Min Jin Lee’s — Pachinko *****

In the early 1900s when Sunja falls pregnant, she refuses to be mistress to a wealthy man she discovers is already married. Instead she accepts an offer of marriage from a minister, and they soon leave Korea for Japan.

This is a four generational tale exploring Japan’s attitude towards Koreans as well as the family’s struggles to survive. A compelling story. And I’ve decided to reblog this exceptional book because of the current controversy on Twitter over a Nike advertisement depicting racism in Japan.

Melinda Haynes’s — Mother of Pearl *****

African American Evan grew up an orphan in a small Mississippi town. When he meets Valuable, the daughter of the town whore who doesn’t know who her father is, their lives change. Both want a family, something neither of them have, but can this racial combination survive in the 1950’s racist south?

Anchee Min’s — Pearl of China *****

Pearl’s father is a missionary in China. When Pearl befriends a Chinese girl her own age, Pearl and Willow become inseparable. But under Mao’s repressive regime, Pearl’s family is forced to flee China. For years, the friends have no contact with each other because Pearl fears this could endanger Willow’s family, but will they ever meet again?

This story is based on Pearl S. Buck’s early life in China where she developed a deep love of the country.

Saleema Nawaz’s — Bone and Bread *****

Set in Montreal, Beena and Sadhana are close because of the death of their parents in their teens. While their uncle takes care of them, Beena sees a change in her sister. It’s only with Sadhana’s death, that Beena tries to unravel the cause of her sister’s life.

This is a well written powerful story, but because of Sadhana’s tragic decline and eventual death it sometimes made this emotionally hard to read.