Whether Latinx, Asian or African, these writers consider how those identities mingle with the idea of being an American, from newly arrived to long-term residency. Dealing with themes of deep-rooted identity and the often-impossible navigation of assimilating to a culture that is not always welcoming, these books exhibit an array of hard-won truths about life and finding home.

Michelle Zauner, founder of the indie rock/dream pop band Japanese Breakfast, writes about her Korean heritage, the loss of her mother to cancer, and how she cultivated her identity in the face of so much loss.