The Night Watchman , by Louise Erdrich. This novel is partly based on the life of Louise Erdrich's grandfather, who fought the federal government's attempts to dissolve the legal status of the Turtle....

The Grapes of Wrath , by John Steinbeck . This is, in my never-humble opinion, Steinbeck's masterpiece. The Grapes of Wrath is the story of Tom Joad and his family, tenant farmers who lose everything....

Crazy Rich Asians , by Kevin Kwan. This is a fun rom-com where the couple is already together at the start. Nick and Rachel are teachers, both Chinese; he's from Singapore and she's American-raised......