If you crave stories of resilient people who follow their heads, hearts, and dreams, and if you like light-hearted humor and fast-paced page-turners, then you'll love Apple An's inspirational account.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 must 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, and homesick, Apple faces challenges she never had before. But she is determined to be open-minded. Excited and curious, 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 readers on a journey of cultural adaptation, self-discovery, and the transformative power of facing new challenges. Buy "Las Crosses" now to be captivated today!*** The 2023 IAN Book of the Year Awards - Finalist: Women's Non-Fiction; Finalist: Multicultural Non-Fiction*** The 2025 Readers' Choice Book Award - Finalist: Best Adult Book*** The 2025 Readers' Favorite Awards - Finalist: Multicultural Non-Fiction*** The 2023 Outstanding Creator Awards - 2nd Place: Multicultural/Bilingual Books; 3rd Place: Biographies/Autobiographies/Memoirs; 3rd Place: Travel*** The 2024 Kindle Book Awards --- Semifinalist Nonfiction*** 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-culture experience, and (3) cross-geological locations via the Pacific Ocean. (4) The moment in the story was at a cross point 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.