Recs if you like Real Americans...

Books that illustrate some aspect of the immigrant experience - in fantasy, or in the real world; in childhood, or in old age; in history, or in the modern day. (work in progress - recs welcome!)

Here's every book so far from BOTM's monthly shortlist since February 2015 for anyone who wants to read them all like I do!

An on-going attempt to track Asian authors in my Interested/TBR (and hopefully Finished) categories. Books are generally fiction/lit fic/fantasy with some memoirs. Authors span West to East Asia, the Asian diaspora, and mixed-race folx.

spotlighting some incredible books by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander authors

lit fic featuring dysfunctional families

TCKs are those who were "raised in a different culture than their parents, for a large part or the entirety of their childhood and adolescence. They typically are exposed to a greater volume and variety of cultural influences than those who grow up in one particular cultural setting."

These books must delve into the themes and conflicts of being a TCK and not just have a TCK. (this is different from an immigrant story, it's the generation that follows)

Goodreads 80 of the Past Decade’s Very Popular Fiction from 2016 - 2025

2025 Broken Country - Isola 2024 The Women - Real Americans 2023 Tom Lake - Weyward 2022 Demon Copperhead - Diamond Eye 2021 Reading List - Cloud Cuckoo Land 2020 My Dark Vanessa - Vanishing Half 2019 Giver of Stars - Girl, Woman, Other 2018 Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell - Where the Crawdads Sing 2017 Stay with Me - 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 2016 Lilac Girls - Behold the Dreamers

Books that were/are Barnes & Noble Monthly Picks, Books of the year, Hot Coffee Hot Books, or Book Club picks.

The intricate connections between past, present and future are explored through multiple generations. They offer fascinating insights into history and complex family dynamics.

The books that were considered for @littleleggies book club. Please check books for content warnings, as many have significant triggers.

mirror mirror on the wall who has the most existential dread of them all

epics or sagas around the family, intergenerational or otherwise. think complex, layered relationships, conflict spanning decades, familial trauma, and great love stories

A place to see all books included in The Audacious Book Club run by Roxane Gay.

I’m not affiliated at all. I just enjoy these recommendations and wanted one place to see them all here on Pagebound.

Check out audacity.substack.com for more info! They do book discussions for the current month.

600+ page books for when you want to get stuck in and live in a novel for a while. Variety of genres. All standalones.

A book club by KAIA GERBER and ALYSSA REEDER to highlight books that aren’t on the typical bestseller lists in order to better support debut writers, new voices and overlooked stories.

These books are chosen for “Read with Jenna” by Jenna Bush Hager.

Latest book added: October 2026

by jenna bush hager