What you’re about to read is a pair of lists — one of fiction and the other nonfiction. These are all, in some way, books about life. But that definition is going to mean something different to everyone. For that reason, we’ve done our best to provide as much variety as possible here (and, to …
Korean Literature
American author Stephen King is considered the undisputed master of horror, with as many published works as he has years on this Earth. But King is far from the only great horror author writing today, so here are some of the best horror books by writers far and wide. Essential Modern Horror Books Beyond the …
During the 21st Century, we’ve seen the genre of science fiction expand and evolve in exciting new ways. Authors are pushing boundaries, blending genres, revisiting classic themes with fresh eyes and perspectives. There’s so much to be excited about when it comes to modern sci-fi novels. Essential Modern Sci-fi Novels Whether you’re an aficionado of …
Short stories are a unique medium within fiction. They require specific skills to plot and structure, and they have the power to leave a special impact on the reader. Often, nothing stays with us as well as a powerful short story. For this reason, it’s important to highlight and celebrate the best and most essential …
Taylor Bradley from publisher Honford Star shares insight into their process of choosing local cover designers for their East Asian books and why they wouldn’t consider doing it any other way. For the first book that we published at Honford Star, we made a small but hugely influential decision – we’d hire a Korean artist …
With the rise of Superman and Batman almost a hundred years ago, the US became the home of comic books. Then, before the turn of the 21st Century, eyes turned towards Japan and its manga industry. Today, it’s Korean manhwa (also known as webtoons) that have the eager attention of so many comics fans. We …
2020 was a really excellent year for literature in translation, with some stand-out new Korean books that included the spectacular Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo (tr. Jamie Chang). 2021, however, is looking to top last year’s offering of Korean books by offering us a refreshing selection of genre fiction and queer fiction. Until …
The landscape of indie publishing is so rich and diverse right now. Risk of failure might be high, but that hasn’t stopped so many courageous people fighting to forge, and make roaring successes of, some of the best publishing companies in the world right now – all with nothing but their own blood, sweat, and …
Born in Busan, having grown up between South Korea and Canada, and currently residing in Chicago, Emily Jungmin Yoon is poetry editor for The Margins, the journal of the Asian American Writer’s Workshop. Her 2017 chapbook Ordinary Misfortunes won the Sunken Garden Poetry Prize and she published her first full length collection A Cruelty Special to Our Species in 2018. …
Award-winning Korean author Hye-young Pyun, a writer who excels at creating and controlling her tragic heroes like a puppet master does a marionette, is my favourite Korean author in translation. Her works The Hole and City of Ash and Red are masterpieces of genre fiction which both carved out new niches within the psychological horror …