Most Anticipated September 2022 Releases

Fall is finally just around the corner and with it some great reads. From retellings to The Parent Trap level antics, there is something for everyone being released this month from Latine authors. Here are the four books I am most looking forward to. 

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Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore | On sale September 6, 2022 

Ever since The Great Gatsby became public domain at the end of 2020, there has been an influx of retellings of the dazzling 1920s classic. None of which have grabbed my attention quite like this one. Nicolás Caraveo, a 17-year-old transgender boy from Wisconsin travels to New York for the summer to establish himself as a young professional to set up his life as a man. When he arrives, he sees his cousin Daisy has erased her Latine heritage to pass as a white woman and befriends Jay Gatsby, a trans man who wants nothing more than to reconnect with Daisy. And is Nick developing feelings for Gatsby?!  Blending the themes of the original, with Latine culture and queerness, this has been one of my most anticipated books of the year!

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas | On sale September 6, 2022

Ever since reading his debut novel Cemetery Boys, I have been obsessed with everything Thomas releases and I doubt this one will be any different. The first book in The Sunbearer Duology, combines Mexican fantasy with teens competing in a fight to the death for glory and honor. And in true Aiden Thomas fashion, the characters are queer, complex, and just a little (okay.. A lot) flawed. Comped to “Percy Jackson meets Hunger Games”, this book is poised to be the next YA obsession. 

Meet Me Halfway by Anika Fajardo | On Sale September 13, 2022

I love seeing middle-grade novels and immediately saying, “younger me would have loved this!” then remembering that I can still read it and love it as an adult! In a Parent Trap-esque adventure, Mattie and Mercedes discover that they have the same Columbian father that neither of them has ever met. While the two are polar opposites (and don’t really like each other), they must work together to find this elusive shared dad. This sounds like a perfect coming-of-age story and just look at the cover! Beautiful!

How Not To Drown In A Glass of Water by Angie Cruz | On sale September 13, 2022

Critically acclaimed for her 2019 novel Dominicana, Cruz is back with another strong female character we can’t help but root for. The story of late 50s, recently laid-off Cara Romero is told through her conversations with her job counselor. Over the course of their twelve sessions, Cara recounts her tempestuous love affairs, her alternately biting and loving relationships with her neighbor Lulu and her sister Angela, her struggles with debt, gentrification, and loss, and, eventually, what really happened between her and her estranged son, Fernando. I can’t wait to read these conversations that Kirkus Reviews said were “A poignant portrait of one fallible, wise woman and a corner of one of New York’s most vibrant immigrant communities.”

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Sabrina Moorer (she/her) is a senior at Towson University double majoring in English and Mass Communications. Even though she works at the library, she still spends all her free time there, searching for the next 5-star read to obsess over.

Review: Calling for a Blanket Dance

Oscar Hokeah’s Calling for a Blanket Dance is a novel that immediately pulls you in. It is the story of a young man named Ever, told from the perspective of his close family members and loved ones in a span of four generations. The story begins from the point of view of his grandmother, Lena, in 1976 as she tells the reader of an encounter that Ever’s parents faced with corrupt police officers on their way back from Mexico to the U.S. border. This event changes the future of the young family, and because Ever is only six months old at the time, his mother hopes that he will not remember what occurred, while his grandmother worries that Ever’s exposure to violence as a baby will affect him unless cured by a medicine man. 

Ever is a citizen of Cherokee Nation and the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma from his mother’s side, and Mexican from his father’s side. Introduced to him as a baby, we see him grow into a young man who is often misunderstood, and then into a father who does his best to raise children while facing difficult challenges, all while witnessing the power of community and coming together to ensure every member is cared for. 

As each chapter progresses, we learn more about each of the characters in Ever’s life in a very deep, yet unexpected way. Each character talks of their own life, their own upbringing, as well as their relationship with Ever. We learn about his mother, Turtle, as she does her best to keep the family together and provided for after her husband’s health declines, while also pursuing her dream of having a place her family can call home. We also learn about Ever’s cousin, Quinton, who is around Ever’s age and has incredible stories to tell us about the time they got their first cars and for whom they would spend their last dollar. About his grandfather, Vincent, and how his grandsons give him purpose and the lengths he goes to reconnect them with their Kiowa culture. Although Ever is somewhat private, each character brings us closer to him by giving us glimpses of moments that bring him joy, heartbreak, and hope. It is a story of love and resiliency that is hard to put down. Calling for a Blanket Dance is a novel sure to remind many readers of their own families, the individuality that each person brings, the crucial role that community plays, and our interconnection. Grab your copy today!

Ruddy Lopez lives in Inglewood, California, and attended California State University, Long Beach. She obtained a BA in English Literature and English Education and is a Fellow of the Los Angeles Review of Books Publishing Workshop. She is an educator, World Stage Press editor, and executive assistant at Community Literature Initiative, headquartered in the Sims Library of Poetry. In her spare time, Ruddy enjoys reading, writing poetry, and exploring what her city has to offer. 

September 2022 Latinx Releases

On Sale September 6, 2022

Our Shadows Have Claws Edited by Yamile Saied Mendez and Amparo Ortiz | Young Adult

Fifteen original short stories from YA superstars, featuring Latine mythology's most memorable monsters.

From zombies to cannibals to death incarnate, this cross-genre anthology offers something for every monster lover. In Our Shadows Have Claws, bloodthirsty vampires are hunted by a quick-witted slayer; children are stolen from their beds by "el viejo de la bolsa" while a military dictatorship steals their parents; and anyone you love, absolutely anyone, might be a shapeshifter waiting to hunt.

The worlds of these stories are dark but also magical ones, where a ghost-witch can make your cheating boyfriend pay, bullies are brought to their knees by vicious wolf-gods, a jar of fireflies can protect you from the reality-warping magic of a bruja--and maybe you'll even live long enough to tell the tale. Set across Latin America and its diaspora, this collection offers bold, imaginative stories of oppression, grief, sisterhood, first love, and empowerment.

