Books Recommended by Lisa Ling
The Joy Luck Club
A Novel
Amy Tan
Source: "It is the story of four Chinese American women in San Francisco and how their mothers’ struggles in the Chinese homeland made them who they were. It is a highly emotional and exceptionally beautiful story." - Lisa Ling
The Girl in the Picture
The Story of Kim Phuc, the Photograph, and the Vietnam War
Denise Chong
Source: "The story of the young girl who was photographed running naked in horror after her village was napalmed during the war, and who came to symbolize for the world its utter disaster and devastating toll." - Lisa Ling
We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families
Stories from Rwanda
Philip Gourevitch
Source: "This meticulously account is told from both the Hutu and Tutsi perspectives and is impressively comprehensive. It is so well told, in fact, that I felt like I was there experiencing the horror with my own eyes." - Lisa Ling
Midnight's Children
Salman Rushdie
Source: "Combines historical reality and mythical fiction to deliver a magnificent and magical account of India’s transition to independence and partition." - Lisa Ling
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
Jack Weatherford
Source: "Genghis Khan was a great democratizer. His Mongol Empire conquered more territory in 25 years than the Romans did in 200." - Lisa Ling
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Dr. Seuss
Source: "As a child of humble means, this book allowed me to believe that I could go anywhere and do anything." - Lisa Ling
A People's History of the United States
Howard Zinn
Source: "I credit this book with propelling me to dig deeper, and to not always believe the narrative." - Lisa Ling
News of a Kidnapping
Gabriel García Márquez
Source: "A journalistic account of ten notable Colombians kidnapped by Pablo Escobar’s Medellín Drug Cartel." - Lisa Ling
Corelli's Mandolin
A Novel
Louis de Bernieres
Source: "One of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read." - Lisa Ling
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
Source: "This simple little book contains hugely profound meaning." - Lisa Ling
FAQ
Did Lisa Ling recommend all these books?
Not necessarily. This book list has Lisa Ling must-read recommendations, but it also has a mix of mentions and suggestions.
How do you know Lisa Ling mentioned these books?
Every suggestion made by Lisa Ling is validated by our editors. You can find the sources to the recommendations linked next to the books.
Did Lisa Ling actually create this list?
No. This reading list was curated by our editors based on confirmed mentions from Lisa Ling, the sources are made available under each recommendation.
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