Books Life

My Favorite Books by Asian Americans

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I’ve been attempting to write a post for some time about violence against Asian Americans. I’ve been starting and deleting posts for weeks.

I’ve struggled with writing about my own experiences with racism. For multiple reasons – and to be honest I still don’t feel comfortable. And I don’t think we have the obligation to share anything we don’t want to. But I also believe we can use our voices to tell our stories the best ways we know how. For me, it’s through my work, and if you do read my latest book, I hope you will leave some some understanding of how I feel about being an Asian woman in America.

And on the topic of books: I have read so many from my fellow Asian American authors that have inspired me and given me insight into all kinds of characters and people. I have learned so many things, and enjoyed stories from all over the world. This is by all means NOT a comprehensive list – to be honest I started this post but just kept going and going and finally had to stop. So if you have any favorites, I’d love to hear them below.

Where Reasons End, by Yiyun Li. In my opinion Li is one of the most best writers today. Her language and sentences are stunning. I will read everything she writes. That says, her books are not necessarily “plotty” – they have stories, deeply touching ones, but you won’t always get your happy ending.

Miracle Creek, by Angie Kim. A thriller that examines issues around race, special needs children, and the stresses faced by their parents. Kim is a great writer and you will be engaged throughout.

Bury What We Cannot Take, by Kirstin Chen. A wonderful examination of life in the Maoist China era. What happens when in order for your family to survive, you have to leave a child behind? Chen is a wonderful writer and if you like this I also recommend her earlier book, Soy Sauce For Beginners.

Severance, by Ling Ma. I see this frequently described as a millennial zombie novel. Which is technically true but it is so well done, so well written that I worry the description makes some people turn away. The writing is excellent. So is the story.

America Is Not The Heart, by Elaine Castillo. A wonderful book about an extended Filipino family, based in the Bay Area (but extending to the Philippines). Castillo is a skilled, literary writer and you feel each and every one of her characters.

The Collected Schizophrenias, by Esme Wang: A beautiful book of essays about Wang’s experience with her illness. Part memoir, part examination of science, and just overall wonderfully written.

A River of Stars, by Vanessa Hua. A wonderful (and propulsive!) story about Chinese immigration and the people who come here to chase their dreams. A great read for anyone looking for a thoughtful, yet still quick moving story with wonderful writing.

Edinburgh, by Alexander Chee. I think Chee is likely best known (at least recently) for his non-fiction, How To Write An Autobiographical Novel (which I also recommend), but Edinburgh is actually my favorite of his work. Beautifully written, thrilling, and highly literary.

Minor Feelings, by Cathy Park Hong. I think I’ve already shared how much this book means to me. To me this is one of the best books you can read if you want to understand the Asian American experience. But it’s also just really wonderful written and plain good.

A Tale For The Time Being, by Ruth Ozeki. I love, love this one. Japanese schoolgirl’s diary washes up on the shore, where a Japanese American woman finds it. So good, so beautiful. I just read this a few months ago and have already purchased copies for gifts.

Interior Chinatown, by Charles Yu. The National Book Award winner (and so well deserved). I love this book. For the writing, the characters, and simply what it does with form. So incredibly thoughtful, funny, perceptive.

All You Can Ever Know, by Nicole Chung. Chung, a Korean adoptee, writes beautifully about her experience growing up with white parents, her journey to find the story of her birth, and how her own motherhood has shaped her perception. A wonderful memoir.

Exhalation, by Ted Chiang. It’s funny, I didn’t realize until now that I couldn’t recall if Chiang has Asian characters in his books, so I went to go look it up, and read an interview where he said he deliberately doesn’t really talk about race. Which I respect and as a fellow author deeply understand. When I read novels from Asian Americans I don’t expect them to only write about Asian Americans – I think we can, and do, write from all sorts of perspectives. Another author I can think of who proves this is Kazuo Ishiguro – who I would have totally listed (I just finished re-reading A Pale View of Hills), but I wanted to dedicate this post to Asian American authors.

Please add your favorite books from Asian authors! I’d love to hear them!

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14 Comments

  • Reply
    Jaime Stephens
    April 5, 2021 at 9:33 am

    I loved Miracle Creek. Sadly, that’s the only one on your list I’ve read.

  • Reply
    Claudia
    April 5, 2021 at 9:54 am

    Severance is also one of my favorite books. Some others I’d add that I’ve read recently and loved:
    – Know My Name, by Chanel Miller. Beautifully written.
    – The Paper Menagerie, by Ken Liu. If you enjoy Ted Chiang, I think you will enjoy his stories.
    – Chemistry, by Weike Wang
    – A Lover’s Discourse, by Xiaolu Guo
    – Emergency Contact, by Mary HK Choi (YA)

  • Reply
    Mei Ling
    April 5, 2021 at 4:19 pm

    The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng. Very well written, beautifully evocative.

  • Reply
    Anna
    April 5, 2021 at 8:03 pm

    I didn’t know Yiyun Li before. I looked her up. Wow. So it is possible to get published in English while English isn’t your first language. I admire writers as when I start to explore writing more seriously I get to learn how “risky” or even “dangerous” the mental journey is to write. Writers write in a sense it’s almost an act to answer a calling. There are certainly easier ways to make a living. Really excited that your book is out soon. Can’t wait for it to arrive and start reading it!

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    April 5, 2021 at 10:05 pm

    Tan Twan Eng-all works. I even like reading his interviews because his replies are witty and subtly entertaining. Tash Aw-Strangers on a Pier. And of course, Crazy Rich Asians-era Kevin Kwan! I’m planning to try YangSze Choo next since her novel The Ghost Bride was made into a Netflix series.

  • Reply
    Bunny
    April 6, 2021 at 5:02 am

    Just wanted to say thank you. And I’ve learned a lot on an emotional level from your first book, so I look forward to the next one also. One of my favorites is Amy Tan.

  • Reply
    Lilian
    April 6, 2021 at 9:14 am

    Thank you for sharing these. They’ll be wonderful new reads to add to my cart.
    All of this is so heartbreaking. Let’s hope that we’re truly in a day and age where the outrage and massive support for the Asian community from their allies moves the needle significantly.
    Hope you and yours stay well and safe

  • Reply
    Kirstin
    April 6, 2021 at 10:58 am

    Aw, thank you, Kat. So looking forward to your next book. Sending love

  • Reply
    simiyalala
    April 6, 2021 at 6:04 pm

    I enjoyed Braised Pork by An Yu and Days of Distraction by Alexandra Chang

  • Reply
    AY
    April 7, 2021 at 9:13 am

    Thank you for this post. Love Minor Feelings and Exhalation!

    May I add slam poetry? Anything by Franny Choi and Alex Dang. Franny Choi’s poetry, Soft Science.

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    April 8, 2021 at 10:33 am

    Thank you for sharing. This is such a great post. I’d like to add one of my favorite books, Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. I enjoyed your first book and I’ve pre-ordered your second and I’m looking forward to reading it soon!

  • Reply
    Welcome Objects
    April 11, 2021 at 10:44 pm

    This is a great list. Want to add some graphic novels/memoir: The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui (on the Vietnamese refugee experience) and Good Talk by Mira Jacob (about difficult conversations, including the topic of race)

  • Reply
    Midweek Musings | since wen
    April 14, 2021 at 11:36 am

    […] from Feather Factor shared a great list of books by Asian American authors. I hope to read at least two or three books on this list in the next few months. I’ve been […]

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