Last year I read several books set in Asia. It was unplanned and unintentional, but no less welcome.
When I looked back through my reading lists, I realized that I had read several books set in Asia over the years. Time to put them in one spot!
Who is This List For?
This is one time when the three main topics for this blog (travel, books, and education) come together neatly in one post. In this case, there is literally something for everyone. I have picture books for little ones, novels for older kids, and fiction and non-fiction for adults.
Shoot, if you’re really adventurous you could have everyone in your family pick a book and then discuss it at dinner one night. (Note: this idea sounds great in theory but is untested on my end. Proceed at your own risk!)
If you are looking for some literary travel, this list is for you! Choose your destination in Asia and read about the area. Or, if you’re stuck at home, travel the continent through any variation of these selections. (Don’t rule out kid lit just because you’re an adult. Some of my favorite books are on the Youth and Picture Book lists!)
There are great stories and histories on this list for anyone’s to-be-read pile. Pick one of interest and dive in!
These books would also work for any kind of thematic learning in the classroom or homeschool. Choose books for read-aloud or for supplementing your own knowledge.
About the Links
I’ve provided links to three online services where you can purchase the books I’ve listed below. I am not an affiliate with any of the services.
Think of BetterWorldBooks as a New and Used Online bookstore. Some of the titles are New and some are Used. Obviously, that affects their price and quality. Pay attention if you’re clicking to purchase a book through this site.
The best part about BetterWorldBooks is that they donate one book to someone in need for every one book purchased from their platform. Pretty cool, right?
IndieBound puts you in touch with the local booksellers near you. Support local business! You may even find some new-to-you bookstores to check out near where you live. Win-win!
Finally, Amazon doesn’t need an explanation. Find a description of the book and other reviews.
If the title is highlighted, then the link will take you to a post that I’ve written about that book.
Without further ado – to the book list!
The Lists: Books Set In Asia
Adult Fiction
Anil’s Ghost by Michael Ondaatje (Sri Lanka)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien (China)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Evening is the Whole Day by Preeta Samarasan (Malaysia)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay (India)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry (India)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Library of Legends by Janie Chang (China)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Meeting with My Brother by Yi Mun-yol (South Korea/North Korea)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie (India)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai (Vietnam)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Pachinko by (Korea/Japan)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Rainbirds by Clarissa Goenawan (Japan)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Silence by Shusako Endo (Japan)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Son of Man by Yi Mun-yol (South Korea)
BetterWorldBooks
Amazon
Adult Non-Fiction
Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo (India)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee (North Korea)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Little Princes by Connor Grennan (Nepal)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Running in the Family by Michael Ondaatje (Sri Lanka)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Secret History of the Mongol Queens by Jack Weatherford (Mongolia)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Three Tigers, One Mountain by Michael Booth (Japan, China, Korea)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Youth
Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins (Burma)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins (Bangladesh)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon trilogy by Grace Lin (China)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Children
Anklet for a Princess by Lila Mehta (India)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Beckoning Cat by Koko Nishizuka (Japan)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Boy of the Three-Year Nap by Dianne Snyder (Japan)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Empty Pot by DEMI (China)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Grandma and the Great Gourd by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (Bangladesh)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho (Thailand)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Korean Cinderella by Shirley Climo (Korea)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Noodle Magic by Roseanne Greenfield Thong (China)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Secret Kingdom: Nek Chand, a Changing India, and a Hidden World of Art
by Barb Rosenstock (India)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Seeing Stick by Jane Yolen (China)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Sound of Silence by Katrina Goldsaito (Japan)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Umbrella Queen by Shirin Yim Bridges (Thailand)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
The Wheels on the Tuk-Tuk by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal (India)
BetterWorldBooks
IndieBound
Amazon
Other Recommendations?
This list is not comprehensive. And, I know my reading is not close to done for this continent. It particularly looks like I could benefit from some more reading in the YOUTH category! If you have any suggestions, for any section, I’d love to add them to my to-be-read pile. Please add them in the comment section!
Happy reading!
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