Beyond the Borders
It’s time to step outside your comfort zone, outside your borders, or outside of your own country or culture. Tell us about the books that transported you to a different world, taught you about a different culture, and/or helped you step into the shoes of someone different from you. What impacted you the most about this book? What books would you recommend to others who are ready or not ready to step over the line? In essence, let’s start the conversation about diversity and keep it going!
Fiction
American Dervish
I recently finished this book and haven't written a review yet. American Dervish is the story of a young boy whose world changes forever as a family friend opens his eyes to the beauty and danger of wholeheartedly following a religion.
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena
I don't know if you all know a lot about the conflict in Chechnya during the 1990s, but I did not. This exquisitely written novel will break your heart as Akhmed tries to save his friend's daughter and we discover the danger and saving grace of loving other people.
No One Is Here Except All of Us
I may be somewhat biased in loving this book, as my father is Romanian and it is one of the few books I know of that takes place in that country. This story is set around the events of WWII as the inhabitants of a small village wonder if they can use the power of story to escape the evil that is approaching their home.
Songs of Willow Frost
Willow and her son William are living in San Francisco during the time of the Great Depression. This book is beautifully written and shows readers the discrimination faced by Asian citizens during this time period and the tragic choices they must make to survive.
Pigeon English
Harri has recently moved to London from Ghana with his mother and finds himself smack in the middle of a gang war. Our protagonist is 11 years old and the combination of his hope and the ugly conditions in which he lives is both striking and heartbreaking.
The Madonnas of Echo Park
This collection of stories revolves around an immigrant community in LA. The characters are fascinating and their problems are both specific to racism and immigration and universal to the human experience.
White Teeth
Archie, Clara, Samad, and Alsana are the bridge generation who were born and raised in different countries but are raising their children in London. This powerful story looks at cultural differences amid the shared hope of parents that their children will have better lives than they did.
People of the Book
This is one of my favorite books ever. Geraldine Brooks moves deftly through time and nations as she imagines the creation and preservation of one of Judaism's sacred texts.
Non-fiction
This book tells Gbowee's story of surviving during the conflict in Liberia as she gathered her fellow women to fight for peace in their land.
Outcasts United
Outcasts United is about a Jordanian woman who almost accidentally becomes the coach of a youth soccer team comprised entirely of refugees. This story gives great insight into the lives of people who have immigrated to the US and the challenges they face.
Have you read any of these books? Which books transported you to a different country or culture?
No comments:
Post a Comment