20 Best Asian American Books (2023 Update)

"the definitive history of asian americans by one of the nation's preeminent scholars on the subject. in the past fifty years, asian americans have helped change the face of america and are now the fastest growing group in the united states. but as award-winning historian erika lee reminds us, asian americans also have deep roots in the country. the making of asian america tells the little-known history of asian americans and their role in american life, from the arrival of the first asians in the americas to the present-day. over the past fifty years, a new asian america has emerged out of community activism and the arrival of new immigrants and refugees. no longer a "despised minority," asian americans are now held up as america's "model minorities" in ways that reveal the complicated role that race still plays in the united states. published to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the passage of the united states' immigration and nationality act of 1965 that has remade our "nation of immigrants," this is a new and definitive history of asian americans. but more than that, it is a new way of understanding america itself, its complicated histories of race and immigration, and its place in the world today"–

The fascinating story of the rise of asian americans as a politically and socially influential racial groupthis groundbreaking book is about the transformation of asian americans from a few small, disconnected, and largely invisible ethnic groups into a self-identified racial group that is influencing every aspect of american society. it explores the junctures that shocked asian americans into motion and shaped a new consciousness, including the murder of vincent chin, a chinese american, by two white autoworkers who believed he was japanese; the apartheid-like working conditions of filipinos in the alaska canneries; the boycott of korean american greengrocers in brooklyn; the los angeles riots; and the casting of non-asians in the broadway musical miss saigon. the book also examines the rampant stereotypes of asian americans.helen zia, the daughter of chinese immigrants, was born in the 1950s when there were only 150,000 chinese americans in the entire country, and she writes as a personal witness to the dramatic changes involving asian americans.written for both asian americans—the fastest-growing population in the united states—and non-asians, asian american dreams argues that america can no longer afford to ignore these emergent, vital, and singular american people.

American history is filled with many great people of asian ancestry who have contributed greatly to the country's culture. because of their contributions, these men and women are rightfully considered heroes by not just asian americans, but americans of all backgrounds. in the great book of asian american heroes you'll learn about eighteen of the greatest asian american heroes and heroines in american history. this book is unique because it focuses on what made these people heroes and heroines, particularly the struggles they had to overcome along the way. since a hero can be defined as any person who has influenced a great number of people and often continues to long after his or her death, or covers a time period of nearly 200 years and from all walks of life. most of the heroes in this book are of chinese and japanese ancestry, but heroes of indian, southeast asian, and polynesian ancestry are also included. these heroes may have different stories and backgrounds, but they all share the same ability to inspire with their stories! in the great book of asian american heroes, you'll learn: ● who was the first asian american elected to the us congress and what obstacles did he overcome to reach that milestone? ● how did bruce lee became a global action star and what were the circumstances of his mysterious death? ● what was the idea behind the creation of scooby-doo? ● where did professional baseball player wally yonamine leave his mark on the sports world and why was that a major accomplishment? and so much more! this book is filled with a plethora of facts about some of the most fascinating and impactful americans of asian ancestry. but keep in mind that this is so much more than a boring history book-it's meant to keep you engaged and entertained as much as it will educate you. with that said, this book is guaranteed to edify and entertain you! whether you have a passing interest in history, are distantly related to one of the heroes or heroines, or just want something fascinating to read, you can't go wrong with this exciting and inspirational book.

