May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and today I’m sharing some amazing books by Asian authors to add to your TBR!
This list is comprised of 15 recommendations! Some of these I’ve already read, some I haven’t read yet but have recently bought/downloaded, and couple are upcoming releases that are on my personal ‘must buy’ list and should be on your radar too!
1. The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur
Highlights: YA historical mystery, Complex sister relationship, Missing father, Korean setting, Detectives
2. The Beautiful & The Damned by Renée Ahdieh
Highlights: Beautiful and atmospheric writing, YA paranormal romance, New Orleans setting
3. The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
Highlights: Sapphic romance, Bangladeshi MC, Henna artists, Amazing sister relationship
4. The Girl From the Well by Rin Chupeco
Highlights: Creepy AF, The Grudge meets Dexter, Based on a Japanese ghost story, terrifying dolls, Possession
5. Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles
Highlights: Magicians, Circus, Slow burn romance, Loose magic system, Moulin Rouge vibes, Major cliffhanger (don’t worry – book 2 comes out this October!)
6. Girls of Paper and Fire & Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan
Highlights: Sapphic romance, Feminist, Discussions of abuse/sexual assault, Caste system, Rebellion
7. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Highlights: Adult contemporary with slight mystery plot, Set in 1970s, Themes of identity, acceptance, and familial/social pressures
8. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
Release Date: June 8, 2021
Highlights: WLW, Different classes, Start of a new trilogy, Vengeful princess, Forbidden magic
9. Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
Release Date: June 1, 2021
Highlights: YA contemporary with a speculative twist, Dance classes, Disillusioned heroine,
10. The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
Release Date: June 1, 2021
Highlights: Great Gatsby Retelling, Queer, adopted, Asian-American heroine
11. Briar Girls by Rebecca Kim Wells
Release Date: November 2, 2021
Highlights: Mysterious forest, Cursed heroine, Sapphic romance
12. Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
Release Date: July 6, 2021
Highlights: Princess with forbidden magic and exiled, Shapeshifting dragon, Six enchanted cranes, An unspeakable curse
13. Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
Release Date: May 11, 2021
Highlights: YA contemporary fantasy, Reluctant medium, Malaysian setting, Vengeful spirits and gods
14. The One’s We’re Meant to Find by Joan He
Highlights: Apocalyptic setting, YA science fiction, Missing sister, Secrets
15. Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee
Highlights: Historical Fiction set on the Titanic, Circus, Acrobats, Twins
Let me know in the comments if you’ve read any of these or if any of them are on your TBR! And definitely share some other recommendations!
Paperbacks and Planners 
Leave a reply to Octavia @ Mermaid Reads Cancel reply