Latinx Heritage Month 2018

meltotheanyAside

In the United States, National Latinx Heritage Month is starting today, Saturday, September 15th, and goes through Monday, October 15th! And I just wanted to do a post that will help celebrate some of the Latinx authors, books, and bloggers that I love! 💗

🌹 These are five of my all-time favorite ownvoices, Latinx, books that I completely recommend picking up over the next thirty days (and honestly forever after that, too)!

➽ Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
This collection of short stories heavily emphasizes the violence that we put on women’s bodies. Whether it be sexual violence, physical violence, violence put on us by society, or violence we put on ourselves. This entire collection is absolutely haunting in the best way possible. I won’t forget this collection, ever. And these are all so queer, and so feminist, and invoked so many emotions from me. Carmen Maria Machado is beyond words talented, and I feel so very blessed to even have been able to read this. Also, The Husband Stitch is my favorite short story of all-time.

➽ Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas #1) by Zoraida Córdova
Alex isn’t just a bruja, but she is an Encantrix – the most powerful bruja to be in her family for generations. Unfortunately, Alex doesn’t want the power or the pain she thinks follows this power. She even goes to an extreme length to first hide then get rid of her powers, but Alex forgets that everything comes with a price. This book also has a full PoC cast and stars a bisexual main character. It’s been a few years since I read this one, but I just read Bruja Born this year, and I loved it so very much, too!

➽ What If It’s Us by Adam Silvera & Becky Albertalli (October 2nd, 2018)
Friends, I loved this book. It was seamlessly and so very beautifully written. The characters felt so real, that I’m still convinced that they have to be real people, walking the streets of New York while you read this review. And the romance? Lord, this was the sweetest, but most realistic, romance I’ve read in years. Please make sure you all preorder this book before the October 2nd release date. Arthur is White, gay, 16 (but a 17th birthday does happen), and just visiting New York for the summer, because he was able to land a very good intern position. Ben is Puerto Rican, gay, 17, and trying to mend his broken heart, because he and his ex just broke up, and now he is forced to see him every single day in summer school. And these two boys met by chance, in a post office one July day, and it changes their lives. Yet, the constant question of this book is if that meeting, given to them by the universe or some higher-power, was meant to bring them together or to keep them apart.

➽ Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
This book is also so atmospheric. I felt like I was alongside both of these girls in Cuba. And I could feel the sad, heartbreaking reality of what Cuba was like in 1950, and what it is still like in almost 2020. I was born and raised in the United States, and it just made me even more aware of my privilege. It also made me side-eye my country a bit more than usual, too. And one of my favorite aspects of this book was Marisol bringing up her thoughts and feelings about being biracial and feeling equal parts like an outsider and like at home while she is in Cuba. I’m a lot more white passing than Marisol, but the things she deals with and feels when she travels to Cuba, is something so real and something so very close to my Filipina heart.

➽ Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore
Estrella, Gloria, Dalia, Azalea, and Calla are the youngest generation of Nomeolvides women and, one day, La Pradera gives them back a gift: a boy from the very ground that has taken and given them so much already. A boy, who can’t remember his past, let alone even his name. A boy who all of the girls are scared will steal their hearts, and in return La Pradera will steal back the boy. This book heavily talks about immigration and the way we treated, and still treat, immigrants. The unfair work conditions, the prejudices, the blatant racism, the inhumane treatment, and the cultural erasure. Anna-Marie McLemore is one of my favorite authors of all-time, and Wild Beauty was one of my favorite books of 2017. It is truly perfection.

🌺 And I’m kicking off this Latinx Heritage Month by reading one of my most anticipated releases of 2018; Blanca y Roja by the amazing Anna-Marie McLemore with some of my dear friends! But I also want to read:

➽ Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro
➽ Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
➽ The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
➽ Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson
➽ Dodge City by Josh Trujillo (Bind-up not available until November 6th, 2018, so I’m going to try to single issue it up!)

🌸 I also wanted to incorporate some amazing recommendation lists I’ve seen:

➽ Sofia’s Book Recommendations for #LatinxBookBingo
➽ Cande‏ @ iamrainbou’s amazing Twitter thread of recommendations
➽ Mel @ BooksWithWings’ #LatinxBookBingo & Latinx-A-Thon TBR
➽ Adriana M. Martínez Figueroa’s Upcoming Fall Book Releases By Latinx Authors
➽ 14 New Children’s & YA Books That Celebrate Hispanic Heritage by the Brightly Editors

🌻 Most importantly, I am not Latinx! So, even though I am celebrating, my voice isn’t the important one in this celebration! So, I just want to boost some of my all-time favorite Latinx Booktube channels and blogs!

