Getting lost in a good book isn’t just a way to pass the time, it’s also a way to learn about different cultures you may not otherwise be exposed to. Since May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we thought we’d compile a non-exhaustive list of books from AAPI authors that came out this year. Our reading recommendations include titles from all kinds of genres — from thrillers to romance and memoirs — so there’s something for everyone. While you buy from AAPI-owned businesses during May, and hopefully all year long, you can also support these authors.
But first, here’s a little history lesson: AAPI Heritage Month first began as a one-week acknowledgment in 1978 and then, in 1992, was extended to the entire month of May. Congress chose May specifically because it has a few important anniversaries in AAPI history: The first immigration of Japanese people into the U.S. was on May 7, 1943, and the transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10, 1869, by a majority of Chinese immigrants. Today, it’s meant to celebrate the achievements and contributions of AAPI people to American culture, history, and progress. Reading books by AAPI authors is just one way to appreciate the rich heritage of Asian-American and Pacific Islander people.
Goddess Complex by Sanjena Sathian
The New Yorker calls Goddess Complex “a twisted examination of motherhood and the arbitrary expectations of adulthood,” and R.O. Kwon wrote in the New York Times Book Review that it’s “haunting and hilarious.” It’s about Sanjana, a woman who recently walked out on her husband, only to have him go missing while she tries to pick up the pieces of her life. Things get even weirder when she gets bombarded with calls from women seeking her advice about pregnancy and fertility, and she’s forced to stare down the road she didn’t travel: motherhood.
Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang
Huang’s highly anticipated second novel doesn’t come out until May 13, but it’ll be worth the wait. Booklist says it’s “brilliant and unsettling,” and Harper’s Bazaar says it “raises important questions about not only the boundaries between art and tech but also the blurred lines between originality, autonomy, and possession.” It follows Enka and Mathilde, two art students who fall into a codependent relationship and embark on very different paths after graduation. They’re reunited years later when Enka approaches Mathilde about her tech company’s newest invention, which allows one person to absorb another’s trauma.
Mahjong: House Rules from Across the Asian Diaspora by Nicole Wong
Whether you grew up playing mahjong or have recently gotten into the game, Nicole Wong’s book provides a step-by-step guide for every type of player. It goes over the strategy, design, and history of the game, with stunning photos and detailed diagrams for extra instruction. “Mahjong is the book version of a fabulous expert auntie sitting next to you and patiently guiding you through a game,” says award-winning author of Last of Her Name, Mimi Lok. “Nicole Wong has created a moving celebration of gathering, connection, and creativity across the Asian diaspora.”
Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang
When Julie and Chloe’s parents died, the young twins were separated. Chloe was adopted into a wealthy white family, and Julie moved in with her evil aunt. Julie’s life is lackluster, and she watches from a distance as Chloe becomes a very successful influencer. After receiving an ominous call from Chloe, Julie finds her sister mysteriously dead in her gorgeous apartment. With nothing to lose, Julie decides to take on Chloe’s influencer identity and tells the cops it was Julie who died — and because they were twins, it works. She slips into the persona seamlessly, but things unravel when she goes on a trip with Chloe’s famous friends.
Lady Knight by Amalie Howard
Bridgerton fans can get their regency romance fix with Amalie Howard’s latest novel — but don’t expect it to stick close to history. Set in the same world as Howard’s uber-popular novel Queen Bee, Lady Knight follows the smart, rebellious daughter of a duke. Frustrated by the limits placed on her because she’s a woman, she joins a secret club where women like her can participate in music, art, and literature. But when her brother’s best friend discovers her secret, she has to agree to his terms to stay in the club.
To Have and Have More by Sanibel
This dishy work of literary fiction examines wealth, racism, privilege, and more. Set in a ritzy private school, it alternates between the perspectives of Emery, a Korean girl who was adopted into a rich white family, and Lilah, a Chinese-American scholarship student who is the epitome of everything Emery is trying not to be. But Emery soon learns that her wealth can’t protect her from ever-increasing microaggressions, and she and Lilah strike up a tentative and complicated friendship.
Time Loops & Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau
The New York Times says Lau provides “some of the best effort-to-emotional payoff ratios in romance,” and this heartwarming Groundhog’s Day-esque tale is no exception. After eating a magic dumpling, Noelle is forced to relive the same Friday over and over, and she finds it so freeing to be cut loose from her routine. But repeated chance encounters with a local brewery owner leave her wanting more.
Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung
Based on Chung’s family story, this debut novel recounts a mother and daughter’s dangerous escape to Taiwan as the Communist revolution takes over China. Jean Kwok, NYT bestselling author of The Leftover Woman, says, “You won’t be able to forget this compelling tale of resilience and hope,” and PEOPLE calls Daughters of Shandong “a gripping debut.”
You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen
Annie “Anh Le” Shaw seems to have the American dream — a gorgeous home, an even more gorgeous husband, and a bright teenage daughter. But everything changes when her mother, a Vietnam War refugee, is found dead. Her mental health starts to unravel, and then she finds herself in the middle of a criminal investigation, having already alienated her support system.
Local: A Memoir by Jessica Machado
Jessica Machado’s beautifully written memoir explores what it means to be a Hawai’i local, where the outsiders’ perception of Hawai’i is that it’s a paradise, while her home life is far from perfect. Trying to escape the stress of her family life, Machado moves to Los Angeles, which only complicates her issues further.
City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita
This novel is probably based on the real, small town of Whittier, Alaska. In City Under One Roof, the setting of Point Mettier, Alaska, is only accessible by a tunnel, and all 205 of its inhabitants occupy the same high-rise building. Talk about being up in everyone’s business! Things get even closer for comfort when a teenager finds severed body parts washed up on shore, and a detective from Anchorage comes to investigate this locked-room mystery.
Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li
Will Chen is a model Harvard student and the perfect son — but when a mysterious benefactor offers him a (very illegal) job taking back stolen works of Chinese art, he can’t say no. In this Ocean’s Eleven-style plot, Will assembles a team to pull off the heist. If they do it, they’ll get $50 million and a chance to make history. If they fail, they’ll lose everything. This book originally came out in 2022, but the paperback hit shelves last month.
King of Sloth by Ana Huang
From the author of the beloved Twisted series comes a brand-new installment in the Kings of Sin franchise. These steamy romances are themed around the seven deadly sins, and King of Sloth finds the heir to a billionaire family fortune developing an intense relationship with his ambitious publicist. It’s the fourth book of the series, but it can also be read as a standalone if you’d like to jump right into the latest of Huang’s works.
The Do-Over by Suzanne Park
Lily Lee is a bestselling author who just got offered her dream job, but the background check process reveals a big snag: She never actually finished undergrad. So she’s headed back to college, where she discovers her ex-boyfriend is her new TA. This second-chance love story is told in the past and present day.
Biting the Hand: Growing Up Asian in Black and White America by Julia Lee
The daughter of Korean immigrant store owners, Julia Lee’s upbringing in 1990s Los Angeles forced her to question her racial identity and her place in America following the 1992 riots. She ended up finding some answers by studying the works of Toni Morrison and James Baldwin, and explores how Asian-Americans can fight white supremacy.
When We Fell Apart by Soon Wiley
This debut novel takes place in Seoul, where Min learns from police that his girlfriend Yu-jin has died by suicide — only he’s certain she would never do that. His investigation into her death leads him to explore his own biracial identity and confront the expectations of his family.
Paper Names by Susie Luo
Told from three different perspectives and over three decades, Susie Luo’s debut is inspired by her own family’s experiences. A Chinese immigrant, his daughter, and their white neighbor’s lives collide when an act of violence brings them together.
Oh My Mother!: A Memoir in Nine Adventures by Connie Wang
Oprah Daily calls Connie Wang’s memoir “hilarious, candid, and heartfelt,” likening it to a mix of Eat, Pray, Love and The Amazing Race. Journalist Wang explores her relationship with her mother via a series of out-of-the-ordinary anecdotes — like going to see a Magic Mike strip show in Vegas and trying edibles in Amsterdam.
The Sorrows of Others by Ada Zhang
Ada Zhang’s short story collection earned starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Forward, and was named a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35. The characters in her 10 stories are all outsiders in various ways: they’re immigrants, estranged from family members, or setting off in a new place.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
The bestselling author of Babel came out with a new, darkly humorous novel in January. It’s about two aspiring literary stars, June and Athena. When June witnesses Athena’s death, she decides to steal her manuscript and pass it off as her own out of desperation — even though June is white and the manuscript very much deals with Athena’s Asian identity. With a heavy dose of humor, the novel tackles issues of representation, diversity, and appropriation, especially in publishing.
FLAWLESS: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital by Elise Hu
NPR host-at-large and TED Talks Daily host Elise Hu takes us on a deep dive into K-Beauty, which has taken the world by storm in recent years. Through her reporting, Hu exposes the darker underbelly lurking beneath the sheet masks and cutely packaged creams.
