Long Island by Colm TĆ³ibĆn
Long Island follows Eilis Lacey, the beloved protagonist from Brooklyn, now settled on Long Island with her Italian-American husband and their two teenagers. When a man from Ireland brings shocking news about Tony’s past, Eilis faces new questions of family and loyalty, forcing her to confront her long-held connections to Ireland. TĆ³ibĆn crafts a compelling narrative on love, betrayal, and identity as Eilis navigates the complexities of her life across two worldsā.
Owner of a Lonely Heart by Beth Nguyen
Owner of a Lonely Heart is a poignant memoir that examines family, identity, and belonging through the lens of Nguyen’s complex relationship with her absent mother. Raised by her father after their family’s escape from Vietnam, Nguyen saw her mother only a handful of times, yet these encounters and the long silence between them profoundly shaped her life and sense of self. Nguyenās reflections on motherhood, memory, and the legacy of displacement offer a tender exploration of how we build meaning from broken connections, giving voice to both longing and resilience.
Solito by Javier Zamora
Solito is a powerful memoir recounting the authorās journey as a nine-year-old, traveling alone from El Salvador to the United States to reunite with his family. What was initially meant to be a two-week ātripā stretched into two months filled with hardships ā grueling desert crossings, unexpected kindness from strangers, and a new sense of found family among fellow migrants. Zamoraās narrative captures both the peril and compassion he encountered, illuminating a child’s perspective on a dangerous migration that resonates with the experiences of many seeking safety and connection across borders.
Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here by Jonathan Blitzer
Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here takes a compassionate look at the lives of immigrants navigating the U.S. immigration system. Through detailed reporting, Blitzer presents individual stories that show the human impact of complex border policies. The book doesnāt offer easy answers but encourages readers to consider the moral implications of current immigration laws and their effects on real lives.
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
Martyr! follows the journey of an Iranian-American man as he seeks to connect with his family roots and explore his artistic legacy. The novel combines humor with deep reflections on family dynamics, culture, and the significance of art. Celebrated for its unique narrative style and emotional resonance, this debut novel stands out as one of the most notable books of 2024, capturing the complexities of identity and the quest for belonging in a changing world.
The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
The Undocumented Americans combines memoir and investigative journalism to capture the experiences of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Villavicencio, one of the first undocumented immigrants to graduate from Harvard, shares deeply personal stories alongside those of other undocumented individuals, offering a raw and unfiltered look at life on the margins. The book goes beyond headlines, diving into themes of resilience and identity while confronting the everyday struggles and triumphs of the undocumented community.
A Map for the Missing by Belinda Huijuan Tang
A Map for the Missing follows Tang Yitian, a Chinese-American man who returns to his hometown in China after learning that his estranged father has disappeared. The novel explores themes of family, estrangement, and the challenges of reconciling two cultures. As Yitian navigates the complexities of contemporary China and reconnects with a childhood friend, he confronts both his past choices and the emotional ties that bind him to his roots.
Brought Forth on This Continent by Harold Holzer
Brought Forth on This Continent examines Abraham Lincoln’s approach to immigration during the Civil War. Holzer details how Lincoln saw immigrants as vital to the nation’s development and proposed measures to encourage their arrival. The book highlights the challenges and social tensions of the time, providing a clear view of how immigration shaped America during a crucial period in its history. You can read an interview with Holzer here.
Someone Like Us by Dinaw Mengestu
Someone Like Us by Dinaw Mengestu follows Mamush, a journalist who was born in the U.S. but lives in France. When he returns to visit his mother near Washington, D.C., he discovers that Samuel, a key figure in the local Ethiopian community, has died under mysterious circumstances. As Mamush delves into Samuel’s life, using memories and a trail of documents, he confronts themes of identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience while unraveling the complexities of Samuelās existence as a cabdriver in America.