Top Ten Tuesday: Freebie - Ten Books by Asian Authors

 

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.
 

This week's theme: It's been a LOOOOONG time since I've done a TTT. I am so excited to contribute to the community again and check out others' posts. This week was a Freebie theme so I decided to do my post on ten books by Asian Authors because REPRESENTATION MATTERS. I decided to split up the category into five books I've read and five books I want to read and included descriptions + links to their Goodreads. I tried to avoid the big most famous books with adaptations and etc. Please enjoy!

 

1. The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel
   Why: You can read my review here. This is definitely one of my all time favorite books.
2. Prairie Ostrich by Tamai Kobayashi
   Why: I had to read this book for school to study racism, identity, death, and homophobia. It is a short book yet SO POWERFUL. The book is written from the limited perspective of eight-year-old "Egg" watching her family grieve after the death of her older brother. Her parents have shut-down and secluded themselves in grief so the only one Egg can turn to is Kathy, her older sister who reads stories to Egg at night but edits the ending to make them happier. I wrote an entire essay on this book and I can say so much more but it is SO overlooked and such a good book.
3. Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata
   Why: I first got this book from summer reading back in 2005 during the Summer Reading Program at the library. It has been one of my comfort books that I return to often about hope and "Kira-kira", which means glittering. A coming of age story that I believe is a classic.
4. The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa, Stephen Snyder (Translator), Markus Juslin (Translator)
   Why: SUCH A UNIQUE PREMISE. On an unnamed island, objects disappear from the habitants' memory at night by the Memory Police. First they start off simple: flowers, ribbons, birds.. but then they get serious as those who have the power to remember start disappearing. A young woman, whose mother was taken away when she was young, decides to help her friend by hiding him in a small hidden cubby in her home when she learns of his powers. This is a beautiful book that describes the smell of roses when you have lost the memory and idea of what a rose is. It is a very unique, gentle apocalypse book that talks about trauma, loss, and, of course, the beauty of memories and words.
5. Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook, Chi-Young Kim (Translator)
   Why: I read this book on the plane and I could NOT put it down despite how motion sick I was getting. It's a story about a mother's love and the sacrifices she makes for her family that just makes you want to cry and hug your mom. It dives into the memories of Mom's children after she goes missing and how they come to face the real depth of the lessons she taught them growing up when it was too late. There is a lot Korean culture and the importance of family in this book which I appreciated.

1. Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
   Why: I'm not gonna lie I first bought this book because of the cover which is BEAUTIFUL. But I am so excited to read it because, and I quote, my cousin said that this book "revived" her. I can't wait to read this Chinese-inspired fantasy book.
2. She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
   Why:  THIS IS GIVING ME MULAN VIIIIIBES. I'm so excited for this award nominated book.
3. You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
   Why: I've been putting off this book for the night I really want to CRY MY EYES OUT. The story is about Julie and her recently deceased boyfriend. After his funeral, she calls his phone to hear his voice and HE PICKS UP. THIS BOOK I ASSUME GOES OVER THEIR LAST LONG CONVERSATION. I'M TEARING UP THINKING ABOUT IT.
4. The Serpent's Secret by Sayantani DasGupta
   Why: I love love love middle grade books and am super excited for this indian-inspired mythology/fantasy book about KIRANMALA: INTERDIMENSIONAL DEMON SLAYER.
5. Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
   Why:  Late to the party but I hear LOTS about this series and can't wait to dive into it.

Questions: What's your favorite book by a POC author?

Warm regards,

Diana Banana