Las Crosses

An Unwavering Journey to a New Life in America

By: Apple An

Narrated by: Elizabeth Emery

Length: 3 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

*** A finalist for the "Women's Non-Fiction" and "Multicultural Non-Fiction" awards at The 2023 IAN Book of the Year Awards ***

Fleeing the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989 and fueled by a burning desire for a better life, Apple embarks on a daring journey to pursue her doctoral education in America.

With no backup plan, Apple has to make this journey work. But she has no idea that her starting place, Las Cruces, NM, is a quiet desert town - a far cry from the bustling metropolis she envisioned.

Anxious, ignorant, broken, lost, and homesick, Apple is also excited, curious, and open-minded. Will she simply survive the fish-out-of-the-water situation many immigrants experience, or will she thrive in this unexpected American adventure?

Las Crosses is a mesmerizing Asian American memoir that chronicles Apple's first eight months in America. Filled with humility, humor, honesty, and vulnerability, Apple invites listeners on a journey of cultural adaptation, self-discovery, and the transformative power of starting anew in a foreign land.

If you crave stories of resilient people who follow their heads, hearts, and dreams, and if you like light-hearted humor and fast-paced stories, then you’ll love Apple An’s inspirational account.

See what other listeners said about Las Crosses in the reviews.

*** Fun fact: The title “Las Crosses” has several meanings:

(1) The story occurred in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Las Cruces is Spanish for “The Crosses.” The title is to honor the location and its Spanish-English heritage. (2) The story is about the cross-cultural experience, and (3) cross the geological locations via the Pacific Ocean. (4) The moment in the story was at a crosspoint in Apple’s life. (5) This book is the author’s debut book. It marks her intellectual exploration crossing from academic research & publishing to literary publishing.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Voices Heard Publishing, LLC (P)2023 Voices Heard Publishing, LLC

What a Great Story!

This is an amazing book. Apple An has written this book with amazing care and detail. Through Apple's writing, the reader seemingly becomes a first hand witness to the experiences of a young woman and first-generation immigrant as she discovers herself and navigates her new world. Elizabeth Emery's captivating narration only adds to the story. This is a truly enjoyable story. I look forward to more writing from this author.

Absolutely love this!

Oh my! I’ve had déjá vu listening to Apple An’s beautiful story of courage, focus and adventure. A brilliant mind and beautiful soul ready to give the World from the USA a wealth of knowledge and passion. Truly inspiring to travelers worldwide who decide to leave behind the comforts of what they know in pursuit of expansion, growth and knowledge.

Truly beautiful!

Marihon

Like reliving a real life story.

So real, it felt like I was listening to my mother’s story , challenges and appreciation being able to be in USA!

Fascinating journey of adjusting to life in the US

This is a first hand account of adjusting to, and becoming comfortable with, life in the United States, after having grown up in China. The details are numerous and important to the story. The reader feels as though they walk along side the writer.

This is a great book

This book tells the story of Apple, a first-generation immigrant who had just left China and lived in a completely new society. Despite the enormous cultural difference between China and US in the last century, Apple's curiosity and never-give-up attitude made her journey in the US go far and far, she became strong and independent. As an immigrant reader, her story will always encourage and inspire my study life in the US.