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas | Young Adult

"Only the most powerful and honorable semidioses get chosen. I'm just a Jade. I'm not a real hero."

As each new decade begins, the Sun's power must be replenished so that Sol can keep traveling along the sky and keep the chaotic Obsidian gods at bay. Sol selects ten of the most worthy semidioses to compete in the Sunbearer Trials. The winner carries light and life to all the temples of Reino del Sol, but the loser has the greatest honor of all--they will be sacrificed to Sol, their body melted down to refuel the Sun Stones, protecting the world for another ten years.

Teo, a seventeen-year-old Jade semidiós and the trans son of the goddess of birds, isn't worried about the Trials . . . at least, not for himself. His best friend, Niya is a Gold semidiós and a shoo-in for the Trials, and while he trusts her abilities, the odds of becoming the sacrifice is one-in-ten.

But then, for the first time in over a century, the impossible happens. Sol chooses not one, but two Jade competitors. Teo, and Xio, the thirteen-year-old child of the god of bad luck. Now they must compete in five trials against Gold opponents who are more powerful and better trained. Worst of all, Teo's annoyingly handsome ex-best friend and famous semidiós Hero, Aurelio is favored to win. Teo is determined to get himself and his friends through the trials unscathed--for fame, glory, and their own survival.

Abuela, Don’t Forget About Me by Rex Ogle| Young Adult

In his award-winning memoir Free Lunch, Rex Ogle's abuela features as a source of love and support. In this companion-in-verse, Rex captures and celebrates the powerful presence a woman he could always count on--to give him warm hugs and ear kisses, to teach him precious words in Spanish, to bring him to the library where he could take out as many books as he wanted, and to offer safety when darkness closed in. Throughout a coming of age marked by violence and dysfunction, Abuela's red-brick house in Abilene, Texas, offered Rex the possibility of home, and Abuela herself the possibility for a better life.

Abuela, Don't Forget Me is a lyrical portrait of the transformative and towering woman who believed in Rex even when he didn't yet know how to believe in himself.

Me Gusta by Angela Dominguez | Picture Book

A stunning bilingual picture book that celebrates Latinx families by highlighting moments of connection and delight and feelings of safety and home, even through challenges and difficult times.

Me gusta your smile, tu sonrisa,
and your hugs, tus abrazos.

Me gusta when we explore this spectacular world, el mundo,
and gaze at all the stars, las estrellas.

But most of all, me gusta that no matter where we are, I feel at home, en casa, when I'm with you.
In the affirmative and encouraging Me Gusta, acclaimed author and illustrator Angela Dominguez combines Spanish and English in a poetic and touching story of family, reminding us that through the adventures and the heartbreak, love conquers all and transcends language.

They Call Her Fregona by David Bowles | Middle Grade

A companion to the Pura Belpré Honor book They Call Me Güero

"You can be my boyfriend." It only takes five words to change Güero's life at the end of seventh grade. The summer becomes extra busy as he learns to balance new band practice with his old crew, Los Bobbys, and being Joanna Padilla's boyfriend. They call her "fregona" because she's tough, always sticking up for her family and keeping the school bully in check. But Güero sees her softness. Together they cook dollar-store spaghetti and hold hands in the orange grove, learning more about themselves and each other than they could have imagined. But when they start eighth grade, Joanna faces a tragedy that requires Güero to reconsider what it means to show up for someone you love.

Honoring multiple poetic traditions, They Call Her Fregona is a bittersweet first-love story in verse and the highly anticipated follow-up to They Call Me Güero.

Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by Loris Lora | Children

In 2019, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest congresswoman in America. How did this young Puertoriqueña become an unstoppable force in politics? Find out in this accessible and engaging book for young readers.

AOC's remarkable story begins in her childhood Bronx home and comes full circle the moment AOC became America's youngest Congresswoman. Ocasio-Cortez's empowering journey reminds us that everyone, regardless of their age, race, creed, wealth, or zip code, is capable of being a voice for change.

A glossary and resources for changemakers are included at the end of the book.

Self Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore | Young Adult

New York City, 1922. Nicolás Caraveo, a 17-year-old transgender boy from Wisconsin, has no interest in the city's glamor. Going to New York is all about establishing himself as a young professional, which could set up his future--and his life as a man--and benefit his family.

Nick rents a small house in West Egg from his 18-year-old cousin, Daisy Fabrega, who lives in fashionable East Egg near her wealthy fiancé, Tom--and Nick is shocked to find that his cousin now goes by Daisy Fay, has erased all signs of her Latine heritage, and now passes seamlessly as white.

Nick's neighbor in West Egg is a mysterious young man named Jay Gatsby, whose castle-like mansion is the stage for parties so extravagant that they both dazzle and terrify Nick. At one of these parties, Nick learns that the spectacle is all meant to impress a girl from Jay's past--Daisy. And he learns something else: Jay is also transgender.

As Nick is pulled deeper into the glittery culture of decadence, he spends more time with Jay, aiming to help his new friend reconnect with his lost love. But Nick's feelings grow more complicated when he finds himself falling hard for Jay's openness, idealism, and unfounded faith in the American Dream.

On Sale September 13, 2022

Meet Me Halfway by Anika Fajardo | Middle Grade

When new classmates Mattie and Mercedes meet and realize they have the same Colombian dad, the two team up in a Parent Trap-inspired misadventure to meet him for the first time in this sharp and poignant middle-grade novel about the bonds that make a family.

Mattie Gomez feels directionless after being uprooted from her beloved Minnesota and forced to move in with her new stepfamily in California. So when she meets a girl at her new middle school who looks exactly like her, she's not sure what to make of it.

But her doppelganger, the popular Mercedes Miller, doesn't like it one bit.

Mercedes is used to getting what she wants, when she wants; Mattie would rather be invisible and blend into the background. Mercedes lives in a big empty house with her nanny; Mattie's new home is packed-to-the-gills, twenty-four/seven chaos. Mercedes has a short fuse; Mattie is a planner. Though they may look alike, the two of them couldn't be more different.

