By: Juan Yu (Lulu), ICS’25
Come one, come all! It doesn’t matter whether you are a bookworm, a book-avoider, or a newbie, the world of words welcomes everyone who’s willing to try.
If you’ve only ever read fantasy books such as Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings (no shame, they’re great books), you really are missing out on the diverse spectrum of novels – memoirs, cultural, magical realism, and much more. Whether it be a foreign author, a different genre/style, or an Asian-based setting, the 3 collections of stories below are each different in their own way.
If a book catches your attention, but you don’t know where to get the book, don’t forget that there’s always the option of ebooks! Some people strongly prefer physical books, but as an avid reader myself, digital books are not that bad (plus, they’re less expensive ;)).
So even if you don’t actually read these books, I hope that you’ll open your eyes to the vast ocean of books that you have yet to see. But please, do give them a try! :))
(Disclaimer: please take everything with a grain of salt. Just because I enjoyed these books does not mean that you are guaranteed to enjoy them too. Also, the maturity levels are just what I think is appropriate, but could change depending on the person.)
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (Translated by Geoffrey Trousselot)
“Kawaguchi… has a surprising, unerring ability to find lasting emotional resonance. Interwoven into what initially feels like a whimsical escape are existential conundrums of love and loss, family and freedom, life and death.” -The Christian Science Monitor
“If you could go back, who would you want to meet?” Originally written in Japanese, this book is about an unsuspecting cafe called Funiculi Funicula that’s located in Tokyo. It might look like a normal basement cafe, but if you ask the waitress, you just might get a once-in-a-lifetime chance of travelling in time! Follow four different customers as they take a journey to the past (or future) to clear their misunderstandings, reminisce with a loved one before Alzheimer’s made them forget, unburden their regrets, and meet a child they never got to see.
But there are rules, of course: there’s only one seat that’ll take you to your desired time, but you cannot change what has already happened (or what will happen). The most important rule is that you must drink the coffee that’s served to you before it gets cold – hence the title of the book – or else, there will be consequences.
This tear-jerking masterpiece will have you questioning certain aspects of life as it touches on subjects such as grief, regret, selfishness and love.
How does this book diversify my bookshelf?
Take a look at your bookshelf and see if you can find a POC author. Not only are you supporting an Asian (more specifically, a Japanese) author, you are also getting a taste of a new culture.
Other Information:
272 pages
Published: December 2015
1st book out of trilogy (the 3rd book has not yet been translated to English)
Genre: Magical Realism
Maturity level: 13+ (TW: death)
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Strandal
“This is a book that made me want to have a more full and colourful life, a life with cookbooks and a well-used kitchen, and to delight at all the goodness that can be put in front of us.”—Los Angeles Review of Books
From a young age, Eva Thorvald has always been surrounded by aspects of the culinary world. Puréed pork shoulder, Scandinavian lutefisk, and hydroponic chocolate habaneros – each ingredient tells the story of Eva’s rise in fame. While you don’t ever get to hear Eva’s thoughts, you get to go on a food journey through the eyes of the flawed people who have met Eva – albeit quite briefly. Even though Eva might not know it, each story is intertwined to make who she is in the present.
Although this story may not be true, the way that it is written makes it seem like a memoir and you almost wish that it was. You are left with snippets to piece together, making this an interesting and beautiful read that touches on the importance of family and community.
How does this book diversify my bookshelf?
Most people (including past me) think that they’re boring and so they tend to avoid memoirs. But they’re actually quite fun, so although this book isn’t a memoir, it’s WRITTEN like one. Not only that, but it’s main focus is food. So if you’re interested in the culinary world, this book is just for you.
Other Information:
336 pages
Published: July 28, 2015
Genre: Fiction
Maturity: 14-15+ (TW: drugs, abortion)
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
“Minli emerges a stalwart female role model who learns the importance of family, friendship, and faith during her amazing journey.” –Kirkus
Minli lives in the valley of the Fruitless Mountain where life is bleak and boring – except for the evenings when her father tells her enchanting folktales of dragons, rabbits and the Old Man of the Moon. Wanting to bring fortune to the village, Minli is inspired by the stories to seek out the Old Man of the Moon. Along the journey, she meets a peculiar red dragon, greedy monkeys, the Green tiger, and a king. As you travel with her and the dragon, you hear numerous beautiful stories that are interwoven to make a memorable and fantastic read, as each folktale makes you yearn for more.
This book is targeted at younger audiences, making it a simple and breath-taking story for all to learn from.
How does this book diversify my bookshelf?
With plenty of traditional Chinese folklore and culture woven into the story, you get to learn more about just what makes culture so special and unique.
Other Information:
288 pages
Published: July 1, 2009
Not a series, but there are 2 other books set in the same world
Genre: Folklore
Maturity: 8+
Writer Juan Yu (Lulu) can be reached at juanyu.lulu@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram @juanyu.lulu.
