck Club
Amy TanOn the surface, “The Joy Luck Club” is about four women meeting weekly to play mahjong. But once you dive in, you’ll soon find it’s a powerful and emotional story of immigrants finding community in a new country and bonding over shared aspirations for their children. This story of mothers and daughters — inspired by stories from Tan’s (Chinese American) own mother — is relatable and heartfelt, with complex characters.
The Committed
Viet Thanh NguyenThe long-awaited sequel to Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Sympathizer” does not disappoint. Set off the tourist path in the immigrant neighborhoods of 1980s Paris, the nameless narrator continues his quest for revolution, but finds himself caught up in the capitalist market of drug dealing. “The Committed” is a serious triple threat: a look at the aftereffects of colonization, funny satire, AND a gripping crime thriller.
Interpreter Of Maladies: A Pulitzer Prize Winner
Jhumpa LahiriJhumpa Lahiri (Bengali American) is a sensitive observer of the micro relationships that form between strangers in different situations: a tour, a dinner party, a tutoring session. These are stories that linger, that become a part of you.
White Ivy: A Novel
Susie YangThe debut novel from Susie Yang (Chinese American) is the propulsive story of a woman’s dark obsession with her rich classmate. Young Ivy Lin learned a lot from her grandmother — like how to lie and steal. But when her mother catches her, Ivy gets sent back to China, shattering her American dreams. As an adult, Ivy returns to the WASPy Boston suburb of her youth where she’ll do anything to get close to glamorous “golden boy” Gideon.
Stories of Your Life and Others
Ted ChiangTed Chiang (Chinese American) is a sci-fi master capable of making the alien feel entirely human — his characters and worlds read like fantasy but feel like truth. Each story in this collection (which includes the one that inspired the movie “Arrival”) begs a momentary meditation on the meaning of life before going on.
Miracle Creek: A Novel
Angie KimThis Edgar Award winner is an engrossing legal drama and psychological thriller about the challenges faced by parents of special needs children and immigrants alike. When a hyperbaric chamber treating many people with various conditions explodes and kills two, it’s immediately clear that someone blew it up on purpose. The novel shows different characters’ questionable perspectives throughout the murder trial. Korean author Angie Kim, once a trial lawyer herself, conveys the courtroom tension with expert skill.
Girls Burn Brighter: A Novel
Shobha Rao“Girls Burn Brighter” is a stunning story about the power of friendship to survive even the worst hardships. Poornima and Savitha are poor and live in rural India working together in an attempt to make ends meet. A terrible incident tears them apart, but doesn’t put out their fire. Author Shobha Rao is Indian American.
The Night Tiger: A Novel
Yangsze ChooSet in 1930s Malaysia, this sophomore novel from Yangsze Choo (Chinese American) has generated a lot of buzz and was selected for Reese Witherspoon’s book club. There’s something here for everyone: A little bit of mystery and a touch of magic as the destinies of two characters collide.
The Love Match
Priyanka TaslimAccording to Bangladeshi American teacher and writer Taslim, “The Love Match” is a love letter to diaspora communities featuring an almost entirely South Asian cast. Despite increasing pressure from her family to marry the wealthy and aloof Harun, Zahra is determined to live life on her own terms and pursue a relationship with Nayim. Fake dating shenanigans, a love triangle, and meddling aunties make Taslim’s YA rom-com a delightful, swoonworthy read.
My Nemesis
Charmaine CraigIntellectual sparks fly between successful writers Charlie and Tessa. It’s too bad they’re both already married. Tessa’s obvious disdain for Charlie’s wife is fuelled by both jealousy and her perception of Wah as insufficiently feminist and weak. Things come to a head when Tessa angrily labels Wah as “an insult to womankind” — an outburst that leads to lasting repercussions for both couples. Craig, an actress and writer of mixed Korean and Jewish background, writes a spare and tense novel that dives into the complexities of motherhood, femininity, and marriage.
Days of Distraction: A Novel
Alexandra ChangAlexandra Chang’s debut novel draws heavily from her experience writing short stories, and also just from her life in general. It tells the story of a Chinese American woman who’s constantly trying to blend in with the crowd.
Searching for Sylvie Lee: A Novel
Jean KwokA favorite with celebrity book clubs when it first dropped in 2019 (Jenna Bush Hager and Emma Roberts both picked it), this mystery’s every bit as good today. A family trip goes horribly wrong when a sibling ends up missing. Jean Kwok (Chinese American) dazzles readers with an unputdownable thriller that’s also a love letter to sisters and immigrant families.
We Could Be Heroes
Mike ChenTwo archrival super(anti)heroes walk into a memory loss support group. Mind Robber (aka Jamie Sorenson) and Throwing Star (aka Zoe Wong) put their differences aside when Jamie agrees to use his mind manipulation powers to restore Zoe’s memories if she helps him pull off a banger of a bank robbery. But, things get complicated — in the best sort of way. You won’t want to forget a minute of this charming, quirky adventure from sci-fi star Mike Chen (Chinese American).
Snow Hunters: A Novel
Paul YoonPaul Yoon (Korean American) takes you on a short but meditative journey in this novel about a former Korean War captive who makes his way to Brazil and becomes an apprentice to a Japanese tailor. Everyday delights are captured with a rare beauty and grace.
