Recs if you like The Garden of Evening Mists...
Southeast Asian Classics
Influential literature from across Southeast Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam.
Often overshadowed by East Asian lit, these works are rich and diverse in theme, style, philosophical and religious influence, folklore and indigenous wisdom.
Iโve tried to include at least one historical work (mid-20th century and earlier) and one modern classic from each country. Works listed by country in the comments!
Recs welcome as always :)
Literature of the Global South
Writing and voices from outside of the white Western canon. Fiction and Non-fiction with an emphasis in diaspora, decolonization, global history, and resistance narratives from around the world. Features African, Asian, Central American, South American, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern voices.
Began with many recommendations from Jamin Anderson (@jaminanderson__ on Instagram) and has expanded with the help of the Pagebound community.
Learning World History Through Fiction!
This list brings together fiction from around the world that documents significant historical events or periods of time. Titles in this list aren't necessarily "historical fiction" but do have an important historical element to them.
I find fiction is an easy media to help educate me about world history I never learned in school. These titles aim to bring to light historical events that may not be taught in schools!
As always, I'm open to any and all suggestions! ๐ค
Under the Rising Sun
Historical fiction and non-fiction set in and/or are about countries that were under Japanese occupation.
Recommendations are welcome. ๐๐ป
timeless fiction from ESEAsian authors
east & south east asian literary fiction beyond murakami.
timeless modern classics โ 20th century onwards โ exploring universal themes like identity, morality and society.
these books capture elements of the uniquely beautiful symbolism, tones and rhythms that characterise asian languages and culture.
very much open to recs for expansion. (one book per author, typically their most renowned)
the road not taken
books about lost chances, 'what ifs', and the lives that might've been. nostalgia and regret are two sides of the same coin: a lingering, a dwelling, on a past you can't return to.
Tiny Fables
All fiction books that appear in the Tiny Bookshop catalogue! Would sort them by genre as I read along.
book recs for blue readers
book recs for blue readers according to read your color on substack | updated periodically
South East Asian books
Book set in or inspired by South East Asia. This is specifically for @mangopopsicles but everyone else is welcome to use this too lol!
Around the World in Fiction
global south gothic
featuring loosely "gothic" inspired stories from outside of the european / western literary canon (by no means a rigid, all encompassing list or academic designation.)
as always welcome to suggestions !
Books that are Gardens
โIt was the garden that came first, heaven trailing in its wakeโ โ Olivia Laing
Add your recs in the comments! ๐
intellectually deliciousss
here to make your brain cells tingle !! stories that unravel and take root in your mind as time goes on
Set in Malaysia
Fiction books set in Malaysia
Open to recs!
The Heir: Book Recs โ๏ธ๐ฒ
These books explore the painstaking mastery of traditional heritage crafts and the fierce grit required to save a family workshop from ruin. Similarly to the chinese drama, The Heir.
