Welcome to our Ten Book Challenge where our favorite authors share some of their most beloved and memorable reads—from the books with their favorite covers and best opening lines, to the reads they gift and the bookstores they frequent. This is a peek into your favorite authors’ perfect bowl of literary comfort food. We hope you discover something delicious!

Named one of best summer reads by Parade and PopSugar, The Tiger Mom’s Tale is a stunning debut story by Lyn Liao Butler of Taiwanese and American identity, delicious food, and confronting the betrayals of the past.

Lexa Thomas has never quite fit in. Having grown up in a family of blondes while more closely resembling Constance Wu, she’s neither white enough nor Asian enough. Visiting her father in Taiwan as a child, Lexa thought she’d finally found a place where she belonged, but even there, some never truly considered her to be a part of the family. When her estranged father dies unexpectedly, leaving the fate of his Taiwanese family in Lexa’s hands, she is faced with the choice to return to Taiwan and claim her place in her heritage. Armed with the advice of two half-sisters, a mother who has reevaluated her sexuality, a man whose kisses make her walk into walls, and her self-deprecating humor, Lexa finds the courage to leave the comfort of New York City to finally confront the person who drove her away all those decades ago. With fond memories of eating through food markets in Taiwan and forming a bond with a sister she never knew she had, Lexa unravels the truth of that last fateful summer and realizes she must stand up for herself and open her heart to forgiveness, or allow the repercussions of her family’s choices to forever dictate the path of her life.

Want more? SheReads talked with author Lyn Liao Butler about making all voices heard, real-life tiger moms, and crediting Liane Moriarty with her writing career.

The book …..

I last bought/am currently reading: Simmer Down by Sarah Smith and Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron

I recommend to everyone: The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

That was my favorite read last year, because: The Better Liar by Tanen Jones and No Bad Deed by Heather Chavez because I was really into thrillers last year. I’m obsessed with shows like Criminal Minds.

Whose author I would love to have lunch with: Liane Moriarty. She is my absolute writing idol.

That made me realize language had power: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

I’d like to see adapted to the screen: Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu

That made me laugh out loud—or cry—while reading it: Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

I think has the most gorgeous cover: Wild Women and the Blues by Denny S. Bryce

With the best opening line: Perfect Distraction by Allison Ashley

Bookstore that I frequent/is my favorite: Barnes & Noble on the Upper Side of Manhattan, but it closed during the pandemic and I’m so sad.