.⋆｡⋆༶⋆˙⊹ Eurocentric literature often dominates traditional English classes. Because of this, it is important to make an effort to read novels from diverse authors and backgrounds. This includes authors from Asian descent, which you’ll see here today. Here are my three favorite (must-read) books from Asian and Asian-American authors!
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
A poignant memoir of grief, family, and healing through food.
If you want to cry, read this novel. If you want to be enthralled by Zauner’s mouth-watering and ambrosial descriptions of food, read this novel. Crying in H Mart is about Michelle Zauner’s powerful story of battling with her Korean-American identity, forging her own path as a musician, and grieving through her mother’s loss to cancer. She finds solace in H-Mart—her favorite Korean grocery store—and uses food as a means of healing. Zauner’s tender and delicate prose adds to the authenticity of her novel, unwaveringly guiding us through a journey of family, identity, food, and love.
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
A metaphysical odyssey of dreams, fate, and the subconscious.
Kafka on the Shore leads us on a journey of self-discovery; a beautiful oedipal tragedy that interweaves two parallel plots. Murakami’s teenage protagonist—who renames himself “Kafka”—runs away from his father and an inevitable family curse. Nakata—an elderly Japanese man—has the ability to talk to cats and makes a living by returning lost cats to their owners. This is magical realism: where fantastical elements are displayed in a more realistic tone. Fish fall from the sky, spirits slip out of their bodies, and cat souls can sound a flute.
The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
An evocative memoir of the refugee experience, family, and identity.
The Best We Could Do, a graphic memoir by Thi Bui, explores the author’s family journey from Vietnam to America after the fall of Saigon. This novel highlights intergenerational trauma, the relationships between parent and child, and the difficulties of starting a new life in the United States. As Bui navigates the question of what it means to be a parent, she intimately recounts her family’s story of leaving Vietnam and the endless sacrifices they’ve made. Bui’s breathtaking illustrations, along with her delicate prose, truly make this novel come to life.
THE ORCHID 