Author: Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

November is National Native American Heritage Month, and we asked our followers to help us put together a list of Indigenous bookstagrammers you should be following! We also asked them for a book recommendation, so start in November and then #ReadIndigenous all year long.

1. Alexis (@littlelionslibrary) said: “I’d absolutely have to recommend Betty by Tiffany McDaniel. It’s a heart-wrenching story about family, dealing with loss, and letting cultural teachings and stories guide you through life and all of it’s pain and triumphs!”
2. Kaela (@ilovebooksokae) said: “I would have to suggest Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse. This book takes place in a pre-colonial South Americas, with a largely nonheteronormative/cisgender society. Roanhorse is able to create such exceptional and moving characters within pages of meeting them. Her plot was so strong and anxiety-inducing that I could barely put the book down once I started reading it. You get femme bisexual pirate captains, a soft and gentle crow god, and a hardened and shocking sun priest. It’s the first book in a trilogy and it absolutely blew me away!”
3. Autumn (@chaptermalliumpkin) said: “I have to recommend The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones. Though this book is more for an older crowd, this book is an atmospheric read, full of Blackfeet culture and beliefs. Don’t let this slow burn horror fool you, this book highlights many important elements like basketball being a sport that keeps many rez children from falling down a rough path or how being Native/Indigenous, you grow up with the traditions of your elders and how it comes into play in your adulthood. This book is perfect to pick up during the spooky season and NAHM.” To hear more of Autumn’s thoughts, check out her full review here.
4. Melitta (@the.midnight.librarian) recommends: Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger. “This book has a great balance and is just over all satisfying. Mystery, family connection, great friendships, vampires and ghosts, and finding self control and comfort. I can’t get enough of this book.”
5. Vanessa and Betsy (@roomie_reads) said: “Winter Counts is a crime thriller by Sicangu Lakota writer David Heska Wanbli Weiden. There were little details that really showed how important it is to have Indigenous authors writing about Indigenous people — especially since Weiden is writing about his own reservation. He touched on so many issues that Indigenous people can face today, most notably the issue with federal jurisdiction on reservations. We both loved how Weiden is normalizing indigenous language by not italicizing the Lakota words in Winter Counts.”
6. Michelle (@thor.wants.another.letter) said: “My personal recommendation is Apple in the Middle by Dawn Quigley, and I love it because it made me feel seen. When I was about 15, around Apple’s age, I was very insecure with the color of my skin. I didn’t want to get tan or show my arms. I loved seeing Apple overcome this insecurity and love her skin tone. I also recommend Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden for the Lakota representation!”
7. Sasha (@anishinaabekwereads) said: “I recommend Lois Beardslee’s Words Like Thunder: New and Used Anishinaabe Prayers. She breathes out the intimate knowledges and relationships Anishinaabe people (especially women) have to lands, waters, and other creations. Central to this collection is the symbiosis of life in the great lakes region and how through environmental destruction Anishinaabe people suffer alongside nonhuman relatives. Beardslee has crafted such emotive, thought-provoking pieces that kept me completely absorbed and coming back for rereads even months later.”
8. Lelah (@theprosepantry) said: “Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese is an Indigenous coming-of-age story that leans in to the pain and trauma that is so present in the daily life of so many of our young people. But it also tells a story of profound love and a grounding in cultural teachings that leaves me breathless on every read.”
9. Destiny (@myhoneyreads) said: “I recommend Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith. It’s a great YA with a strong female protagonist and several important messages about Indigenous empowerment in social settings.”
10. Weezie (@weeziesbooks) said: “I’d love to recommend Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse! Rebecca has a talent for world building and tying tradition stories into a modern story. I love that this book is a story of Indigenous survival and ingenuity!”
11. Melitta (@the.midnight.librarian) recommends: Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger. “This book has a great balance and is just over all satisfying. Mystery, family connection, great friendships, vampires and ghosts, and finding self control and comfort. I can’t get enough of this book.”

And for even more Indigenous influencers, Erin (@erins_library) has a very helpful highlight!

Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers. 

Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.

booksforward.com/about-us/ellen-whitfield/

One thing we are especially thankful for this month: teachers and educators, who are working harder than ever in unprecedented circumstances to make sure kids are learning and happy. These bookstagrammers not only have great taste in books, but they also happen to be influencing the readers of tomorrow! 

