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Kathryn Stockett’s first historical fiction novel is amazing. It’s about the lives of African American maids/nannies who served white women in the 1960’s, particularly in Mississippi.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is written in letter form, which, admittedly, was a little confusing at first, but once I had a firm grasp of the main characters, I was hooked. The story takes place right after World War II. The letters span from January to September 1946. The characters reside in the UK (mostly London) and St. Peter Port. St. Peter Port is part of Guernsey, a Channel Island, located in the English Channel between the UK and France.

Reading The Henna Artist, first novel by Alka Joshi , transported me to 1956, post independence India. Main character, Lakshmi, after fleeing from her arranged marriage to an abusive husband, makes her way to rural India, learning to be a henna artist on the way , serving the wealthy who believe henna artistry has magical powers.

Although Case Histories is technically fiction, it is also a mystery. Or actually, mysteries. But what makes this book really stand out are the characters. The reader gets to know them, their thoughts, their flaws (and strengths), what motivates them, and what they feel. They are multilayered and complex, and most importantly for the reader, fascinating.

The Mountains Sing is the English debut novel of Vietnamese poet, Nguyẽ̂n Phan Qué̂ Mai.

Giver of Stars, by Jojo Moyes

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, by Kim Michele Richardson