For Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we reached out to members of Spokane’s AAPI community and asked them to share some of their favorites or books they felt were important for others to read. Some responses included videos. This is an #OwnVoices list in more than one way, it is selected by #OwnVoices and the books themselves are written by #OwnVoices.
#OwnVoices is a term coined by the writer Corinne Duyvis, and refers to an author from a marginalized or under-represented group writing about their own experiences/from their own perspective, rather than someone from an outside perspective writing as a character from an underrepresented group.
The library would like to thank everyone who participated by giving us suggestions.
Recommended by Pam Tajima Praeger, Sansei, former Spokane Falls Community College educator, member of the Washington State Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs, Commission on Judicial Conduct, currently serving on the Washington State Legislative Ethics Board, and social justice advocate.
The Making of Asian America: A History by Erika Lee
Book
Fred Korematsu Speaks Up by Laura Atkins
Book
Asian Americans on PBS
The Hifumi En Society provides support to the Japanese-American community in the Greater Spokane Region in its pursuit of promoting cultural awareness. Videos may be seen at Omoide (hifumien.org).
Recommended by Dr. Pui-Yan Lam, Sociology Professor, Eastern Washington University
Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong
Book | eBook
The Making of Asian America: A History by Erika Lee
Book
Recommended by Rosie Zhou, Youth Community Organizer and Senior, Ferris High School
Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong
Book | eBook
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
Book | eBook | Audiobook
The Making of Asian America: A History by Erika Lee
Book
Recommended by Hyunki Ahn, President, Spokane-Jecheon (South Korea) Sister City Society
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Native Speaker by Chang-rae Lee
On order
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
eBook
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
Book
Recommended by Charity Doyl, Publisher, The Family Guide and Event Organizer, The Family Fun Fair & Northwest Winterfest
1421: The Year China Discovered America by Gavin Menzies
Book
Way of the Ancient Healer: Sacred Teachings from the Philippine Ancestral Traditions by Virgil Mayor Apostol
On order
Recommended by Sam Song, Lead Instructor/Owner, Kumon Math and Reading Center of Spokane
Wang Xiang 望乡 – YouTube. The name of the song means “Looking at My Hometown.” It is a reminder of a small village in China and the family that was left behind.
Recommended by Tia Moua, former Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen and current Gonzaga University student
Dia’s Story Cloth by Dia Cha
Book
Jouanah, A Hmong Cinderella by Jewell Reinhart Coburn
Book
The Most Beautiful Thing by Kao Kalia Yang
Book
Recommended by Juan Juan, Community Educator – Lifelong Learning, Spokane Public Library
On Gold Mountain by Lisa See
Book
Recommended by Miyoko Kuzutani, Spokane Public Library
Ikigai: the Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia
Book
Spark Joy: an Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
Book
Recommended by Kekaulani Garcia, Spokane Public Library
Moana directed by Ron Clements
DVD
Lilo and Stitch directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois
DVD
Recommended by Ming Cooley, Spokane Public Library
The Art of War by Sunzi
Book
Crouching Dragon, Hidden Tiger directed by Ang Lee
DVD
Recommended by Sean Beresford, Spokane Public Library
Minding the Gap directed by Bing Liu
DVD
The Farewell directed by Lulu Wang
DVD
Like Father, Like Son directed by Hirokazu Koreeda
DVD
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
Book | eBook
Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Recommended by Sowmya Surapaneni, a cultural enthusiast & Founder & President of Indian Youth Club of Spokane
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
Book | eBook | Sound Recording
Ghandi Directed by Richard Attenborough
DVD
RSS
When researching family history, one of the most valuable resources is a death certificate. Death certificates can include date of birth and death, marital status and a spouse’s name, occupation, birthplace, parent names, cause of death and location of burial. 
