Written by Guest Writer, Eugenia Vela
Twitter: @euvelab
instagram: @euvelab
We’re now deep into “Best of” season, and while I adore lists— reading them, making them, checkin ‘em off— I have my issues with those “Best of” that make headlines every year. What even IS “best”, y’all? Let’s talk about books that we LOVE. When AAAFF asked me to put together a list of books by AA/PI creators, I knew it was my time to share exactly that: books I love. Books I believe you will love, too. Books to inspire you. Books that will make you laugh and cry. Books that will make you want to call your mom, okay? So here’s what we’re digging into in this list: stories on identity, language, and survival, comedy, justice, and romance, family, privilege, edibles? and SO! MUCH! MORE! I hope y’all enjoy and find something new for you and yours.
As a former indie bookseller, I have to remind y’all to support local indie bookstores when you’re doing your shopping. I love attending AAAFF and participating in the wonderful screenings they put together— recent favorites include Minari and Curtain Up!— and I know that the festival, as a staple of the Austin community, understands the value of supporting local. I encourage you to explore some of the gems in your own town; Austin has amazing shops like BookPeople, BookWoman, Black Pearl Books, and more. You can also shop via bookshop.org, which the titles on this list link to, in order to support indies all over the country. Happy reading!
For the grown-ups
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (Grand Central Publishing)
Oh, Pachinko. How do I even begin? There is no real way to do this masterpiece justice. Pachinko sat on my shelves for years, even though I knew it was beloved and recommended by MANY folks I trust. Well, I genuinely believe that books find you at the right time. So one day, years after acquiring the title, I walked up to my shelf and picked it up. What followed was weeks of restricting myself to only a chapter or two a day because I did not want this book to end. I wanted to live in its pages and reach out to the characters created by Min Jin Lee in this unforgettable, impeccably detailed immigrant story. We meet young Sunja in early 1900s Korea and follow her family for generations after she marries and moves to Japan. Pachinko is a book of love, sacrifice, hope, history, and ambition. This is one of those books that you will want to hug after you’ve read the last page, and will leave you wondering just what you’re supposed to do next. Phew. Here’s hoping Pachinko finds you soon.
Edibles: Small Bites for the Modern Cannabis Kitchen by Stephanie Hua with Coreen Carroll, photography by Linda Xiao (Chronicle Books)
Every modern kitchen needs a good cannabis cookbook, right? Stephanie Hua, founder of the gourmet edibles line, Mellows, and Coreen Carroll, winner on the Netflix series Cooked with Cannabis, bring you a recipe collection that is fresh, simple, and adventurous enough for chefs of all levels. From basics like canna honey and maple syrup, to a twist on the regular ole pot brownie (reader, meet the “Booty Call Brownies”) and an inside scoop on the herb’s therapeutic effects, this cook/bake book will guide you through an easy and delicious edibles experience, not to mention look stunning on your kitchen counter. A personal favorite recipe is the fried mac and cheese bites… ooof *chefs kiss*.
Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So (Ecco Press)
There’s something about the fall/winter season that makes me want to discover a great new book of short stories. If you’re looking for a smart, modern collection to suck you right in, Afterparties is it. Published posthumously, the nine stories that make up Anthony Veasna So's debut collection are messy portraits of Cambodian American life. So doesn't pander to a white readership, nor does he ask for pity, painting scenes of those living with the traumatic side effects of genocide, sexually frustrated young people, and washed up dreamers. Afterparties is ultimately about history and how a community persists and thrives. Perfect for readers who love the power, depth, and humor of Carmen Maria Machado, Tommy Orange, and Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah.
For young adults
Yolk by Mary HK Choi (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
I absolutely love Mary HK Choi’s work and will read ANYTHING she puts out. You may be familiar with her writing from GQ Magazine, but she also writes novels for young adults, like her Austin-set debut, Emergency Contact, or her fantastic (and anxiety inducing) sophomore novel Permanent Record. Choi’s writing is sophisticated and captivating, and she is a master of character-driven stories. While her first two books explore early 20-something romance, her latest, Yolk, dives into the uncomfortable, complicated side of family relationships. When two estranged sisters, Jayne and June, come together in a time of need, they learn just how far they’re willing to go for one another. Their story tells of jealousy and anger, forgiveness and hope, layered with deeply rooted issues of body image, mental health, and depression. There is a LOT to unpack in Yolk, and it’s a difficult but rewarding read. Take your time. OH, one more thing. All of Choi’s stunning book covers are illustrated by ohgigue, and trust me, they deserve a spot on your bookshelf.
