Jillicious Reading

Same Sun Here

by Silas House and Neela Vaswani

Summary:  Meena, an Indian immigrant living in New York City, and River, the son of Kentucky coal miner, become "snail mail" pen pals.  Through their letters, the two find a common ground and a new friendship in spite of their very different backgrounds.   

Thoughts:  This original novel reminds us that we all share so many more similarities than differences.  Meena and River are likeable characters, and their two stories are very absorbing and real.  I learned a great deal about the Indian culture as well as life in Kentucky.  I particularly liked the use of correspondence to tell the stories.  It reminded me how fun it is to receive "snail mail" and how relationships can be built through the written word.  

Read Same Sun Here if you: 

• are Indian or interested in the Indian culture
• are from Kentucky or interested in the state
• know nothing about the Indian culture or the state of Kentucky
• like epistolary novels (books told through letters) 
• have ever felt like you didn't fit in
• have ever had to live apart from someone you love  

Visit Silas House's blog and Neela Vaswani's blog to learn more about these two others and this collaborative novel.