Four Treasures of the Sky: A Novel
Jenny Tinghui ZhangDaiyu’s dreams come to a screeching halt when she’s kidnapped and smuggled from China to America. Forced to endure unimaginable hardships, her will to survive is at times the only thing that keeps her going. Compelling, tragic, and interspersed with moments of magical realism, Zhang’s (Chinese American) debut novel draws on the infamous Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. A beautifully written novel that will both break your heart and take your breath away.
The Book of M: A Novel
Peng ShepherdSet in the much too near-future, an epidemic is spreading across the globe robbing people of their shadows and memories, while leaving dangerous magic in its wake. Desperate to escape the Forgetting, a couple takes to the road in a twisty, terrifying journey. A riveting, unsettling apocalyptic novel that celebrates the human connections that make us who we are. For fans of “Station Eleven.”
If You Leave Me: A Novel
Crystal Hana KimA lyrical, moving tale about star-crossed lovers and a woman trying to find her own way. This debut from Crystal Hana Kim (Korean American) explores the repercussions of the Korean War across multiple generations.
Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment
Arushi AvachatAvachat’s (Indian American) YA rom-com is reminiscent of a Bollywood movie (including an intermission) and all the more fun for it. Arya’s complicated family dynamics become extra tense in the lead-up to her sister’s wedding. Meanwhile, she’s dealing with drama at school — including a dissolving friend group and having to work with Dean, who beat her out for class president. But to Arya’s surprise, Dean may be more of a supporter than a rival.
The Last Bloodcarver
Vanessa LeAs a bloodcarver, Nhika is considered a monster, feared and hunted for her ability to manipulate blood and body systems. When she’s captured and sold to a wealthy family who need her powers, Nhika becomes entangled in a murder mystery that tests her loyalties and sense of self. This YA duology opener unfolds against a backdrop of intrigue and romance, with Le (Vietnamese American) infusing her richly imagined world with Vietnamese cultural influences.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Jenny HanThis sweet and funny fan-favorite novel by Han (Korean American) highlights sisterly bonds and young love. Teenager Lara Jean writes letters to the crushes she’s trying to get over, never intending to mail them. So when the letters accidentally wind up in each recipient’s hands, Lara Jean enters a fake dating scheme to cover her feelings for one boy in particular.
Yolk
Mary H. K. ChoiMary H.K. Choi (Korean American) stole our hearts with #OwnVoices YA romances “Emergency Contact” and “Permanent Record.” In “Yolk,” Choi writes about two sisters, Jayne and June Baek, who were once close but have drifted apart since high school. Older sister June is a perfect workaholic; Jayne seeks approval in all the wrong places. They’ve both made their way from Korea to Texas to New York, but still hardly see each other — until June gets horribly sick. Choi really takes her tender storytelling to the next level here, and “Yolk” might just be the best of her amazing book covers yet.
A Pho Love Story
Loan LeAn #OwnVoices story about Linh Mai and Bảo Nguyễn, two Vietnamese American kids whose families own rival phở restaurants. Linh and Bảo finally have a real conversation, which starts one of the year’s cutest star-crossed romances. “A Phở Love Story” will warm your heart (and definitely make you want a bowl of phở!).
When Dimple Met Rishi
Sandhya MenonUnbeknownst to Dimple, who believes she’s been freed from the shackles of tradition, her parents only send her to a summer coding bootcamp so she can meet Rishi, whom they’ve arranged for her to marry. Dimple, of course, is not totally on board with this plan. But watching Dimple and Rishi genuinely fall for each other over the summer is the sweet, sweet romance we all need. Author Sandhya Menon is Indian American.
Prophecy
Ellen OhInfluenced by Korean folklore, “Prophecy” stars a demon slaying warrior princess on a quest to save her ancient kingdom. But as the only woman in her country’s army, Kira faces disgust and ostracization from the very people she risks her life to protect. A heart-pounding coming-of-age story, this YA historical fantasy adventure will have you cheering for its fierce heroine as she sets out to save the world.
Hello, Universe: A Newbery Award Winner
Erin Entrada KellyThe story spans just a single day, but this 2018 Newbery Medal winner encapsulates universal truths about bullying and self-acceptance through its four diverse protagonists. Author Erin Entrada Kelly is Filipino American.
The Serpent's Secret: Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond, Book 1
Sayantani DasGuptaInspired by Bengali folktales, this one’s for anyone who loves the likes of Rick Riordan. Sayantani DasGupta (Indian American) has written an extraordinary series with one of the coolest (and funniest) sixth graders around (who doubles as a demon slayer; no big deal). We’re absolutely in love with the cover art, too.
The Thing About Luck
Cynthia KadohataA look at rural living from Newbery Medalist Cynthia Kadohata (Japanese American). Summer has only bad luck one year when she almost dies of malaria and she has to live with her grandparents while her mom and dad are called back to Japan to take care of other elderly relatives. She holds out hope that her luck will change and chronicles a series of misadventures and misfortunes in her journal.
How High We Go in the Dark: A Novel
Sequoia NagamatsuWhile a grim read, “How High We Go in the Dark” offers glimpses of the power of the human spirit. In the near future, archeologists uncover the remains of an ancient girl, inadvertently awakening the dormant virus that killed her and unleashing it into the modern world. The following stories, independent but subtly connected, reveal the fallout and the end of mankind as we know it. Japanese American author Nagamatsu has stated that Asian and Asian American representation in his latest novel was made all the more urgent to him following increased anti-Asian sentiment resulting from the pandemic.