For the last few years, I’ve been sharing a list of books I’m tracking by Asian and Pacific Islander authors. This year, I managed (again) to make it a nice round 25 for 2025. Details (and preorder links!) get thinner as we get out beyond summer, but it looks like we’re in for a great year, especially in contemporary fiction.
If you want to kick off the year with some chill vibes, Lauren Kung Jessen’s Yin Yang Love Song is a fake dating contemporary that’s low angst and feels totally organic. Mixing hot rock star cellists and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao, also out in just a couple weeks, has an amazing origami book jacket (you have to see it). And later in the year, I’m especially excited for Justinian Huang’s Lucky Seed, currently slated for October. His Insta describes it as “Succession meets Beef.” Yes, please.
If this list helps you discover a new book, I’d love it if you’d use the affiliate links to help support my work. They kick us a small percentage at no cost to you, if you use them to shop.
SUMMER TBD
NOVEMBER TBD
NOVEMBER 2025