The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

The novel alternates between 1986, where widower Henry Lee discovers belongings of Japanese families at the Panama Hotel, triggering memories of his childhood, and 1942, when 12-year-old Henry befriends Keiko Okabe at school amid rising anti-Japanese prejudice after Pearl Harbor. Despite his father's opposition and Keiko's family's internment, their innocent bond endures, exploring themes of loyalty, forgiveness, and reconciliation with his own son decades later.

The Bonesetter's Daughter spans generations, intertwining the lives of Ruth Young, a Chinese-American woman, and her aging mother, LuLing. As LuLing's memory begins to fade, Ruth discovers a hidden manuscript written by her mother, revealing a dark and turbulent past in China. The novel explores themes of family secrets, cultural heritage, and the enduring bond between mothers and daughters. Through LuLing's poignant narrative, Amy Tan delves into the complexities of memory, identity, and the lasting impact of historical events on personal lives. Ruth uncovers a world of heartbreak and sacrifice, gaining a deeper understanding of her mother's struggles and her own connection to her Chinese roots.

'Love Medicine' is a novel by Louise Erdrich that explores the interconnected lives of several Native American families living on a reservation in North Dakota. The novel is structured as a series of interwoven stories, each narrated from a different character's perspective. Through these voices, Erdrich examines themes of love, loss, identity, and the enduring power of family and community. The novel is celebrated for its lyrical prose, its vivid characters, and its sensitive portrayal of Native American culture and experiences. It also explores the impact of historical trauma and cultural assimilation on individuals and communities.

The novel follows Janie Crawford, an African-American woman, as she navigates through three marriages and her quest for love, freedom, and self-identity. Set in central and southern Florida, the story explores themes of race, gender, and identity, depicting Janie's transformation from a voiceless teenage girl to a woman who takes control of her own destiny. The narrative is marked by Janie's relationships with her husbands—Logan Killicks, Joe Starks, and Tea Cake—and her ultimate discovery of true love and independence.

American Born Chinese is a graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang that weaves together three narratives: the legend of the Monkey King, the story of Jin Wang, a Chinese-American boy struggling with identity, and the tale of Chin-Kee, a stereotypical Chinese cousin. The book delves into themes of identity, cultural assimilation, and personal transformation, using these characters to explore the complexities of being Chinese-American.

Set in 1970s Ohio, 'Everything I Never Told You' follows the Lee family as they grapple with the death of their daughter Lydia. The novel explores themes of family trauma, grief, racism, and the pressures of parental expectations. Through a complex web of secrets and misunderstandings, Ng delves into the intricate relationships within the family and how their past shapes their present.

The novel tells the story of Valentine Michael Smith, a human born on Mars and raised by Martians after the deaths of the crew of the first mission to the planet. When Michael is brought back to Earth as an adult, he struggles to understand human behavior and culture. With the help of characters like Gillian Boardman and Jubal Harshaw, Michael navigates human society, critiques its institutions, and eventually starts his own movement, the 'Church of All Worlds. ' The novel explores themes of individual liberty, self-responsibility, and challenges to traditional social and religious norms. It is known for its complex characters, philosophical discussions, and its impact on the science fiction genre and the counterculture movement of the late 1960s.

The Tiger's Wife is a novel that explores the complex relationship between a young doctor named Natalia and her recently deceased grandfather, a celebrated doctor. The story weaves together tales of a 'deathless man' and a deaf-mute girl known as the 'Tiger's Wife', set in a fictionalized Balkan country. Through these narratives, Obreht delves into themes of family, war, and the power of storytelling.

This novel follows the story of Sunja, a young Korean woman, and her family as they navigate the challenges of living as immigrants in Japan from the early 1900s to the late 1980s. The book explores themes of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty, set against the backdrop of significant historical events including World War II and the Korean War. It delves into the experiences of discrimination, cultural identity, and the struggles of everyday life for Korean families in Japan.

The Joy Luck Club explores the intricate bonds between mothers and daughters across cultural and generational divides. The story follows four Chinese immigrant families in San Francisco, focusing on their struggles to maintain cultural heritage while adapting to American life. Through sixteen interwoven narratives, Amy Tan delves into themes of identity, tradition, and the power of maternal love.

The Namesake follows the lives of Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli, who immigrate from Kolkata to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their son, Gogol, named after the Russian author Nikolai Gogol, grapples with his dual identity as an American and a Bengali. The novel delves into themes of cultural identity, family traditions, and the challenges of balancing two distinct worlds. It chronicles Gogol's journey through his childhood, education, relationships, and eventual marriage, highlighting the tensions and reconciliations within his family and his own sense of self.

Published in 1999, 'Interpreter of Maladies' is Jhumpa Lahiri's debut short story collection, which won the Pulitzer Prize and the PEN/Hemingway Award. The book comprises nine stories that offer deep insights into the lives of characters navigating cultural identities, family dynamics, and personal struggles. The title story, 'Interpreter of Maladies,' follows an Indian tour guide who becomes emotionally entangled with an Indian-American family during their visit to India, highlighting themes of loneliness and the quest for emotional connection. Other stories in the collection, such as 'The Treatment of Bibi Haldar,' explore complex social and personal issues with nuanced and empathetic storytelling.