12 Books to Read for Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year 2024 falls on Saturday 10 February and I am so excited for the occasion. It’s the most important holiday in the calendar for us as a Chinese family, and I always look forward to the traditional celebrations – red envelopes, a family meal for prosperity, new clothing and haircuts to signify new beginnings – as well as some more modern ones. Over at & Chai, the handmade candle business I co-own with my sister, we’re celebrating with a brand-new fragrance and Lunar New Year goodies! And, in previous years, I’d always write a little something about Chinese zodiac fortunes, alongside my Granny and her fortune readings.
This Lunar New Year, I thought I’d share 12 book recommendations to immerse yourself in beautiful, storied East Asian culture and the magic of this holiday. From fun romances to moving memoirs, I wanted to include a range of reads that’ll educate, inspire or uplift, depending on your mood. Not all of them overtly include Lunar New Year, but I just love platforming East Asian voices and our folklore-centric traditions.
- Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
- Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen
- Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
- The Boy You Always Wanted by Michelle Quach
- Invitation to a Banquet by Fuchsia Dunlop
- Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin
- Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho
- East Side Voices edited by Helena Lee
- How We Disappeared by Jing Jing Lee
- Takeaway by Angela Hui
- Wild Swans by Jung Chang
- Fresh Off The Boat by Eddie Huang
Have you already read any of these books?
