Hey guys! It’s time for Top Ten Tuesday, which is currently being run by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl. We knew instantly that we wanted to take part in this weekly meme because both of us love making list, so this is perfect!
This week’s (May 14th, 2019) topic is: Page to Screen Freebie. Still not really feeling this topic this week, so we changed it to Ownvoice Book Recommendations for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and while both Mireille and I are white – we feel it’s important to celebrate and promote diversity in literature, particularly with ownvoice authors. This is a selection of books by ownvoice authors that we have loved and hope you’ll give a chance as well.
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
Asian inspired fantasy about a group of young women who are sent to be essentially sex slaves to the Demon King, against their will. This starts off as a slow burn and turns into a full blown revolution. We also get an amazing female/female relationship.
If you want to know more, you can read my full non-spoilerl REVIEW
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
Wonderful historical fiction about a group of misfits that go on heists together. It’s kind of like if Six of Crows and The DaVinci Code had a little YA baby. I loved it and the diversity was outstanding, including Filipino and Indian.
If you want to know more, you can read my full non-spoiler REVIEW
Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza
This ownvoice novel is a cool sci-fi about a princess hellbent on revenge and a reality star caught up in one hell of a conspiracy. It’s a fun ride, I enjoyed the characters and it’s a good intro to sci-fi if you are a little nervous about checking out the genre.
The Girl King by Mimi Yu
This Asian inspired fantasy was released earlier this year to mixed reviews. I have to say that I loved this one. It’s got tropes that I love – chosen one, sibling rivalry, tons of political intrigue and of course betrayal. I would at least give this one a shot.
If you want to know more, you can read my full non-spoiler REVIEW
The Girl From the Well by Rin Chupeco
You didn’t think I would complete my recommendations without giving you a little Asian horror, did you? Of course not! This is a really cool, YA horror book that deals with a creepy spirit and some dark possession (is there any other kind?). If you are into stuff like The Exorcist or The Conjuring. This might be one to check out.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
This is one of my favourite book. I just love the world in which it’s set, though it’s not asian inspired much more closer to Ancient Rome, it is written by a Pakistani-American, Sabaa Tahir.
Why not me by Minday Kaling
I don’t really read biographies/memoirs but I just adore Mindy Kaling and had to grab this one. In her second book, Mindy talks about her journey to find contentment and excitement in her adult life as believing that she has a place in Hollywood when you’re constantly reminded that no one looks like you.
Warcross by Marie Lu
In this sci-fi YA novel, Marie Lu tells the story of Emika Chen who is entered in the Warcross comptetition after hacking in the opening night. I really enjoyed this book, a lot more than I expectec to. It was such a fun, different read since most of the story takes part in an inhance reality game.
Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala
In this stroy inspired by ancient Indian history and Hindu mythology, Swati Teerdhala created a wonderful story filled with adventure where paths will cross and unimaginable chain of events will unfold.
A Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
A Star-Touched Queen seems to be an Indian inspired retelling of the greek myth of Hades and Persephone. I absolutely loved this book, it was so beautiful and poetic.
Girls of Paper and Fire is so amazing ❤️
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It was great book
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I love An Ember in the Ashes! Great choice of topic!!
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Thank you so much
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Girls of Paper and Fire is challenging.
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It was an interesting and important read I think. The subject is a hard to read and can feel very real for some, but I felt that Natasha did a great job with it.
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I’ve got several of these on my TBR and I haven’t read any! I need to change that.
Gemma @ Gemma’s Book Nook
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So many books, so little time lol
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The Girl from the Well sounds right up my alley. Thanks for the recommendation.
My TTT.
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An Ember In The Ashes and The Gilded Wolves are on my TBR, so I’m glad to see you enjoyed them!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/14/top-ten-tuesday-211/
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2 amazing books. I still need to continue An Ember in the Ashes series but I’m waiting for all the books to be out, she writes a bit slower than other authors but in the end you know it will be worth it
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That makes sense, obviously I have quite a lot to catch up on, so hopefully I’ll be done by the time the last book comes out.
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I loooooooved Girls of Paper and Fire, and really enjoyed The Gilded Wolves as well! Great choices.
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thank you lfor stopping by. I loved both these books too. Gilded Wolves was such a fun book.
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I love this list! The Star-Touched Queen is wonderful ❤️ Can’t believe I still haven’t read Girls of Paper and Fire or The Gilded Wolves, they both sound so good!
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Thank you, They were both amazing books. Gilded Wolves is a very fun heist book.
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Mindy is adorable – but I can’t bring myself to read a memoir
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It was really entertaining and it sounded like her.
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Great list. I have been wanyto read Mindy’s book.
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I really enjoyed it. Her personality comes across so much
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Such great pick! I really liked Warcros…
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I wasn’t exptecting to love it as much. Thank you for stopping by
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Thanks for sharing! I’ve only read Why Not Me? from your list, but I have Mindy’s first memoir I still need to read. I always appreciate diverse recommendations.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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Those are some fab titles.
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This is a great list! I loved Warcross, Ember In The Ashes, Star Touched Queen! I also enjoyed GIlded Wolves, and Tiger At Midnight! I haven’t read Empress of Thousand Skies but it’s on my TBR list!
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Oooh, you’ve got some really great choices here! I LOVED A Star-Touched Queen (though, I confess that I liked A Crown of Wishes a bit more).
I don’t read a whole lot of horror, but The Girl From The Well sounds soooo good. A lot of these are on my TBR and I just haven’t read them yet. I should really work on that lol. Great choices!
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Great lists! I really enjoyed both of Mindy Kaling’s novels.
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Girls of Paper and Fire, An Ember in the Ashes, Warcross, and The Girl from the Well are all excellent. The rest are all on my tbr! 🙂
Lauren @ Always Me
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Warcross is on my TBR. Great list!
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