Recs if you like The Woman Who Had Two Navels and Tales of the Tropical Gothic...

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.

I’ve 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 :)

myth and folklore woven into reality to explore the legacies of colonialism: displacement, cultural erasure, trauma, the question of identity, and resistance. these books revolt against the idea of a single, rational, western worldview, reclaiming indigenous beliefs and knowledge systems as valid forms of truth.

after all, what looks like "magic" may simply be reality seen through other eyes.

recs always welcome :)

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 !

Authors from the Philippines & diaspora no specific genres; it’s like a Pinoy library on shuffle lol

I haven’t read every book on this list, but I have finished most of the titles towards the bottom. Recommendations always welcome! Maraming salamat, mga kapwa 🤎

I realized that in Asia, magical and supernatural beliefs are steeped in our day-to-day lives. It’s so normalized that we or I, didn’t even think about it. So, I wanted to read more books in this category where magic occurs in everyday life

List of books to get you into Filipino authors (popular or not)

Books by AANHPI authors and/or AANHPI stories. I added Pinoy specifically because while I want all stories for this group I will make a point in finding stories by Filipinos or about Filipino stories. These books aren’t all that are out there. Just what is on my radar.