8 Must-Read Books Releasing in August 2024 by Asian Authors
As summer winds down, it's the perfect time to relax with a great book. Whether you're lounging by the pool or enjoying a quiet afternoon, these eight must-read books will transport you to different worlds and enrich your summer reading list!
I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki #2 by Baek Se-hee
The sequel to the Sunday Times and international-bestselling South Korean therapy memoir, translated by International Booker Prize-shortlisted Anton Hur
When Baek Sehee started recording her sessions with her psychiatrist, her hope was to create a reference for herself. She never imagined she would reach so many people, especially young people, with her reflections. I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki became a runaway bestseller in South Korea, Indonesia, and the U.S., and reached a community of readers who appreciated depression and anxiety being discussed with such intimacy. Baek's struggle with dysthymia continues in I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki. And healing is a difficult process; the inner conflict she experiences in treatment becomes more complex, more challenging.
With this second book, Baek Sehee reaches out to hold the hands of all those for whom grappling with everyday despair is part of a lifelong project, part of the journey.
Publication date: August 6, 2024
Pages: 224
Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Memoir
Why should you read it? The sequel to Baek Sehee's bestselling memoir, "I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki," continues to explore her struggle with dysthymia and the complexities of her treatment. Translated by Booker Prize-shortlisted Anton Hur, this book extends her intimate reflections on depression and anxiety, resonating deeply with readers who appreciate the candid discussion of mental health.
The Dark We Know by Wen-yi Lee
From Gillian Flynn Books, a lyrical YA horror by debut author Wen-yi Lee that’s perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting, Stephen King’s IT, and The Haunting of Hill House.
Art student Isadora Chang swore never to return to Slater. Growing up, Isa never felt at ease in the repressive former mining town, even before she realized she was bisexual—but after the deaths of two of her childhood friends, Slater went from feeling claustrophobic to suffocating. Isa took off before the town could swallow her, too, even though it meant leaving behind everything she knew, including her last surviving friend Mason.
When Isa’s abusive father kicks the bucket, she agrees to come back just long enough to collect the inheritance. But then Mason, son of the local medium, turns up at the cemetery with a revelation and a plea: their friends were murdered by a supernatural entity, and he needs Isa to help stop the evil—before it takes anyone else.
When Isa begins to hear strange songs on the wind, and eerie artwork fills her sketchbook that she can’t recall drawing, she’s forced to stop running and confront her past. Because something is waiting in the shadows of Slater’s valleys, something that feeds on the pain and heartbreak of its children. Whatever it is, it knows Isa’s back… and it won’t let her escape twice.
Publication date: August 13, 2024
Pages: 336
Genres: Horror, Young Adult, Fantasy, LGBT
Why should you read it? In Wen-yi Lee's debut YA horror novel, art student Isadora Chang reluctantly returns to her oppressive hometown of Slater after her father's death to claim her inheritance. Upon arrival, Isa learns from her last surviving friend, Mason, that their childhood friends were murdered by a supernatural entity. As Isa experiences unsettling phenomena and eerie artwork appears in her sketchbook, she must confront her past and help stop the malevolent force haunting Slater before it claims more victims. Fans of "She Is a Haunting," Stephen King's "IT," and "The Haunting of Hill House" will find this lyrical horror tale compelling.
Ash's Cabin by Jen Wang
Ash has always felt alone.
Adults ignore the climate crisis. Other kids Ash’s age are more interested in pop stars and popularity contests than in fighting for change. Even Ash’s family seems to be sleepwalking through life.
The only person who ever seemed to get Ash was their Grandpa Edwin. Before he died, he used to talk about building a secret cabin, deep in the California wilderness. Did he ever build it? What if it’s still there, waiting for him to come back…or for Ash to find it? To Ash, that maybe-mythical cabin is starting to feel like the perfect place for a fresh start and an escape from the miserable feeling of alienation that haunts their daily life.
But making the wilds your home isn’t easy. And as much as Ash wants to be alone…can they really be happy alone? Can they survive alone?
From New York Times –bestselling author and illustrator Jen Wang comes a singularly affecting story about self-discovery, self-reliance, and the choice to live when it feels like you have no place in the world.
Publication date: August 13, 2024
Pages: 320
Genres: Graphic Novels, Young Adult, LGBT
Why should you read it? In Jen Wang's newest story, Ash feels isolated as their peers and family ignore the climate crisis. The only person who understood Ash was their Grandpa Edwin, who spoke of a secret cabin in the California wilderness. Ash sets out to find this maybe-mythical cabin, seeking a fresh start away from their alienating life. However, surviving alone in the wild poses significant challenges, raising questions about self-reliance and happiness in solitude. This tale of self-discovery and the choice to live when feeling out of place is a compelling read from New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of ‘Stargazing’ and ‘The Prince and the Dressmaker.’