Soon enough, however, Mattie and Mercedes learn that they have at least one thing in common: a dad from Colombia that neither of them has ever met. Determined to meet the father they've never known, these polar opposites suddenly have to work together to fake sleepovers, evade their friends, and plot daring escapes from school field trips in an effort to track down him down.

If only they could stop bickering long enough to get the show on the road.

Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango | Middle Grade

Listen up:
The end of elementary school?
Worst time of my life.
And the start of middle school?
I just wasn't quite right.
But this year?
YO VOY A MI.

Seventh grade is going to be Iveliz's year. She's going to make a new friend, help her abuela Mimi get settled after moving from Puerto Rico, and she is not going to get into any more trouble at school. . . .

Except is that what happens? Of course not. Because no matter how hard Iveliz tries, sometimes people say things that just make her so mad. And worse, Mimi keeps saying Iveliz's medicine is unnecessary--even though it helps Iveliz feel less sad. But how do you explain your feelings to others when you're not even sure what's going on yourself?

Powerful and compassionate, Andrea Beatriz Arango's debut navigates mental health, finding your voice, and discovering that those who really love you will stay by your side.

How Not To Drown In A Glass of Water by Angie Cruz | Literary Fiction

Write this down: Cara Romero wants to work.

Cara Romero thought she would work at the factory of little lamps for the rest of her life. But when, in her mid-50s, she loses her job in the Great Recession, she is forced back into the job market for the first time in decades. Set up with a job counselor, Cara instead begins to narrate the story of her life. Over the course of twelve sessions, Cara recounts her tempestuous love affairs, her alternately biting and loving relationships with her neighbor Lulu and her sister Angela, her struggles with debt, gentrification and loss, and, eventually, what really happened between her and her estranged son, Fernando. As Cara confronts her darkest secrets and regrets, we see a woman buffeted by life but still full of fight.

Structurally inventive and emotionally kaleidoscopic, How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water is Angie Cruz's most ambitious and moving novel yet, and Cara is a heroine for the ages.

On Sale September 20, 2022

El Eclipse Total de Néstor López / The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez (Spanish Edition) by Adrianna Cuevas and Translated by Alexis Romay | Spanish Middle Grade

Después de que el papá de Néstor se marcha a otra misión, el muchacho y su mamá se mudan a un nuevo pueblo a vivir con su abuela. Néstor planea pasar desapercibido, y de ninguna manera quiere que nadie sepa su secreto más profundo: que puede hablar con los animales.

Pero cuando los animales del pueblo comienzan a desaparecer, la abuela de Néstor se convierte en la principal sospechosa después de ser vista en el mismo bosque donde fueron vistos los animales por última vez. A medida que Néstor investiga la fuente de las desapariciones, descubre que los animales han sido capturados por una criatura misteriosa cuyo poder crece durante los eclipses de sol. Y el próximo eclipse está a la vuelta de la esquina...

Les toca a Néstor con su extraordinaria habilidad y a sus amigos, atrapar al culpable y salvar el sitio que tal vez podría llamar su hogar.

On Sale September 27, 2022

The Turquoise Room/ El Cuarto Turquesa by Monica Brown and Adriana M. Garcia | Picture Book

Esther paints a map and dreams of exploring the world.

Esther's daughter Isabel paints pictures and dreams of becoming an artist.

Isabel's daughter Monica paints with words and dreams of telling stories.

From the turquoise room in Peru, Esther, then Isabel, then Monica draws the strength to trust her imagination and fly into the world of dreams and possibilities. Over mountains and the sea, along rivers of paint, or among the swirl of words on a page, each girl, then woman, finds her creative path.

In this loving memoir, Monica Brown has created an homage to her grandmother and mother and a legacy for her daughters. Accompanied by luminous illustrations by Adriana M. Garcia, this warm, lyrical story invites you to close your eyes, open your mind, and imagine your life!

Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda | Picture Book

A family honors their living and dead relatives as they celebrate this holiday with shared food and stories.

The Day of the Dead is a happy day when Mar's family gathers together. There are favorite dishes to enjoy, games to be played, and most importantly, stories to tell. No one in the family is forgotten because this is the day of the year when the dead come to visit the living--and for this holiday it is almost as if they're alive again, as the family takes great joy in celebrating the things that made them special. Mar realizes she is just like her Grandpa Ramón, who kept a journal. And her sister, Paz, plays accordian, just like their great-grandfather. There are so many things that connect them all--and at dinner, Abuelita spins even more stories that make them feel close to the ones they will love forever. Ana Aranda's tender text and vibrant art make the joy felt on this sweet day totally palpable.

Dream With The / Sueña Con Las Latinitas by Juliet Mendez | Picture Book

Meet the Latinitas, whose big dreams paved the way for your little feet! With gorgeous, hand-painted illustrations, Juliet Menéndez shines a spotlight on the power of childhood dreams.

Omega Morales & The Legend of La Lechuza by Laekan Zea Kemp | Middle Grade

Omega Morales's family has been practicing magic for centuries in Noche Buena. But over the years, the town's reputation for the supernatural is no longer one the people carry with pride. So Omega's family keeps to themselves, and in private, they're Empaths--diviners who can read and manipulate the emotions of people and objects around them. But Omega's powers don't quite work, and it leaves her feeling like an outsider in her own family.

When a witch with the power to transform herself into an owl--known in Mexican folklore as La Lechuza--shows up unannounced, Omega, her best friend Clau (who happens to be a ghost), and her cousin Carlitos must conduct a séance under a full moon in order to unravel the mystery of the legend.

Suddenly Omega's magic begins to change, and the key to understanding her powers is more complicated than she thought. Omega will have to decide what's more important--trusting the instincts of others or learning to trust in herself.

