Las Crosses: An Unwavering Journey to a New Life in America by Apple An is a poignant memoir that captures the essence of the American Dream through the eyes of an immigrant. The narrative recounts the experience of moving to a new country and explores the emotional and psychological effects of starting over in a foreign land. Apple An’s story begins with her departure from her home country as she navigates the complexities of immigration, culture shock, and her quest for belonging. Her honest and heartfelt reflections provide readers with a window into the trials and triumphs of her journey. The memoir is interspersed with moments of humor and insight, making the narrative both captivating and enlightening.

Apple An’s writing style is vivid and straightforward. She paints a detailed picture of her adventures and the people she meets. Her story examines her physical and internal journeys, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the meaning of home. One of the strengths of the memoir is its ability to connect with a broad audience; it’s a story that everyone can engage with and enjoy regardless of background. Apple An’s photographs of her journey enhance the memoir, giving life to the words. Her story is one of hope and determination, highlighting the human capacity to adapt and thrive in new environments. Las Crosses is a beautifully written memoir that is inspiring and thought-provoking. It offers a fresh perspective on the immigrant experience, making it valuable and timely for readers interested in stories of courage, change, and personal growth. I highly recommend it.

In this illuminating memoir, author Apple An recounts her experiences as a new Chinese immigrant in America in the late 1980s. Las Crosses follows Apple's story, beginning with her arrival in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 1989 as a doctoral student from PKU University in Beijing, China. From trying to find a new home to being amazed at the abundance of butter and cheese in American food, Apple's initial foray into the American way of life was full of surprises. She had her first romantic relationship with another Chinese immigrant named Ralph, who also taught her to drive. Apple and Ralph took a trip driving west to cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and San Diego and further acclimatized themselves to American culture, watching Sylvester Stallone movies. Later, she would go to the University of Texas to pursue her Ph.D.

Las Crosses is an inspiring story about a young woman's pursuit of the American dream. Heartfelt and full of humorous anecdotes, this captivating memoir is engaging and gives readers a rare glimpse of American life as seen from the perspective of a young immigrant student. Apple An's story shows the various challenges new immigrants face after coming to America and the hurdles they need to overcome to chart their own course in life. The author touches upon the cultural differences between life in China and America, highlighting the importance of individual expression in America compared to China's focus on the collective. Apple also shares some momentous events from her younger days in this memoir, including her lifelong bonds with friends she made in Las Cruces, as well as her academic pursuits. If you enjoy truly inspirational stories, you'll love this book!

Las Crosses by Apple An is a funny and inspiring memoir about her journey from China to the U.S. after the Tiananmen Square crackdown. She comes to Las Cruces, New Mexico, dreaming of earning a PhD and building a new life—only to realize it’s nothing like the big, exciting American city she pictured. As she deals with culture shock, homesickness, and figuring out how to fit in, Apple faces it all with humor and determination. This book is full of honesty and warmth, making it such a great read about immigration, adjusting to a new place, and chasing your dreams. I really loved how she showed both the tough and hopeful sides of starting over somewhere completely new.

Apple An made it feel like she was telling her story directly to me. She writes in such a real and funny way that I couldn’t help but connect with her. Some of her cultural misunderstandings had me laughing, while other moments—especially when she felt lost or out of place—really hit me. I could relate to the mix of excitement and fear that comes with big life changes, and it made me think about my own experiences of stepping into the unknown. I liked how she kept things light while still being honest about the challenges. What stuck with me most was how she found humor and meaning in the everyday struggles of adjusting to a new life. It reminded me that even in tough moments, there’s always something to laugh about. Overall, Las Crosses is a book I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys personal stories about resilience, adventure, and finding your place in the world.

Many people are living in America who were born in other countries and, for a myriad of legitimate reasons, want to embrace the ‘American Dream.’ Have you ever looked at one of these people and wondered about their story? Well, here’s your chance. Las Crosses by Apple An is the memoir of a Chinese girl who fled Beijing after the revolution and moved to the US to study. The memoir follows the first exciting year of her time there from the day she arrived on December 15, 1989. In that first year, she learned a lot about American food and culture, changed her living arrangements a few times, learned to drive, had her first kiss, and even sold air coolers door to door. It’s an uplifting and inspiring story.

Apple An is an incredibly endearing person. She tells her story with gusto and humor. What I most love about her is how determined she is to be part of American culture. She’ll try everything she’s handed to eat, she asks questions about why certain customs exist, and she is jovial and friendly and willing to be a part of society. For the entire memoir, I was anxiously waiting for some awful situation to occur that would make her question why she even moved there—as is common in many of these stories—and I was delighted when nothing extreme happened. It’s simply a beautiful reminiscence of her first year in the US, with an enticing, ‘to be continued,’ at the end. I will 100% be reading the sequel. Las Crosses is for everyone; it’s heartfelt and genuine, and my heart warmed as I turned each page.