The literary landscape has changed immensely since I was young. I didn't have the chance to read about characters who looked like me, or who were for the most part, nonwhite in general. I took a break from reading for a while, until COVID came and we were all indoors.
Thus began my journey of re-discovering my love for books, this time even better! Because the characters resonated with me.
This blog is about new authors I've come to know about. But Jhumpa Lahiri, Khaled Hosseini, Toni Morrison, the list continues, we can't forgot about the classics!
Talia Hibbert
A romance QUEEN, we love the representation for WOC and neuro-spicy gals. I haven't read a book by her that isn't steamie, just to prepare you. I do have a habit of reading these at night, in my room . . .
Honestly though the neurodiversity in women is something we rarely get to see. I'm so happy to see happy, hot, autistic people of color living their best life. We also got the queer representation, the chronic illness babes, sexy right?
These witty, adorable, diverse books are peak comfort vibes. Grab some tea and biscuits and dig in!
Helen Hoang
One more time for the neurodiverse ladies, this time let's make it Asian. Helen Hoang's books are also steamy. You may see a pattern forming . . . Her characters reflect her Vietnamese culture and are so wholesome (still dirty, but like in an aww way?). She writes neurodiverse men and women, so far the books I've read all take place within one fictional family. Like not one nuclear family, but like cousin's and family friends.
This is one of those books that makes me so hungry. It's a true talent to be able to describe food in a way where you can picture and envy what you hear/read.
Vivien Chien
This one is not steamy but there is romance okay, we're seeing my tastes expand. All the books I've read from her, I've actually not read. I've recently gotten into Audiobooks, and I love whoever is the voice actor for this. Like I only want to listen to these books from now on. Each book is a mystery mixed with a family restaurant mixed with a donut obsessed chinese protagonist. She's mostly solving murders that happen in the fictional Asia Village plaza where her parents' restaurant resides.
In the first book she meets Detective Trudeau and a romance ensues. His character is written kinda deadpan which is always confusing and weirdly attractive. Sometimes introverts can deliver rizz through the smallest actions.
Sangu Mandanna
Just read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and it was SO cute. Once again, there is romance okay, but there's also chosen family, queer representation, oh and also magic! Brown witches, I mean tell me more.
Magogodi oaMphela Makhene
Innards, Innards, INNARDS! Okay let me stop I'm a vegetarian, that's the name of the book. But a new author with a storytelling gift on par with Jhumpa and Khaled. She comes from South Africa, and this book was a collection of short stories. The opening of the first chapter, you just know it's gonna be good, you'll see.
Jesse Q. Sutanto
I've only read one of her books so far but it was adorable, and once again, the writing makes you hungry! This author knows how to describe a meal okay, and tea. Like now I just want to go buy a bunch of Chinese teas but my wallet says maybe don't. Again mystery books, with a flavor of chosen family once again, recovering from trauma, and some funny moments. The writing from an boomer immigrant reminds me so much of my mom, grandma, and aunts.
Sumi Hahn
Fair warning, this isn't a happy book, and it definitely isn't a fantasy, but The Mermaid from Jeju opened my eyes into a part of Asian history I'm ashamed I hadn't learned earlier. The most I knew about Korea was the famous dramas and bands, not their long-suffering history of foreign occupation. Furthermore, I didn't know there was a community of Korean divers until watching the movie Smugglers this past year. I wouldn't say this is a fun read, moresoe enlightening on the struggles of Korea particularly during it's American occupation. We see how it directly impacts the main character, the folks they encounter, and the small community they grow up in.
Once you're done reading this, I recommend pairing it with Smugglers, and The Last of the Sea Women (available on Apply TV). All of these explore the Haenyeo community and culture, which is currently facing the threat of extinction.
I'll keep you up-to-date as I discover more authors. When I'm done with Sumi's book, I want to get into Lisa See.
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