8 Must-Read Books Releasing in August 2023 by Asian Authors
Step into August 2023 with a collection of compelling reads by Asian authors that promise to intrigue and inspire. From cross-cultural explorations to introspective narratives, these eight new releases offer a diverse range of perspectives that are bound to captivate any reader!
The Boy You Always Wanted by Michelle Quach
Francine loves her grandfather, but their time together is running out. He has one final wish: to see a male heir carry on the family traditions. Francine knows his ideas are outdated, but she would do anything for him. Her solution? Ask Ollie Tran, a family friend (and former crush, not that it matters), to pretend to be ceremonially adopted and act like the grandson A Gūng never had.
Ollie generally avoids the odd, too blunt (and fine, sort of cute) Francine, whose intensity makes him uncomfortable. So when she asks him to help deceive her dying grandpa, Ollie’s not down. He doesn’t get why anyone would go to such lengths, even for family. Especially with a backwards (and sexist, Ollie keeps stressing) scheme like this.
Francine, however, is determined to make it happen, and soon Ollie finds himself more invested in her plan—and in her—than he ever thought possible. But as the tangled lies and feelings pile up, Francine must discover what exactly she needs for herself—and from Ollie. Because sometimes the boy you always wanted isn’t what you expected.
Release Date: August 1, 2023
Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary
What's the Book About? In this heartfelt and humorous novel, Francine faces a dilemma when her grandfather's dying wish is to see a male heir carry on their family traditions. Determined to fulfill his wish, Francine enlists the help of Ollie, a family friend and former crush, to pretend to be ceremonially adopted and act as the grandson her grandfather never had. Ollie is initially reluctant, finding Francine's intensity uncomfortable and the plan outdated and sexist. However, as they navigate a web of tangled lies and emotions, Ollie becomes more invested in Francine and her plan than he ever anticipated. As their feelings deepen, Francine must confront what she truly needs from Ollie and herself, discovering that sometimes the person you've always wanted may not be what you expected.
Tastes Like Shakkar (If Shakespeare Was an Auntie #2) by Nisha Sharma
In the hilarious follow-up to the breakout rom-com Dating Dr. Dil, Nisha Sharma adds shakkar and mirch to Shakespeare’s iconic comedy Much Ado About Nothing for one sweet and spicy love story.
Bobbi Kaur is determined to plan a celebration to remember for her best friend’s wedding. But she has two problems that are getting in her way:
1. The egotistical, and irritatingly sexy, chef Benjamin “Bunty” Padda is supposed to help her with the menu since he’s the groom’s best friend, and
2. Someone is trying to sabotage the wedding.
With aspirations of taking over her family’s event planning business, Bobbi knows that one misstep in managing the Kareena Mann and Prem Verma (#Vermann) party, along with the other weddings on her plate, will only give her uncle another reason not to promote her. That means Kareena’s big day and Bobbi's future career are on the line.
Bunty will do anything for his best friend, even though he has his hands full in finding a new location for his next restaurant while also playing mediator between his brother and father, the celebrated Naan King. When Prem asks Bunty to help with the wedding menu, he agrees, especially since it puts him in close proximity to the delicious Bobbi Kaur. When a mystery shaadi saboteur starts leaving threatening notes, and cancelling cake orders, Bunty and Bobbi have no choice but to call a truce and face the volatile attraction they have for each other.
Through masquerade fundraisers and a joint bachelor-bachelorette trip to Vegas, this chef and wedding planner explore their growing connection all while trying to plan a wedding at Messina Vineyards in a time crunch. But once the shaadi saboteur is caught and the wedding is over, will their love story have a happily ever after
With the return of the meddling aunties (who are scary good at finding information) and a lot of hilarity and hijinks, Bobbi and Bunty’s romance is an event you don’t want to miss.
Release Date: August 1, 2023
Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Fiction, Retellings
What's the Book About? In this delightful rom-com sequel to Dating Dr. Dil, Nisha Sharma spices up Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing with shakkar and mirch, creating a sweet and spicy love story. Bobbi Kaur is determined to plan a memorable wedding celebration for her best friend, but faces obstacles like the egotistical and sexy chef Benjamin "Bunty" Padda, who's supposed to help with the menu, and a mysterious wedding saboteur. As they work together to save the wedding and explore their growing attraction, hilarity ensues through masquerade fundraisers and a joint trip to Vegas. With meddling aunties and hijinks in the mix, Bobbi and Bunty's romance promises a memorable and eventful journey.
