Our internal e-mail lists have us discussing all kinds of stuff: Asian American identity, representation in the media, the experiences of activism in an academia setting and its progression as we transition to the working, adult world. And sometimes, we talk about books.
Lily: I’m in need of some good reading. Any ideas? Ideally I’d like to review books that are good (and thus worth sharing) and not just those that are new.
Moye: Are you looking for something Asian-centric? Or anything? I have plenty of ideas
Jeff: I’ve always wanted to read Carlos Bulosan’s “America is in the Heart”but never got around to it. I’ve also wanted to read “Have a Nice day: A Tale of blood and Sweat Socks” by Mick Foley
but it isn’t particularly “Asiany”.
Lily: yeah, something asian-related.
Connie: The first “Asiany” book I read was “The Dim Sum of All Things” by Kim Wong Keltner. I read it freshman year in high school and loved it and recommended it to every Asian person I knew.
Efren: I haven’t read any “Asiany” books in a long time either, especially since I used to teach Asian American literature and found most of those books monotonous (whiny and focused on inter-generational conflict and identity, over and over and over again). Most of the Asian Am themed stuff I read that I’ve actually liked lately has been erotica since the good stuff really turns identity on its head, so to speak.
Jen: The NY Times has released their “Ten Best Books of 2008″ and it looks like Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiriis Asiany — about Bengali Americans. The NY Times article also includes an excerpt — it might be a good read for those looking for a book to read.
So, are there any books that you folks recommend?
(Flickr photo credit: Hashmil)
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12 Comments to “The 8Asians Writers Asks: Read Any Good Books Lately?”
Phil C. wrote:
If we’re limiting it to Asian American works–Nam Le’s collection of short stories THE BOAT is amazing. One of the best new writers, period.
Posted on 05-Dec-08 at 11:10 am | Permalink
Paul Bens wrote:
I’ve been a lurker here, enjoying the posts. When I saw this come up, I had to comment.
Books I love written by Asian Americans:
“Letters to Montgomery Clift” by Noel Alumit
“Edinburgh” by Alexander Chee
“Fixer Chao” by Han Ong
“Burden of Ashes” by Justin Chin
“Perfume Dreams: Reflections on the Vietnamese Diaspora” (non-fiction) by Andrew Lam
Non-Asian writers with dynamic Asian/API Character(s)
“Moloka’i” by Alan Brennert (Hawaiian lead female character)
“Drawing Blood” by Poppy Z. Brite (Korean American supporting character)
I’m sure I’ll think of more, but those just sprang into my mind immediately.
Posted on 05-Dec-08 at 2:17 pm | Permalink
Akrypti wrote:
I love all the writing in Kartika Review at http://www.kartikareview.com.
….
Tee. Hee.
Posted on 05-Dec-08 at 6:15 pm | Permalink
Paul Bens wrote:
Akrypti…
Thanks for this link. Looks like I have some reading to do this weekend.
Posted on 05-Dec-08 at 6:24 pm | Permalink
Efren wrote:
Akrypti: You are SO subtle.
Posted on 05-Dec-08 at 10:14 pm | Permalink
Akrypti wrote:
Paul Bens: We’re featuring an interview with Alexander Chee in the upcoming issue, due out mid-December.
Efren: Yeah. I know. If the comment box permitted me to type in size 136 font, I would have.
Posted on 05-Dec-08 at 10:32 pm | Permalink
Lily wrote:
@Paul- Thanks!! I’ll look for these at the bookstore and library.
Posted on 05-Dec-08 at 10:40 pm | Permalink
Paul Bens wrote:
Akrypti: Thanks for the heads-up of the interview with Alexander. His novel is just brilliant.
And I just did some reading on Kartika tonight. Some great stuff in what I’ve read so far (although, I have to admit, I know squat about poetry, so I can’t comment about that too much, but I’m liking what I’m reading).
I’ve been lurking here for probably about a month and just thought I tell ya’ll, I really enjoy the site.
Cheers!
Posted on 05-Dec-08 at 10:42 pm | Permalink
Paul Bens wrote:
@ Lily: I hope you enjoy them. Some of my all time favorite books.
@Phil C….Thanks for the rec on “The Boat.” I have to look that up.
Posted on 05-Dec-08 at 10:45 pm | Permalink
Paul Bens wrote:
Oh…I just thought of this…if y’all want a three minute read that’s free, Philip Huang has a piece in Velvet Mafia: Dangerous Queer Fiction called “Colin Farrell’s Penis” which is hysterical. It’s less that 500 words and really made me laugh.
http://velvetmafia.com/22/huang.php
(Warning: There is a not work safe image of a naked guy on the page).
Posted on 05-Dec-08 at 10:54 pm | Permalink
Akrypti wrote:
Paul Bens: That was a *FANTASTIC* read! I’m so glad I clicked into the link.
For Asian literature, try Gao Xingjian Soul Mountain. The book won the Nobel. I’ve read it twice now, and it’s on my nightstand as we speak, on round 3. He is in no way a political writer and yet all his books are summarily banned in China because ONE (out of a ton) of books he wrote tangentially made an implied reference that critiqued the Tienanmen Square incident. Color me confused.
Posted on 06-Dec-08 at 5:41 pm | Permalink
Paul Bens wrote:
@Akrypti: Glad you enjoyed Colin Farrel’s Penis…I just had to word it that way. =-) That piece to me is one of the examples of perfect flash fiction.
And thanks for the heads-up about Soul Mountain, I will definitely check that out. (And it doesn’t surprise me China banned his book because of the reference to Tiananmen. How they can just pretend it didn’t happen is so very beyond my comprehension, but I guess they’re serious about it.
Posted on 08-Dec-08 at 6:49 pm | Permalink
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