To celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities this AANHPI Heritage Month, I’ve gathered thirty-six of my favorite AANHPI reads to add to your TBR. From fantasy to romance, thriller to historical, YA to adult, there’s a little something for everyone here.
Children’s Books
Starting with the littlest readers, here are some children’s books sure to captivate your kiddo with enchanting illustrations and thought-provoking themes:
Gwei the Hungry Ghost written by Emeline Lee; illustrated by Basia Tran
With Chinese folklore, mouthwateringly vivid food, and a thoughtful exploration of loneliness and the power of community, Gwei the Hungry Ghost is the perfect read for foodies longing to explore the Hungry Ghost Festival alongside the sweetest ghost friends.
Mr. Chow’s Night Market written by Emily Sun Li; illustrated by Yu Ting Cheng
Powerful, welcoming, and heartwarming, Mr. Chow’s Night Market celebrates the joy and power of community, creativity, being yourself, and trying new things, highlighting the importance of collaboration and asking for help when you need it amidst the backdrop of Taiwan’s first night market.
Music of the Bells written by Anitha Rao-Robinson; illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat
Vibrant and empowering, Music of the Bells beautifully highlights the power of movement and dance, introducing readers to Kathak (a classical Indian dance form) and exploring dance as a storytelling medium.
Where Do Stories Live? by Meenal Patel
Where Do Stories Live? enchants as it brilliantly emphasizes the power of stories and the myriad ways in which they are born through beautifully peaceful, calming illustrations.
Middle-Grade Books
For middle-grade readers, here are some sweeping stories with magic and adventure galore:
Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
Brimming with Hindu mythology, found family, and a hilarious cast, Aru Shah and the End of Time is the cinematic first book in the Pandava series.
Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee
With Korean mythology, fox-magic, and gripping action, Dragon Pearl is an unputdownable space opera.
Peasprout Chen, Future Legend of Skate and Sword by Henry Lien
Joyful, playful, and fierce, Peasprout Chen, Future Legend of Skate and Sword is a delightful fantasy that blends martial arts and figure skating.
Squalo & Mage vs. the Rage of the Bakunawa: A Graphic Novel by Kara Bodegón-Hikino
Filipino folklore, an action-packed journey perfect for fans of Pokémon games, and heartwarming friendship await readers in Squalo & Mage vs. the Rage of the Bakunawa: A Graphic Novel.
Young Adult (YA) Books
For YA readers, here are some irresistible reads with everything from horror to fantasy to romance to game-show shenanigans:
A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen
Heartfelt, sweet, and scrumptious, A Bánh Mì for Two is a sapphic romance set in Vietnam featuring street food, family, and friendship.
Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim
Celestial Banquet is a riveting, delicious fantasy with Chinese and Southeast Asian folklore and a propulsive, vicious cooking competition.
Coming Out Perfect by Richard Mercado
Coming Out Perfect beautifully explores Filipino culture and the weight of familial expectations, fitting in, and coming out, offering a welcoming and uplifting graphic novel.
Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee
With sea-swept imagery, a compelling murder mystery, and a dash of romance, Heiress of Nowhere delivers an immersive historical mystery set on Orcas Island, Washington, in 1918.
I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang
Evocative and immersive, I Am Not Jessica Chen thoughtfully presents themes of burnout, imposter syndrome, and love against a dark academia backdrop.
Just Between Us by Adeline Kon
Just Between Us is an addictive, fierce, and romantic YA graphic novel with a swoon-worthy sapphic romance and figure skating.
Midnights with You by Clare Osongco
With a tender romance, late-night driving lessons, and a powerful exploration of family trauma, Midnights with You is an emotional, romantic contemporary novel.
Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted by Sujin Witherspoon
Featuring an action-packed wilderness game show, a witty cast of characters, and an adorable romance, Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted is an addictive, cinematic contemporary novel.
Strike the Zither by Joan He
Strike the Zither is a fierce retelling of the Chinese classic The Three Kingdoms, filled with political intrigue and star-crossed lovers.
That Which Feeds Us by Keala Kendall
Haunting, propulsive, and raw, That Which Feeds Us is a horror-infused thriller with sisterhood and sapphic love that celebrates and honors Hawaiian culture, history, folklore, and resilience.
The Fox Maidens by Robin Ha
The Fox Maidens is a sweeping graphic novel set in 16th-century Korea with a sapphic romance and Korean mythology.
The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker
Immersive, gritty, and magical, The Keeper of Night brilliantly weaves Japanese folklore into a gripping adventure that takes readers to London, Japan, and the Japanese underworld.
The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le
Medical-inspired magic and a Vietnam-inspired world unite in The Last Bloodcarver, a lush and mystery-infused fantasy.
The Last Tiger by Julia and Brad Riew
Inspired by true stories from the authors’ grandparents’ love story, The Last Tiger is a powerful, romantic, and adventurous tale with hope, high stakes, and magic.
Zhara by S. Jae-Jones
Zhara is a witty, creative, and addictive fantasy with East Asian mythology, found family, and a pinch of Cinderella.
Adult Books
For adult readers, here are some books to satisfy your literary cravings, from mythology to monsters to magic to mystery:
A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang by Lee Onhwa
Magical, cozy, and emotional, A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang serves up a heartfelt and compelling story set in an enchanted bakery.
Aunt Tigress by Emily Yu-Xuan Qin
Splendidly strange and wonderfully haunting, Aunt Tigress is a compelling urban fantasy with sapphic love inspired by Chinese and First Nation mythology.
Black Salt Queen by Samantha Bansil
Vibrant and propulsive, Black Salt Queen captivates with its Filipino-inspired world, powerful cast, and political intrigue.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a spellbinding, romantic fantasy with Chinese mythology and lush prose.
Local Heavens by K.M. Fajardo
Set in New York City, 2075, Local Heavens delivers an addictive reimagining of The Great Gatsby, filled with cyberpunk technology, queer love, lyrical prose, and a Filipino American Nick Carraway.
Red City by Marie Lu
Vicious, dark, and magical, Red City presents an alternate Los Angeles with alchemy and star-crossed love.
The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung
A cinematic standalone featuring Chinese culture, a powerful mother-daughter bond, and political intrigue, The Last Mandarin is a gripping thriller from start to finish.
The Last Phi Hunter by Salinee Goldenberg
Adventure, love, and Thai mythology meet in The Last Phi Hunter, a witty and action-packed fantasy debut.
The Manor of Dreams by Christina Li
A twisty and haunting gothic thriller, The Manor of Dreams delivers a compelling concoction of sapphic love, family drama, mystery, and a haunted garden.
The Poet Empress by Shen Tao
The Poet Empress is a lush, immersive, and vicious fantasy with court politics, magic, and Chinese mythology.
The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei
The Stardust Grail delivers an innovative and unputdownable adventure with a treasure hunt, found family, and riveting heist.
The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard
Brimming with Indian mythology, hilarious characters, and swoon-worthy romance, The Starlight Heir is a sweeping romantasy.
The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu
The Subtle Art of Folding Space delivers a heartfelt, propulsive, and creative sci-fi novel with delicious dim sum, generational trauma, and physics.
These are just some of the countless incredible books waiting to join your TBR list this AANHPI Heritage Month! Many are out now, and some release later this year, making it the perfect time to preorder to continue the celebration and amplify AANHPI stories throughout 2026. Happy AANHPI Heritage Month, and happy reading!
