Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!! In honour of this month, I’ve listed some books below by or about AAPI peoplethat I recommend and books by or about AAPI people I’m looking forward to picking up!
In the meantime, also check out this database for AAPI non-profits to donate to this month!
Author: Katherine Applegate
Genre: Fiction ; Middle Grade ; Animals ; Fantasy ; Realistic
Publication: January 17, 2012 by HarperCollins
Pages: 307
Format Read In: Audiobook
Summary from Goodreads (GOODREADS LINK)
Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.
Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.
Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.
Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.
Trigger warnings: Animal death ; Death of a parent (off-page, described) ; Abuse of animals (past, described) ; Threat to animals (on-page) ; Cancer (off-page, described)
My Review:
By Graham Liddell Words fail spectacularly in the shadow of 2,000 pound bombs. Palestinian author Anton Shammas recently described his own incapacity…
What Can Palestinian Literature Tell Us About Amputations in Gaza?
“So the US maintains this ridiculous charade where it keeps pretending to support this fake non-solution, even while taking concrete actions which …
The US Doesn’t Support A Two-State Solution, It Just Supports Saying It Does
I have dedicated every day of my life to the project of spreading awareness of the depravity and deceitfulness of the western empire, but I will … …
Quashing University Protests And Banning TikTok To Make The Kids Love Israel
APRIL 28, 2024 — Judges today announced the winner of the 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction: Basim Khandaqji’s قناع بلون السماء (A Mask, …
Novel by Palestinian Prisoner Basim Khandaqji Wins 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction
It’s like saying “Sure my husband’s a serial killer, but he’s great with the kids.” If someone said that to you, the only conclusion you could … …
Opposing The Gaza Genocide While Supporting Biden Is A Dishonest, Nonsensical Position
The group Passages Through Genocide (gazapassages.com) collects, translates and publishes texts from Palestinian writers confronting the genocide in …
Watch: Four Palestinian Writers on Gaza
Author: C. L. Polk
Genre: Fiction ; Adult ; Fantasy ; Romance ; LGBTQA+ ; Historical fiction ; Mystery; Novella
Publication: November 7, 2022
Pages: 136
Format Read In: Audiobook
Summary from Goodreads (GOODREADS LINK)
A magical detective dives into the affairs of Chicago’s divine monsters to secure a future with the love of her life. This sapphic period piece will dazzle anyone looking for mystery, intrigue, romance, magic, or all of the above.
An exiled auspex who sold her soul to save her brother’s life is offered one last job before serving an eternity in hell. When she turns it down, her client sweetens the pot by offering up the one payment she can’t resist―the chance to have a future where she grows old with the woman she loves.
To succeed, she is given three days to track down the White City Vampire, Chicago’s most notorious serial killer. If she fails, only hell and heartbreak await.
Trigger warnings: Historical homophobia; Mental asylum; Historical ableism (mental illness); Religious institutions; Violence; Use of blood in rituals; Sexism
My Review:
Author: Jina S. Bazzar
Genre: Fiction ; Young Adult ; Fantasy (Urban) ; Romance ; Paranormal ; Science Fiction
Publication: April 1, 2018 by Next Chapter
Pages: 424
Format Read In: Ebook
Summary from Goodreads (GOODREADS LINK)
At the age of twelve, Roxanne Fosch had a perfectly normal life. By the time she was twenty-two, she was being hunted.
After being trapped for years in the clutches of the Paranormal Scientists Society, Roxanne escapes and sets on a dangerous quest for the truth.
Hunted by scientists keen to exploit her extraordinary abilities, and dangerous factions whose plans she cannot fathom, Roxanne discovers a shocking secret about her past. But is everything she’s ever known a lie?
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has not impacted the points I make below.
Trigger warnings: Forced medicalization (past); forced experimentation (past and on-page); forced drug use (past); violence; attempts at sexual assault (past, briefly mentioned, and on page); forced isolation; familial abandonment
My Review [SPOILERS AHEAD]:
Sweaters & raindrops 