Cherry Blossom Recommended Reads

Every year from mid-March until the end of the first week of April, throughout Japan and other parts of East Asia such as South Korea, you will find the country has been absolutely overtaken by the infamous cherry blossoms called Sakura. You can also find them in Washington D.C. in the United States as they were historically given as a gift as a token of friendship in 1912. Funny enough, these trees won't grow cherries when they’ve bloomed, but they provide a romantic setting as well as a bittersweet experience that you will always fondly remember. Here are some recommendations for this season that may encourage you to take a trip to see them for yourself!

Image from Amazon.com

Sweet Bean Paste

Durian Sukegawa

A dorayaki (two sweet, fluffy pancakes with a layer of azuki sweet bean paste between) shop worker gets entangled with a stubborn old woman when she offers to help him learn how to make sweet bean paste that has been practiced by her for fifty years. Translated from Japanese to English, this pleasant book is about a man who learns that even at rock bottom, the smallest gesture can be moving and helps him to grow out of his alcoholic lifestyle. While the characters and plot are very simple, this is a quick and digestible read for anyone of any background. It also gives insight to a darker history of Japan regarding disease control and the long-lasting discrimination that followed.

I really loved that this book hooked me in unexpectedly. I thought it would just be a simple journey of an unknown hero, but it turned into this beautiful blossoming of human connection that we don't often see in such detail. It's a bit of a slow build, but before you know it you'll be a few chapters away from the end holding the characters close to your heart. That, and the book’s pop cover art with the aesthetic cherry blossoms are just *chef’s kiss*.

Image from Amazon.com

I Love You So Mochi

Sarah Kuhn

Kimi is a Japanese-American stuck at a crossroads where she must make big decisions about her life which have caused strife between her and her mother. When she is invited to Japan for spring break during cherry blossom season by her grandparents, she discovers more about her heart, her family, and most of all–beautiful blossoms. Sarah Kuhn is also the author of Heroine Complex, the first superhero series for DAW Books, featuring Asian superheroines which makes her debut YA novel not only a cute book to read but also stands as her grand kick-start into the realm of Asian-American literature.

Image from Fandom.com

Kitchen Princess - Kicchen no Ohime-sama

Miyuki Kobayashi

For those of you who are interested in manga-style storytelling, this classic just screams spring energy and ‘love is in the air’ vibes. As our main character goes through her young high school life searching for her Flan Prince she endures immense loss, pursues her dreams, and, as you may expect, finds love. Of course, you can expect the standard cherry blossom scenes, but it’s really the flowery characters and meaningful connections that really draw one in. It is a timeless story of romance and the prevalence of love in all shapes and forms through the trials of life. Not only is the story thrilling, squeal-worthy, and absolutely adorable, each book of the series comes with detailed recipes of how to make some of the food our characters make throughout the story.

Image from Amazon.com

You've Reached Sam

Dustin Thao

My favorite review on Goodreads for this book says, “crying, screaming, banging my head on the wall, ripping my hair out, running in the rain, slowly sliding down a door after slamming it.” So, it goes without saying, this highly emotional book is about a girl whose last connection with her newly departed boyfriend will break your heart. To be honest, this recommendation isn’t primarily because of the protagonist. This recommendation stems from my appreciation for the love interest and the intense grief his family goes through. Not to mention the gorgeous blossoms on the cover dipping from day to night are to die for.

Although cherry blossoms stir feelings of nostalgia for young love for some, these books cover genres focusing on familial love, personal growth, grief, and the battle of rising up out of the ashes. Take these incredible recommendations for a spin as you enjoy the cherry blossoms in person, or in spirit this year! Feel free to leave us your own “beneath the cherry blossoms” suggestions!

Article edited by Lola Lujan.