New york times bestseller – pulitzer prize finalist – national book critics circle award winner – one of time’s 100 most influential people – a ruthlessly honest, emotionally charged, and utterly original exploration of asian american consciousness“brilliant . . . to read this book is to become more human.”—claudia rankine, author of citizenin development as a television series starring and adapted by greta lee – one of time’s 10 best nonfiction books of the year – named one of the best books of the year by the new york times, the washington post, npr, new statesman, buzzfeed, esquire, the new york public library, and book riot poet and essayist cathy park hong fearlessly and provocatively blends memoir, cultural criticism, and history to expose fresh truths about racialized consciousness in america. part memoir and part cultural criticism, this collection is vulnerable, humorous, and provocative—and its relentless and riveting pursuit of vital questions around family and friendship, art and politics, identity and individuality, will change the way you think about our world. binding these essays together is hong’s theory of “minor feelings.” as the daughter of korean immigrants, cathy park hong grew up steeped in shame, suspicion, and melancholy. she would later understand that these “minor feelings” occur when american optimism contradicts your own reality—when you believe the lies you’re told about your own racial identity. minor feelings are not small, they’re dissonant—and in their tension hong finds the key to the questions that haunt her. with sly humor and a poet’s searching mind, hong uses her own story as a portal into a deeper examination of racial consciousness in america today. this intimate and devastating book traces her relationship to the english language, to shame and depression, to poetry and female friendship. a radically honest work of art, minor feelings forms a portrait of one asian american psyche—and of a writer’s search to both uncover and speak the truth.praise for minor feelings“hong begins her new book of essays with a bang. . . . the essays wander a variegated terrain of memoir, criticism and polemic, oscillating between smooth proclamations of certainty and twitches of self-doubt. . . . minor feelings is studded with moments [of] candor and dark humor shot through with glittering self-awareness.”—the new york times“hong uses her own experiences as a jumping off point to examine race and emotion in the united states.”—newsweek“powerful . . . [hong] brings together memoiristic personal essay and reflection, historical accounts and modern reporting, and other works of art and writing, in order to amplify a multitude of voices and capture asian america as a collection of contradictions. she does so with sharp wit and radical transparency.”—salon

In an extraordinary blend of narrative history, personal recollection, & oral testimony, the author presents a sweeping history of asian americans. he writes of the chinese who laid tracks for the transcontinental railroad, of plantation laborers in the canefields of hawaii, of "picture brides" marrying strangers in the hope of becoming part of the american dream. he tells stories of japanese americans behind the barbed wire of u.s. internment camps during world war ii, hmong refugees tragically unable to adjust to wisconsin's alien climate & culture, & asian american students stigmatized by the stereotype of the "model minority." this is a powerful & moving work that will resonate for all americans, who together make up a nation of immigrants from other shores.

Named to the gold house book list, asian americans who inspire us introduces readers of all ages to 16 asian americans who changed the world.this beautifully illustrated book brings to life the stories of vietnam memorial architect maya lin, olympian kristi yamaguchi, musician yo-yo ma, astronaut ellison onizuka, anchorwoman lisa ling, activists larry itliong and philip vera cruz, and more! among these biographies, readers will find heroes, discover role models, and meet ordinary people who did extraordinary things. whether they were breaking olympic records, bringing education to millions of people around the world, or speaking up for the rights of others, these asian-americans broke stereotypes and took a stand to make the world a better place.highlighting the talent and contributions of asian-american leaders and changemakers from around the united states, readers of all backgrounds will be empowered to discover what they too can achieve. these strong, courageous, talented, and diverse men and women have built a legacy of extraordinary achievements that will inspire generations to pursue their dreams.others featured: duke kahanamoku, patsy takumoto mink, tammy duckworth, salman khan, andrew youn, david ho, margaret chung, grace lin, and haing ngor.

Finally not alone.for so long, asians have been underrepresented, stereotyped as quiet and meek, and have faced obstacles due to racism as well as parts of our culture. today, you can finally hear real stories from around the world, on what it's like to be asian. life stories where 50 authors, 50 people, from our 145,000+ fans on @asianandloud courageously bare it all to educate the world and to inspire readers like you and i who are going through the same journeys. here's just a few topics from our 50 chapters: racism & covid-19growing up in a cult – coming out as gay – refugee experiences – depression & trauma – ncaa d1 football player & stanford scholarship – asian musicians & artists – self-love & inspiration – and so many more. let's get started.

The first korean adoptees were powerful symbols of american superiority in the cold war; as korean adoption continued, adoptees' visibility as asians faded as they became a geopolitical success story–all-american children in loving white families. in invisible asians, kim park nelson analyzes the processes by which korean american adoptees' have been rendered racially invisible, and how that invisibility facilitates their treatment as exceptional subjects within the context of american race relations and in government policies. invisible asians draws on the life stories of more than sixty adult korean adoptees in three locations: minnesota, home to the largest concentration of korean adoptees in the united states; the pacific northwest, where many of the first korean adoptees were raised; and seoul, home to hundreds of adult adoptees who have returned to south korea to live and work. their experiences underpin a critical examination of research and policy making about transnational adoption from the 1950s to the present day. park nelson connects the invisibility of korean adoptees to the ambiguous racial positioning of asian americans in american culture, and explores the implications of invisibility for korean adoptees as they navigate race, culture, and nationality. raised in white families, they are ideal racial subjects in support of the trope of "colorblindness" as a "cure for racism" in america, and continue to enjoy the most privileged legal status in terms of immigration and naturalization of any immigrant group, built on regulations created specifically to facilitate the transfer of foreign children to american families. invisible asians offers an engaging account that makes an important contribution to our understanding of race in america, and illuminates issues of power and identity in a globalized world.

