The Moon Goddess's Smile by Catherine C. Wu tells the tale of a Chinese American biomedical researcher, Mei, who returns to China to fulfill a family duty: transferring her late grandmother's apartment to her male cousin so he can marry. But what should be a...

In Kathmandu, Raghu, a 19-year-old night porter, grapples with insecurities about his slim build while dreaming of love and success. Eager to gain weight and win the heart of Neela, the girl he admires, Raghu sets out on a humorous quest to eat his way...

Teleporting Dummies by The Kruger Institute For Language Education is a surprisingly fun bilingual book that may make you laugh out loud while learning Spanish. The titular “dummies” are Gus and Royal, a classic comedy pair. Gus is dumb, and Royal is even dumber. But...

This week I’ve been thoroughly engrossed by Charles Paul Collins’ historical novel The Remembering: Of Leather & Stone. A fictional account of the lives of real members of the author's family throughout the ages, this book manages to give a compelling insight into the history...

In the city of Naghaar, women are regarded not by their worth but by their appearance and are sold upon passing the required inspection. In The Willow Tree, Komal Akhtar explores this popular ritual which is practiced by many Eastern cultures. Under the oppressive Allotment...

Alejandro Morales’ The Place of the White Heron is a unique and captivating blend of history, mythology, and modern political allegory. Grounded in the tensions between the United States and México, the novel is a powerful exploration of cultural and spiritual identity, embodied through the...

The Invisible Red String by Peter Berlin and Ann Zachariah invites readers into a world where the ancient concept of an invisible red string intricately weaves love, fate, and healing together. This metaphorical bond connects people across time and space. The novel is uplifting and...

In The Worth of a Ruby by Lya Badgley, chef Mallory Jones lands in Rangoon with hopes of opening a restaurant, hiring a local named Cho Cho as her assistant. Geoffrey, an expatriate with ulterior motives, offers assistance with Mallory’s project. In Paris, Thierry Aubert...

The Half-Caste by Jason Zeitler is a thought-provoking novel set in the significant political and social era of the 1930s. Saul and Vernon form an unlikely friendship after attending a public lecture at the London School of Economics late one morning. Both of them agreed...

To Do Justice is a work of fiction in the recent historical, cultural issues, and slice-of-life genres, and is the final novel in the Chicago Trilogy penned by author Frank S. Joseph. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Set against the...