This lyrical novel, the first by a woman from the kingdom of Bhutan, explores the rituals, daily life and coming-of-age of a young Bhutanese girl, Tsomo. When her mother suddenly dies, Tsomo travels alone across Bhutan and into India to honor her parent, discovering a part of herself she never knew existed along the way. Born in Central Bhutan, Choden (who writes in English) was schooled in India and the United States. She lives with her husband in Thimphu Bhutan.  (BHU26, $14.00)