Hello everyone, Happy May and Happy AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Heritage month! In celebration, Cindy from withcindy is hosting the Asian Readathon, a month-long event celebrating Asian voices. It is a super easy and fun readathon, and I am so excited to be participating.
This readathon began May 1 and runs all month through May 31. The readathon consists of 5 prompts. I don’t know the last time I actually read 5 books in one month, but hey, it is always a good time for firsts! For more information about this readathon, Cindy created an announcement video that you can watch here and an extensive google doc that you can see here.
We aren’t just reading during this readathon (even though there is plenty of that)! Cindy is also raising money for a multitude of Asian charities that work inside and outside America. There is a huge list on the google doc, plus many more around, that you can find with a little research. And the fun part? You have a chance to win a book just by donating! Do a little good, and get a chance to get books! What’s better than that?
Well, I guess I should get into what is on my Asian Readathon TBR! In this readathon, you are able to combine prompts, but I have a book for each prompt because I am feeling lucky. If you are still creating your TBR, or you want to find some books by Asian authors to read, check out this Storygraph FULL of more recommendations than you can possibly read in your life… maybe. I don’t know, some of you guys are doing that 30 books in 30 days challenge. I could never!
1. Read any book written by an Asian author
I have been wanting to read this book forever, so it was an easy addition to my TBR. And it isn’t only because of the pretty cover! Most of what I see about this book is positive. I actually don’t know much about what this book is about, but you know I am a sucker for positive ratings. Let’s hope they don’t let me down!
2. Read any book featuring an Asian protagonist
I decided to throw this book onto my TBR for the sheer length it has been on my shelves. I bought it almost 6 years ago when I started my blog. At that time, I was unsure what types of books I liked, and this book was everywhere, on all the blogs and bookstagrams. However, as I learned more about my tastes, I realized contemporaries are not my favorite, so forever this sat on my bookshelf, collecting dust.
But, I really do want to read this book. My reasoning being, I want to watch the Netflix adaptions so bad, and the first step to that is reading the books! I also just got the second and third books in the trilogy from a thrift store, so I might as well read them!
3. Read any book written by an Asian author in your favorite genre
And, to no one’s surprise, I have selected a fantasy novel for this prompt. Girls of Paper and Fire has been on my radar for some time. Honestly, I don’t know much more about it other than the genre, but I see all those positive reviews and I’m ready to go. I am going to read this one with the audiobook.
4. Read any non-fiction book written by an Asian author
Okay, unlike the last couple prompts, this one was actually really difficult to fill. I am not a reader of non-fiction, so I am so glad this prompt exists to take me a little bit out of my comfort zone. I looked into a lot of different books for this prompt, but I finally settled on The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui. It will be the first memoir I will ever read, and it is the first one I have heard of that is illustrated. I am so interested in the story the author will be sharing, I can’t wait to add nonfiction to my very fiction storygraph pie chart (see below).
This graph is just… sad. What can I say, I love me some escapism!
5. Read any book written by an Asian author that’s not U.S. centric
I have been planning to read Strange Weather in Tokyo for a couple months now, so this one was another easy fit into the prompt. I am reading this as a buddy read with a couple other friends, which is one of my absolute favorite things to do. So it should turn out to be a successful read!
Heads up! There is a deal on Amazon right now that makes the ebook $1.99!! This is a limited deal, so get it fast! Click here to see the Amazon page.
I wasn’t sure whether I should do a readathon this month, with my poor mental health and busy schedule. But, looking at my TBR for the Asian Readathon, I am so glad I did. There are books on this list I am so excited to read, and some that I wouldn’t have discovered without this readathon.
Are you also participating in the Asian Readathon? Let me know what your TBR is, maybe we can buddy read something!