Viva's Voice by Raquel Donoso | Picture Book

Viva's Papi is a bus driver and Viva loves going to work with him. The sounds of the traffic and the voices of the passengers are music to Viva's ears. When she finds out that Papi's union is going on strike, she convinces Papi to take her along to the picket line. When quiet Papi is too nervous to give his speech, Viva uses her powerful voice to give him the confidence to find his own. A first introduction to labor unions, strikes, picket lines, and workers' rights, this powerful picture book is both educational and endearing.

Debut author Raquel Donoso has crafted a beautiful story about courage, family, and using your voice to help others. Viva's story is based on Donoso's own childhood experience, in which her father's union went on strike.

National Book Festival’s Latinx Events

On Labor Day Weekend, the Library of Congress's National Book Festival opens the doors of the Washington Convention Center to book lovers! This annual event showcases insightful panels, book signings by bestselling and critically-acclaimed authors, and other literary events for readers of all ages. 

The schedule is stacked with can’t-miss events from some of the most popular Latinx authors. Here are some of the most anticipated panels of this year's festival.  

Truer Than True Crime: Novels about Swindlers and Murderers with Kirstin Chen, Katie Gutierrez, and Amanda Eyre Ward

Saturday, September 3, 2022 9:45 am - 10:45 am EDT

Ballroom A (Level 3, South Building)

What’s with America’s fascination with true crime? These novelists have a few thoughts. Kirstin Chen’s “Counterfeit,” Katie Gutierrez’s “More Than You’ll Ever Know” and Amanda Eyre Ward’s “The Lifeguards” are novels that are thrilling and suspenseful but also reflect on what our intrigue with true crime says about us—moderated by Marion Winik.

One of the festival’s first events is the one I am most excited about. Debut author Katie Gutierrez’s “More Than You’ll Ever Know” was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint. While her book relied heavily on society’s fascination with true crime, it also offered a critique of how the genre exploits people’s pain and trauma. I cannot wait to hear more about what she has to say about true crime. 

Gutierrez will also be signing books at the Book Signing Stage from 11:00 am-12:00 pm in line 17. 

Bienvenidos a la Biblioteca

Saturday, September 3, 2022 10:45 am - 11:15 am EDT

Room 152 (Street Level, North Building)

Explore the Library in Spanish! Featuring an overview of the Library’s history, fun facts about its collections, and an invitation to join the Library for Hispanic Heritage Month. ¡Explore la Biblioteca en español! Con una visión general de la historia de la Biblioteca, datos divertidos sobre sus colecciones, y una invitación para unirse a la Biblioteca para el Mes de la Herencia Hispana.

As someone whose love of reading was fostered in my local library, it is amazing to see how Spanish collections are growing in popularity in local libraries everywhere. With Hispanic History Month starting just a few weeks after the NBF, I am excited to see what the Library of Congress has in store. 

Tía Fortuna's New Home: A Jewish Cuban Journey with Ruth Behar

Saturday, September 3, 2022 10:50 am - 11:15 am EDT

Hall A (Lower Level)

How do you leave the place you call home? With the support of your family, of course! Ruth Behar captures the struggle of saying goodbye in “Tía Fortuna's New Home,” which follows Estrella, a young girl, as she learns about her culture while she helps her Tía Fortuna pack up her apartment to move to an assisted living community. Moderated by Cecilia Cackley.

This whimsical picture book explores ​​Sephardic Jews living in Cuba and the unique culture of Estrella's family. It is simultaneously educational and cozy, and I can’t wait to hear more about this blended Jewish and Latine culture. 

Behar will also be signing books at the Book Signing Stage from 11:30 am-12:30 pm in line 8.

How Many Times Do Kids Have to Save the World?: Deep Adventure Stories with Lev Grossman and Julian Randall

Saturday, September 3, 2022 4:30 pm - 5:05 pm EDT

Hall B (Lower Level)

Isn’t it great when kids are left to solve the world’s hardest problems?! Lev Grossman’s “The Golden Swift,” a sequel to “The Silver Arrow,” follows Kate as she breaks the rules trying to restore balance to nature. Julian Randall’s “Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa” follows Pilar as she unravels her cousin’s mysterious disappearance during Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship. Moderated by Stephanie Handy.

Who doesn’t love a great middle-grade series? Jullian Randall’s “Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa” perfectly combines Dominican history, adventure, and a loveably spunky main character. Stories with complex and smart kids always strike a chord with me, and I am very excited to hear from Randall himself. 

There are many more amazing events happening at the National Book Festival, so be sure to check out the full schedule, festival information, and more at https://www.loc.gov/events/2022-national-book-festival/schedule/ 

Can’t make it in person? Don’t worry, a selection of programs will be live-streamed online and videos of all programs will be available shortly after the Festival.

Book Review: Ramon and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson

Ramón and Julieta: Love & Tacos is about Julieta Campos and Ramón Montez, two star-crossed lovers who meet on the Day of the Dead and find out that they are from rival, family-owned taquerias, with an even deeper strained history. This romance novel brings forth conversations that deal with gentrification (and gentefication), family, love, and wealth within the Mexican American identity, history, and community.

“Alana Quintana Albertson created a beautiful, romantic story that successfully magnifies topics within the Mexican American identity. ”

Julieta Campos is a celebrity chef and a workaholic. She and her mother have a taqueria in Barrio Logan, San Diego, where this barrio is an integral part of the community. However, the trajectory of her life would soon be changed at the Día de Los Muertos party where she has a mysterious run-in with a handsome mariachi. Upon figuring out his identity, she realizes she was enraptured by the enemy. But, of course, nothing seems to make sense when love is in the equation. I loved seeing Julieta having to grapple with the situation. On one hand, there is a possibility that could catapult her career as a chef with a new love in her life but that would mean sacrificing her loyalty to her family and community. On the other, she could stay loyal to those close to her but that would mean sacrificing a huge career move and a new love. It’s the ever-so common expectation of BIPOC women, being told what to choose and who to be, for the benefit of others, over what they may possibly want. I found myself thinking about what I would do if I were in her shoes and I realized that no one can make a decision for her (albeit, she is fictional but this scenario is very much a real experience for some people).

