We're reading a book set on each continent, and we're on Asia. It's hard to find books for this group. Some of the ladies in the book club are not big readers, or really can only get into a book that sucks them in right away. Some prefer books with heavy social commentary. So looking for a book that's not super heady or literary, but also would like a book that has some substance.
Preference for books around 300 pages (though up to 400 pages is okay). Any ideas? I'm thinking historical fiction will be the easiest to find, but it would be cool to find another genre, like a thriller/mystery or contemporary fiction. Fantasy novels set in a fictional Asian culture could work too!
The primary thing I'm looking for is something set in Asia that pulls you in early and has some substance.
by jemat0207
6 Comments
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women
Pachinko
*The Good Earth* by Pearl S. Buck.
*Japanese Inn* by Oliver Statler.
*First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers* by Loung Ung.
The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
*Kitchen* by Banana Yoshitomo
*Convenience Store Woman* by Sayaka Murata
Cozy & magical realism: Before the Coffee Gets Cold, The Guest Cat, Sweet Bean Paste
Fantasy: Sword of Kaigen, Daughter of the Moon Goddess, She Who Became the Sun
*Memoirs of a Geisha* by Arthur Golden is a pretty enjoyavle read and would be perfect as a book-club book. Set in Japan.
*The White Tiger* by Aravind Adiga is an absolute joy. Definitely worth a look. Set in India.
*Norwegian Wood* by Haruki Murakami is the most book-club friendly of his books that I’ve read. Perhaps *Kafka on the Shore* would also be worth looking at, but that’s one that pays off repeated reads. On the other hand, if everyone takes a different perspective and notices different deatils, it becomes pretty interesting. You’re pretty safe with a lot of his books … There are various aspects to his writing (such as his way of depicting women) that are sure to result in discussion. I’ll recommend *Ryu* Murakami for your personal reading, but would advise against him for book club unless you want some unhappily traumatised members. 🙂 Pretty much all the books by both writers are set in Japan with a few possible exceptions.
You could try *Midnight’s Children* by Salman Rushdie, but I suspect it’s going to be longer and heavier than what you’re after. Set in and linked to the recent history of India.
*Ring* by Koji Suzuki is interesting, but kind of overshadowed by the film versions. The sequel *Spiral* is unfortunately incredible inferior. I’ve read no further than that. Set in Japan.
*Life of Pi* begins in India, but the majority takes place in the ocean. If you’re going to accept it as being in Asia, it’s quite brilliant and will absolutely, positively open up discussion.
*Goodbye Tsugumi* by Banana Yoshimoto isn’t really a wonderful read – she’s written better books – but is one with a lot to discuss. Also set in Japan.
Good luck!