Recs if you like Beauty Is a Wound...

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 :)

Fantasy, sci-fi, & horror translated into English.

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 :)

Books recommended by musician Lucy Dacus, a solo artist and member of the band boygenius. Pulled from her goodreads list.

east & south east asian literary fiction beyond murakami.

timeless modern classics – 20th century onwards – 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)

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

Book set in or inspired by South East Asia. This is specifically for @mangopopsicles but everyone else is welcome to use this too lol!

Written SEAns and set or inspired by Southeast Asia

In an attempt to read books from as many countries as possible, i compiled a little list... ❤️

The collective trauma of state violence remains an everpresent motif in Indonesian literary canon. This list is meant to be a non-exhaustive collection of fiction and nonfiction which features, chronicles, and/or are allegories about the "New Order" (Orde Baru/Orba) era, from its origins during the anti-left genocide of 1965 to its collapse and the start of the Reformasi era in 1998. Suggestions welcome, although this list specifically centers works by Indonesian authors (some of which are available in English translation!)

Fiction books set in Indonesia

Book from Southeast Asian Authors or in Southeast Asian

These are 20 defining Indonesian books available in English, spanning foundational post-colonial epics, modern literary fiction, and cultural blockbusters.

all local (Indonesian) and international books with red covers.

recs by @berdikaribook on Instagram (not complete yet)

Rekomendasi literasi fiksi & non-fiksi menyangkut gejolak perlawanan terhadap situasi politik / sosial Indonesia.