I SHOULD HAVE READ THAT BOOK TAG: ASIAN PACIFIC HERITAGE MONTH EDITION

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month – a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).

– Asian Pacific Heritage Month Website

Happy Asian Pacific Heritage Month, y’all! I have to admit that this is the first time I’ve heard of this heritage month. I would like to think that even if I had not been a part of the book community I would have heard of this heritage month, however, I can’t know if it would have held as much meaning as it has to me now. Being a book blogger has changed me. It has made me more conscious of my ethnicity and culture, of my privilege and the difficult roads that need traveling; it has educated me on diversity and inclusivity. I’m glad to have the platform to talk on these things and hopefully inspire my readers.

Inspired by Asian Pacific Heritage month, I gave a small twist to the I Should Read That book tag. I hope you enjoy it!

Rules

🌺 Thank the person who tagged you and link back to their post – I found this post on Stephanie’s (Adventures of a Bibliophile) blog. But this book tag was originally created by Beth at booksnest.co.uk in your post
🌺 Answer the questions below
🌺 Tag 10 others to take part
🌺 ENJOY THE TAG!

A book that a certain friend is always telling you to read

THE WEIGHT OF OUR SKY BY HANNA ALKAF is a book I found through Shealea at Shut Up, Shealea. She and Kate from Your Tita Kate had been constantly talking about this book that I was curious enough to look into it. I love historical fiction, so I was sad that this escaped my notice initially. I’d love to read this book to learn more about 1969 race riots in Malaysia and also about the mental illness rep in the book.

Although I had heard of GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE BY NATASHA NGAN, I had not picked it up. I guess I was still a bit unsure about it. Then I watched Melanie from Mel To The Any’s video recommending some Asian reads and she gave high praise to Girls of Paper and Fire. That convinced me. I knew I had to read this. 

A book that’s been on your TBR forever and yet you still haven’t picked it up

 

EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU BY CELESTE NG and A THOUSAND BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS (EDITED BY ELLEN OH) have been on my Kindle for a year now. Aha. I also recently bought a copy of A SUITABLE BOY BY VIKRAM SETH but the size of that tome scares me. 

A book in a series you’ve started, but haven’t gotten round to finishing yet

Coincidentally, these are both duologies and they both have a plot which deals with plagues. I haven’t had a chance to get the sequel to ROSEMARKED BY LIV BLACKBURNE and PHOENIX DESCENDING BY DOROTHY DREYER, so I’m just waiting on a sale to come up soon. 

A classic you’ve always liked the sound of, but never actually read

I’ve heard so much about STACEY LEE’S BOOKS but haven’t had the chance (or finances lol) to buy her books. I’m especially drawn to OUTRUN THE MOON which is a historical fiction featuring a Chinese main character. I have trouble finding historical fictions that features Asian characters, so I was glad to come across Lee’s books.

Another book I ALWAYS see around is MONSTRESS WRITTEN BY MAJORIE LU & ILLUSTRATED BY SANA TAKEDA. I’m very fond of reading manga It’s by a Taiwenese author and a Japanese Illustrator. Again, Mel to the Any recommended this as her most favourite graphic novel. Also, the blurb describes as “art deco-inflected steam punk.” How does anyone pass that up?

A popular book that it seems everyone but you has read

There are just too many books I would love to read, but the top on my list are THE VEGETARIAN BY HAN KANG, THE GILDED WOLVES BY ROSHANI CHOKSI, and DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY BY ADIB KHORRAM.

A book that inspired a film/TV adaptation that you really love, but you just haven’t read it yet Asian books that would love to see be made into a film/TV adaptation

This is basically a shoutout of the amazing books I read and would love to re-experience.

🌺 THE BONE WITCH TRILOGY BY RIN CHUPECO

🌺  A SPARK OF WHITE FIRE BY SANGU MANDANNA

🌺 EMPIRE OF SAND BY TASHA SURI

🌺 THE GOOD SON BY YOU-JEONG JEONG 

A book you see all over Instagram but haven’t picked up yet

I’ve hear so much about these two authors but I haven’t read any of their works. STARFISH BY AKEMI DAWN BOWMAN and PACHINKO BY MIN JIN LEE have caught my interest, so I’d love to read these books. 

If you’re looking for more recommendations, check out these posts:

🌺 My (Mostly New) Recommended Ownvoices Books for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!! by May @ Forever and Everly.

🌺 Asian Books Which Changed Your Life || Eight Bloggers Share Their Stories by Cam @ Camillea Reads.

🌺 Melanie from Mel To The Any shares their Asian Book Recommendations for Asian Pacific Heritage Month on booktube.

🌺 Varian from The Quiet Pond dresses up to wish you a Happy Asian Pacific Heritage Month! and recommends Books By Maori and Pasifika Authors.

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I’m tagging 

• Nandini at Unputdownable Books 
• Chana and Malka at Paper Procratinators
• Dani at Perspective of a Writer
• Anna and Charlotte from Reads Rainbow
• Clo from Book Dragons
• Charvi from It’s Not Just Fiction

What’s your favourite Asian read of the year, so far?

Which book would you love to see made into a movie?

Which Asian read are you yet to pick up?

What do you recommend for Asian Pacific Heritage Month?