In the Beautiful Country

Anna can’t wait to move to the beautiful country—the Chinese name for America. Although she’s only ever known life in Taiwan, she can’t help but brag about the move to her family and friends.

But the beautiful country isn’t anything like Anna pictured. Her family can only afford a cramped apartment, she’s bullied at school, and she struggles to understand a new language. On top of that, the restaurant that her parents poured their savings into is barely staying afloat. The version of America that Anna is experiencing is nothing like she imagined. How will she be able to make the beautiful country her home?

This lyrical and heartfelt story, inspired by the author’s own experiences, is about resilience, courage, and the struggle to make a place for yourself in the world.

Reader Fit: Recommended for readers who enjoy literary fiction centered on family, belonging, and the challenges of navigating multiple cultures.

Why We Carry It: We carry In the Beautiful Country because it explores the emotional realities of immigration, cultural identity, and family expectations through an intimate personal lens. It reminds readers that belonging is often shaped by both the places we come from and the communities we build.