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ROSA KWoN EASTON Rosa Kwon Easton
Celebrating Local Author’s Debut Novel, White Mulberry Written by Melani Mo ro s e E d e l s t e i n
Longtime Palos Verdes resident and trustee of the Palos Verdes Library District (PVLD) Rosa Kwon Easton’s novel marks the culmination of a remarkable journey that spans continents and decades. As she nears her 60th birthday, Easton finds herself on the verge of realizing a dream she’s cherished for more than twenty years. With the release of her debut novel, White Mulberry, slated for December, she unveils a story woven against a vibrant historical backdrop. Through her writing, Easton extends a warm invitation to readers, urging them to embark on a captivating exploration of the human condition. With her unique perspective and storytelling prowess, she guarantees an immersive literary journey that will linger in readers’ minds long after they’ve closed the book. What makes Easton’s achievement all the more inspiring is her deep connection to our local community. Currently serving her second term as a trustee of the PVLD, Easton’s commitment to literacy and education is deeply rooted in her personal history. As an immigrant from South Korea, Easton’s journey to becoming an author, trustee, and lawyer was shaped by her early experiences at the library. In a heartwarming testament to the transformative power of libraries, Easton learned to read English in libraries all over the South Bay. It was within the walls of the community hub that is a library, where her love for literature was ignited, setting her on a path that would eventually lead to the publication of her debut novel. “Those local libraries in Hawthorne and Torrance, in 1971 when I was seven years old, that’s where my love affair with words and stories began,” Easton says. Right from the start, she couldn’t help but notice the absence of stories featuring people who resembled her. “There was a huge lack of stories with strong Asian heroines, especially ones like my grandmother. She went through some tough times during the Japanese Occupation of Korea, she even had to pretend to be Japanese to survive. Her resilience stuck with me, and I knew I had to tell her story. And that’s how White Mulberry came to be. My first novel is a tribute to her strength in the face of adversity,” shares the first author.
Rosa is a trustee of the Palos Verdes Library District and credits many of her achievements to her early love of reading and libraries.
Easton’s story serves as a reminder of the profound impact that libraries can have on individual lives and entire communities. As she prepares to share her literary creation with the world, she remains deeply grateful for the role that the library played in shaping her destiny. Rosa Kwon Easton’s upcoming novel White Mulberry and its sequel Red Seal, will be released in winter 2024 and 2026 respectively. Learn more about Rosa Kwon Easton, please visit rosakwoneaston.com
Rosa’s father and grandmother, circa 1943
Rosa’s father and grandmother at Koreatown Restaurant in LA, circa 2010
2024 | April | PVMagazine | 19