It was really hard for me to engage with the very casual writing style of this book. I found Guerrero's stories about her childhood and the deportatioIt was really hard for me to engage with the very casual writing style of this book. I found Guerrero's stories about her childhood and the deportation of her parents heartbreaking and an important thing to read about, but I wasn't very interested in her acting career and ended up skimming most of those parts. ...more
This book tells the story of three generations in Algeria and France. It begins with the story of Ali, an Algerian man who helped the French during coThis book tells the story of three generations in Algeria and France. It begins with the story of Ali, an Algerian man who helped the French during colonization. After Algeria gained independence, Ali and his family are no longer safe in Algeria, so they seek refuge in France. The second part of the story tells of Ali's son, Hamid. While Hamid was born in Algeria, he remembers little of his time there, and his story focuses on his struggles to find his way in a new culture and country. The final section is about Hamid's daughter, Naima, who knows little about her heritage, but becomes curious as a young adult.
This was one of those books that had me so curious and engaged. I read so many Wikipedia articles while reading this book, trying to understand different historical events, the culture of different parts of Algeria, the situations of Algerians in France, etc. I learned a lot, but at times I felt like I needed a real person to ask questions, because there are some things it was really hard to Google about how cultures or identities are perceived and things like that. ...more
This book follows the story of a family from Afghanistan as they flee their country with the hopes of making it to Australia. Their journey takes themThis book follows the story of a family from Afghanistan as they flee their country with the hopes of making it to Australia. Their journey takes them on a perilous voyage through the ocean, to an Australian run detention facility in Nauru where they claim asylum, and finally to Australia where they stay on temporary visas.
The book is a good read, but very sad. There's so much uncertainty and pain in this family's life. I would be curious to know more about the people the author interviewed while writing this novel, as it seems like she really did her research. ...more
This work of historical fiction tells the story of several immigrant sharecroppers in the Imperial Valley in Southern California in the early 1900s. TThis work of historical fiction tells the story of several immigrant sharecroppers in the Imperial Valley in Southern California in the early 1900s. There are several characters from the Punjab region of India, a Japanese family, and several characters from Mexico. They are all at the mercy of those in power and the white landowners as they struggle to make a living.
I really wanted to like this book more than I did, there was so much potential. There were so many historical elements I had never thought about. The novel explored so many issues of power and privilege and how it is maintained. I wavered between three and four stars for the book, but I think if it had been about 100 pages shorter it may have been a five star book. It was too long and I lost my investment in the characters by the end. ...more
Wow, I really loved this book. The author does a great job discussing the intersection between faith and science, the love for family, and all the bigWow, I really loved this book. The author does a great job discussing the intersection between faith and science, the love for family, and all the big, unanswerable questions....more
This book tells the story of a Muslim Indian-American family living in California . The story is told in shifting perspectives and timelines, so with This book tells the story of a Muslim Indian-American family living in California . The story is told in shifting perspectives and timelines, so with all the back and forth the reader gradually gains an understanding of the big picture of all the family dynamics at play.
It took me a while to get into the book. For the first hundred pages or so I felt like nothing was really happening and I was just rereading the same thing over and over. As it progressed, I really started to like it. I began to feel for the characters and understand their complicated choices and motivations. I was especially moved by the father's perspective at the end. I was really surprised by how much I was moved, given my apathy towards the characters at the beginning of the book, but by the end I was tearing up quite a bit. ...more
In Two Sisters, Asne Seierstad tells the real life story of two Somali immigrants to Norway, Ayan and Leila. At 16 and 19, the sisters leave their famIn Two Sisters, Asne Seierstad tells the real life story of two Somali immigrants to Norway, Ayan and Leila. At 16 and 19, the sisters leave their family in Norway, where they have lived most of their lives, and move to Syria, where they marry ISIS fighters and join the movement. The book tells the story of their radicalization and their father's attempts to bring them back to Norway.
This book was good and very well researched. Seierstad conducted extensive interviews with family and friends of the sisters and used text messages, emails, and social media posts to tell the story. While the author didn't interview the sisters, they often spoke for themselves through transcripts of texts and social media posts. It is a sad story that confronts the challenges of combating radicalization while allowing individuals the right to practice religion as they see fit. ...more
Meena was born in India and lived there with her grandma until her parents were able to afford to bring her to NYC where they had been living for seveMeena was born in India and lived there with her grandma until her parents were able to afford to bring her to NYC where they had been living for several years. River lives in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. His dad has moved to Louisiana for work since he lost his job in the coal mines and his mom is sick, so he is being raised mostly by his grandma, a progressive activist. The two twelve year olds are penpals and the book alternates back and forth between the letters they write each other. They are both very likable characters and I began to care about them.