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen (Random House Graphic)
This graphic novel is unlike any other, and possibly one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. The Magic Fish is a complex, magically layered tale of a boy and his mother, and the way stories connect us through language, space, and time. Trung Le Nguyen weaves in fairy tales with the present-day happenings of Tiến’s life, as he tries to figure out how to come out to his parents. The artwork here is breathtaking. You will want to read The Magic Fish more than once to take in the intricacy in each spread, and the way the creator has managed to connect different perspectives into one awe-inspiring, unforgettable story.
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean (Flatiron Books)
If you’re hoping to escape reality and dive into a fun, modern fairy tale, look no further. Y’all, this novel is such an easy sell: think Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians for the new generation. Izumi Tanaka’s just a regular Japanese-American girl living in a very white, small town in California, when she learns that her long lost father is… *drumroll*... the Crown Prince of Japan. What follows is a whirlwind adventure filled with conniving cousins, paparazzi chases, and a lil’ dash of forbidden romance in this introduction to your new favorite princess. Me thinks Izzy and Mia Thermopolis would be good pals. Plus, there’s already a sequel in the works, coming to a bookstore near you in May 2022. I. Need. It.
Recommended for ages 8-12:
A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat (Candlewick)
I will admit I am not the biggest fantasy reader, but Austin author Christina Soontornvat’s fresh new world swallowed me whole! Pong is a prison-born orphan on the run, searching for freedom and discovering his own magical talents and limitations while facing new enemies, like the prison warden’s daughter, Nok, who has taken it upon herself to capture Pong and return him to Namwon Prison. This Thai-inspired reimagining of Les Miserables will pull readers into an action-packed, heartfelt, and funny (yes, it has it all!) story of justice, privilege, and finding light in the dark.
Stand Up, Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim (Kokila)
This book is my go-to recommendation for young readers with a funny bone! Personally, I believe we need MORE stories of kids who love standup, and this one reads like an instant modern classic. Yumi is our SNL-obsessed heroine, whose parents run a Korean barbecue restaurant and have high expectations and big hopes for their kid— and attending comedy camp run by a YouTube celebrity is NOT one of them. But what’s a girl to do, if not persistently (and secretly) chase her dreams of comedy stardom? Jessica Kim’s clever and laugh-out-loud funny debut starrs a brave, young girl who is all heart and isn’t afraid to ask big questions. Protect Yumi at all costs.
Picture books (for all ages!)
What I Am by Divya Srinivasan (Viking Books for Young Readers)
In the book’s Author Note, Divya Srinivasan shares the story of a rude stranger who once asked her sister, “What are you?” Neither of them ever forgot that moment. In What I Am, the young narrator ponders all the things that make her who she is. She is a scaredy-cat. She is brave. She is a daughter and a granddaughter. She is American. She is Indian. While some qualities might seem contradictory, they all exist at once. Paired with Srinivasan’s signature bright and bold illustrations, What I Am is a sweet and thoughtful celebration of the simple things that work together to make us unique individuals. If you love this book as much as I do, make sure you check out some of the Austin author’s other work, including the Little Owl books, Octopus Alone, and Cinnamon, written by Neil Gaiman. Divya was also an animator on Richard Linklater’s Waking Life!
A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin (Little, Brown for Young Readers)
This dreamy, whimsical book inspired by the phases of the moon reads like the perfect bedtime story. So nuzzle under your favorite blanket and get ready to meet Little Star, who can’t help but sneak out of bed and nibble on the mooncake her mama set out to cool. Author-illustrator Grace Lin thrives on a limited color palette and sparse text, delivering a treasure cove of detail in big spreads that beg to be framed and hung on the wall. (Not that I am encouraging y’all to tear out pages, but.) An homage to the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and the connections we make through food and tradition, A Big Mooncake for Little Star is an irresistible treat.
Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singh, illustrated by Baljinder Kaur (Kokila)
You can probably tell from my list that I’m not the biggest nonfiction reader. I do love the occasional essay collection, memoir, or biography, and that includes picture book biographies. Enter Fauja Singh, a man who ran his first marathon at 89 years old— and at 110, is still alive and running! The Texas author and fellow runner, Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, knew he had to tell this special story of a young boy who couldn’t walk and grew up to break marathon records. This beautifully illustrated tale of resilience and determination will inspire readers of all ages. I personally learned a lot from Fauja Singh, and while I’m not planning on signing up for a 5K any time soon, his message of perseverance, independence, and deep care for mind, body, and spirit applies to pretty much everything in life. Fauja Singh Keeps Going deserves to be celebrated!
