As the festive season draws near, finding the perfect holiday gift becomes a delightful mission for many. Ahead of the holiday season, here’s an expertly holiday gift guide with a list of books by Asian authors that are ideal for gifting, catering to the diverse tastes of bookworms everywhere.
From gripping novels and insightful memoirs to enchanting children’s stories, this selection will ease your holiday shopping and bring joy toloved ones. Embark on a literary journey this holiday season with our guide to the best book gifts.
The Spirit Glass by Roshani Chokshi
Dive into a mystical world with Roshani Chokshi’s The Spirit Glass. This enchanting novel weaves together magic, Filipino folklore, and rich cultural traditions. Corazon, aspiring to become a female shaman and revive her parents, embarks on a quest with her gecko companion, Saso. Here, she hopes to restore balance between the worlds and awaken her magic by fashioning a new soul key, after a vengeful ghost steals her means to connect with her parents’ spirits. This pick is a captivating choice for younger readers, especially those interested in Young Adult fantasy.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
In a startling turn of events, Athena’s untimely demise leads June, a fellow author, to claim Athena’s unpublished work as her own under the enigmatic pseudonym, Juniper Song. Imbued with a captivating first-person narrative, R.F. Kuang delves deep into themes of identity, racism, and cultural theft, along with the isolating effects of social media.
Central Places by Delia Cai
In this dynamic debut from a promising new talent in fiction, a young woman’s history and current life intersect dramatically when she introduces her white fiancé to her Chinese immigrant parents.
The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok
The Leftover Woman is a gripping family drama intertwining the stories of Jasmine Yang, a mother from rural China searching for her daughter taken under the One Child Policy, and Rebecca Whitney, a wealthy publishing executive whose perfect life unravels amidst scandal. As Jasmine flees her controlling husband and navigates desperate measures to reunite with her daughter, Rebecca’s seemingly ideal world crumbles, challenging her role as a wife, mother, and career woman.
See also: AAPI Christmas movies to watch this holiday season
Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing by Jen Soriano
In Nervous, activist Jen Soriano blends science, history, and personal narrative to explore the enduring impacts of transgenerational trauma. Soriano delves into her own struggles with chronic pain and mental health, tracing their origins through a series of essays. The book seamlessly intertwines memory, sociology, neuroscience, and public health, to understand and transform trauma.
A Living Remedy: A Memoir by Nicole Chung
Nicole Chung explores her journey from an overwhelmingly white Oregon hometown to an East Coast university, contrasting her middle-class upbringing with her adult life. The memoir reflects on the specific guilt of leaving behind a world of hardship and precarious living, highlighted by her father’s death due to inadequate healthcare and her mother’s cancer diagnosis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Donut Shop by Ratana Kim and Cindy Apsari
Embark on a delightful morning with a Cambodian-American family at their cherished donut shop! Our Donut Shop by Ratana Kim and Cindy Apsari serves up a sweet and heartfelt story. This delightful read is perfect for those who enjoy uplifting tales with a dash of culinary charm.
Damned If You Do by Alex Brown
In this horror comedy blending queer Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Filipino folklore, a high school stage manager, Cordelia Scott, discovers she accidentally sold her soul to a demon in exchange for her abusive father’s disappearance. Seven years later, her seemingly normal life managing school plays and harbouring feelings for her best friend is upended when her guidance counselor, reveals himself as the demon . Demanding her her help with a demonic problem, Cordelia must now assist Fred in neutralizing a rival demon threatening her hometown, or face eternal damnation alongside her father in Hell.
A Very Asian Guide to…
Each book in this series offers a delightful exploration of Asian cuisine, packed with intriguing facts and adorned with beautiful illustrations. Designed to spark curiosity and foster empathy in children, the series encourages young readers to delve into diverse foods and cultures.
Crescenciana by Kenneth Tan
In Crescenciana, Kenneth Tan honors his late grandmother, Crescenciana Tan, by intertwining their artwork, conversations, and memoirs to recount her life journey from the Philippines through Canada to the United States, including her experiences as a World War II survivor. Working together at their kitchen table in San Jose, California, they created a unique blend of watercolor paintings and illustrative memories. This memoir and art book not only celebrates carrying forward family stories but also explores Kenneth’s journey of moving forward while cherishing the past.
See also: Cold Tea Reads: 8 must read books for AANHPI Heritage Month and beyond
Gift the joy of reading this holiday season with these top book picks, each offering a unique and memorable journey into different worlds, cultures, and experiences. Perfect for every book lover on your list!