What does it mean to be an asian american in the twenty-first century? in mainstream america, cliched stereotypes about asian people as model minorities, asexual techno-geeks, hypersexual dragon ladies, perpetual foreigners, or yellow peril "threats" continue to persist — though they are frequently concealed behind politically correct slogans like colorblindness and diversity. the writings and art in this anthology envision asian american identity, culture, and politics on our own terms, through our own experiences and unique perspectives. incorporating a diverse range of personal essays, stories, critical articles, poems, art, and other work, this anthology seeks to express the truth of our lived realities and to give voice to an asian america that is frequently marginalized by society. the very title of our book — where are you from? — questions the common prejudice often expressed by the majority culture that asian americans are alien or foreign to the usa. other contributors include professor darrell y. hamamoto, andrew lam, lee tonouchi, matthew salesses, curtis choy, polo catalani, tony robles, dmae roberts, valerie katagiri, sapna cheryan, roberta may wong, beth kaufka, marivi soliven blanco, robert francis flor, michael lai, min k kang, byron wong, zach katagiri, larry yu, sonia sarkar, simon tam, ben efsanem, koh mo il, victoria yee, diem tran, luan nguyen, souttalith vongsamphanhn, bikash khada, mary niang, ngoc minh tran.

In this unique collection of touching and heartfelt short stories, ten young asian-american writers re-create the conflicts that all young people feel living in two distinct worlds — one of memories and traditions, and one of today.

"in the eyes of white america, "aiiieeeee!" was the racist cry from asian americans, their singular expression of all emotions-it signified and perpetuated asian americans as inscrutable, foreign, obedient, self-hating, undesirable, and one dimensional. with this anthology, first published in 1974, frank chin, jeffery chan, lawson inada, and shawn wong outlined the history of asian american literature and boldly drew the boundaries for what was truly asian american and what was white puppetry. showcasing fourteen uncompromising works from authors such as carlos bulosan and john okada, the editors introduced readers to a variety of daring voices. forty-five years later, the groundbreaking anthology remains a vital collection that still sparks controversy. in the seventies, it helped to establish asian american literature as a serious and distinct literary tradition, and today, the editors' forceful voices still reverberate in contemporary discussions about american literary traditions. now back in print with a new foreword by literary scholar tara fickle, this third edition of the book is an essential anthology that demonstrates how asian americans fought for-and seized-their place in the american literary canon"–

An inclusive and landmark history, emphasizing how essential asian american experiences are to any understanding of us historyoriginal and expansive, asian american histories of the united states is a nearly 200-year history of asian migration, labor, and community formation in the us. reckoning with the onset of the covid-19 pandemic and the surge in anti-asian hate and violence, award-winning historian catherine ceniza choy presents an urgent social history of the fastest growing group of americans. the book features the lived experiences and diverse voices of immigrants, refugees, us-born asian americans, multiracial americans, and workers from industries spanning agriculture to healthcare.despite significant asian american breakthroughs in american politics, arts, and popular culture in the twenty-first century, a profound lack of understanding of asian american history permeates american culture. choy traces how anti-asian violence and its intersection with misogyny and other forms of hatred, the erasure of asian american experiences and contributions, and asian american resistance to what has been omitted are prominent themes in asian american history. this ambitious book is fundamental to understanding the american experience and its existential crises of the early twenty-first century.

Overview: crazy rich asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in asia brings home his abc (american-born chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season. when rachel chu agrees to spend the summer in singapore with her boyfriend, nicholas young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. what she doesn't know is that nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, rachel might as well have a target on her back. initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, rachel meets astrid, the it girl of singapore society; eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the hong kong socialite magazines; and eleanor, nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should-and should not-marry. uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, crazy rich asians is an insider's look at the asian jetset; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between overseas chinese and mainland chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich.

Give the gift of the outrageous, funny, "wickedly delectable" (new york times) crazy rich asians series in a collectible box set! new york times bestseller ∙ now a major motion picture new yorker rachel chu does not know that her loving boyfriend, nicholas young, also happens to be singapore's most eligible bachelor and likely heir to a massive fortune. so when she agrees to spend the summer in nick's home, her life unexpectedly becomes an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers. and that's all before she discovers the true identity of her long-lost father . . .

