Asian hate has been escalating exponentially. A lot in part probably due to our need to constantly blame someone for the bad things that happen. Much as we interned all Asian Americans during WWII we have lashed out at Asian Americans because of the pandemic's country of origin. Asians are not to blame for this deadly virus and it's honestly appalling to read the news and hear of so many tragic and senseless deaths. There’s a deadly virus, our previous president did not take it seriously, our country was vastly unprepared to handle a virus of this magnitude. In short if you need someone to blame, blame the people in power who failed us, not the random Asian you happen to see on the street...it’s not their fault.
I have not read every single one of these books, some I’ve read, some I’ve heard about, some I found today while researching books for this list. I am always open and excited to get additional suggestions, and hear comments if you feel a book does not belong on this list. I have done my best to ensure I am only listing books written by Asian authors on this specific list.
There are several lists you can find, I found several options on the #AsianBooks hashtag on Instagram, if you go to shelves on goodreads and type in Asian American, Asian Authors, or Asian Fantasy Books (aka whatever genre you’re looking for) they have several options. I also employed some googling skills to find these options...or they are books I happened upon in the past few years and read. I couldn’t include every single book I came across on this list or it would go on for miles, I included ones that sounded interesting to me that I would want to read in the future if I have not already read.
Contemporary Fiction
“The Last Story of Mina Lee” by Nancy Jooyoun Kim
This was the first book I bought myself in 6 years. You will probably sob hysterically but it is so worth it. The novel is about a second generation daughter learning about the life and hardships her mother had after immigrating to America. Unfortunately she finds all of these things out after her mother’s death and only then truly understands her mother.
I’ve read this one this past month and it is now one of my favorite novels. About 3 women who are army wives and the lifelong bonds they create with each other.
I’ve read the first one in this series and it's hilarious and heartfelt and the ending is gold.
“Everything I never Told you” by Celeste Ng
I sobbed through this entire book, it’s a beautiful story about a young girl who drowns and the people she leaves behind. The beautiful portrait of a family.
It’s about two families brought together through their children. I haven’t read this book yet but I watched the show on Hulu and the book has been on my list since.
“America is not the Heart” by Elaine Castillo
Omg I want to read this one!!!!! It’s about 3 generations of women, the last generation being born in America and their struggles with the American Dream
“Interior Chinatown” by Charles Yu
Following a Chinatown resident and their rise to fame and the secrets of their past they discover.
Fantasy
A war orphan passes the test to be sent to the most elite school in china. Discovers she is a shaman and may be the only one who can save her people.
“Legend” by Marie Lu (there’s a whole series, this is the first in it)
A teenage re-write of Les Misérables.
A deadly virus sweeps through the nation, most who contract it perish, however the children who survive are left with strange markings and abilities.
“Girls of Paper and Fire” by Natasha Ngan (This is the first of a whole series)
Each year 8 girls from the Paper caste are chosen as consorts to the King, this year there’s a ninth and she’s from the fire caste. Love, vengeance and a world threatened.
A girl who dreams of being the royal tailor, poses as a boy to compete for the job and sew the magic dresses that will win her the dream job.
Romance
“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han (this is an entire series and netflix has recently done movies of it as well)
About a young girl who writes secret love letters to every boy she’s ever loved. She keeps them hidden but when they are accidentally mailed, her fantasy life goes public.
I want to read this one! It sounds hilarious and cute. A potential bride comes to the US and must convince her potential husband that she is the right woman for him before her time runs out.
A baker who’s entire livelihood is thrown into chaos by a bad review, she must work with the critic to save her bakery. This sounds sooo cute, I want to read it too
A maidservant falls in love with the infamous playboy
Historical Fiction
A novel about fourteen teens who are placed in the Japanese internment camps during WWII.
Nonfiction/Memoirs
This nonfiction account of Jose Antonio Vargas life as an undocumented Filipino American is powerful. The obstacles he faced after being brought here as a 12 year old boy, with no knowledge of what being undocumented meant. His struggles as he grew up and attempted to make a life for himself here, succeeding but all the while looking over his shoulder because of his status.
“Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning” by Cathy Park Hong
A collection of poems and essays that portray Hong’s life growing up as the daughter of Korean Immigrants.
A memoir about discovering all the things she never knew about her mother after her mother begins suffering from Alzheimer's and divulges secrets Lang never knew.
A nonfiction account of the history of our Asian American community. Their stories, their journeys.
Personal recollections, and oral testimony’s Takaki weaves together 150 years of Asian American History
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