In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander heritage month, the staff at Texas Book Festival presents some of our favorite AAPI stories. From love stories that transcend time, delicious recipes that come to life on Instagram, sound advice to navigate working on a K-drama, and more! Check out the full list below and follow us on social media (@texasbookfest) to let us know your AAPI recommendations!
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
Malinda Lo’s beautifully written, award-winning YA novel is a love story set in and around 1950s Chinatown. I was immediately drawn in by protagonist Lily’s story and fascinated by the navigation of the intersection of being both Chinese-American and queer during a time when it wasn’t safe to be either. If you want to take a deep dive into the author’s research and story after reading the book, I highly recommend you visit Malinda Lo’s blog. – Michelle Hernandez, School & Community Programs Coordinator
Flip the Script by Lyla Lee
Check out Texas author Lyla Lee’s Flip the Script. Not only is this a game-changing YA romance novel, but it’s also fun, sweet, and set in the world of K-dramas. Make sure to follow Lyla on Instagram for some of the best bookish social media out there. – Claire Burrows, Deputy Director
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
I have a soft spot for stories about stories — particularly if they’re about bringing people together. Trung Le Nguyen’s The Magic Fish centers on a son who is having trouble coming out to his mom as gay, but the pair navigate this unfamiliar gap in their relationship by reading fairy tales from the library. This tender premise is intimately brought to life with Nguyen’s monochromatic illustrations. – Gavin Quinn, Programs & Financial Coordinator
The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee
A sweeping history of cancer from an expertly informed medical and scientific perspective, for certain, but also from a deeply human one. It’s precisely what I was searching for not long after my own family faced this “regal” malady, and it’s a book I sometimes recommend—when asked and when the time is right—to friends whose families have faced the same. – Matthew Patin, Literary Director
The Korean Vegan by Joanne Lee Molinaro
This year I’m shaking up my at-home meals! I’ve been vegan for nearly three years now but I’ve become way too comfortable with the recipes that I tend to cook up. I discovered Joanne’s videos on Instagram a year ago and I must say that they are a work of art! Every meal has a story and Joanne’s shared wisdom will not only make you hungry, but you will feel the urge to step into your kitchen to cook something that will make you feel good – body and soul. I cannot wait to test out these recipes! Check out this great compilation video of #KoreanAuntyGivesAdvice! – Ke’ara Hunt, Communications & Marketing Coordinator
The Gold Diggers by Sanjena Sathian
While this imaginative and riveting story has the Indian American coming of age experience at its heart, it also asks difficult questions about what parents will do to ensure the success of their offspring and how those fierce ambitions shape the children well into adulthood. This book is begging for deep discussions! – Susannah Auby, Development Manager
