The best books to dismantle negative stereotypes around Asian and Pacific Island women

Why am I passionate about this?

This is a topic that is very passionate for me since growing up in Toronto, and I never had any role models that look like me to look up to. I wanted to showcase powerful Asian women authors to show others what is possible and that we can also dismantle the negative stereotypes we still face. I want to be able to create better representation for Asian women in the media, and highlighting these amazing authors is a great way to showcase that.


I wrote...

The Tao of Self-Confidence: A Guide to Moving Beyond Trauma and Awakening the Leader Within

By Sheena Yap Chan,

Book cover of The Tao of Self-Confidence: A Guide to Moving Beyond Trauma and Awakening the Leader Within

What is my book about?

In 2021, women represented 54.3% of the US workforce but only held 35% of senior leadership positions. Of that percentage, only 2.7% of Asian women were seen in management roles. While there have been great leaps for women in the workplace in the last decade, women of color still fall behind. The Tao of Self-Confidence book sets a foundation to help Asian Women start being seen as leaders in work and life rather than by our stereotypes.

With an honest and vulnerable approach, Yap Chan discusses and explores the specific challenges our community faces, historically and now in the midst of the pandemic, intergenerational and historical trauma, false stories we tell ourselves, and how we can rise above stereotypes. We’ll celebrate our authentic selves and awaken the leader within.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Visibility Mindset: How Asian American Leaders Create Opportunities and Push Past Barriers

Sheena Yap Chan Why did I love this book?

This is a great guide for any Asian professional who wants to create more visibility in the workplace.  There are great interviews from leaders and tips that you can use in your own journey. 

It’s such a timely book for anyone who wants to advance in their career and be seen as a leader in their industry.

By Bernice M. Chao, Jessalin Lam,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Visibility Mindset as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Explore the challenges faced by Asian professionals and how to overcome them.

A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BOOK FESTIVAL AWARD WINNER
A NEW ENGLAND BOOK FESTIVAL AWARD WINNER
A PINNACLE BOOK AWARD WINNER

"A must-read if you're ready to unlock your full potential!"
-Tiffany Pham, Founder and CEO, Mogul

Find your voice, own your story, and elevate your professional life. In The Visibility Mindset: How Asian American Leaders Create Opportunities and Push Past Barriers, Chao and Lam deliver an engaging and enlightening treatment of how Asian American professional leaders have powered through the obstacles in their way. Exploring a variety of myths,…


Book cover of Happy Go Money: Spend Smart, Save Right and Enjoy Life

Sheena Yap Chan Why did I love this book?

For Asians, the relationship with money is complicated.

You are told to never accept money because you don't want to look greedy. Because of this, you become one of the extreme which is you save to the point where you don't live your life or you spend every penny and live paycheque to paycheque.

The author shares how to have a good relationship with money.

By Melissa Leong,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Happy Go Money as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Featured on The Drew Barrymore Show Can money buy happiness? Maybe, but not like you may think … The Social’s finance expert gives practical advice on how to spend, budget, invest, and feel good about money With Happy Go Money, financial expert Melissa Leong cuts through the noise to show you how to get the most delight for your dollar. Happy Go Money combines happiness psychology and personal finance and distills it into an indispensable starter guide. Each snappy chapter provides practical, easy-to-understand advice on topics such as spending, budgeting, investing, and mindfulness, while weaving in research, interactive exercises, and…


Book cover of The Joy Luck Club

Sheena Yap Chan Why did I love this book?

When it comes to the relationship between mother and daughter, you rarely communicate how you are feeling and because of that there is so much communication.

The mother may think she is not good enough for her daughter and vice versa. Being able to share their feelings and what they are going through can heal the traumas the mother and daughter faces while breaking the cycle. 

As Asian women we are constantly seen as emotionless robots when that is far from the truth.

By Amy Tan,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked The Joy Luck Club as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'The Joy Luck Club is an ambitious saga that's impossible to read without wanting to call your Mum' Stylist

Discover Amy Tan's moving and poignant tale of immigrant Chinese mothers and their American-born daughters.