Lion Dancers by Cai Tse
Former best friends become bitter rivals when one returns to lion dancing after a long absence in this vibrant and heartfelt middle grade graphic novel perfect for fans of Haikyu!! and Fence.
Young Wei dreamed of being a legendary lion dancer just like his dad. With his best friend Hung performing as the tail and Wei controlling the head, he knew they could become the next generation of lion dance champions. But after his dad’s sudden passing, Wei abruptly quits lion dancing—and his friendship with Hung.
Years later, Wei is stuck…in life, in school, and on the bench at games. That is, until he crashes a junior lion dance practice and feels his long-sleeping passion wake up within him once more. The team is happy to have another member to carry on the tradition, especially as one as preternaturally talented as Wei. There’s just one person who doesn’t want him the self-proclaimed star, Hung.
As Wei and Hung fight to be considered the top lion dancer, both will have to learn how to face their mistakes head-on and remember what it really means to be part of a team.
Publication date: August 13, 2024
Pages: 304
Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Fiction
Why should you read it? In this vibrant middle grade graphic novel, former best friends Wei and Hung become rivals when Wei returns to lion dancing after years of absence following his father's death. Once dreaming of becoming lion dance champions together, their friendship fractured when Wei quit. Years later, Wei's passion reignites, but Hung, now a self-proclaimed star, resents his return. As they compete for the top spot, they must confront past mistakes and rediscover the true meaning of teamwork. Perfect for fans of "Haikyu!!" and "Fence," this heartfelt story explores friendship, rivalry, and personal growth.
A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen
In this sweet sapphic romance about two foodies in love, Vivi meets Lan while studying abroad in Vietnam and they spend the semester unraveling their families' histories—and eating all the street food in Sài Gòn.
In Sài Gòn, Lan is always trying to be the perfect daughter, dependable and willing to care for her widowed mother and their bánh mì stall. Her secret passion, however, is A Bánh Mì for Two, the food blog she started with her father but has stopped updating since his passing.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese American Vivi Huynh, has never been to Việt Nam. Her parents rarely talk about the homeland that clearly haunts them. So Vivi secretly goes to Vietnam for a study abroad program her freshman year of college. She’s determined to figure out why her parents left, and to try everything she’s seen on her favorite food blog, A Bánh Mì for Two.
When Vivi and Lan meet in Sài Gòn, they strike a deal. Lan will show Vivi around the city, helping her piece together her mother’s story through crumbling photographs and old memories. Vivi will help Lan start writing again so she can enter a food blogging contest. And slowly, as they explore the city and their pasts, Vivi and Lan fall in love.
Publication date: August 20, 2024
Pages: 224
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult, LGBT
Why should you read it? In this sweet sapphic romance, Vietnamese American Vivi Huynh meets Lan while studying abroad in Vietnam, and they spend the semester unraveling their families' histories and exploring Sài Gòn's street food scene. Lan, who runs a bánh mì stall and once co-authored a food blog with her late father, agrees to show Vivi around the city and help her uncover her parents' past. In return, Vivi helps Lan revive her blog for a contest. As they explore the city and their personal histories, they fall in love. This heartfelt story intertwines food, culture, and romance, making it a delightful read for fans of love stories and culinary adventures.
The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki, Jesse Kirkwood (Translator)
Translated from the Japanese bestseller, this charming and magical novel, inspired by the myth of cats returning favors to those who care for them, reminds us that it’s never too late to follow our stars.
In Japan cats are a symbol of good luck. As the myth goes, if you are kind to them, they’ll one day return the favor. And if you are kind to the right cat, you might just find yourself invited to a mysterious coffee shop under a glittering Kyoto moon. This particular coffee shop is like no other. It has no fixed location, no fixed hours, and seemingly appears at random to adrift young people at crucial junctions in their lives.
It’s also run by talking cats.
While customers at the Full Moon Coffee Shop partake in cakes, coffees, and teas, the cats also consult them on their star charts, offer cryptic wisdom, and let them know where their lives have veered off course—because every person who visits the shop has been feeling more than a little lost. And for a down-on-her-luck screenwriter, a romantically stuck movie director, a hopeful hairstylist, and a technologically challenged website designer, the feline guides will set them back on their fated paths. After all, there is a reason the shop appeared to each of them…
Publication date: August 20, 2024
Pages: 240
Genres: Translated Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Magical Realism
Why should you read it? From the Japanese bestseller, this charming and magical novel is inspired by the myth that cats return favors to those who care for them, reminding us it's never too late to follow our dreams. In Japan, cats symbolize good luck, and kindness to the right cat may lead you to the Full Moon Coffee Shop, a mystical place that appears to lost souls at critical moments. Run by talking cats, this unique café offers more than just refreshments; it provides star chart consultations and life guidance. For a struggling screenwriter, a romantically stuck movie director, an aspiring hairstylist, and a tech-challenged website designer, the feline guides help them realign with their fates. This enchanting story is perfect for readers seeking hope and direction.
