15 Books by Asian American Authors You Should Read

To ParadiseThe story takes place in an alternate New York City. It has three sections, which are divided into three centuries and three generations: 1893-93, 1993, 2093. It explores various versions of what love, loss, family and utopia look like across America’s centuries.

Frida Liu may not have a successful career or a faithful husband but she does have Harriet. Until the government challenges her devotion. She must prove to herself that she can be a good mom after she loses her daughter.

Dr. Cliff Miyashiro arrives at the Arctic Circle to continue the work done by his late daughter. He discovers a virus and struggles to combat it. He is joined by a group of characters who are rebuilding their lives through love, resilience and reinvention.

The SwimmersThis story is about a group recreational swimmer obsessed mothers and daughters who find themselves in an unforgiving world after a crack appears at their local pool (and comfort spot).

From the publisher

After her father is found dead in his office, Nell Young discovers that a rare map leads her on dangerous journey. She soon discovers the map is very valuable and holds a dark family mystery. As if that weren’t enough, a mysterious collector is on an unending mission to destroy the map.

Disorientation is a literary satire fiction that is about a Taiwanese American woman’s coming-of-consciousness after she embarks on a roller coaster of mishaps and misadventures with her trusty friend Eunice Kim.

Meilin’s future is bright until she is forced to flee her home with her son Renshu and travel through a ravaged country to seek refuge. Renshu now lives in America, years later, with his daughter. She is asking him to remember the weight of his past. This novel spans continents, generations to tell the story about China’s history.

Will Chen is an excellent Harvard student. But, when a mysterious Chinese donor offers him $50 million to steal five valuable Chinese sculptures from China, he finds himself in the middle a heist. Will he succeed and change history, or will his future be destroyed forever?

Daiyu is kidnapped by her captors and smuggled across the ocean. She is forced to keep reinventing her self to survive. To overcome tragedy and claim her destiny, she must draw upon old versions of herself (even those she doesn’t want).

Meiko and Aiko were sent to Idaho by a Japanese American internment camp. They had been living in Seattle. They team up with a journalist and missionary to investigate the mysterious illness that is spreading.

Kaikeyi, desperate to be free from her kingdom’s control, discovers magic in a book that she used to read with mother. It transforms her from a princess to a warrior, diplomat and warrior. However, her power soon clashes with the destiny she and her family have been given by the gods.

Ocean Vuong, an award-winning poet, has created this highly anticipated collection. Vuong explores loss and family as well as war in America. This is Vuong’s second collection of poetry.

From the publisher:Our Missing HeartsThis is an old story retold to show how civilized communities can ignore the most severe injustices. It’s a story about the power—and limitations—of art to create change, the lessons and legacies we pass on to our children, and how any of us can survive a broken world with our hearts intact.”

Publication Date: October 4th

Dorothy believes her past has haunted her. She seeks help through an experimental therapy to alleviate her trauma. While she searches for peace, she learns that trauma isn’t the only thing she’s inherited.

Publication Date: August 2nd