2020 Reads
Check out what we’re reading, and if you wanna know what I think, look for my review.
Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter By Erika Sanchez
National Book Award Finalist
New York Times Bestseller
WHY:
I chose this novel after reading several reviews online. And tbh growing up Mexican-American myself, it would have been nice to read a YA novel growing up where the lead character was someone I could actually relate too.
DENSITY:
I’d say this is a medium read the content is your typical teenage angst but I give it a little more weight since is does touch quite a bit on mental health and complex family dynamics.
SPEED:
This is definitely a quick read, it is captivating attention grabbing and easy to follow.
In the Time of the Butterflies By Julia Alvarez
"A magnificent treasure for all cultures and all time.” --St. Petersburg Times
WHY:
I added this book to the list when I heard it was about the Mirabal sisters. When I learned about who they were I was intrigued by their story and this fictional take about their lives was definitely something I wanted to read.
DENSITY:
This book is slightly on the heavy side considering that it touches on themes of political revolution and martyrdom.
SPEED:
This is a fairly quick read, once you are in the midst of the story it’s something you won’t want to put down.
The Water Dancer By Ta-Nhesi Coates
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
WHY:
Ta-Nehisi Coates is a journalist who often known for his writings on cultural, social, and political issues, particularly regarding African Americans and white supremacy. He is well known for his views regarding institutional racism and white privilege. So when I hear his first novel and first piece of published fiction was a surrealist novel set in the time of slavery I knew it was something that deserved to be on this list.
DENSITY:
With themes of slavery I’d say this novel is a bit heavier to read as it may be triggering for some readers.
SPEED:
TBD
In the Country We Love By Diane Guerrero
The star of Orange Is the New Black and Jane the Virgin presents her personal story of the real plight of undocumented immigrants in this country.
WHY:
It’s not secret that immigration is a highly debated topic in the US. I chose this book as a part of my stack this year simply because it is a first hand account of one family’s experience.
DENSITY:
With immigration being such a weighted subject I expect there to be a lot of triggers for some readers and anticipate this to be a pretty heavy read.
SPEED:
TBD
100 Years of Solitude By Gabriel Garcia Marquez
A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick
WHY:
Colombian born Gabriel Garcia Marquez, is a world renowned, Nobel Peace Prize winning author and I have never read any of his work. Part of my goal in creating Thots About Books was to explore more works by authors of color so this choice was really a no brainer for me. This book is one of his most famed pieces of work and a pillar of the magical realism genre.
DENSITY:
The fictional tale is roughly based on the house where Marquez grew up and although beautiful isn’t as heavy as some of the other choices on this list.
SPEED:
TBD
Her Body and Other Parties By Carmen Maria Machado
Finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction
WHY:
I’m not normally one to be a fan of short stories, but the reviews for this book were just too good. This collection is all about being a woman in this world, and that alone made it worthy of adding to the stack
DENSITY:
From my understanding, some of these stories are emotionally charged and can be triggering for sexual assault survivors so this may be a heavier read.
SPEED:
TBD
The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations By Toni Morrison
Arguably the most celebrated and revered writer of our time now gives us a new nonfiction collection--a rich gathering of her essays, speeches, and meditations on society, culture, and art, spanning four decades.
WHY:
Toni Morrison is one of the most celebrated authors in the world and I’m ashamed that I have never experienced her brilliance. This pick is said to be a gathering of her best speeches and essays.
DENSITY:
I am not sure how deep these writings get, but one can assume there is reasonable depth and this pick might be a heavier read.
SPEED:
TBD
Men Without Women By Haruki Murakami
“Haruki Murakami’s Men Without Women examines what happens to characters without important women in their lives; it'll move you and confuse you and sometimes leave you with more questions than answers.” —Barack Obama
WHY:
Murakami is a Japanese writer who’s works are celebrated internationally, and I’ve never read him before. He’s known to have a very distinct voice and style. This selection is a series of short stories which is always such a fun way to get to know an author.
DENSITY:
This is a lighter book in comparison to to other picks on the lists but it does have its moments.
SPEED:
This is a fairly quick read, as soon as you get through one story you’re quick to start the next.
