SUGARBREAD Paperback

Balli Kaur Jaswal's "Sugarbread" is a compelling coming-of-age novel centered on ten-year-old Pin, a bursary student in an elite Christian school in 1990s Singapore, who struggles to understand her enigmatic mother, Jini. As Pin navigates racial taunts and the complexities of her school life, she seeks clues to her mother's shifting moods through her cooking. The arrival of her meddlesome Sikh grandmother, Nani ji Kulwant, who brings with her new rules and the watchful gaze of Sikh gurus, gradually unearths long-buried family secrets. This emotionally resonant story beautifully weaves together themes of womanhood, sexism, racism, the immigrant experience, and the powerful role of food and memory in shaping identity, making it a truly unforgettable and essential read.