Craving something good to read? Want to find new ways to inform your activism or be a better ally? It’s time to pick up a good book.
With the current political climate in the United States, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant news cycle. Sometimes, the best way to process and understand what's happening is to take a step back and dive into a good book. If you're looking to broaden your perspective on immigration, identity, and belonging, these books offer personal and thought-provoking insights.
From the experiences of a Nigerian woman navigating race in America (“Americanah”) to the heartbreaking realities of family separation at the U.S. border (“Separated: Inside an American Tragedy”), each book sheds light on the resilience of those seeking a new life. Whether through memoir, fiction, or essays, these stories challenge stereotypes, explore systemic injustice, and remind us of the humanity behind the headlines.
- “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
In “Americanah,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie examines race, identity, immigration, and love through Ifemelu, a young Nigerian woman who moves to the United States for college. As a non-American Black woman, she navigates racial complexities and becomes a successful blogger on cultural identity. Her first love, Obinze, dreams of joining her but becomes an undocumented immigrant in the UK, later returning to Nigeria as a wealthy businessman. The novel explores the complexities of race in America, the immigrant experience, and the impact of returning to one’s roots after cultural influences.
- “The Beekeeper of Aleppo” by Christy Lefteri.
“The Beekeeper of Aleppo” by Christy Lefteri is a poignant novel about the refugee experience, focusing on Nuri, a beekeeper, and his wife Afra, an artist. After their home in Aleppo is destroyed by war, they are forced to flee. Afra loses her sight due to the trauma of witnessing their son’s death in a bombing. The story powerfully highlights the resilience of those seeking safety amidst the refugee crisis.
- “Separated: Inside an American Tragedy” by Jacob Soboroff.
Jacob Soboroff, author of “Separated: Inside an American Tragedy,” spent two years investigating the Family Separation Crisis, obtaining critical information from sources within the Trump administration. The book follows a Guatemalan family's journey to seek asylum at the U.S. border, where they were separated — the son ended up in Texas, while the father was taken to the Mojave Desert in California. Soboroff also highlights the efforts of individuals working to reunite parents with their children.
- “Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America” by Maria Hinojosa.
“Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America” by Maria Hinojosa is a memoir that weaves together the author's personal experiences as a Mexican American journalist with a broader exploration of immigration and identity in the United States. Through her own story, she highlights the systemic injustices faced by immigrants, particularly Latinx people, and how government policies have shaped their experiences. The book is both personal and politically urgent, offering an unflinching look at U.S. immigration policies, the human cost of detention centers, and the impact of anti-immigrant rhetoric.
- “The Good Immigrant” by Nikesh Shukla.
“The Good Immigrant” is a collection of 26 essays edited by Nikesh Shukla, featuring diverse voices from first- and second-generation immigrants in the UK. The book explores themes of race, identity, and belonging, highlighting the struggles and stereotypes faced by people of color. With a mix of humor and emotion, the essays address issues like microaggressions and media representation while challenging the notion of the "good immigrant," which suggests that immigrants must be exceptional to be accepted.
Together, these books offer a profound and multifaceted exploration of immigration, identity, and the complexities of belonging. By amplifying diverse voices and experiences, these works not only document the realities of migration but also inspire empathy and a deeper understanding of the human cost of displacement. Ultimately, they remind us that behind every statistic or policy debate are real people whose stories deserve to be heard.
