Homeseeking by Karissa Chen
An epic and intimate novel that traces the love story of Haiwen and Suchi across sixty years, shaped by the turbulence of Chinese history. From Shanghai to Los Angeles, the couple’s lives intertwine as war, separation, and time pull them apart, yet their love remains a constant force, illustrating the Chinese diaspora and the search for home.
Slow Noodles by Chantha Nguon
A poignant memoir by Cambodian refugee Chantha Nguon, who recounts her survival of Pol Pot’s genocide, the loss of her family, and the rebuilding of her life through the memories of her mother’s kitchen. As she reclaims traditional Khmer recipes, cooking becomes an act of resistance and healing, reconnecting her to her heritage and her mother’s spirit. This beautifully written story, interwoven with over 20 Khmer recipes, highlights the power of food to preserve culture and ignite hope in the face of unimaginable loss.
The Family Recipe by Carolyn Huynh
A witty family dramedy about estranged siblings competing for their father’s Vietnamese sandwich franchise inheritance. To claim their share, they must revitalize failing shops across various cities, uncovering family mysteries along the way while navigating love, identity, and the American Dream.
Luminous by Silvia Park
In a reunified Korea of the future, robots are integrated into society but still treated as second-class citizens. Luminous follows three estranged siblings—two humans and one robot—reunited by a murder investigation. Jun, a war veteran turned detective, reconnects with his sister Morgan, a robot designer, while uncovering deep family and societal secrets. Alongside them, an abandoned robot boy named Yoyo sparks a bond with a young girl named Ruijie. Together, they must confront their pasts and unravel mysteries about what it truly means to be human.
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
In a hidden pawnshop in Tokyo, people can trade their deepest regrets and lost choices for a chance at redemption. Hana Ishikawa inherits the shop after her father disappears, and on her first day, she discovers it has been ransacked and its most valuable item stolen. A charming young physicist enters the shop, offering help instead of seeking it. Together, they embark on a magical journey across a mystical world—through rain puddles, paper cranes, and a night market in the clouds—to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice. As the journey unfolds, Hana must confront a secret of her own and make an irreversible decision.
Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata
Imagines a Japan where sex between married couples is taboo and children are born through artificial insemination. Amane, raised in this society, struggles with her own sexual desires and, alongside her husband, moves to a new town where men can become pregnant and children are raised communally. As she navigates this strange world, Amane seeks to escape her “induction” into a society that rejects her individuality.
I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying by Youngmi Mayer
A humorous and poignant memoir by Youngmi Mayer, who recounts her childhood as a biracial kid in Saipan, navigating complex family dynamics and the legacies of colonialism and war in Korea. With humor as her coping mechanism, she reflects on her relationship with her mother, her own struggles with identity, and the lessons passed down through generations. Through irreverence and heart, Mayer explores the intertwining of laughter and pain, offering a unique perspective on resilience and healing.
The Original Daughter by Jememah Wei
Wei explores ambition, sisterhood, and the complexities of family bonds in turn-of-the-millennium Singapore. Genevieve Yang’s life is upended when she gains a half-sister, Arin, and the two become inseparable in their pursuit of academic success. But when betrayal strains their relationship, Genevieve must confront the tension between ambition, familial love, and her own identity.
Th Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang
In 1800s China, Little Flower and Linjing’s fates are intertwined by love, loss, and betrayal. Sold to Linjing’s wealthy family as a handmaiden, Little Flower’s future is sabotaged by Linjing’s jealousy, but the two must work together to secure Linjing’s marriage. As their lives unravel amidst scandal, their rivalry and friendship will determine whether their shared destiny leads to triumph or tragedy.
The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang
In the abandoned house on the outskirts of Rainbow Town, letters of misfortune lead to a mysterious Rainfall Market, where people can swap their lives for something better. Serin, lonely and without prospects, receives a ticket and enters the market with the help of a magical cat, Issha, hoping to find her perfect life. With only one week to choose her happiness, Serin must navigate fantastical realms, all while a shadow quietly pursues her.
Where Rivers Part by Kao Kalia Yang
A poignant memoir recounting a Hmong family’s harrowing journey to safety, as told through the perspective of the author’s mother, who survived against all odds. Born in war-torn Laos, Tswb endured America’s Secret War and its aftermath, fleeing genocide, starvation, and constant danger before eventually immigrating to the U.S. With unflinching clarity, the author honors her mother’s resilience, giving voice to the untold stories of refugees who shaped the foundation of America.
The Blanket Cats by Kiyoshi Shigematsu
In a peculiar Tokyo pet shop, seven customers are given the chance to take home a “blanket cat” for three days, hoping to change their lives. Each customer, from a couple struggling with infertility to a woman on the run from the police, seeks a temporary feline companion to escape their reality. However, the mysterious cats, with their unknowable agendas, may offer not what their owners expect, but what they truly need.
