Every May, AAPI Heritage Month invites us to honor the voices and stories of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities — but this celebration extends beyond history and heritage. It’s also a time to amplify contemporary narratives that explore the complexities of identity, culture and connection.
This carefully curated list highlights an exceptional range of AAPI-authored novels that span continents and generations, weaving together tales of personal growth, familial legacy and emotional resilience. Whether through intergenerational dramas, magical realism or coming-of-age journeys, each book offers a window into the diverse experiences and imaginations of AAPI writers.
As you explore this list, may you discover stories that resonate, challenge and inspire — each one a celebration of AAPI heritage and identity, and the transformative magic of storytelling.
Somewhere Along the Way by Anna Gomez
Charlotte “Charlie” Hastings never longed for her mother — until a dream from her late father reveals a series of letters that awaken a desire for connection. Determined to uncover the truth, Charlie embarks on a soul-searching cross-country journey, guided by the words her mother left behind. Along the way, she meets Graham Mead, a mysterious stranger with his own secrets, whose unexpected companionship forces her to confront her past. As each stop unravels revelations of love, loss and healing, Charlie and Graham must decide if their paths are destined to diverge — or if love can find a way, twice. Somewhere Along the Way is a heartfelt exploration of resilience, unexpected encounters and the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds.
Homeseeking by Karissa Chen
After 60 years apart, Haiwen never expected to see Suchi again — not until a chance encounter at a 99 Ranch Market in Los Angeles rekindles memories of the love they lost. Their story began in 1940s Shanghai, where childhood friendship deepened into romance, only for war to tear them apart when Haiwen enlisted, leaving behind his violin and a single note: Forgive me. As war, migration and fate pull them in different directions — from Hong Kong’s song halls to New York’s bustling streets — Haiwen clings to the past while Suchi forces herself to move forward. Homeseeking is a sweeping, deeply moving novel about love, sacrifice and the lifelong search for home.
Bad Bad Girl by Gish Jen
Spanning continents and generations, Bad Bad Girl is a poignant autobiographical novel that explores the complex, often turbulent bond between a mother and daughter. Born into a wealthy Shanghai family, Loo Shu-hsin defies expectations, pursuing an education and a new life in America — never to return. Decades later, her daughter Gish struggles to understand her mother’s choices while navigating their fractured relationship. Blisteringly funny and deeply moving, this novel unravels themes of ambition, sacrifice and the lasting echoes of familial love.
The Incredible Kindness of Paper by Evelyn Skye
Chloe Hanako Quinn and Oliver Jones were childhood pen pals, bound by a magical connection — until tragedy tore them apart. Now, twenty years later, Chloe is a struggling high school counselor in New York City, searching for hope in the form of yellow origami roses she leaves around town. Oliver, now a successful financial analyst, has spent years running from the past — until one of Chloe’s roses lands in his hands, reigniting a bond neither ever truly let go. The Incredible Kindness of Paper is a heartfelt story of fate, love and the quiet power of small gestures that can change lives forever.
Zarina Divided by Reem Faruqi
During the Partition of India, Zarina’s world is upended as her Muslim family is forced to leave behind their home in Poona for an uncertain future in Pakistan. Heartbroken and struggling to adjust, Zarina finds herself burdened by guilt after a tragic accident, leading her to seek refuge in a distant boarding school. As she grapples with the pain of separation and self-discovery, she must learn whether healing and growth can emerge from overwhelming change. Inspired by real-life events, Zarina Divided is a poignant, lyrical coming-of-age story about identity, resilience and finding hope in the face of loss.
The Family Recipe by Carolyn Huynh
When eccentric sandwich mogul Duc Tran announces his retirement, he sets an unexpected challenge for his five estranged children: his four daughters must revive struggling Duc’s Sandwiches locations across the country, but if his son, Jude, gets married first, he wins the entire inheritance. As the siblings navigate gentrification, love and long-buried family secrets, they begin to unravel the true intention behind their father’s scheme — and the mystery surrounding their mother’s decades-long disappearance. The Family Recipe is a hilarious, heartfelt dramedy about legacy, identity and the unbreakable bonds of family (with plenty of banh mi along the way).
All the Way Around the Sun by XiXi Tian
Stella Chen’s life has been unraveling since the sudden loss of her brother, leaving her adrift in grief and unanswered questions. When her parents force her to join childhood friend Alan Zhao on a college tour across California, she dreads the journey — Alan is everything she wishes she could be, and a reminder of how lost she feels. But as they travel down breathtaking coastlines and navigate fraught family dynamics, Stella begins to rediscover the connection they once shared. As long-buried truths come to light, All the Way Around the Sun becomes a poignant exploration of love, loss and the search for identity in the wake of change.
These Memories Do Not Belong to Us by Yiming Ma
In a future dominated by the Qin Empire, where memories can be bought, sold and manipulated, an unnamed narrator inherits a collection of banned memories from his late mother — stories so dangerous that possessing them threatens his freedom. As he races against time to share her truths before they are erased forever, he unveils gripping tales of rebellion, resilience and the fight against state-controlled history. These Memories Do Not Belong to Us is a haunting, thought-provoking novel that challenges the power of memory, identity and the narratives that shape our world.
Tall Water: A Graphic Novel by Sj Sindu
Sixteen-year-old Nimmi has always longed to see her mother, the woman who refused to leave Sri Lanka during the war — even for her. When her father travels back as a reporter, she seizes the chance to follow him, determined to reconnect. But just as she begins to unravel the truth, disaster strikes — the devastating 2004 tsunami leaves her stranded in a country she barely knows. As Nimmi fights to survive and find her mother, she discovers that the journey she embarked on isn’t just about family — it’s about finding herself. Tall Water is a gripping, beautifully illustrated coming-of-age graphic novel about love, loss and resilience.
Julia Song Is Undateable by Susan Lee
Julia Song is a powerhouse CEO with everything — except a decent dating record. When her beloved grandmother’s final wish is for her to get married, Julia agrees to let her family set her up on three dates, despite believing herself to be completely undateable. Enter Tae Kim, her childhood crush turned local handyman, who takes on the unexpected role of dating coach. But as Tae helps Julia navigate romance, their undeniable chemistry forces them to confront their own feelings. Julia Song Is Undateable is a hilarious and heartwarming story about love, family expectations and finding romance where you least expect it.