B O O K T U B E R S:
➽ Adriana @ perpetualpages
➽ Jocelyn @ yogi with a book
➽ Mari @ mynameismarines
➽ Allie @ alliembooks
➽ Rocky @ Blonde with a Book

B L O G G E R S:
➽ Lilly @ Lair of Books
➽ Solly @ The Bookish King
➽ Sofia @ SofiainBookland
➽ Bibi @ Bibi’s Book Blog
➽ Camile Souza @ This Chamber of Books

And obviously these are not nearly all the amazing Latinx books, authors, blogs, recommendations, and lists out there! These are just some that I personally love! But please make sure you check out the Latinx Book Bingo! There are so many amazing recommendations and TBRs retweeted through the account! And you all should for sure think about participating in the bingo if you are able to! Happy National Latinx Heritage Month, friends! Let me know what you plan on reading below! 💗

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37 thoughts on “Latinx Heritage Month 2018”

  1. I LOVE this time of the year in the Book Community 🖤as a Latinx blogger I try & read as many Latinx authors as possible but I always feel I’m not reading enough.I am all over Booktube adding books to my TBR, there are truly so many amazing recommendations floating around & your list is A+! Thank you for sharing the Latinx love Mellie Mel! this is why I love you! 💜

    P.S. I will be doubling up on my Latinx reads throughout Hispanic Heritage Month & can’t wait to buddy read some with you 😆

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    1. Awh, Lil, thank you so much for these words. I always want to boost your voice 24/7, but especially during this time of the year. Thank you for being such a best friend to me, and thank you for teaching me so much, even though I’d never ask you to teach me. You’re… you’re just the best, Lil! And I can’t wait to read so much with you this month, and always! I love youuuu! 💕xx

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  5. Ihhhh this is AMAZING! As someone who was born in Colombia, and then got adopted to Denmark I’ve never been much in touch with my latin roots growing up. But I can honestly say I’m so proud and humbled, that you’ve mentioned me in this 🖤 thank you so much, it means the world to me. And I’ll make sure to check everyone out, as soon as I get the chance. Thanks again, this is really touching!

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    1. Awh, this whole comment brought a tear to my eye, Bibi! Seriously, I love your content and your voice, and I’ll boost it forever and ever! Thank you for being such a bright light in the community, sweetheart! And I hope you’re having happy reading! 💗xx

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    1. Awh, thank you so much for your kind words, Kristin! And thank you for confirming that The Poet X is going to be EVERYTHING! I hope you’re having happy reading, sweetheart! 💗xx

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  8. Wow Melanie, you’re the kindest. Thank you so much for recommending me, it really means a lot. 😀 I actually had no idea there was such a thing as Latinx Heritage Month haha I guess I should give your recommendations a try then hahah

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  9. lkfsldf I’m fangirling bc I love your posts so muchhhh, they are so lovely and YOU’RE SO AMAZING and *cries*
    Also now I’m even more excited to read What if It’s Us. I need to preorder a copy rn!! c: c:

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    1. Awh, thank you so much, Ilsa! I have a strong feeling that you’re going to love Wild Beauty with your entire heart and soul, too! So… hopefully we can gush together eventually! I hope you’re also having the happiest of reading currently, love! 💖xx

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  14. I was on a trip so I’m just seen this now, but I’m fangirling SO HARD over being included on your list of favorite latinx bloggers. I love your blog so much, so it really means a lot 💗💗💗 Also, thank you for mentioning the Latinx Book Bingo, there’s so many people joining us in it and it has made me incredinly happy to know that we have help highlight latinx authors and latinx books. btw, your tbr is 🔥

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  16. Pingback: #Follow Friday – the blog edition #8 – ❤ Bibi's Book Blog ❤

  17. Damn I’m extremely late but I’m Hispanic and I would have loved to participate but it’s way too late now! Hopefully I will a Hispanic filled month soon!

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      1. You’re right! I really want to try to read all the Hispanic books! Gotta support the Hispanic community! I have read They Both Die At The End and I want more Adam Silvera! But I definitely want to read The Poet X!

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