We schedule six to eight books a year, one a month from September through May. The book discussion chairs select well-written, challenging books about Asia written by Asian authors or other authors who have expertise in a particular Asian country’s culture. We look for books that reveal attitudes, customs, and significant historical events. Books from a variety of Asian countries are selected, usually including at least one and sometimes two from India and China. Mysteries, memoirs, historical novels, and classical books may be selected. Occasionally, an author residing in the area is invited to join the discussion. Each discussion has a host in a member’s home. A moderator is selected to lead the discussion and also present information about the author. The discussions tend to have between fifteen to twenty participants. The book discussions are very popular with members, who are urged to sign-up for a discussion on a link in the monthly newsletter in order to secure a place.
Our complete book list is found here: AAF Booklist 1994-2024
2025-2026 BOOK LIST
The books are arranged in the approximate order in which they are scheduled for the next book discussion season. The actual date, moderator, and host will be announced in the first newsletter. All discussions are scheduled for either a Monday or a Tuesday.
-Assasins of the Turquoise Palace by Roya Hakakian
-Burmese Lessons by Karen Connelly
-Broken Threads by Mishal Hussein
-Butter by Asako Yuzuki
-Lust, Caution by Eileen Chang
-Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshanathan
-Taiwan Travelogue by Yang, Jo-tzu