Task 14: Read a Book That is By an Author from Southeast Asia

[Stephanie]

Getting ready to read The Girl from the Well (Philippines). Looks creeptastic! :)

[Stina]

Could I read The Sea Is Ours: Tales from Steampunk Southeast Asia for this task? It's a collection of short stories, and the editors are from Malaysia and Singapore. Not all of the contributing authors were born in Southeast Asia -- for instance, one was "born in South London to two Bangkokian artists" -- but the whole point of the book is that they are stories of Southeast Asia.

If not, I can read Sorcerer to the Crown instead.

[Sarah]

Stina wrote: "Could I read The Sea Is Ours: Tales from Steampunk Southeast Asia for this task? It's a collection of short stories, and the editors are from Malaysia and Singapore. Not all of the ..."

I would count it. but you should definitely read Sorcerer to the Crown as well! It is really fun.

[Bekah]

I'm going to be reading This Earth of Mankind.

[Stina]

Sarah wrote: "Stina wrote: "Could I read The Sea Is Ours: Tales from Steampunk Southeast Asia for this task? It's a collection of short stories, and the editors are from Malaysia and Singapore. N..."

Well, I probably will end up reading both. Sorcerer to the Crown is a book club pick for December. :-)

[Wellington]

I read Sorcerer To The Crown by Zen Cho for this challenge. I liked it, but it didn't have enough character development for me.

[CaitGreens]

I read the book The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo. Such an amazing read. Just when you think you know what is going to happen the book takes a left turn. I was always on the end of each page.
The reason I love this challenge is I get to fall in love with books I never would have come across reading in the first place.

[Sophia]

I read Trouble Is a Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly, who was born in Manila. It was a great read! Fun, snappy dialogue and great chemistry between the main characters.

[Megan]

I just finished The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen -- incredible!

[Sam]

I read Pioneer Girl for this challenge and really enjoyed it. More of a cultural study than a mystery, it was about a woman struggling with post-doc life, her passive aggressive mother and responsibility-shirking brother, and a potential connection to Laura Ingalls Wilder. I definitely would not have sought this out had it not been for this task, and I'm really glad I found it!

I also picked up Of Bees and Mist based on some of the recommendations upthread, and I will hopefully get to it soon (I have to fill in some of the other tasks before the year is up!)

[dobbs]

I am planning to read Springtime: a ghost story by Michelle de Kretser. Does she count? She is
Sri Lankan, though doesn't currently live there.
Thanks!

[Britany]

Finished by Thrity Umrigar- 4 Stars.

India: Bhima (Servant) & Sera (Wealthy widow) become friends under the least likely circumstances. Until heartbreak after heartbreak finally test this relationship.

My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[[deleted user]]

For anyone who is behind and still looking for a book to fit this category (like me!), I've just discovered the Malaysian cartoonist LAT (Mohammad Nor Khalid), who is apparently quite well known in SE Asia. I'm planning on reading his autobiographical graphic novel Kampung Boy, first published in 1979 and more recently translated for English-speaking audiences. It's short, so it should be a quick read!

[Mary]

I read A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder by Shamini Flint.