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Catfish and Mandala: A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam

Andrew X. Pham

Gritty and emotional, this travelogue/immigration tale had me transfixed. Pham skillfully narrates his family's story both settling in the US and in leaving war-torn Vietnam. His bicycle tour through 1990s Vietnam is a fantastic (and scary!) experience no tourist could have while he seeks a deeper understanding of "home."
Recommended by Ruth J.

Parisian

Isabella Hammad

This beautiful debut novel may be my favorite this year! It tells the story of Palestine's changes in WWI through the life of the cosmopolitan Midhat Kamal. Language lovers, take note! French and Arabic are abundant in the text and layer an already sweeping story with rich imagery.
Recommended by Ruth J.

Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy

Angela Garbes

Angela Garbes asks the reader, what if we actually listened to mothers? What if we actually devoted research dollars and prioritized their care? This book was a bold and easy-to-read analysis of experiences facing those who are pregnant, were pregnant, or want to be. The book is a wonderful expansion of the author's massively popular online article on breastfeeding in The Stranger.
Recommended by Ruth J.

Kid Gloves

Lucy Knisley

Finally, a smart graphic novel covering a wide range of modern maternity experience! Readers will also learn a little about medical and reproductive history, but the joy for me is in seeing the very real experiences of infertility, miscarriage, morning sickness, and birth represented plainly. This easy-to-read, delightfully illustrated novel left me feeling understood.
Recommended by Ruth J.