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 nonwhite in general. I actually 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 we always have the old-school classics like Jhumpa Lahiri, Khaled Hosseini, Toni Morrison, etc.
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.
Honestly though the neurodiversity in women is something we rarely get to see. I'm so happy to see hot autistic people of color living their best life. We also got the queer representation, the babes suffering from chronic pain, and more!
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 Vietnamese-American inspired. 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, we're seeing my tastes expand. All the books I have listened to a lot of these books, you'll definitely notice the voice of the narrator changes after the first few books. Each book is a mystery always and the protagonist, Lana Lee, always happens to "coincidentally" be involved. She works at her family restaurant and is obsessed with donuts, because what detective isn't? The author build an entire community of characters and shops 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, 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 actual 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 . . . and a good cup 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 mix of chosen family, emotional abuse (major gaslighting) recovery, and some truly hilarious 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 last year. I wouldn't say this is a fun read, more so 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.
Katie Zhao
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed listening to the Zodiac Rising Audiobook. Even though aspects of the story are a bit cheesy, I like the vampire/werewolf love dynamics, there are still unexpected twists. There are multiple points of view from chapter to chapter, one from each major character. It’s a refreshing change, and I like seeing that the assumed heroine has some obvious flaws and moral failings. I’m really excited for the next installment!
Lily Chu
Again for a cheesy premise and storyline, this story has some unexpected turns. It’s definitely a cozy romance, that makes you want to fast forward at times to see what’s going on with the love interests. There are some more serious issues covered like mental health, the caretaking for a parent, workplace harassment, etc. So I definitely wouldn’t go in thinking it’s going to be happy go lucky.
I'll keep you up-to-date as I discover more authors. I have a ton of books on hold at the moment, currently trying to get more into the fantasy realm. Ready to add more to the list!
Special shout out to Lisa See and Ann Aguirre, I'm not sure how either identify racially, but I can feel that their writing comes from a personal connection to their cultures. I've enjoyed reading Lady Tan's Circle of Women,The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, and The Only Purple House in Town. I'm currently listening to the Never Name the Dead audiobook and reading Blood of the Old Kings, hoping to get my final thoughts out soon!
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