"dr. wang has been an incredible resource for asian mental health. i believe that her knowledge, presence, and activism for mental health in the asian american/immigrant community have been invaluable and groundbreaking. i am so very grateful that she exists."–steven yeun, actor, the walking dead and minari asian americans are experiencing a racial reckoning regarding their identity, inspiring them to radically reconsider the cultural frameworks that enabled their assimilation into american culture. as asian americans investigate the personal and societal effects of longstanding cultural narratives suggesting they take up as little space as possible, their mental health becomes critically important. yet despite the fact that over 18 million people of asian descent live in the united states today — 5.6 percent of the population — they are the racial group least likely to seek out mental health services. permission to come home confronts and destabilizes the stigma asian americans face in caring for their mental health. weaving her personal narrative as a taiwanese american and insights as a clinician with evidenced-based tools, dr. wang offers readers permission to embrace their mental and emotional self-care while understanding and honoring the richness of their heritage and embodying a new, complete identity. in ten chapters, each one focusing on a central theme–from recognizing emotions, to establishing boundaries, managing anger, and introducing play into one's life–dr. wang presents a road map for the journey to wholeness.

And that's not even mentioning the creators, performers, entrepreneurs, execs and influencers who've been making all this happen, behind the scenes and on the screen; or the activists and representatives continuing to fight for equity, building coalitions and defiantly holding space for our voices and concerns. and still: asian america is just getting started.the timing could not be better for this intimate, eye-opening, and frequently hilarious guided tour through the pop-cultural touchstones and sociopolitical shifts of the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and beyond. flowchart, and visual celebrations of both our "founding fathers and mothers" and the nostalgia-inducing personalities of each decade), plus illustrations and graphic essays from major aapi artists, exclusive roundtables with asian american cultural icons, and more, anchored by extended insider narratives of each decade by the three co-authors.

An essential collection that brings together the core primary texts of the asian american experience in one volume "a vital, up-to-date collection of critical sources that shed new insight into the lives of diverse asian americans, past and present."–erika lee, author of the making of asian america: a history an essential volume for the growing academic discipline of asian american studies, this collection of core primary texts draws from a wide range of fields, from law to visual culture to politics, covering key historical and cultural developments that enable students to engage directly with the asian american experience over the past century. the primary sources, organized around keywords, often concern multiple hemispheres and movements, making this compendium valuable for a number of historical, ethnic, and cultural study undergraduate programs.

The presence of asian immigrants and citizens has a long history in the united states. asian american children: a historical handbook and guide provides insights into the diverse experience of these children and their families from their first appearance here to the present. essays review topics such as identity, family structures, labor, gender, and class. selected primary documents review topics such as racial quotas, biculturalism, and refugees. this is the first work to cover the historical and the contemporary experience of these children from a multiplicity of views, using essays and documents.beginning c. 1850, this work relates the experiences and context in which diverse groups of asian american children lived their lives. the voices of children, included in the primary documents, provide a vivid narrative of immigrant life over the past 150 years. while the lives of children were generally included in historical narratives of the country, a focus specifically on children allows the reader to more fully understand the central place of family in the economic and social development of a nation.

Identity and belonging are just two of the many themes asian-american writers have explored. this edition in the bloom's modern critical views series offers fresh critical evaluations of this important body of american literature. canonical writers such as maxine hong kingston and amy tan are discussed in addition to the voices and traditions that have emerged from the united states' diverse south and east asian communities. this volume is complemented by a chronology, a bibliography, notes on the contributors, and an introductory essay from master scholar harold bloom.

Popular genre fiction written by asian american women and featuring asian american characters gained a market presence in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. these “crossover” books—mother-daughter narratives, chick lit, detective fiction, and food writing—attempt to bridge ethnic audiences and a broader reading public. in asian american women's popular literature, pamela thoma considers how these books both depict contemporary american-ness and contribute critically to public dialogue about national belonging. novels such as michelle yu and blossom kan’s china dolls and sonia singh’s goddess for hire, or mysteries including sujata massey’s girl in a box and suki kim’s the interpreter, reveal asian american women’s ambivalence about the trappings and prescriptions of mainstream american society. thoma shows how these writers’ works address the various pressures on women to manage their roles in relation to family and finances—reconciling the demands of work, consumer culture, and motherhood—in a neoliberal society. a volume in the american literatures initiative.