Clear your schedule, readers, you’re about to be all booked up! We rounded up 10 books by Asian authors that you’ll want to read in 2026. Some of these are even available to request on NetGalley.
Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson
Years ago, debut novelist Parker Navarro was on the rise to becoming the literary world’s next star. But all of that changed with one scathing review from critic Selina Chan. The novel flopped and Parker found himself back at square one. Now he’s written a new novel, one he hopes to keep out of Selina’s hands. Fate has other ideas though and a second harsh critique turns into a viral feud. It’s only once they begin talking that they start to realize how their initial judgements of each other may have been wrong.
Before You Were Anne by Emiko Jean
Emiko Jean weaves together the voices of three women to unravel a mystery in her latest. Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s latest case is hitting close to home. She’s investigating the death of a woman known as Anne Walker and the disappearance of her 16-year-old daughter, Naomi. But as Chelsey learns more about Anne and the life she was running from, it makes her question her own past and the answers she’s been too afraid to seek out.
Wickhills by Premee Mohamed
Nebula Award winner Premee Mohamed returns this fall with a fantasy spy novel set in the magical city of Wickhills. Secret agent Vycol Ferec is a secret agent whose latest mission involves protecting a scientist—a foreign defector who may be in possession of a weapon that could destroy the city. A job that feels simple enough to Ferec grows complicated when he begins to suspect that there’s a mole in the ranks of the secret police.
Hold Me Like a Grudge by Celine Ong
In this queer sports romance debut, two wrestlers battling it out for the championship title realize they can fight everything except their feelings for each other. When Asher Ross is added to the main roster of Global Elite Wrestling, he’s billed as the young challenger to reigning champion Caleb Knight’s title. In front of their fans, they’re bitter rivals, but behind the scenes, a growing mutual respect and friendship begins transforming into something more.
Nest of Tongues by Randy Ribay
Randy Ribay explores Filipino vampire mythology in this YA horror novel. Siblings Caleb and Lily have a secret they’d do anything to protect: They are manananggals. The two hunt animals instead of people and do what they can to avoid unnecessary attention. But when a monster hunter kills a local manananggal and then targets Caleb, it’s clear they need to find a way to protect each other and decide whether to leave their home or stand and fight.
Monster in the Mirror by Janasha Prabhu
A killer haunts Jiah Rai. Her uncle, a convicted serial killer, casts a long shadow, and despite having grown up in Dumont, Jiah can’t shake the town’s suspicions that she had something to do with the tragic death of her girlfriend. Years later, just when Jiah is ready to take back her life, she’s pulled into the web of a murderer recreating her uncle’s crimes.
Fishbone Cinderella by Elizabeth Lim
Readers who enjoy multi-generational stories should bump this book to the top of their TBR. In this story about mothers and daughters, Elizabeth Lim takes readers to 1940s Hong Kong, where Yut Ying escapes from Japanese soldiers, only to become a servant in her stepmother’s home. The novel jumps to 1960s San Francisco, where Marigold is searching for answers and digging into her mother’s past.
Harbour of Hungry Ghosts by Eliza Chan
In this historical fantasy, Eliza Chan transports readers to Opium War-era Hong Kong, where a family of demon hunters faces a new challenge. The Au family is assisting with the Hungry Ghosts festival when an interruption from the British seems to spark the arrival of a monster they’ve never seen before. After it kidnaps her grandmother, eldest daughter Kiamling must step up to get her back.
Bad Queer by Gayathiri Kamalakanthan
This debut novel follows a non-binary teenager dealing with the highs and lows of falling in love for the first time. Through verse and illustrations, Bad Queer tracks Surya’s last year of school. After coming out to their parents and best friend, they expect it to be a year of smooth sailing. But that changes when they realize they’re falling for Blessing, a boy in their drama class.
The Winged Game by Sophie Kim
Sophie Kim combines fantasy and sports romance in this summer release. Years ago, Kion Locke destroyed Taissa Cho’s career as a top Carriwitchet player. Since then, she’s dreamed of little else but getting revenge and returning to the rugby-style sport played atop winged creatures. When she’s offered the chance to make a comeback, Taissa can’t say no—even if it means agreeing to a fake relationship with her nemesis to bring positive PR to their struggling team.
Which of these books is at the top of your reading list?
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