The book is very obviously making a point about people who come from different backgrounds being honest with each other, talking about shared struggles as members of marginalized communities, and realizing that the "other" isn't always as "other" as they seem. The book touches on some pretty big issues: racism and stereotyping, mountaintop removal, and the struggles faced by immigrants. If the book wasn't written for kids, I would have been a little annoying with the simplicity with which these issues were handled.
The book was written by two authors, which I thought was a unique way to write this book. I was surprised that the voices didn't feel more unique than they did. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this book, but it was an enjoyable read. ...more
Miranda and Lucia are the daughters of a Chinese immigrant to the United States. Miranda has always been responsible and protective of her younger sisMiranda and Lucia are the daughters of a Chinese immigrant to the United States. Miranda has always been responsible and protective of her younger sister, and becomes even more so when Lucia begins exhibiting severe symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Lucia is smart and creative, and she goes through phases of stability interrupted by psychotic episodes and hospitalization. She often resents her sister's intervention in her life. Lucia eventually moves to Ecuador to be with Manny, the Ecuadoran father of her baby. The novel is told through alternating perspectives of Miranda, Lucia, and several other characters.
This novel tells an engaging and heartbreaking story. I appreciated the way the author portrayed the complicated relationships between the characters. Manny and Miranda are united in their love for Lucia, and they struggle with how to help someone they can't fix and watch the person they love become lost. In the chapters told from Lucia's perspective, the reader learns of her delusions and her actions become understandable. I appreciate the multicultural approach the author took in this novel, highlighting characters from many nationalities....more
Jende is a Cameroonian immigrant living in Harlem and working as a driver for a Lehman Brothers executive. He is in the process of applying for asylumJende is a Cameroonian immigrant living in Harlem and working as a driver for a Lehman Brothers executive. He is in the process of applying for asylum while his wife, Neni, is in school on a student visa. Both Jeni and Neni become privy to the world of the wealthy American family for which Jendi works and all of their troubles and secrets. After the financial collapse of 2008, all of their lives are thrown into turmoil as they try to cope with their new reality.
This book wasn't bad, it just felt very predictable and full of stock characters. The son of the wealthy family is full of disdain for American greed and consumerism and moves to India to connect with what it really means to be human. His parents maintain their facade of stability behind their money, but they have all sorts of underlying troubles. I suppose the Cameroonian characters became a little more complex towards the end of the novel, but for the most part, nothing about them was really surprising or intriguing.
This book led to a somewhat interesting book club discussion. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this book, but it didn't feel like a waste of time.
This book tells the intersecting stories of Soli, a young Mexican woman who enters the U.S. undocumented, and Kavya, an Indian-American woman living iThis book tells the intersecting stories of Soli, a young Mexican woman who enters the U.S. undocumented, and Kavya, an Indian-American woman living in Berkeley. Soli becomes pregnant on her journey north and finds work as a housekeeper/nanny for a well to do Berkeley family. Meanwhile, Kavya and her husband are struggling to conceive.
It's hard to say much without giving the plot away, but it deals with some pretty heavy issues regarding the plight of undocumented immigrants in the United States and the lengths people will go to for the children they love. Also deals a lot with issues of social class, privilege, and opportunity.
This book has a lot of really good reviews, but I could never really get into it. I sort of liked the beginning, but by the end I was entirely disengaThis book has a lot of really good reviews, but I could never really get into it. I sort of liked the beginning, but by the end I was entirely disengaged. It was interesting to learn about the situation of Koreans living in Japan, but that's about all I'll take away from it. ...more
I want to say something intelligent about this book, but I'm not really sure what to say. I absolutely loved the writing, for sure some of the best I'I want to say something intelligent about this book, but I'm not really sure what to say. I absolutely loved the writing, for sure some of the best I've read in quite a while. The book captures the complicated and confusing emotions that accompany us through life in a way that really stirred something up inside....more
The Abundance is told from the point of view of an Indian immigrant to the United States who is dying from cancer. Throughout the book, she tells of hThe Abundance is told from the point of view of an Indian immigrant to the United States who is dying from cancer. Throughout the book, she tells of her present reality and also reflects on her life and her relationships with her children. As a way of bonding, she teaches her daughter, who has never been interested in cooking, how to cook traditional Indian dishes.
The book moved me to tears several times. The reflections on love and family, both the good and the bad, were very powerful. ...more
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