Best Asian & Asian Americans Biographies Books of 2026

Magnolia Table, Volume 3: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering is the latest cookbook by Joanna Gaines, the co-founder of Magnolia and New York Times bestselling author. This cookbook is filled with timeless and nostalgic recipes that have been reimagined for today's home cook. The book features a range of dishes, from Honey Butter Layered Biscuit Bites to Garlic Shrimp over Parmesan Risotto. What makes this cookbook stand out is Joanna's personal touch in each recipe, where she explains why she likes it and how she prefers to serve it. Overall, this is a must-have cookbook for anyone who loves Southern U.S. cooking and wants to make delicious meals for their family and friends.

While Time Remains by Yeonmi Park is a cautionary tale about the dangers of identity politics, cancel culture, and authoritarianism in America. As a North Korean defector and human rights activist, Park draws parallels between the censorship and political indoctrination she witnessed in her home country and the growing trend in the US. Her eye-opening account highlights the hypocrisies and mob tactics used in the name of social justice. This memoir is a reminder of the fragility of freedom and what we must do to preserve it.

Crying in H Mart is an exceptional memoir by Michelle Zauner, the indie rock sensation known as Japanese Breakfast. It tells the story of growing up Korean American, of family, food, grief, love, and loss. Zauner's writing is honest, lyrical, and plainspoken as she shares her intimate anecdotes that will resonate widely. The book is a celebration of her mother's life and legacy, and how food helped her cope with her mother's terminal cancer diagnosis. Crying in H Mart is a must-read for anyone who enjoys memoirs and wants to understand the complexities of identity, loss, and family.

What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo is a powerful and thoroughly researched memoir that explores the science behind complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). Foo, an award-winning radio producer, shares her personal experience with C-PTSD and how it affected her health, relationships, and career. She interviews scientists and psychologists, tries innovative therapies, and uncovers family secrets to learn how trauma can be inherited through generations. The book is a brave and enlightening narrative that provides hope for those who long to heal. Overall, this memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the impact of trauma on one's life.

They Called Us Enemy is a gripping graphic memoir that tells the story of George Takei's childhood spent in American concentration camps during World War II. The book provides a firsthand account of the legalized racism and injustice that Japanese Americans faced during that time. It is a moving and powerful read, which explores themes of courage, loyalty, and love. The book is unique in its graphic format, which makes the story even more impactful. Overall, They Called Us Enemy is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Japanese Americans and the fight for civil rights in America.

You're That Bitch: & Other Cute Lessons About Being Unapologetically Yourself is a collection of essays and never-before-seen photos that goes beyond what we know of Bretman Rock from social media. The book provides an unfiltered and unprecedented look at what it means to be one of the first digital celebrities and that bitch. With his signature honesty, Bretman writes about dealing with cancel culture, drama, heartbreak, and what it means to love yourself and your community. This book is a hilarious, impossible-to-put-down memoir that takes readers on a roller-coaster ride through Bretman's first two decades.

The Stories We Tell is Joanna Gaines' first solo memoir that takes readers on a personal and vulnerable journey into her story. Gaines invites readers to see their own stories as greater than any past or future thing and to take stock of the chapters they've lived, gleaning what's gold and carrying only that forward. The book helps readers release the weights that hold them back and encourages them to live and share their story in truth. Gaines' soulful writing and storytelling make this book a must-read for anyone looking to find hope and beauty in their own story.

The Reason I Jump is a one-of-a-kind memoir written by Naoki Higashida, a thirteen-year-old boy with autism. Using an alphabet grid, Naoki answers delicate questions about autism, life, memory, and laughter that few of us can imagine. With disarming honesty and generosity, he shares his unique point of view on autism and life. The book is a labor of love by David Mitchell and KA Yoshida, and it is truly moving, eye-opening, and incredibly vivid. The Reason I Jump is a must-read for parents, family members, and anyone who wants to break through to the curious, subtle, and complex life within an autistic person.

A Living Remedy: A Memoir is a poignant and moving story of a daughter's search to understand the lives her adoptive parents led, the life she forged as an adult, and the lives she's lost. Nicole Chung's memoir explores family, class, and grief, and how they shape our lives. The book examines the strength of family bonds in the face of hardship and tragedy, and what it takes to reconcile the distance between one's dreams and reality. A Living Remedy is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world.

Biting the Hand: Growing Up Asian in Black and White America is a poignant memoir that explores the complexities of racial identity and complicity in America. Julia Lee's story is a powerful journey of racial reckoning, atonement, and self-discovery. Through her experiences, Lee argues that Asian Americans must work towards lasting social change alongside Black and brown communities to combat the scarcity culture of white supremacy through abundance and joy. Lee's prose is scathing and heart-wrenching, laying bare the disorientation and shame that stem from America's imposed racial hierarchy. Overall, this memoir is a beautiful incantation for the ongoing project of Asian American identity in America.