Ramón Montez is the CEO of his father’s taco chain and is a driven businessman who gets what he wants. He and his father have plans to place their chain in the historic Barrio Logan, much to the protest of all of the locals who already view the Montez family as “not one of them.” When Ramón discovers the identity of the mysterious señorita at the Día de Los Muertos party, the plans for the block become more complicated. One of the stark differences between Julieta and Ramón is their relationship with their parents. Though her father is deceased, Julieta seems to have fond memories of him and is pretty tight-knit with her mom. Ramón is quite the opposite. While he interacts mainly with his father, it is a pretty rocky relationship. His father, Arturo, has never encouraged his son’s aspirations outside of the family business, is quick to dismiss his son’s ideas for Barrio Logan, and doesn’t consider his son’s happiness. His mother, like all Mexican mothers, sees Ramón as God’s gift to Earth. However, it’s a shame that she never bothered to form an actual relationship with him. His mother cares more about country clubs and galas over getting to know her children. Ramón has money to buy whatever he wants, except for a better relationship with his parents.

Ramón and Julieta’s forbidden love also presents the stark differences in the realities that they live. Wealth is a prevalent one. While Julieta does what she can to get by, Ramón has more resources than the entirety of Barrio Logan combined. Readers see how money is managed when someone doesn’t have much of it and when someone has more than enough of it. I enjoyed this aspect of the book because it gives an insight into the financial reality that some people live in and how it can affect one’s social life. Also, the book had a couple of spicy scenes and I was NOT expecting that. But you won’t find me complaining.

Alana Quintana Albertson created a beautiful, romantic story that successfully magnifies topics within the Mexican American identity. She celebrates the culture while having readers think critically about bringing forth the intricacies of the identity, history, and community.  

Book content warnings: NSFW, deceased parent

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Alana Quintana Albertson is a Latina author with bestselling novels in romance and mystery. She holds a bachelor’s from Stanford University, a master’s from Harvard, and is the former president of Romance Writers of America for various chapters. You can also find her recovering from her professional ballroom dancing career and saving 500 dogs from high-kill shelters. Needless to say, Alana Quintana Albertson is extremely multi-talented.

Melissa Gonzalez (she/her) is a UCLA graduate with a major in American Literature & Culture and a minor in Chicana/o & Central American Studies. She loves boba, horror movies, and reading. You can spot her in the fiction, horror/mystery/thriller, and young adult sections of bookstores. Though she is short, she feels as tall as her TBR pile. You can find Melissa on her book Instagram: @floralchapters

Most Anticipated Releases in August

Living Beyond Borders: Growing up Mexican in America edited by Margarita Longoria | August 2, 2022

Living Beyond Borders explores what it means to be Mexican American. Using short stories, personal essays, comics, and poems, this celebrated group of authors explores the struggles of navigating two cultures.

Longoria, a south Texas high school librarian, has created a love letter to young readers encouraging them to embrace both their Mexican heritage and their identities as Americans.

Though the target audience is young adults, reading about the lived experiences of fellow Mexican Americans will appeal to adult audiences too.

I love anthologies because you get to hear from authors you might’ve not known about but are present in your community. I love that this anthology includes various types of media such a written pieces but also visual ones such as comics.

Invisible: A Graphic Novel by Christina Diaz Gonzalez | August 2, 2022 

Can five overlooked kids make one big difference?

There’s George: the brain

Sara: the loner

Dayara: the tough kid

Nico: the rich kid

And Miguel: the athlete

And they’re stuck together when they’re forced to complete their school’s community service hours. Although they’re sure they have nothing in common with one another, some people see them as all the same . . . just five Spanish-speaking kids.

Then they meet someone who truly needs their help, and they must decide whether they are each willing to expose their own secrets to help . . . or if remaining invisible is the only way to survive middle school.

With text in English and Spanish, Invisible features a groundbreaking format paired with an engaging, accessible, and relatable storyline. This Breakfast Club–inspired story by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, award-winning author of Concealed, and Gabriela Epstein, illustrator of two Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel adaptations, is a must-have graphic novel about unexpected friendships and being seen for who you really are.

I love that this graphic novel gives off “The Breakfast Club” energy with a little bit more spice, since they are all Spanish-speaking. I’m excited to see the blend of English and Spanish as well as the art! The cover looks beautiful.

¡ÁNDALE, PRIETA!: A MEMOIR by Yasmin Ramirez | August 3, 2022

Prieta is a term of endearment. When I tell people who don’t speak Spanish what prieta means―dark or the dark one―their eyes pop open and a small gasp escapes. I see the offense they feel for me sprinkled on their faces like the freckles I will never have.

How do I tell them that when I heard Ita say Prieta, I felt the caress of her strong hands on the top of my head as she braided my hair?

After the passing of her grandmother, Yasmín writes about her family’s history as a way to hold on to their memories. Yasmín does not fit in, she is not “güerita” like her sister nor does she have a conventional family, and her plans never go as expected. Her skin is darker and shows her Mexican heritage, so her grandmother calls her Prieta. While it can be an insult, when it comes from her Ita’s mouth Prieta means love, a love that helps Yasmín accept herself and her history, which is inextricably linked with the strong grandmother that helped raised her while Yasmín’s mother worked as a Customs and Border Protection officer. Yasmín admires the scars that showed who Ita was―scars from breast cancer, scars from breaking up fights, even scars she’s painted on husbands who thought they were stronger than her. The exploration of Ita takes Prieta on a journey of her own past, full of ups and downs. Bars that felt like home, rebel teenage years, trying on different dreams and career paths that eventually lead her to writing. Set in El Paso, Yasmín shares her experience in the border and how that shaped her as a person. The border city has a diversity of cultures and a sense of home she cannot find anywhere else.