In 1949 four Chinese women, recent immigrants to San Francisco, meet weekly to play mahjong and tell stories of what they left behind in China. United in loss and new hope for their daughters' futures, they call themselves the Joy Luck Club.

Their daughters, who have never heard these stories, think their mothers' advice is irrelevant to their modern American lives - until their own inner…


Book cover of Asian Women Trailblazers Who BossUp: Amazing women finding success and never looking back

Sheena Yap Chan Why did I love this book?

This book showcases the stories of 18 Asian women who are able to forge their own path, overcome obstacles and thrive. 

The stories in this book are so versatile and it dismantles the common monoliths Asian women still face today. Some stories include a woman who was sued by the FTC and diagnosed with brain cancer at the same time, and another is about a woman who was almost kidnapped by Thai parents in the middle of the ocean.  

By Tam Luc, Daphne Kwok, Katie Chin , Sue Ann Hong , Jeanie Chang , Susan Go , Leslie Lew , Amy Le , Amy Wang , Janan Sarwar , Julie Tran , Cary Kwok , Claudia Chan , Sandy Kusano , Sabrina Li , Mihae Kim Stefani

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Asian Women Trailblazers Who BossUp as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

We are so excited to celebrate Asian women from around the world once again. The word trailblazer indicates a person who blazes a trail for others to follow. A pioneer in any field of endeavor. Asian women are showing up in many different aspects that may not have been common for us to see in the past. This important time should not be missed.


Book cover of A is for Authentic: Not for Anxieties or for Straight A's

Sheena Yap Chan Why did I love this book?

This book has helped me learn to say that it's okay not to be okay and also be okay to ask for help when needed. 

In Asian culture, when a problem arises we are told to never share our troubles and because of that we suffer in silence. There is no shame in seeking help or talking to a licensed mental health therapist. Help comes in many different forms and this book has helped me learn to be okay with talking about mental health.

By Jeanie Y Chang,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A is for Authentic as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A is for Authentic shines a spotlight on the mental health stigma in the Asian community. This book outlines the identity journey of a second-generation Korean American who is emboldened to share her perspective through a mental health lens as a practicing clinician. Her memoir is about bringing healing and instilling hope as a catalyst for impactful change in normalizing mental health and mental illness in the Asian community. The author embraces cultural confidence™ to bravely express the thoughts and emotions she uncovered over the years.


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Weird Foods of Portugal: Adventures of an Expat

By Wendy Lee Hermance,

Book cover of Weird Foods of Portugal: Adventures of an Expat

Wendy Lee Hermance Author Of Weird Foods of Portugal: Adventures of an Expat

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Wendy Lee Hermance was heard on National Public Radio (NPR) stations with her Missouri Folklore series in the 1980s. She earned a journalism degree from Stephens College, served as Editor and Features Writer for Midwestern and Southern university and regional publications, then settled into writing real estate contracts. In 2012 she attended University of Sydney, earning a master’s degree by research thesis. Her books include Where I’m Going with this Poem, a memoir in poetry and prose. Weird Foods of Portugal: Adventures of an Expat marks her return to feature writing as collections of narrative non-fiction stories.

Wendy's book list on why Portugal is weird

What is my book about?

Weird Foods of Portugal describes the author's first years trying to make sense of a strange new place and a home there for herself.

Witty, dreamlike, and at times jarring, the book sizzles with social commentary looking back at America and beautiful, finely drawn descriptions of Portugal and its people. Part dark-humor cautionary tale, part travel adventure, ultimately, Hermance's book of narrative non-fiction serves as affirmation for any who wish to make a similar move themselves.

Weird Foods of Portugal: Adventures of an Expat

By Wendy Lee Hermance,

What is this book about?

"Wendy Lee Hermance describes Portugal´s colorful people and places - including taxi drivers and animals - with a poet´s empathy and dark humor. Part travel adventure, part cautionary tale, Weird Foods of Portugal is at it´s heart, affirmation for all who consider making such a move themselves."


5 book lists we think you will like!

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