Summer Reading List by Julie Cha: Exploring Diverse Voices of the Asian Diaspora
Summer’s here, dudes! You know what that means – time to ditch those textbooks (okay, maybe just for a little bit) and dive headfirst into a mountain of awesome books. And no, I’m not talking about those stuffy assigned readings you try to forget existed. I’m talking about the good stuff—the page-turners that make you laugh, cry, and everything in between.
As a total bookworm and the president of UMD’s AAPI Literature and Media Club, I’m always on the lookout for stories that showcase the incredible diversity and richness of the Asian diaspora. Since Fall , our club has been geeking out over all sorts of amazing AAPI works—novels, short stories, poems, essays, you name it. Trust me, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s out there!
So, to kickstart your summer reading adventures, I’ve curated a list of five must-reads that will transport you to different worlds and introduce you to unforgettable characters. Get ready to expand your horizons and fall in love with the power of storytelling.
“Free Food for Millionaires” by Min Jin Lee
Genre: Debut novel
Themes: Korean American identity, social class, ambition, cultural expectations
Synopsis: Picture this: a young Korean American woman fresh outta college in the concrete jungle of New York City. She’s determined to climb that social ladder, but there’s this tiny obstacle called “financial limitations.” This book is all about her hustle, her dreams, and the clash between her Korean roots and her American life.
Cha’s Take: This one hit close to home. It totally captures what it’s like to juggle Korean culture with the whole American assimilation thing.
“Afterparties” by Anthony Veasna So
Genre: Short story collection
Themes: Cambodian American experience, identity, family dynamics, queerness, immigrant life
Background: This book is extra special because it was Anthony Veasna So’s debut, published after he, sadly, passed. It blew up and became a New York Times bestseller— the critics were raving about it!
Cha’s Take: One of our club members, who’s Cambodian American, told me that one particular story in this collection was like looking into a mirror. That’s how real and relatable So’s writing is.
“Please Look After Mother” by Kyung-sook Shin
Genre: Novel
Themes: Family relationships, motherhood, loss, guilt, regret
Synopsis: Imagine this: a mom goes missing. Poof. Gone. Now her fam is left scrambling, trying to figure out what happened. But here’s the twist—as they search for her, they start to confront all the ways they took her for granted and the complicated emotions they never really dealt with. Deep stuff.
Cha’s Take: This book is like a wake-up call. It challenges that whole stereotype of moms being just caretakers and shows how they’re individuals with their own dreams, desires, and complexities.