¡Ándale, Prieta! shows the bond between a grandmother and granddaughter, and explores the grief of losing it. Yasmín’s experience is something that readers looking for a multicultural book can relate to. Adult and young adult readers alike can identify with her journey to find her identity and the struggle of growing up between two cultures as a Mexican American, with a story that brings comfort through the loving words of a grandmother and characters that feel like your own family. This autobiography presents a story of living on the border, first love, and the connection between women through generations.

I was immediately drawn to the title of this memoir and once I read the synopsis I knew it needed to immediately be added to not only my tbr but my cart as well. It’s clear that this memoir is going to have a personal twist with the application of Prieta. I feel like the definition of Prieta is going to change after reading this memoir.

Gordo by Jaime Cortez | August 17, 2022

Shedding profound natural light on the inner lives of migrant workers, Jaime Cortez’s debut collection ushers in a new era of American literature that gives voice to a marginalized generation of migrant workers in the West.

The first-ever collection of short stories by Jaime Cortez, Gordo is set in a migrant workers camp near Watsonville, California in the 1970s. A young, probably gay, boy named Gordo puts on a wrestler’s mask and throws fists with a boy in the neighborhood, fighting his own tears as he tries to grow into the idea of manhood so imposed on him by his father. As he comes of age, Gordo learns about sex, watches his father’s drunken fights, and discovers even his own documented Mexican-American parents are wary of illegal migrants. Fat Cookie, high schooler and resident artist, uses tiny library pencils to draw huge murals of graffiti flowers along the camp’s blank walls, the words “CHICANO POWER” boldly lettered across, until she runs away from home one day with her mother’s boyfriend, Manny, and steals her mother’s Panasonic radio for a final dance competition among the camp kids before she disappears. And then there are Los Tigres, the perfect pair of twins so dark they look like indios, Pepito and Manuel, who show up at Gyrich Farms every season without fail. Los Tigres, champion drinkers, end up assaulting each other in a drunken brawl, until one of them is rushed to the emergency room still slumped in an upholstered chair tied to the back of a pick-up truck.

These scenes from Steinbeck Country seen so intimately from within are full of humor, family drama, and a sweet frankness about serious matters – who belongs to America and how are they treated? How does one learn decency, when laborers, grown adults, must fear for their lives and livelihoods as they try to do everything to bring home a paycheck? Written with balance and poise, Cortez braids together elegant and inviting stories about life on a California camp, in essence redefining what all-American means.

This cover is stunning and immediately caught my attention! This collection of short stories intrigues me because it covers a wide range of perspectives and experiences in one setting. I am interested in seeing how different each perspective is and if they are somehow tied together. Regardless if intentionally tied or not, it is important to realize that different circumstances will lead to different experiences but one is not more important than another.

This Is Why They Hate Us by Aaron Aceves | August 23, 2022

Enrique “Quique” Luna has one goal this summer—get over his crush on Saleem Kanazi by pursuing his other romantic prospects. Never mind that he’s only out to his best friend, Fabiola. Never mind that he has absolutely zero game. And definitely forget the fact that good and kind and, not to mention, beautiful Saleem is leaving L.A. for the summer to meet a girl his parents are trying to set him up with.

Luckily, Quique’s prospects are each intriguing in their own ways. There’s stoner-jock Tyler Montana, who might be just as interested in Fabiola as he is in Quique; straight-laced senior class president, Ziggy Jackson; and Manny Zuniga, who keeps looking at Quique like he’s carne asada fresh off the grill. With all these choices, Quique is sure to forget about Saleem in no time.

But as the summer heats up and his deep-seated fears and anxieties boil over, Quique soon realizes that getting over one guy by getting under a bunch of others may not have been the best laid plan and living his truth can come at a high cost. 

This has been on my TBR since the beginning of the year. I am so excited for this release because I haven’t seen much representation of the intersection of Latinx men, bisexuality, and in a male/male relationship. I love when important intersections get representation in YA settings because it gives younger audiences the opportunity to learn about the diverse world. This is especially important for younger audiences because they might be in the process of discovering themselves and are seeking for resources to better identify themselves. I also believe that adults reading books with representation they resonate with can be a step towards healing one’s inner child.

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Mariana Felix-Kim (she/her) lives in Washington, D.C. with her lovely cat, Leo. When she is not working in the environmental science field, Mariana is constantly reading. Her favorite genres include non-fiction, thrillers, and contemporary romances. Mariana is half Mexican and half Korean. You can find her on Instagram: @mariana.reads.books

6 Latinx Romances to Read this Bookstore Romance Day

Celebrating Bookstore Romance Day, August 20th!

Created in 2019, Bookstore Romance Day is a day designed to give independent bookstores an opportunity to celebrate Romance fiction—its books, readers, and writers—and to strengthen the relationships between bookstores and the Romance community. The literary holiday is held annually on the third Saturday of August.

Scroll on for six books penned by Latine authors you should read to celebrate!

The Wrong Mr. Darcy by Evelyn Lozada and Holly Lorincz

In Evelyn Lozada and Holly Lorincz's lightly inspired Pride and Prejudice romantic comedy, two unlikely people discover the error of judging by first impressions and the beauty of family, friendship and love. This book will entice you through the last page.

Hara Isari has big ambitions and they won't be sidetracked by her mother's insisting that she settle down soon. She dreams of leaving her small-town newspaper behind, as well as her felon father, and building a career as a sports writer, so when she is chosen to exclusively interview a basketball superstar, she jumps at the chance. It's time to show the bigwigs what she's truly made of.

At the same time, she meets a rookie on the rise, Derek Darcy. Darcy is incredibly handsome, obnoxiously proud, and has a major chip on his shoulder. Hara can't think of a man more arrogant and infuriating. However, fate keeps bringing them together--from locker rooms to elegant parties, to the storm of the century--and what begins as a clash might just be more complicated than Hara anticipated. When she begins to see Darcy in a new light, Hara is not quite sure if she should drop the ball or play the love game.

