Voices That Resonate: AAPI Authors Who Deserve a Spot on Your Shelf

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the voices and stories of authors whose contributions to literature have been, and continue to be, overlooked. Reading is one of the best ways to learn about AAPI people’s experiences and culture. Whether fiction or non-fiction, the following authors bring rich storytelling and personal narratives that can resonate with anyone. These six authors should definitely be at the top of your reading list this May:

R.F. Kuang

R.F. Kuang is one of the rare authors who has made a lasting impact across every book community—whether online or in person, her work is celebrated, discussed, and shared everywhere. She has proved she can do it all with four books extending across different genres, such as historical fantasy, dark academia, and contemporary satire. No matter the genre, Kuang’s books challenge power structures, explore colonialism, and dissect the complexities of language. Her debut novel and trilogy, The Poppy War, takes inspiration from Chinese history and military strategy, incorporating fantasy with the brutal truths of war. Meanwhile, Babel: An Arcane History investigates academia, translation, and Imperialism. Her most recent novel, Yellowface, explores the publishing industry from a racial lens, considering topics such as cultural appropriation in a fast-paced literary thriller.

Yobe Qiu

Celebrating Asian culture and promoting diversity in early education, Yobe Qiu is a children’s book author dedicated to creating inclusive stories for young readers. Her works, including Our Moon Festival and Asian Adventures A-Z, introduce children to Asian traditions, languages, and experiences in an engaging way. With a commitment to representation, Qiu ensures that kids from all backgrounds can see themselves reflected in the books they read.

M.L. Wang

Starting as a self-published author, M.L. Wang has recently gained a lot of recognition in the book-focused social media spaces for a standalone military-fantasy novel, The Sword of Kaigen. It is a heartbreaking yet beautifully written novel that explores war, family, and grief. Set in an empire inspired by East Asian culture and teetering on the edge of conflict, the story follows a mother and son as they confront their true identities and decide what is worth fighting for. Wang has also published a young-adult series called The Volta Academy Chronicles. Her most recent novel is a dark-academia fantasy novel called Blood Over Bright Haven.

Charles Yu 

Charles Yu’s voice and style are one of a kind, making him one of the most unique authors in contemporary fiction. His novel, Interior Chinatown, won the National Book Award in 2020. Through his blend of screenplay and literary fiction, Yu explores Asian American stereotypes, Hollywood’s treatment of Asian actors, and the immigrant experience. His use of satire allows for a deep yet funny analysis and critique of the roles society assigns to Asian Americans. Some of Yu’s other works include How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe and The Only Living Girl on Earth.

Michelle Zauner 

You may know Michelle Zauner as the lead singer of the indie band Japanese Breakfast, but she is also the author of one of the most loved memoirs of the last decade. Crying in H Mart recounts Zauner’s relationship with her mother while exploring grief and identity. Through depictions of Korean cuisine and family traditions, the author explores how food becomes a way to connect to her heritage and relationship with her mother. Michelle Zauner’s memoir offers a heartwrenching account of her familial relationships and experience as an Asian American person.

Jenny Han

Most known for her To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and The Summer I Turned Pretty series, both of which have been adapted to the big screen, Jenny Han is one of the most loved young-adult romance authors. Her stories are known for their charming characters and the way they celebrate Asian American identity in a genre that has historically lacked representation. Through her novels, Han captures the joys and challenges of teenage girls navigating love, family, and self-discovery.