The Magic Lunch Box by Hanna Kim & Emily Paik
Fourth-grader Ben Lee is anxious to make new friends at his new school in Michigan. But on his first day, things take a turn for the worse. The other kids act grossed out by the homemade kimbap in his lunch box. Embarrassed, Ben makes an impulsive wish, and soon strange things start happening. A ham sandwich appears in his lunch box inside instead of Mom's homemade mandoo. At first, Ben is thrilled. But soon the magical switcheroos start happening regularly and to other things--like Ben's favorite Korean cartoon, Tobot V. And the special pencils his grandma sent from Korea. How far will the lunchbox magic go? And how far will Ben go to set things right?
Release Date: August 1, 2023
Genres: Children's Book, Illustrations
What's the Book About? "The Lunchbox Switch" follows fourth-grader Ben Lee as he tries to make friends at his new school in Michigan. But when his classmates don't like his homemade kimbap in his lunch box, Ben makes a wish that leads to some strange and funny surprises. A ham sandwich appears instead of his mom's homemade mandoo, and even his favorite Korean cartoon and special pencils from his grandma get mixed up. Now, Ben must figure out how to undo the lunchbox magic and set things right in this hilarious and heartwarming tale.
Tomb Sweeping by Alexandra Chang
A playful and deeply affective short story collection about the histories, technologies, and generational divides that shape our relationships—from the award-winning writer of Days of Distraction
Compelling and perceptive, Tomb Sweeping probes the loyalties we hold: to relatives, to strangers, and to ourselves. In stories set across the US and Asia, Alexandra Chang immerses us in the lives of immigrant families, grocery store employees, expecting parents, and guileless lab assistants.
A woman known only to her neighbors as “the Asian recycling lady” collects bottles from the streets she calls home. A young college grad ponders the void left from a broken friendship. An unfulfilled housewife in Shanghai finds a secret outlet for her ambitions in an undercover gambling den. Two strangers become something more through the bond of mistaken identity.
These characters, adeptly attuned to the mystery of living, invite us to consider whether it is possible for anyone to entirely do right by another. Tomb Sweeping brims with remarkable skill and talent in every story, keeping a definitive pulse on loss, community, and what it means to feel fully alive.
Release Date: August 8, 2023
Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Anthologies
What's the Book About? "Tomb Sweeping" is a captivating short story collection exploring relationships shaped by history, technology, and generational divides. Alexandra Chang skillfully immerses readers in the lives of diverse characters, offering compelling insights into their loyalties and connections. As the stories unfold across the US and Asia, readers encounter the Asian recycling lady, a contemplative college grad, an ambitious housewife, and two strangers united by mistaken identity. Each tale explores the mysteries of life and the challenge of doing right by others, reflecting on themes of loss, community, and the profound experience of being fully alive.
He Who Drowned the World (The Radiant Emperor #2) by Shelley Parker-Chan
Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King, is riding high on her recent victory that tore southern China from its Mongol rulers. Young, ambitious, and in possession of the Mandate of Heaven, Zhu believes utterly in her own capacity to do anything – endure anything – that will allow her to seize the imperial throne from the Mongols and crown herself Emperor.
But Zhu isn’t the only one with imperial ambitions. Her neighbor, the former courtesan Madam Zhang, wants the throne for her husband – and her powerful kingdom has the strength and resources to wipe Zhu off the map. The only way for Zhu to defeat Madam Zhang is to gamble everything on a risky alliance with an old enemy: the beautiful, traitorous eunuch general Ouyang.
Nearly mad with the grief and guilt of having killed his beloved Prince of Henan, Ouyang is alive for only one reason: to enact revenge on his father’s killer, the Great Khan. His instability soon threatens his partnership with Zhu, who has never felt grief in her life. Zhu can’t even imagine what kind of sacrifice could ever cause her to feel it. But all desire costs, and while Zhu has already paid with her body – the true price of her ambition will break even her ruthless heart.
Release Date: August 22, 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, LGBT, Adult
What's the Book About? In this gripping tale of ambition and betrayal, Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King, seeks to seize the imperial throne from the Mongols and crown herself Emperor. However, her neighbor, the formidable Madam Zhang, also harbors imperial ambitions for her husband's kingdom. To defeat Madam Zhang, Zhu forms a risky alliance with the traitorous eunuch general, Ouyang, who is consumed by grief and a thirst for revenge. As their partnership unfolds, Zhu's ruthless ambition leads her down a path of sacrifice and heartbreak, forcing her to confront the true price of her desires.
The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
Inspired by a classic of martial arts literature, S. L. Huang's The Water Outlaws are bandits of devastating ruthlessness, unseemly femininity, dangerous philosophies, and ungovernable gender who are ready to make history—or tear it apart
In the jianghu, you break the law to make it your own.
