#asianbooks

[harvardfineartslib]

Happy National Library Shelfie Day!

Image descriptions: 1-3 Asian books on the shelves

[thebookdragon217]

I am starting to see more and more books with older protagonists. It's always a breath of fresh air to read characters that have more life experiences, good and bad, who continue to push forward and challenge themselves to make new new memories. Thanks to @bedazzledinkpublishing for the gifted copy. QOTD: What's a book you recommend that has an older or middle aged character? 💐SYNOPSIS💐 When fifty-something Naina Mehta’s husband unexpectedly dies of a heart attack, this imaginative suburban wife turns into a bold woman thirsty for new experiences, a far cry from the classic image of the aging Indian widow dressed in subdued colors and focused solely on her children and God. Naina also grew up in a society where historically widows have been expected to abandon all pleasure, particularly remarriage, and, in extreme cases, have even had to give up eating sweets, making Naina's foray into such  territory groundbreaking. As Naina becomes more empowered, she nervously dips her toes into the world of dating for the first time in her life. She might find that the possibility of love still exists for a woman of her age, but what happens if the man in question is Muslim and stirs generational wounds and the wrath of her conservative son? #womanofanuncertainage #books #priyamalhotra #bookstagram #tbr #bookcommunity #bookstagrammer #Indian #middleage #widow #aapi #aapibooks #reading #bookphotos #asianauthors #asianbooks #asian (at Bushwick) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci_TfVoLja5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[seawitchlexicon]

Southeast Asian Academia: Jose Rizal

If I had to pick something quintessentially Filipino and the very definition of Dark Academia classic text, it would have to be Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. These are my Southeast Asian book recommends for anyone looking to diversify their reading.

Born on June 19 1861 during the Spanish colonization era of the Philippines, Jose Rizal was from an affluent middle class family. He studied in Europe where he met with other Philippine students looking to reform the state of the Philippines during Spain’s exploitation of the country. Jose Rizal’s novels, often translated into English as “Touch Me Not” and “The Reign of Greed” were novels about the corruption and injustices experienced by colonized Filipinos. However, despite Rizal’s political opinions (he still believed the Philippines needed Spain), his novels influenced the Philippine Revolution. He was arrested and executed for writing these books. While his goals were never for independence, his writings influenced the country yet again decades later when America was arguing for or against annexing the Philippines. Hpoetry was presented before congress as proof Filipinos weren’t “barbarians.” 🙃🙄

These are dark books, depicting the violence of colonization. And yet, I am left feeling like Rizal still had hope for reform in the country he loved so much. And I feel these books fit into dark academia. While these books are now essential reading for Filipino kids in Philippine schools and are read in Tagalog, these books were originally written in Spanish, the official language at the time it was written. Not only are these books classics, you get a sense of just how the amalgamation of European and Southeast Asian culture was in late-colonial Philippines and how it affects the country today. While I am *not a fan* of how my country lost parts of its pre-colonial culture, the clothes of the era when he lived and wrote continues to be an influence on our national clothes.

I think Jose Rizal is also an inspiration not only for Filipinos but for those who seek dark academia to inspire their studies. Jose Rizal was a student in many institutions in Europe and was fluent in many languages. I feel like this needs to be said because many nationals from Africa, the Middle East and pan-Asia traveled to Europe as artists or for work and education for centuries but people always argue that immigration is *new* when history says otherwise. Western education lacks this world view from the point of view of the colonized. So I highly recommend Jose Rizals books if you are looking for classical texts from outside of Europe.

[bigriverbindery]

Starting my time in Minneapolis at the Institute of Art, looking at Burmese Lacquered books. Reminds me of book hunting in Thailand. #bookarts #bookbinding #asianbooks #palmleafbook (at Minneapolis Institute of Art) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpDA4Nzg8Ru/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=modanq59597c

[thebookdragon217]

I'm always so excited and grateful for diverse representation in books. Happy pub day to Dream, Annie, Dream by Waka Brown! Thanks to @harperkids for the gifted copy. QOTD: What is a book you recommend that debunks the "American Dream"? Books like these are so important because they offer kids a window into another person's world and unique experiences. They teach compassion and empathy. They also empower kids to make a difference. 🇯🇵 SYNOPSIS: 🇯🇵 In this empowering deconstruction of the so-called American Dream, a twelve-year-old Japanese American girl grapples with, and ultimately rises above, the racism and trials of middle school she experiences while chasing her dreams. As the daughter of immigrants who came to America for a better life, Annie Inoue was raised to dream big. And at the start of seventh grade, she’s channeling that irrepressible hope into becoming the lead in her school play. So when Annie lands an impressive role in the production of The King and I, she’s thrilled . . . until she starts to hear grumbles from her mostly white classmates that she only got the part because it’s an Asian play with Asian characters. Is this all people see when they see her? Is this the only kind of success they’ll let her have—one that they can tear down or use race to belittle? Disheartened but determined, Annie channels her hurt into a new dream: showing everyone what she’s made of. #DreamAnnieDream #WakaBrown #books #bookish #bookstagrammer #bookphotos #bookrecommendation #bibliophile #bookworm #reading #middlegrade #bookstagram #AAPI #ownvoices #literature #harperkids #readersofinstagram #Asianbooks #HarperInfluencer #AsianAuthors #booksforyouth #explorebooks #diversereads #childrenslit #TBR #booksbooksbooks #bookfeature #newrelease #hardcovers #libros (at Ridgewood, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZu3UD-vERK/?utm_medium=tumblr

[litcelebrasian]

Beautiful photo by co-host @sineadanja! Magic through dance. I just love love love this book, and I've said this so many times already. But like seriously, it's so gorgeous and the writing is so descriptive. Have any of you read Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri? . . . #diversebooks #booksandflowers#bookstagramtogether #booksandnature #asianbooks @litcelebrasian #weneeddiversebooks #fantasybooks #dance #unitedbookstagram #livrestagram #bücherliebe #empireofsand #tashasuri https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu2y_KbnKXd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ey6tdfj9xq8b

[esbibliography]

Ну а «Смену пола» можно счесть чуть ли не первым образцом трансгендерной НФ: безумный учёный доктор Ни превращает свою дочь в мужчину, чтобы получить ассистента — и отогнать от дочери её жениха, а тот, в свой черёд, превращает доктора в старушку, которую в ярости убивает. В финале оказывается, что собственно рассказчик — это экс-дочь доктора Ни, ныне счастливый муж и отец двоих детей. Четвёртая повесть — технологическая утопия Гу про Северный полюс — увы, такой оригинальностью не отличалась.

о китайской НФ

[paper-blots]

may 🌸🌿 . This was my book haul for the month of May!! It was “only” two books, but I am so grateful bc GOPAF IS ONE OF MY MOST ANTICIPATED and I’ve been excited for The Girl and the Grove since Forever??? . GOPAF features an f/f relationship, is largely inspired by Asia (a lot of the attire there is Chinese) and has a cast from all over Asia! I think the main character is either East asian or Southeast asian! (Also the cover is so pretty I Lov.) The Girl and the Grove is about a foster child, and she has seasonal affective disorder. I’m not too sure about the rest of the rep! . question: (in case you read to the bottom) what are some of your most anticipated releases for this year? . #books #bookstagram #prettybooks #prettybookpics #bookstagrampic #aestheticbooks #blogger #cutebooks #authors #bookishfeatures #bookfeature #bookhaul #maybookhaul #girlsofpaperandfire #thegirlandthegrove #asianbooks