Is this a university-age group?

siobhan - Yes, it is a university-age group, ranging from 20-something to 50-something. Thanks for the question.

Another question -- by muticultural, does she mean it needs to cover more than two different cultures?

I think the Hillerman books are a great idea; they give some interesting insight into the Navajo culture.

sarah canary - I have emailed your question to my friend - thanks! In the meantime, maybe "a book about 2 or more cultures" would be the best way to describe what this book group needs.

Or could they mean "not American" when they say "multicultural"-I see that a lot. Common yet incorrect usage.

The first one that came to my mind was The Color of Water but most of them may have read it. The Namesake might suit.

It's a YA novel, but Terry Pratchett's Nation might work. A tsunami in 1860 brings 2 survivors together - a boy from a south seas island, a girl from a british sailing ship. In order to survive, they need to get past not just language but their cultural barriers and question some of the basic assumptions by which each had lived their lives. A stage adaptation was also made, there'll be a broadcast from London's National Theater Jan 30:

Here is a link that might be useful: National Theater/Nation

Here is my friend's reply about how many cultures should be contained in the book for their class book discussion : "Either, both , all or just one - the field is open."

cc - I think your comment is right on - thanks!

donnamira -- Excellent suggestion. That may be my favorite Pratchett book -- and I'm a big fan of many of his books.

I was disappointed in the movie version of "The Hogfather," though. I hope the stage production is done well. The trailer looks pretty impressive.

I think some of Amy Tan's books would be good - maybe "The Kitchen God's Wife." Also, Gail Tsukyama's "Women of the Silk," is amazing.

Small Island by Andrea Levy is about Jamaicans living in England during and after WWII. A good fit for the multicultural theme and an excellent book IMHO.

Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow by Faïza Guène might fit the bill. It concerns a present-day teenager from a Muslim background coming of age in a Paris housing project with the expected clash of cultures. I'd say it's more on the YA side than adult, but both my DD and I thought it was very good.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow

I agree with The Namesake and any of the books by Jhumpa Lahiri. All of her stories deal with Indian people learning to live within American culture as well as the difference in the generations.

Her last book, Unaccustomed Earth, is short stories, many of them interconnected. Any of them or her other books would be wonderful catalysts for discussion.

Thanks, friends, for these great suggestions. I am sending them on as they come in. I'm not sure when the book has to chosen, but I am sure it is soon. Keep 'em coming!

When I get home, I will peruse my reading journal and see what I can find. I really enjoy cc books so may have some to suggest..

Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah is a story of a Melbourne teenaged Muslim girl who decides to wear the hajib. I haven't read it, but it comes with very good reviews.