Stone Angels by Helena Rho
In this poignant family drama, Angelina Lee travels to Seoul to reconnect with her roots after the tragic death of her mother. She uncovers a long-buried family secret about her mother’s sister, Sunyuh, who disappeared during the Japanese occupation of Korea. As Angelina embarks on a journey to unravel the truth, she must confront her past, her heritage, and the difficult bond between mothers and daughters.
The Parted Earth by Anjali Enjeti
In 1947, as India and Pakistan split, 16-year-old Deepa’s secret Muslim boyfriend Amir flees to Pakistan, promising to return—but he never does, and Deepa is forced to move to London after tragedy strikes. Decades later in Atlanta, Shanthi (“Shan”) Johnson, reeling from a miscarriage and marital breakdown, discovers clues suggesting her father Vijay—Deepa’s son—left to search for the father he never knew. Determined to uncover her family’s past, Shan tracks down her estranged grandmother Deepa, hoping that Amir’s long-lost origami love notes might hold the key to the truth.
Gingko Season by Naomi Xu Elegant
A tender, witty debut about Penelope Lin, who, after heartbreak, has built a quiet life cataloging Qing Dynasty shoes—until a chance meeting with an idealistic lab tech begins to unravel it. As her world shifts, Penelope navigates love, friendship, and the tension between comfort and conviction.
Strange Pictures by Uketsu
A chilling Japanese bestseller that weaves nine eerie childlike drawings into a gripping mystery-horror narrative. Each image hides disturbing clues that unravel a web of secrets, from a murder victim’s final sketch to a child’s ominous drawing of home. This haunting debut from masked YouTube sensation Uketsu invites readers to uncover the dark truth lurking beneath the surface.
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan
Set in WWII-era Malaya, this gripping novel follows Cecily Alcantara, a mother whose past as a spy for the Japanese invaders threatens to destroy her family. With one child missing and another hidden from danger, Cecily must confront the devastating consequences of choices she made a decade earlier in pursuit of purpose and liberation. As the war closes in, she’ll stop at nothing to protect those she loves from the truth she’s buried.
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
An epic historical fantasy inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of China’s Four Beauties, who uses her allure to infiltrate a rival kingdom and avenge her sister’s death. As Xishi trains to become the perfect spy, her mission entangles her in dangerous politics, forbidden love, and the burden of sacrifice. Caught between two kingdoms and her growing bond with the man who trained her, Xishi must decide how much she’s willing to lose to change the fate of her people.
The Fertile Earth by Ruthvika Rao
Set in a politically turbulent India, The Fertile Earth follows Vijaya, a landowner’s daughter, and Krishna, a servant’s son, whose childhood bond is shattered by tragedy and later tested by violent class uprisings and the rise of the Naxalite movement. As adults, they must confront the brutal realities of class, power, and justice while reckoning with a love that defies the boundaries that once kept them apart. This sweeping debut explores the cost of transgression and the enduring pull of family, memory, and desire.
The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
A spellbinding historical fantasy set in 1908 Manchuria, where a detective chasing rumors of fox spirits crosses paths with Snow—a mysterious woman with secrets, power, and a thirst for vengeance. As more deaths unfold, their intertwined journeys reveal ancient magic, lost love, and the blurred line between myth and truth. Yangsze Choo delivers a rich, lyrical tale of spirits, justice, and maternal devotion across China and Japan.
The City and its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami
A haunting, genre-blurring novel from Haruki Murakami about lost love, memory, and the hidden worlds within and around us. When a young woman vanishes, her absence propels a man on a lifelong search—leading him from Tokyo to a surreal walled town where shadows detach and unicorns roam. Both a love story and a meditation on identity, this is Murakami at his most mysterious and profound.
Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi
A poignant love story between two women set in 1938 colonial Taiwan, where a Japanese novelist and her Taiwanese interpreter form a deep bond over shared meals and quiet travels. As their connection grows, so do the unspoken tensions shaped by empire, identity, and desire. Framed as a rediscovered translation, this award-winning novel explores the subtle intersections of language, love, and power.
We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida
A heartwarming Japanese novel about a mysterious Kyoto clinic that prescribes cats as therapy to those in emotional need. From a lonely businessman to a grieving geisha, each patient finds healing and transformation through their feline companions. Tender, whimsical, and wise, this international bestseller celebrates the quiet power of cats to guide us back to ourselves.
Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen
A fun, heartfelt romance about two opposites thrown together on a whirlwind love tour through Việt Nam. Grieving and stuck, Evie joins the trip to claim an inheritance, while Adam is out to prove he understands love better than his sister thinks. Sparks fly from Hồ Chí Minh City to Đà Lạt as their clashing personalities give way to something deeper—if they can let go and leap.
