How did your reading go this month? Did you read something that featured Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage? Share in the comments. In May we read books that reflected the heritage and stories within Asian or Pacific Islander culture.

If you’re looking for an honest exploration of Asian American truths, try Minor Feelings. What struck me about this title was that the author blends together memoir, history, and cultural/racial criticism in such a way that readers are drawn to the vulnerable truths she has to share. Connecting all of Hong’s truths is her idea of ‘minor feelings’ – when American optimism is the opposite of your own reality, when the lies you hear about your own racial identity become true in your own beliefs. What I particularly enjoyed was Hong’s storytelling was when she brings in several specific instances to prove her point or to highlight racial injustices. The stories of a comedian, her college friends, and an influential poet’s rape and murder were the ones that caught my attention. Her ability to use these stories to connect to America’s current racial consciousness had me thinking about how I examine what I believe to be my own truths.

If you read Minor Feelings, I would love to know your thoughts (and if you didn’t, let me know what you chose to read, watch, or listen to instead.)

Next month, we will be reading about Pride Month, celebrating LGBTQ culture and honoring the movement for LGBTQ rights.

In addition to following the Online Reading Challenge here on our Info Cafe blog, you can join our Online Reading Challenge group on Goodreads and discuss your reads!