Monday, April 29, 2024

Pasifika Reading Challenge Suggestions

So the Pacific Islanders in Publishing group has put together a Pasifika Reading Challenge for May which is somehow this week. 
I have suggestions of course, and yeah, they include me. 
Book to Film/Translated Book:
Chapbook/Short Story: I have a few short stories that would fit into this, including Called to the Water. Melissa Llanes Brownlee writes mico and short fiction, and lists her recent publications here.
Climate Fiction: Weird Fishes by Rae Mariz
Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Nafiza Azad has several fantasies that would work for this. 
LGBTQIA author: Kahaula writes queer and polyamorous romance.
Literary: Megan Kamalei Kakimoto's Every Drop a Man's Nightmare is a great read. 
Melanesion: Nilima Rao has a book called A Disappearance in Fiji.
Memoir/Biography: Okay, this is an older pick, but if you've never read Liliuokalani's memoir, written while she was imprisoned in the palace after the Americans overthrew the Hawaiian government, maybe now's the time. 
Micronesian author: Makiia Lucier has a new YA fantasy called Dragonfruit that looks great.. 
Mythology/Folklore:Malia Maunakea's Lei and the Fire Goddess is a great option for this. 
Mystery/Thriller: Michael Bennett's Better the Blood.
Non-fiction: Emma Espiner has a memoir There's a Cure for This that looks amazing. 
Poetry:UH Press has Indigenous Pacific Islander Eco-Futures, which has a trove of poetry by PI authors. Another option is Jamaica Osorio who has videos of some of her performances on her site linked here.
Polynesian Author: Lehua Parker is a prolific author. 
Romance: Oh hi. So I have many choices that will fit into this, but let's say, Clear as Ice. Also, if you have already read me, consider Azalea Crowley and/or Kahaula.
Middle grade/YA: Juleah del Rosarios has a YA called 500 Words or Less that looks wonderful.