Any book about Indians who have moved from India to another country hits home for me because that’s what my parents did. I know the experience through them. But when it talks about their children, I feel even more connected to the story. I know their struggles firsthand; the prejudices held against them; the desire to fit in but not being able to, neither in the country they were born in nor in India.

But When You Ask Me Where I'm Going by Jasmin Kaur takes that experience and focused it right down to a specific community. Which happens to be a community I am basically a part of. I have family in Vancouver. I've been to the park she mentions. I know the "Surrey jacks".

Support your local authors because you may just find your story written on the pages of their pages.

Though I will admit, it is a little bit weird to read about your own community. But also powerful. There might be something about needing more diverse books in that thought there...

One thing that I loved about this collection was that the author didn't over explain the Punjabi words she used. Kheer, phulkari, bibi - these might all seem simple enough to the people that know them, but by not explaining them, the author is putting readers in the same position that POC are often put in. They have to look it up on their own. I loved that.

Trigger/content warning: this collection is quite heavy at times and covers many topics/themes, including (but not limited to) mental health, female infanticide, racism, murder, alcoholism, domestic abuse, rape, sexism.

I found the poems/stories in this collection to be powerful, insightful, and inspiring. Honestly, I tabbed half the book! If you enjoy poetry, I definitely recommend When You Ask Me Where I'm Going!