Kirstin Chen’s book centers on dismantling the model minority myth, the expectation Asian Americans will be: smart. hard-working, self-reliant, rule followers. And while Chen has crafted a beyond unique way of tackling the stereotype, she’s not alone. Here are five books that challenge the model minority myth she recommends.
Family Trust by Kathy Wang
A sharp, irreverent, and very funny look at Silicon Valley and the worlds of tech and finance, through the eyes of one endearingly dysfunctional Taiwanese American family.
Deceit and Other Possibilities by Vanessa Hua
At turns poignant and humorous, this stunning story collection explores the joys and struggles of immigrant families making a home away from home.
The Evening Hero by Marie Myung-Ok Lee
A sweeping, profound novel that interrogates and redefines the American Dream through its inimitable protagonist.
Chemistry by Weike Wang
This slim novel brims with such wit and charm that its depth and complexity sneak up on you—until you find yourself breathless with emotion on the very last page.
The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka
A moving, quietly powerful novel about the joys of recreational swimming, the comfort of routine, and the complicated relationship between a Japanese American mother suffering from dementia and her semi-estranged daughter.
