Ava Chin accomplishes an astonishing feat: by tracing five generations of her own Chinese American ancestors, she also traces the story of Chinese excAva Chin accomplishes an astonishing feat: by tracing five generations of her own Chinese American ancestors, she also traces the story of Chinese exclusion, illuminating an often-ignored part of our national past. Mott Street is a vibrant and moving family story, but it’s also essential reading for understanding not just Chinese American history, but American history—and the American present....more
Told in a rich array of voices, this gorgeously written debut explores the myriad syncopations of love and desire. Laura Warrell writes with an enormoTold in a rich array of voices, this gorgeously written debut explores the myriad syncopations of love and desire. Laura Warrell writes with an enormous understanding of human nature, a boundless sympathy for life’s complications, and a keen eye for life’s unexpected joys....more
Delia Cai’s CENTRAL PLACES is a sensitive, sharp-eyed, slyly funny story of venturing back into the foreign country that is your past—and discovering Delia Cai’s CENTRAL PLACES is a sensitive, sharp-eyed, slyly funny story of venturing back into the foreign country that is your past—and discovering that you can never really shake the places and people that shaped you. This book will resonate with anyone who’s tried to navigate the confusing terrain of family tensions, lost friendships, or embarrassing memories of youth: in short, pretty much everyone. ...more
An utterly charming and deeply moving portrait of the joys—and the guilt—of trying to find your own way in life. At heart this is a book about seeing An utterly charming and deeply moving portrait of the joys—and the guilt—of trying to find your own way in life. At heart this is a book about seeing life and your loved ones and yourself in a new light, and Maddie’s journey will resonate with anyone who’s had to grow up—or who’s still trying to. ...more
Sparkling with sharp observations and deeply wise in its insights, Kaleidoscope is a moving portrayal of the tangled knot of sisterhood and the dizzyiSparkling with sharp observations and deeply wise in its insights, Kaleidoscope is a moving portrayal of the tangled knot of sisterhood and the dizzying spiral of grief. Cecily Wong’s dazzling second novel deftly illuminates the complex push-pull of family and ambition, and the ways we learn to define ourselves in—and out of—our loved ones’ orbits. ...more
With immense compassion and deep moral complexity, V. V. Ganeshananthan brings us an achingly moving portrait of individual and societal grief. “I wanWith immense compassion and deep moral complexity, V. V. Ganeshananthan brings us an achingly moving portrait of individual and societal grief. “I want you to understand,” the narrator of BROTHERLESS NIGHT insists, and by the end of this blazingly brilliant novel, we do: that in a world full of turmoil, human connections and shared stories can teach us how—and as importantly, why—to survive. ...more
A searing sendup of publishing, racial biases, and humanity's near-infinite capability to look away from the most troubling parts of ourselves, New YoA searing sendup of publishing, racial biases, and humanity's near-infinite capability to look away from the most troubling parts of ourselves, New York, My Village is that rare thing: a funhouse mirror that reflects back the truth. Uwem Akpan's debut novel maps the constantly shifting ground of grappling with prejudice and guilt--and how we might find connections, and compassion, nevertheless....more
In her newest novel, Dolen Perkins-Valdez probes the many ways institutional racism and classism inflicts lasting scars, especially on young Black womIn her newest novel, Dolen Perkins-Valdez probes the many ways institutional racism and classism inflicts lasting scars, especially on young Black women--and the grace, courage, and love necessary to begin to heal those wounds. Deeply empathetic yet unflinching in its gaze, TAKE MY HAND is an unforgettable exploration of responsibility and redemption, the dangers of good intentions, and the folly of believing anyone can decide what's best for another's life....more
With gimlet-eyed observation and laced with darkly biting wit, JOAN IS OKAY is a deeply felt portrait of a woman who’s effaced herself to survive—and With gimlet-eyed observation and laced with darkly biting wit, JOAN IS OKAY is a deeply felt portrait of a woman who’s effaced herself to survive—and how, in the face of devastating loss, she’s forced to confront her grief and her place in the world. In her second novel, Weike Wang masterfully probes the existential uncertainty of being other in America. ...more
Partly a tender coming of age story, partly an electrifying tale of political awakening, partly a heartfelt love letter to Deaf culture, TRUE BIZ is aPartly a tender coming of age story, partly an electrifying tale of political awakening, partly a heartfelt love letter to Deaf culture, TRUE BIZ is a wholly a wonder. Sara Nović examines the ways language can include, exclude, or help forge an identity—as well as what it means to carve out a place for yourself in a world that sees you as other. ...more
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