There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
From the Booker Prize finalist author of The Island of Missing Trees, an enchanting new tale about three characters living along two rivers, all under the shadow of one of the greatest epic poems of all time. “Make place for Elif Shafak on your bookshelf… you won’t regret it.” (Arundhati Roy)
In the ancient city of Nineveh, on the bank of the River Tigris, King Ashurbanipal of Mesopotamia, erudite but ruthless, built a great library that would crumble with the end of his reign. From its ruins, however, emerged a poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh, that would infuse the existence of two rivers and bind together three lives.
In 1840 London, Arthur is born beside the stinking, sewage-filled River Thames. With an abusive, alcoholic father and a mentally ill mother, Arthur’s only chance of escaping destitution is his brilliant memory. When his gift earns him a spot as an apprentice at a leading publisher, Arthur’s world opens up far beyond the slums, and one book in particular catches his interest: Nineveh and Its Remains.
In 2014 Turkey, Narin, a ten-year-old Yazidi girl, is diagnosed with a rare disorder that will soon cause her to go deaf. Before that happens, her grandmother is determined to baptize her in a sacred Iraqi temple. But with the rising presence of ISIS and the destruction of the family’s ancestral lands along the Tigris, Narin is running out of time.
In 2018 London, the newly divorced Zaleekah, a hydrologist, moves into a houseboat on the Thames to escape her husband. Orphaned and raised by her wealthy uncle, Zaleekah had made the decision to take her own life in one month, until a curious book about her homeland changes everything.
A dazzling feat of storytelling, There Are Rivers in the Sky entwines these outsiders with a single drop of water, a drop which remanifests across the centuries. Both a source of life and harbinger of death, rivers—the Tigris and the Thames—transcend history, transcend fate: “Water remembers. It is humans who forget.”
Publication date: August 20, 2024
Pages: 464
Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Adult
Why should you read it? Elif Shafak's new novel, "There Are Rivers in the Sky," weaves an enchanting tale connecting three characters across different eras and locations, all linked by the Epic of Gilgamesh and the enduring presence of two rivers, the Tigris and the Thames. Set in ancient Nineveh, 1840 London, and modern-day Turkey and London, the story explores themes of memory, destiny, and resilience through the lives of an erudite king, a gifted boy, a determined Yazidi girl, and a hydrologist on a personal journey. Shafak's masterful storytelling and rich historical context make this a captivating read that highlights the timeless nature of human struggles and connections.
Marriage & Masti (If Shakespeare Was an Auntie #3) by Nisha Sharma
The third and final installment in Nisha Sharma’s beloved Shakespeare-inspired rom-com trilogy—an ode to Twelfth Night—is the perfect friends to lovers romp featuring an accidental wedding, meddling families, and plenty of sizzling chemistry.
Veera Mathur has been through a lot in the past year. Both of her friends found soul mates, the man she fell in love with got engaged to another woman, and her father fired her before selling the family company. When her twin sister, Sana, tells her there is no way of getting her old life back, Veera feels lost at a single, unemployed mess with a bad tattoo and tons of talent, but nowhere to go.
Deepak Datta hasn’t had the best luck either. To secure enough board votes for the CEO position at his family's company, Illyria Media, he’s ready to marry board member and famous beauty influencer, Olivia Gupta. That is until he wakes up to a get ready with me video announcing their separation. Despite his immediate relief, Deepak needs to do something fast to repair his image.
After a series of convenient mishaps bring them together again—including a literal shipwreck, way too many drinks, and a sunset elopement on the beach—Deepak and Veera realize their accidental wedding might be the solution to their career aspirations. Together, they plot against the very company that ruined their lives in the first place.
As they try to convince the world their friendship was a ruse for romance they’ve felt all along, the line between fake and real begins to blur. Now Veera and Deepak must ask themselves the terrifying question that has haunted them since the first time they will love ruin everything?
With her signature humor and heartfelt storytelling, Nisha Sharma writes a messy, spicy romance about identity, family honor, and love. In Marriage & Masti, readers are sure to love the highly anticipated finale of this beloved trilogy.
Publication date: August 27, 2024
Pages: 384
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Retellings
Why should you read it? The third and final installment in Nisha Sharma’s Shakespeare-inspired rom-com trilogy, "Marriage & Masti," is a delightful friends-to-lovers tale centered on Veera Mathur and Deepak Datta. After a series of mishaps, including a shipwreck and a surprise elopement, they decide to use their accidental marriage to further their career goals and get back at the company that wronged them. As they fake their romance, the lines between pretense and genuine feelings blur, forcing them to confront their true emotions. With humor, heartfelt moments, and sizzling chemistry, this novel is a perfect conclusion to the beloved trilogy, exploring themes of identity, family honor, and love.
