Read Around Asia Challenge
Read at least one book by an author from each country in Asia.
Best books from Asia (1403)
1371.
The Miracle of Mindfulness : An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh EN
VietnamDescription:
One of the best available introductions to the wisdom and beauty of meditation practice. --New Age Journal In this beautiful and lucid guide, Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers gentle anecdotes and practical exercise as a means of learning the skills of mindfulness--being awake and fully aware. From washing the dishes to answering the phone to peeling an orange, he reminds us that each moment holds within it an opportunity to work toward greater self-understanding and peacefulness.
1372.
The Song of Kieu : A New Lament by Nguyen Du EN
Description:
"An essential book for anyone invested, not only in Vietnamese literature, but the historic power of the national epic...and its perennial place in our species' efforts toward self-knowledge. Tim Allen's new translation offers clean fluidity while honouring the original's varied rhythms and jagged lyricism. A luminous feat." --Ocean Vuong A stunning new translation of the legendary Vietnamese epic poem, now for the first time in Penguin Classics Considered the greatest literary achievement in Vietnamese, The Song of Kieu tells the story of the beautiful Vuong Thuy Kieu, who agrees to a financi... continue
1373.
She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran EN
Description:
*** A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER *** "A riveting debut from a remarkable new voice! Trang Thanh Tran weaves an impressive gothic mystery in which Jade's father is determined to restore a decrepit home to its former glory and Jade is the only person who feels the soul-crushing devastation of colonialism lingering within its walls." -Angeline Boulley, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Firekeeper's Daughter Jade Nguyen has always lied to fit in. She's straight enough, Vietnamese enough, American enough – at least for this summer with her estranged father in Vietnam. Just five weeks of ig... continue
1374.
The Sailor from Gibraltar by Marguerite Duras EN
Description:
Disaffected, bored with his career at the French Colonial Ministry (where he has copied out birth and death certificates for eight years), and disgusted by a mistress whose vapid optimism arouses his most violent misogyny, the narrator finds himself at the point of complete breakdown while vacationing in Florence. After leaving his mistress and the Ministry behind forever, he joins the crew of The Gibraltar, a yacht captained by Anna, a beautiful American in perpetual search of her sometime lover, a young man known only as the Sailor from Gibraltar.''
1375.
Reconciliation : Healing the Inner Child by Thich Nhat Hanh EN
Description:
Based on Dharma talks by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and insights from participants in retreats for healing the inner child, this book is an exciting contribution to the growing trend of using Buddhist practices to encourage mental health and wellness. Reconciliation focuses on the theme of mindful awareness of our emotions and healing our relationships, as well as meditations and exercises to acknowledge and transform the hurt that many of us experienced as children. The book shows how anger, sadness, and fear can become joy and tranquility by learning to breathe with, explore, meditate, and s... continue
1376.
Elevator in Saigon by Thuân EN
Description:
Personal and political, tragic and bitingly satirical, an ethereal journey through Hanoi, Saigon, Paris, Pyongyang, and Seoul
1377.
Die vielen Namen der Liebe by Kim Thúy DE
Description:
Acht Jahre ist Vi, als sie mit der Mutter und den drei großen Brüdern aus Vietnam flieht, in einem Flüchtlingslager in Malaysia landet und schließlich in Kanada neu beginnt. Erst als erwachsene Frau kehrt sie eine Weile nach Vietnam zurück, in ein Land, das ihr nach so vielen Jahren fremd ist. Umso stärker ist die Gegenwart der Erinnerungen: an die abgöttische Liebe der Mutter zu ihrem Mann, den sie im entscheidenden Moment zurücklässt, um die Kinder zu retten. An Ha, deren kluge und elegante Freundin, die Vi ermunterte, sich aus der Tradition zu lösen und ein selbstbestimmtes Leben zu führen.... continue
1378.
Ticket to Childhood: A Novel by Nguyen Nhat Anh EN
Description:
“This charming short work recalls The Little Prince in its depiction of childhood sensibilities pitted against an often illogical and absurd adult world” (Publishers Weekly). A fable for all ages and a massive bestseller in the author’s home country of Vietnam, Ticket to Childhood captures the texture of childhood in all of its richness. Narrated by a man looking back, it explores the small miracles and tragedies, the misadventures and misdeeds, that made up his life. We meet his long-lost friends, none of whom can forget how rich their lives once were. Even if Nguyen Nhat Anh can’t take us ba... continue
1379.
At Home in the World : Stories and Essential Teachings from a Monk’s Life by Thich Nhat Hanh EN
Description:
Thich Nhat Hanh shares 81 personal life stories with his signature simplicity and humor—illustrating his most essential teachings on mindfulness, peace, and social engagement. Collected here for the first time, these personal, autobiographical stories from peace activist and Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh perfectly illustrate his most essential teachings. The beauty of these simple lessons is that readers do not need to be versed in meditation or Buddhist practices to find peace, sanctuary, and sustenance here. Told with his signature clarity and humor, these stories are drawn from the long span o... continue
1380.
The Dead Lake by Hamid Ismailov, Andrew Bromfield EN
Country: Asia / 
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Description:
Yerzhan grows up in a remote part of Kazakhstan where the Soviets test atomic weapons. As a young boy he falls in love with the neighbour's daughter and one evening, to impress her, he dives into a forbidden lake. The radio-active water changes Yerzhan. He will never grow into a man. While the girl he loves becomes a beautiful woman.