Make room readers, your TBR is about to be stacked! We rounded up 30 books by Asian authors that you’ll want to read in 2023. Some are on shelves now, and others are coming soon (and available to request on NetGalley). Whether you prefer romance, YA, mystery, literary fiction, or fantasy, there’s a book here for you.
The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng
Tan Twan Eng transports readers to 1921 Penang in this historical novel about an author trying to revive his career and the inspiration he finds in the secrets a friend and his wife are keeping.
Murder and Mamon by Mia P. Manansala
Lila Macapagal is back on the case in the fourth installment of the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series. In this cozy, Lila is working to bring the man who killed her godmother’s niece to justice.
The Midnight Kingdom by Tara Sim
Dark fantasy readers, Tara Sim’s series about divinely gifted heirs fighting against gods is sure to captivate. New readers start with The City of Dusk; series fans dive right into the second book!
All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim
Check out our interview with Dominic Lim to learn more about his publishing journey and the inspiration behind his debut romance featuring a Broadway-aspiring composer and a Hollywood star.
Gorgeous Gruesome Faces by Linda Cheng
Linda Cheng’s YA debut is a sapphic thriller set against the backdrop of a K-pop competition where performers are being attacked, and Sunny starts to believe her former bandmate is the cause.
The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar
Long-held family secrets come to light in this novel about a man’s return to India to adopt a baby and become a father, only to learn truths from his mother that change his perspective on his own childhood.
Evergreen by Naomi Hirahara
Naomi Hirahara’s Mary Higgins Clark Award–winning Clark and Division gets a follow-up this summer about a Japanese American nurse’s aide investigating a murder in post-WWII Los Angeles.
Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, Chloe Gong described this fantasy novel as “The Hunger Games but directed by Wong Kar-wai”—do you really need to know anything else?
Glory and the Master of Shadows by Grace Callaway
Featured on our list of must-read historical fiction of 2023, this Victorian romance follows a hero hell-bent on revenge and a detective heroine who needs his help to learn how to fight.
Kween by Vichet Chum
In this YA debut, a queer Cambodian American teen channels fears over her father’s deportation, her family being torn apart, and her place in the world into her school’s spoken word contest.
Hot Pot Murder by Jennifer J. Chow
Jennifer J. Chow continues her cozy LA Night Market mystery series with cousins Yale and Celine Yee investigating the death of the president of the local restaurant owners association.
The Archive Undying by Emma Mieko Candon
Emma Mieko Candon kicks off the Downworld Sequence series with a sci-fi tale of the child of a robotic god brought back to life and forced to navigate a world of AI, giant robots, and brewing rebellion.
The Do-Over by Suzanne Park
In this contemporary romance, Lily returns to her alma mater to complete her degree and unexpectedly reunites with her college boyfriend, a grad student and her computer science TA.
The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar
YA fans of The Great British Bake Off shouldn’t miss this contemporary romance featuring an old flame, new love, and one baker’s determination to doughminate the competition.
Loot by Tania James
Tania James transports readers to the 18th century in this historical novel that follows a young woodcarver who travels to England to get back a plundered piece he made for a sultan’s sons.
Meru by S.B. Divya
Set in a world where humans are confined to the Earth, this space opera was one of our most-anticipated reads of the year and follows one human on a journey to explore the universe.
Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Vale
It’s never too early to start reading holiday romances! Film liaison Elisha must pull out all of her charms to talk Ves into letting her use his house for the sequel to a beloved Christmas movie.
My Flawless Life by Yvonne Woon
In this YA thriller, a case hits too close to home for fixer Hana. Making problems disappear for the students at her private school gets complicated when she has to investigate her best friend.
A Career in Books by Kate Gavino
Kate Gavino pulls back the curtain on what life in the publishing industry is like in this graphic novel about three friends starting their careers and living next door to a Booker Prize winner.
The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin
One of this year’s highly-anticipated reissues is Alexander Darwin’s previously self-published sci-fi debut—the first in a trilogy about a warrior’s search for a hand-to-hand combat champion.
Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma
Nisha Sharma puts a modern spin on Much Ado About Nothing in this romance between wedding planner Bobbi and chef Bunty as they join forces to uncover who is sabotaging their friends’ wedding.
A Thousand Miles to Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase
A mother and daughter heal from the trauma in their shared past and discover new layers to their relationship with each other while on an Elvis-inspired birthday road trip to Graceland.
A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao
In this historical mystery set in 1914 Fiji, a young Indian police sergeant searches for professional redemption while investigating the disappearance of a local Indian woman.
Bitter Medicine by Mia Tsai
This romantic fantasy received rave reviews from NetGalley members who were swept away by the tale of an immortal heroine hiding her true powers and an elf trying to break a curse he cast.
The House on Mulberry Street by Jeannie Chin
Does it get any sweeter than a friends-to-lovers small-town romance? Sparks begin to fly for Elizabeth and Graham when they join forces to launch a local arts festival in Blue Cedar Falls.
Guardians of Dawn: Zhara by S. Jae-Jones
In a world where magic is forbidden, a plague is transforming magicians into monsters. Jin Zhara may be the only one with the power to save them in S. Jae-Jones’ YA fantasy series starter.
Which of these books is at the top of your reading list?
Stuff Your Shelves