Ten Incarnations of Rebellion by Vaishnavi Patel
In an alternate India still ruled by the British, Kalki Divekar secretly joins a resistance movement determined to dismantle the empire from within, even as danger looms on all sides. As she navigates betrayal, loss, and rebellion, Kalki must choose between survival and sacrifice in the fight for freedom. Ten Incarnations of Rebellion is a bold, speculative epic inspired by the Dashavatara, exploring power, resistance, and the cost of liberation.
The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee
A whimsical, feel-good novel set in a magical shop where dreams are bought and sold. New employee Penny discovers a world where customers seek everything from childhood memories to visits with lost loved ones, guided by quirky dream designers and mysterious staff. Charming and imaginative, this bestselling story is perfect for anyone craving a bit of wonder and escape from daily life.
Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung
A gripping, powerful debut set during the Chinese Civil War, following the Ang family’s harrowing escape to Taiwan as the Communist revolution sweeps through China. Hai, the eldest of four daughters, becomes the target of brutal punishment as her family’s wealth is seized, prompting a desperate journey with her mother and sisters to find freedom. A tale of survival, resilience, and the strength of women, this novel explores the sacrifices and bonds that shape future generations.
Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan
A witty, heartwarming novel set against the backdrop of a glamorous Shanghai wedding, where a reluctant bride and her two fed-up best friends hatch a plan to steal all the gift money. Lulu, pressured into a loveless marriage for financial security, teams up with her ambitious friends Rina and Jane to transform their lives. But as their heist unravels, they learn that chasing freedom and wealth might come with unexpected consequences.
Not Your China Doll by Katie Gee Salisbury
Celebrates Anna May Wong, the first Asian American movie star, whose rise to fame during the Jazz Age and Hollywood’s golden era broke barriers in a racially exclusionary industry. Known for her beauty, wit, and fashion, Wong challenged Hollywood’s stereotypical roles, forging an international career and advocating for better representation of Asian Americans in film. This debut book brings her vibrant and radical life to light, reclaiming her place in cinema history.
Sunshine and Spice by Aurora Palit
When brand consultant Naomi and reluctant bachelor Dev fake a relationship to solve their cultural problems—her need to connect with her Bengali roots and his desire to dodge an arranged marriage—they think they’ve found the perfect plan. But as they team up to save his family’s bazaar and navigate matchmaking sabotage, their pretend romance starts to feel all too real. This charming story explores identity, tradition, and the messy, magical path to true love.
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
A moving story about Yeongju, a burned-out woman who leaves behind her high-powered career and marriage to open a small bookstore in a quiet neighborhood outside Seoul. As she navigates the challenges of starting over, the shop becomes a haven for herself and others, where healing, reflection, and second chances flourish. This heartfelt novel is a tribute to the power of books, community, and the courage to rewrite your own story.
Twilight Territory by Andrew Pham
A sweeping debut novel set in Japanese-occupied Vietnam during World War II, following Tuyet, a woman caught between love and resistance. When she forms an unlikely bond with Japanese officer Yamazaki Takeshi, the two find themselves on opposite sides of a war that tests loyalty, love, and survival. This moving story explores Vietnam’s fight for independence, blending love, sacrifice, and the brutal realities of conflict.
Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara
Nine-year-old Jai lives in a crowded slum on the outskirts of a glittering city, dreaming of heroism fueled by TV police shows. When a classmate vanishes, Jai and his friends set out to solve the mystery—but their playful investigation turns dark as more children go missing and they face a harsh, indifferent world. Inspired by real events, this poignant story explores childhood, injustice, and the fragile line between hope and fear.
Shanghailanders by Juli Min
A sweeping debut that traces the lives of a wealthy Shanghai family across generations, moving backward from 2040 to the recent past. As secrets, losses, and family dynamics unfold, we witness the intertwining lives of Leo Yang, his wife Eko, and their daughters Kiko, Yumi, and Yoko, each facing their own challenges and desires. With a rich, evocative narrative, this novel explores the complexities of love, identity, and the passage of time.
Strangers in the Land by Michael Luo
Traces the history of Chinese immigrants to the United States, beginning in the mid-1800s when they arrived in search of prosperity, only to face rising racial terror and exclusion. Michael Luo delves into the stories of early victims of anti-Asian violence, activists, and demagogues, revealing the challenges and perseverance of the Chinese community in the face of bigotry. This compelling debut offers a powerful look at the complexities of America’s multiracial democracy and the enduring struggle for acceptance.
Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel
In this powerful reimagining of the Ganga myth, the river goddess is cursed to live as a mortal and becomes queen to regain her freedom—only to be torn from her infant son, Devavrata. As he grows into a prince whose fateful vow shapes the course of history, mother and son are pulled together by destiny and bound by love, loss, and duty. A sweeping tale of sacrifice and fate, this novel explores how even gods cannot escape the cost of human choices.