The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa

Just weeks away from ditching DC for greener pastures, Solange Pereira is roped into helping her wedding planner cousin on a random couple's big day. It's an easy gig... until Solange stumbles upon a situation that convinces her the pair isn't meant to be. What's a true-blue romantic to do? Crash the wedding, of course. And ensure the unsuspecting groom doesn't make the biggest mistake of his life.

Dean Chapman had his future all mapped out. He was about to check off "start a family" and on track to "make partner" when his modern day marriage of convenience went up in smoke. Then he learns he might not land an assignment that could be his ticket to a promotion unless he has a significant other and, in a moment of panic, Dean claims to be in love with the woman who crashed his wedding. Oops.

Now Dean has a whole new item on his to-do list: beg Solange to be his pretend girlfriend. Solange feels a tiny bit bad about ruining Dean's wedding, so she agrees to play along. Yet as they fake-date their way around town, what started as a performance for Dean's colleagues turns into a connection that neither he nor Solange can deny. Their entire romance is a sham... there's no way these polar opposites could fall in love for real, right?

American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera

No one ever said big dreams come easy.

For Nesto Vasquez, moving his Afro-Caribbean food truck from New York City to the wilds of Upstate New York is a huge gamble. If it works? He'll be a big fish in a little pond. If it doesn't? He'll have to give up the hustle and return to the day job he hates. He's got six months to make it happen--the last thing he needs is a distraction.

Jude Fuller is proud of the life he's built on the banks of Cayuga Lake. He has a job he loves and good friends. It's safe. It's quiet. And it's damn lonely. Until he tries Ithaca's most-talked-about new lunch spot and works up the courage to flirt with the handsome owner. Soon he can't get enough--of Nesto's food or of Nesto. For the first time in his life, Jude can finally taste the kind of happiness that's always been just out of reach.

An opportunity too good to pass up could mean a way to stay together and an incredible future for them both...if Nesto can remember happiness isn't always measured by business success. And if Jude can overcome his past and trust his man will never let him down.

Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez

In Rosario, Argentina, Camila Hassan lives a double life.

At home, she is a careful daughter, living within her mother's narrow expectations, in her rising-soccer-star brother's shadow, and under the abusive rule of her short-tempered father.

On the field, she is La Furia, a powerhouse of skill and talent. When her team qualifies for the South American tournament, Camila gets the chance to see just how far those talents can take her. In her wildest dreams, she'd get an athletic scholarship to a North American university.

But the path ahead isn't easy. Her parents don't know about her passion. They wouldn't allow a girl to play fútbol--and she needs their permission to go any farther. And the boy she once loved is back in town. Since he left, Diego has become an international star, playing in Italy for the renowned team Juventus. Camila doesn't have time to be distracted by her feelings for him. Things aren't the same as when he left: she has her own passions and ambitions now, and La Furia cannot be denied. As her life becomes more complicated, Camila is forced to face her secrets and make her way in a world with no place for the dreams and ambition of a girl like her.

Filled with authentic details and the textures of day-to-day life in Argentina, heart-soaring romance, and breathless action on the pitch, Furia is the story of a girl's journey to make her life her own.

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

For Lila Reyes, a summer in England was never part of the plan. The plan was 1) take over her abuela's role as head baker at their panadería, 2) move in with her best friend after graduation, and 3) live happily ever after with her boyfriend. But then the Trifecta happened, and everything--including Lila herself--fell apart.

Worried about Lila's mental health, her parents make a new plan for her: Spend three months with family friends in Winchester, England, to relax and reset. But with the lack of sun, a grumpy inn cook, and a small town lacking Miami flavor (both in food and otherwise), what would be a dream trip for some feels more like a nightmare to Lila...until she meets Orion Maxwell.

A teashop clerk with troubles of his own, Orion is determined to help Lila out of her funk, and appoints himself as her personal tour guide. From Winchester's drama-filled music scene to the sweeping English countryside, it isn't long before Lila is not only charmed by Orion, but England itself. Soon a new future is beginning to form in Lila's mind--one that would mean leaving everything she ever planned behind.

Cantoras by Carolina de Robertis

In defiance of the brutal military government that took power in Uruguay in the 1970s, and under which homosexuality is a dangerous transgression, five women miraculously find one another--and, together, an isolated cape that they claim as their own.

Over the next thirty-five years, they travel back and forth from this secret sanctuary, sometimes together, sometimes in pairs, with lovers in tow or alone. Throughout it all, they will be tested repeatedly--by their families, lovers, society, and one another--as they fight to live authentic lives.

A groundbreaking, genre-defining work, Cantoras is a breathtaking portrait of queer love, community, forgotten history, and the strength of the human spirit.

What romantic read will you pick up this bookstore romance day?

To learn more about Bookstore Romance Day, visit https://bookstoreromanceday.org/

#SalaSundays with Nicolette Izquierdo

Nicolette Izquierdo hosted our Instagram on July 24th for our weekly #SalaSundays series.

Latinx in Pub (LxP): What do you do?

Nicolette Izquierdo (NI): I'm a Senior Sales Business Development Analyst at Penguin Random House. I create business intelligence tools to leverage our data for leadership and key stakeholders. Creating flexible and time-saving analyses allows us to identify areas of opportunity and drive decision-making across publishing. My day-to-day has me supporting Sales. But I work with various teams, like IT and data groups, for end-to-end product and data visualization development.

LxP: How did you get started?

NI: Definitely in a full circle way! I graduated with an English bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin (hook 'em!). After graduating, I worked in reporting for legal companies and Am Law 100 and international law firms back home in Austin, TX. Initially, I intended to go to law school. But I pivoted as I gained experience managing analytics and business intelligence projects. In my prior roles and with some self-guided learning, I discovered I enjoyed data. So as an English major and lifelong reader and writer, I decided to combine my experience in the data field with my passion and love for books. PRH's mission aligned with my career goals and skill in creating engaging, data-driven insights through visual storytelling. As a bonus, deep down, I knew I wanted to stick to my love for books. Plus, I was already a giant PRH fangirl. So, I perused data roles in publishing and landed a position.