Lin Chong is an expert arms instructor, training the Emperor's soldiers in sword and truncheon, battle axe and spear, lance and crossbow. Unlike bolder friends who flirt with challenging the unequal hierarchies and values of Imperial society, she believes in keeping her head down and doing her job.
Until a powerful man with a vendetta rips that carefully-built life away.
Disgraced, tattooed as a criminal, and on the run from an Imperial Marshall who will stop at nothing to see her dead, Lin Chong is recruited by the Bandits of Liangshan. Mountain outlaws on the margins of society, the Liangshan Bandits proclaim a belief in justice—for women, for the downtrodden, for progressive thinkers a corrupt Empire would imprison or destroy. They’re also murderers, thieves, smugglers, and cutthroats.
Release Date: August 22, 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, LGBT, Adult
What's the Book About? S. L. Huang's "The Water Outlaws" follows Lin Chong, an arms instructor in the jianghu, where breaking the law is a way to claim power. When her life is shattered by a vengeful man, she joins the Bandits of Liangshan, a group with dangerous philosophies and ungovernable gender. Branded as a criminal and pursued by an Imperial Marshall, Lin Chong finds solace and purpose with the bandits, who fight for justice, but also resort to criminal means. Together, they possess the potential to bring down an empire and challenge the unequal hierarchies of Imperial society.
Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare by Megan Kamalei Kakimoto
From major new storytelling talent Megan Kamalei Kakimoto, a blazing, bodily, raucous journey through contemporary Hawaiian identity and womanhood. "A knockout. Eleven knockouts, one KO for every story."-Elizabeth McCracken
Megan Kamalei Kakimoto's wrenching and sensational debut story collection follows a cast of mixed native Hawaiian and Japanese women through a contemporary landscape thick with inherited wisdom and the ghosts of colonization. This is a Hawai'i where unruly sexuality and generational memory overflow the postcard image of paradise and the boundaries of the real, where the superstitions born of the islands take on the weight of truth.
A childhood encounter with a wild pua'a (pig) on the haunted Pali highway portends one young woman's fraught relationship with her pregnant body. An elderly widow begins seeing her deceased lover in a giant flower. A kanaka writer, mid-manuscript, feels her raw pages quaking and knocking in the briefcase.
Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare is both a fierce love letter to Hawaiian identity and mythology, and a searing dispatch from an occupied territory threatening to erupt with violent secrets.
Release Date: August 22, 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, LGBT, Adult
What's the Book About? In "Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare," Megan Kamalei Kakimoto presents a powerful and poignant debut story collection that delves into contemporary Hawaiian identity and womanhood. The stories follow a diverse cast of mixed native Hawaiian and Japanese women navigating a landscape filled with inherited wisdom and the haunting shadows of colonization. Beyond the postcard image of paradise, these tales explore unruly sexuality, generational memory, and superstitions that take on the weight of truth. Kakimoto's storytelling weaves a fierce love letter to Hawaiian identity and mythology while shedding light on an occupied territory poised to reveal its violent secrets.
The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu
In this gorgeous graphic novel by Wendy Xu, co-creator of the award-winning Mooncakes, a young inventor falls for a lifelike AI and confronts questions of freedom and autonomy. Clementine Chang moves from Earth to Mars for a new start and is lucky enough to land her dream job with Dr. Marcella Lin, an Artificial Intelligence pioneer. On her first day of work, Clem meets Dr. Lin’s assistant, a humanoid AI named Kye. Clem is no stranger to robots—she built herself a cute moth-shaped companion named SENA. Still, there’s something about Kye that feels almost too human. When Clem and Kye begin to collaborate, their chemistry sets off sparks. The only downside? Dr. Lin is enraged by Kye’s growing independence and won’t allow him more freedom. Plus, their relationship throws into question everything Clem thought she knew about AI. After all, if Kye is sentient enough to have feelings, shouldn’t he be able to control his own actions? Where is the line between AI and human? As her past and Kye’s future weigh down on her, Clem becomes determined to help him break free—even if it means risking everything she came to Mars for.
Release Date: August 29, 2023
Genres: Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Romance
What's the Book About? In Wendy Xu's beautiful graphic novel, a young inventor named Clementine Chang starts a new life on Mars and lands her dream job with Dr. Marcella Lin, an AI pioneer. On her first day, Clem meets Kye, a humanoid AI with an almost human quality. As they collaborate, a deep connection forms between them, but Dr. Lin opposes Kye's growing independence. As their relationship challenges Clem's beliefs about AI and sentience, she becomes determined to help Kye break free, even if it means risking everything she came to Mars for. The story raises thought-provoking questions about freedom and autonomy in the realm of artificial intelligence.