Unassimilable: An Asian Diasporic Manifesto for the 21st Century by Bianca Mabute-Louie
A powerful socio-political exploration of Asian Americans who reject assimilation and instead create their own sense of belonging. Combining memoir and manifesto, the book challenges conventional notions of race, class, and citizenship in America. Mabute-Louie examines the San Gabriel Valley’s thriving immigrant community, critiques predominantly white institutions, and interrogates the role of religion in shaping Asian American experiences. The book boldly proposes a new way of identifying as Asian American, advocating for anti-imperialist solidarity and rejecting assimilation.
They Called Us Exceptional by Prachi Gupta
Exposes how the model minority myth fractured her Indian American family, revealing the hidden cost of chasing perfection and belonging. Addressing her mother, Gupta weaves memoir, cultural history, and mental health research into a powerful exploration of identity, trauma, and the courage it takes to reclaim one’s narrative. Her story is a searing call to choose compassion over conformity and truth over silence.
Restaurant Kid by Rachel Phan
A heartfelt memoir about the complexities of growing up as the child of immigrant restaurant owners. The story reflects the struggles of navigating family expectations, cultural identity, and the weight of being a “good daughter” while living in the shadow of her parents’ dream. Phan explores the cross-generational trauma shaped by her parents’ past and the toll restaurant life took on their relationships. As she approaches adulthood and her parents’ potential retirement, Rachel attempts to reconnect with them outside the context of the restaurant, offering a poignant reflection on family, self-discovery, and the immigrant experience.
Let Only Red Flowers Bloom by Emily Feng
Feng explores China’s battle over identity under Xi Jinping’s regime, highlighting the state’s oppression of those who don’t conform to the government’s ideal of being Han Chinese, Mandarin-speaking, atheist, and loyal to socialism. Through the stories of marginalized individuals, including Uyghurs, human rights lawyers, and ethnic minorities, Feng exposes the struggles they face in resisting the state’s definition of Chinese identity and surviving under an oppressive regime.
Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Set against the backdrop of 1947 Partition-era Bengal, three sisters—ambitious Priya, romantic Deepa, and dutiful Jamini—are torn apart by personal choices and the violence sweeping their homeland. As their once-safe world fractures after their father’s death, each must navigate love, loyalty, and identity in a country being divided by religion and politics. A poignant tale of sisterhood, sacrifice, and resilience in a time of upheaval.
The Magnificent Ruins by Nayantara Roy
Rising New York editor Lila De returns to Kolkata after unexpectedly inheriting her family’s vast ancestral home—only to find herself entangled in long-buried secrets, family resentments, and unresolved relationships. As tensions build within the crumbling estate and in her personal life, Lila must confront the legacy she tried to escape and the truths her family has long kept hidden. A sweeping, multi-generational debut rich with drama, memory, and emotional reckoning.
Love, Queenie by Mayukh Sen
A biography of Merle Oberon, the pioneering South Asian actress who became the first person of color to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for The Dark Angel in 1936. Despite hiding her South Asian heritage and passing for white, Oberon’s journey from poverty to Hollywood fame is explored through new interviews and archival research, shedding light on her complicated legacy and the enduring issues of race, gender, and power in the film industry.
Docile by Hyeseung Song
A searing coming-of-age memoir about the daughter of ambitious Korean immigrants and her struggle to find self-worth. Growing up amidst her parents’ strained marriage and high expectations, Hyeseung Song internalizes the model minority myth, only to confront mental health challenges and a search for her own path outside the pressures of success. Through unflinching honesty, she embarks on a journey of healing, subverting cultural norms, and reclaiming her identity.
Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi
A sweeping novel about Sona, a young Anglo-Indian nurse who is accused of causing the mysterious death of a famous painter in Bombay. Armed with a cryptic note and four paintings left behind by the artist, Sona sets off across Europe to uncover the truth, deliver the art, and clear her name. As she pieces together the painter’s tangled past, Sona also begins to unravel her own, discovering that understanding others—and herself—requires seeing beyond what first meets the eye.
Starry Field by Margaret Juhae Lee
A powerful memoir by Margaret Juhae Lee, who embarks on a journey to uncover the lost history of her grandfather, Lee Chul Ha, a student revolutionary imprisoned during Korea’s colonial era. Through investigative research and interviews with her grandmother, Margaret reveals her grandfather’s legacy as a patriot, challenging her family’s silence and shame. This emotional exploration of history, family, and identity delves into the complexities of generational trauma and the search for belonging.
Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones by Priyanka Mattoo
A witty and poignant memoir chronicling the author’s nomadic life from her childhood in Kashmir to her eventual home in Los Angeles. After fleeing the violence in Kashmir in 1989, Mattoo’s family moved 32 times across the globe, from Saudi Arabia to England to Michigan. Through humorous and heartfelt stories, she reflects on identity, home, and the search for belonging in a world of constant change.
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