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

NI: First, about all the career opportunities outside of editorial. There are roles in Sales, Data, IT, and other corporate sectors. If you're trying to break into the industry, my advice is to pursue a position that interests you and aligns with your experience, skillset, and long-term goals. And be persistent! Knowing there are options outside editorial opens many career doors for varying skillsets. Second, before joining, I wish I had known about the industry's DE&I (diversity, equity, and inclusion) facets. As a Latina woman from outside the industry, I felt a bit blindsided about how far publishing needed to go in hiring and retaining BIPOC employees and reaching diverse readers. In my Board role on our POC@PRH employee resource group, I've fostered a network of other racially and ethnically underrepresented employees. With their endless support, and through my personal experience and actual data backing me, I've grown more empowered to have critical, inclusive, cohesive conversations and to support our mission of creating an inclusive culture and welcoming workplace for BIPOC employees and connecting with readers universally.

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

NI: So, so many (heavily skewed towards fantasy)! I recently finished: Silvia Moreno-Garcia's The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faerie by Heather Fawcett, In a Garden Burning Gold by Rory Power, The Memory Theater by Karin Tidbeck, Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher, and Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid. I've been into dark fairy tales lately! I'm working through Axie Oh's The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse in prep for the sequel, Fevered Star, Severance by Ling Ma, and NK. Jeminsin's The City We Became. My TBR for fiction is: Isabel Cañas’ The Hacienda, Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine, Maria, Maria: Other Stories by Marytza K. Rubio, and Eka Kurniawan’s Kitchen Curse. For non-fiction, up next on my list is Maverick Books' Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico, George Saunder's A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, and Catherine D'Ignazio and Lauren F. Klein's Data Feminism. Also, if you're into data viz, Nadieh Bremer and Shirley Wu are doing some amazing things with their Data Sketches project! Phew, that's a lot (and by no means all-encompassing!). I could talk about books endlessly, but I think we're at the end of our chat!

Nicolette Izquierdo is a Senior Analyst at Penguin Random House. She collaborates with cross-divisional stakeholders to deliver actionable, data-driven insights. Besides being a data geek, she’s also a voracious reader. You can catch her binge-reading the next epic Science Fiction/Fantasy book series or on a hike with her rescue dog.

#SalaSundays with Natalia Ruiz

Natalia Ruiz hosted our Instagram on July 17th for our weekly #SalaSundays series.

Latinx in Pub (LxP): What do you do?

Natalia Ruiz (NR): I am an assistant editor at Holt for adult fiction and nonfiction, so I assist two editors and am just now starting my own list.

LxP: How did you get started?

NR: I attended CPC in 2019 and received a direct referral to the editor who hired me. Prior to CPC, I interned for a semester at Folio Literary Management and had a couple of journalism internships under my belt as well.

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

NR: On the application/entry front, to relax and have fun with the process! Because it's difficult and time-consuming to get that first job in publishing, and, from what I can tell, a lot of hiring decisions are heavily influenced on personality matches. So being able to ease up during the interviews goes a long way in terms of preserving your personal mental health AND in helping you be a more competitive applicant.

On the long-term front, with a grain of salt as I'm only 3 years in, I've found that it helps to be conscientious about developing my interests and hobbies that don't pertain to my job to prevent burnout.

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

NR: Shameless plug here, I'm working on THE CROW VALLEY KARAOKE CHAMPIONSHIPS, a super fun, pacey romp through small-town Canada. This is the first book I edited, and it's coming out in July 2023!

For personal reading, I like to have a couple of books in the works. Right now, they are THE HACIENDA by Isabel Cañas, NEVADA by Imogen Binnie, and THE MONK by Matthew Lewis.

Natalia Ruiz is an assistant editor at Holt, where she has worked on a wide range of adult fiction and nonfiction since August 2019. She grew up in Houston and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin.

#SalaSundays with Cathy de la Cruz

Cathy de la Cruz hosted our Instagram on July 10th for our weekly #SalaSundays series.

Latinx in Pub (LxP): What do you do?

Cathy de la Cruz (CdlC): I am a Metadata Manager on the corporate metadata team at Penguin Random House. The metadata team is part of the PRH Online & Digital Sales department. While I primarily focus on titles for the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, I also work on special metadata projects and initiatives that can be applied company-wide. Additionally, I am a PRH Inclusion Partner, which means I work with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team to facilitate small employee group conversations related to DEI. I am also an Uncovering Bias facilitator, and co-lead workshops with members of our Human Resources team to my fellow employees.

LxP: How did you get started?

CdlC: I actually got started as a Temp! I was interviewed by a recruiting agency and placed in a temporary role as a Copywriter on a big metadata project at PRH—based solely on my resume and writing samples. My temporary role lasted about 9 months and I loved it. When my PRH supervisors asked me if I was interested in a permanent position, I said “Yes!” and began the role of Department Coordinator for PRH Publisher Services, the distributor of over 50 client publishers. I had that role, where I learned so much about the business side of publishing, for exactly two years before transferring to my current role as Metadata Manager.

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

CdlC: That getting my foot in the door was even possible! As someone who grew up in San Antonio, Texas in the 80s and 90s, I could not even fathom what a publishing house looked like. I didn’t visit New York until after college and publishing remained a mystery to me until that temp job six years ago.

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

CdlC: I am currently working on many things ranging from optimizing metadata for backlist KDPG titles, reviewing and fine tuning some of our metadata best practices, collaborating with metadata analysts on some of my nerdiest metadata dreams, etc, etc. The book I am currently reading is the upcoming Clancy Martin memoir, which is SO GOOD. It’s called How Not To Kill Yourself and it is slated to come out in March of 2023.

Cathy de la Cruz is a Brooklyn-based writer and artist originally from San Antonio, TX. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Creative Writing MFA program and UC San Diego’s Visual Arts MFA program. She was a member of Sister Spit’s 20th anniversary tour.