- Share - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://about.ebsco.com/markdownify/node/25986) - []() - []() - []() # Reading immigrant experiences ![books generic blog image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/books-generic-4-blog-image-780.jpg) [Clay Boyer](/novelist/bio/clay-boyer) 25 June 2019 Seeking out books written by immigrant authors is one way that people curious about immigrant experiences can gain a deeper understanding while glimpsing the life stories behind an issue that is often presented to us as a political problem. With the number of great books recently published by immigrant authors, representing a diverse spectrum of cultures and nations, readers have a great deal of choice. Whether tales of refugee survival (*Exit West* by Mohsin Ahmid), feeling the sting of culture shock (*Americanah* by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie), humorous explorations of identity and ethnic stereotypes (*American Panda* by Gloria Chao), heart-wrenching memoir (*The Boy on the Beach* by Tima Kurdi), or stories about immigration for young kids (*Islandborn* by Junot Díaz), nothing beats an engrossing book for shattering our assumptions, providing nuance, and expanding the horizons of our shrinking planet. An easy strategy for getting at these terrific reads is to use NoveList’s “**own voices**” appeal term together with terms that touch on immigrants and immigration. To find fiction for all ages, type this string into the NoveList search bar: **AP own voices AND TH immigrant experiences**. You can then use the checkboxes under “Audience” to filter for any age level. For memoirs and other nonfiction, use this one instead: **AP own voices AND GN (immigrants OR immigration)**. There is literally a world of possibilities. Want to learn more about NoveList? [Sign up for a demo!](/novelist/products) --- [Clay Boyer](https://www.ebscohost.com/novelist/about-novelist/novelist-staff/96511?name=Clay%2520Boyer) is a Metadata Librarian at NoveList. He is currently reading *Lincoln in the Bardo* by George Saunders. Category: [Articles ](/blogs/novelist/category/articles) - Share - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://about.ebsco.com/markdownify/node/25986) - []() - []() - []()