When I was Puerto Rican By Esmeralda Santiago
One of "The Best Memoirs of a Generation" (Oprah's Book Club): a young woman's journey from the mango groves and barrios of Puerto Rico to Brooklyn, and eventually on to Harvard
WHY:
My original intention in creating this list was to read more authors of color. This book has received wide praise and it’s rare that I get excited about non-fiction.
DENSITY:
Since this book is obviously a story of the author’s life it doesn’t get as heavy as some of the other selects in the stack.
SPEED:
TBD
Caramelo By Sandra Cisneros
WHY:
Sandra Cisneros has been one of my favorite author’s ever since I read The House On Mango Street. Caramelo was was inspired by her Mexican heritage and childhood travels between Chicago and Mexico City, which happen to be two of my favorite cities in the world.
DENSITY:
Cisneros can often find a way to lightly bring up heavy subjects, so although I don’t anticipate this being a heavy read you never know.
SPEED:
TBD
How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents By Julia Alvarez
"A joy to read."—The Cleveland Plain Dealer
WHY:
After reading In the Time of the Butterflies, adding another novel by Julia Alvarez was a no brainer. This is a story of three sisters from the Dominican Republic and their journeys to adapt to American life.
DENSITY:
Some of the themes in this novel can be triggering as it touches on topic of mental health and sexual assault.
SPEED:
TBD
The Compton Cowboys By Walter Thompson-Hernandez
A rising New York Times reporter tells the compelling story of The Compton Cowboys, a group of African-American men and women who defy stereotypes and continue the proud, centuries-old tradition of black cowboys in the heart of one of America’s most notorious cities.
WHY:
I grew up in Southern California, and I finished my undergrad degree at university neighboring Compton. My community their couldn’t have been more diverse or encouraging. When I first learned about this book I just knew it was something I had to read,
DENSITY:
I’m not sure what to expect and I will update upon reading, but I don’t anticipate this being a light read.
SPEED:
TBD
The Time is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage By Joan Chittister
“Both a call to arms and a faith-based guide for activists [and] readers disgusted with today’s political and cultural climate.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
WHY:
I first heard of Sister Joan when she was a guest on a podcast that someone had shared with me. Growing up I went to church a lot, and coming of age, especially in a time that the world seemed so tumultuous I struggled with religion. As I came into adulthood I couldn’t ignore the hypocrisy of religious leaders to not address the injustices in this world, and then I heard Sister Joan and her words validated what I was feeling. This is the book she was discussing on this podcast and I’m really excited to get into it.
DENSITY:
This is a sensitive topic for a lot of people so I suspect this might be a bit heavier of a read.
SPEED:
Small Doses Potent Truths for Everyday Use By Amanda Seales
Insightful essays, poignant life advice, and pithy pearls of wisdom from one of comedy’s brightest rising stars
WHY:
Amanda Seales is brilliant. If you’re sleeping on her podcast Small Doses, you need to listen ASAP. As a woman of color who happens to be white, I think it’s so important to recognize that privilege and listen to the truths that sometimes make us uncomfortable to hear. Seales’ podcast does just that and I anticipate the same for the book. She is incredible smart and funny and I can’t wait to dive into this pick.
DENSITY:
I know this book explores an array of topics and that looking inward sometimes is the uglier side of growth so I anticipate that this may be a heavier read.
SPEED:
TBD
Women Who Run With the Wolves By Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph. D.
WHY:
I have heard nothing but praise about this book. Other women have talked about how life changing and impactful this book has been for them, and how essential this text has been in their growth.
DENSITY:
I attempted to read it once and it took my ultimate concentration to follow, it is ver academically dense.
SPEED:
This is in no way a quick read so buckle up for the long haul I hear it’s worth it.
Trick Mirror By Jia Tolentino
WHY:
I’ve been hearing so much about this book, it is a collection of essays about how hard it is to see ourselves clearly through a culture that revolves around the self. It dives deep into culture, the internet and how social media impacts us as real life people. I look forward to this being an eye-opening read.
DENSITY:
Although the topics seem superficial, I feel like this book will reveal their complexities and it may be a heavier read than I expect.
SPEED:
TBD