1. Jeanell (@jeanellnicolereads) recommends The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. “The illustrated middle-grade novel ties themes of science and nature, family and friendship, and adventure and home in such a tender way. I’ve read it multiple times and it’s still just as sweet.”
2. Katlyn (@mrsbennettreads) says: “Everyone who works with kids in grades 3-8 should read and share Front Desk by Kelly Yang. It is a semi-autobiographical middle grade novel about Mia Tang, a Chinese immigrant in the 1990’s. Mia lives in the hotel her parents manage, and the book has all kinds of important themes about social justice, racism, being an English language learner, and friendship. Most importantly, when I read it aloud to my sixth graders, even the rowdiest class was engaged. Kids LOVE this book, and the sequel, Three Keys, just came out this fall!” 
3. Christine (@ayearinbooksblog) recommends Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess. “Last week I had a student, a reluctant reader, come to class and say, ‘This is the best book ever! I had no idea it would be so good!’ I just love novels in verse, and I love how it engages students in a quick and powerful read. Solo is one of my favorites!”
4. Layne (@jlm.bookstagram) says: “I would like to recommend Disability Visibility which is a collection of own voice essays written by people with disabilities and edited by Alice Wong. The reason I want to recommend this book is because disability awareness is something that needs to be at the forefront of educational practice. People with disabilities have shown society time and time again that they are innovative and creative, because they have to be. We live in such an ableist society that tries to force people with disabilities to conform to ableist standards. If we apply a disability inclusion lease to everything we do in education (and in general but especially education) then we will serve a wider range of students and therefore achieve greater academic success across the board. Disability Visibility pushed my thinking so much as a SPED educator and I think everyone needs to read it.”
5. Nicole (@gluttonousshelf) says: “I always recommend Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison! First of all it’s a great text to use as a teacher because it’s an amazing example of an extended metaphor and figurative language in general. But I also recommend it because of the way it illustrates race and people of color are seen by society.”
6. Crystal (@melanatedreader) says: “My recommendation for this week would be This Is My America by Kim Johnson. Although Johnson is a new author, she is one to watch for and her book gives you the same energy as Angie Thomas and Nic Stone. It is eye opening, suspenseful, educational,engaging, and relevant to the times we currently live in.”
7. Cat (@_basicbookworm) says: “A book I love to share with my students is Your Name Is A Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow. I love this book because of the message that all names should be celebrated. Working at a diverse school I use this book to start an activity where we, as a class, learn how to correctly say each other’s names. This book is great for all ages and shows kids the importance and beauty of names from all cultures. It’s a book that I think should be in every elementary educator’s classroom library.”
8. Leslie (@coffee.books.convo) recommends Internment by Samira Ahmed: “Internment is described as a book that takes place ‘15 minutes into America’s future.’ Ahmed captures how quickly nationalism can turn into something hateful and ugly amongst a nation. She shows how powerful children and teens can be when united against injustice. As they once were during the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham. This book is a must read, and I can’t wait to share it with my students. To show them that no matter how young they are, together they can make a difference in this world.”
9. Katelyn (@heykatelyn_) recommends Scythe by Neal Shusterman. “I read Scythe a few weeks ago and then got to visit my eighth graders’ English classes to do an example book talk about it for their upcoming project. SO MANY of them were excited about it and wanted to check it out from the library. It was such a fun experience and I loved getting to share the book with them!”
10. Andrea (@book.savor) says: “I love to teach Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat to my 11th graders. It never fails to wholly capture them with the beautifully worded story of an immigrant experience in the U.S. and a daughter’s reckoning with her maternal lineage. Students find so much to connect and identify with; it’s a heartening and fulfilling teaching experience!”
11. Kristen (@bookcish) recommends Dear Justyce by Nic Stone. “I teach Critical Reading, which is an intervention class for students who are reading well below grade level. Across the board, my students are more melanated and have a lower socioeconomic status than the average student at the high school. They view my class as a punishment and worry that they will be treated like a “little kid” and be given “baby” books and lessons. I had the privilege of getting an e-ARC for Dear Justyce over the summer. It’s officially a companion/sequel to Dear Martin, but it can stand alone. It has a lower reading level, but it is still high interest because (yet again) Nic Stone has given a voice and face to an all-too-common narrative that so many choose to ignore. These two factors put it in the sweet spot for my students. The writing is accessible, yet the content is young adult and relatable. Furthermore, PRH has a classroom unit guide that offers a lot of insights, prompts, and resources. I’m so glad this book is finally released, and I can’t wait to read it with my students.”
12. Marinna (@booksinsix) recommends Scythe by Neal Shusterman. “This is one of my go-to books to press into students’ hands! It is fast-paced with complex ideas, which hooks kids quickly.”
13. Andrea (@andreabeatrizarango) says: “A book I love is Efrén Divided by Esnesto Cisneros. As a Latinx teacher, one of my biggest passions is championing #OwnVoices diverse reads that allow my students to see themselves represented within the pages. And while I’ve read many books about the immigrant experience, Efrén Divided was the first middle grade book I read that showcased the reality of many of my ESOL students — kids born in the States, but living in fear for their undocumented parents. The author paints a reality all too common and relevant in our public schools, making this book a must-add for any classroom, regardless of demographics.” 
14. Kate (@thesaltybookworm) says: “As a kindergarten teacher, one of my favorite read alouds, which was also my favorite as a child, is Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day. Keats created Peter, a young Black boy, because he felt, at the time in which this was written, children of color were missing from children’s books. He was adamant that all children deserve books about them and characters that mirror themselves. And you thought the book was just about a snow day! Additionally, as a previous middle school teacher, my go-to recommendation would have to be The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.  The main character, Ponyboy is raised by his two older brothers and his gang of friends. This is a story that sparks a love of reading, even in the most apprehensive of readers. I find it difficult to find anyone who didn’t enjoy some aspect of reading this incredible novel. I always tell my students that Hinton published this story when she was 16!  You can be a writer at any age!”  
15. Jami (@mysharedstacks) recommends Guts by Raina Telgemeir. “Guts is a graphic novel from the Smile series by Telgemeir and it is such an amazing, forward-thinking read for middle/high schoolers. It centers around anxiety and how it presents itself in terms of physical symptoms and how those feelings are not “wrong” or “abnormal”. Young, anxious eyes will find this incredibly comforting, relatable, and hopeful as the main character learns to feel strong and in control about her mental health.”
16. Heather (@bookdigits) recommends Clean Getaway by Nic Stone. “I am currently reading it with my 5th grade class and it has brought up some great discussion topics. The kids are excited to guess what will happen next, and are learning about civil rights issues — both historical and present day. And most importantly, they can see themselves in the main character — one of their first impressions of the book is that the boy in the cover looks like one of their classmates! Also, I highly recommend the author’s IG live series on decolonizing the classroom!”
17. Victoria (@floury_words) says: “I teach mythology, so obviously I gravitate toward stories based on myths. I’d recommend The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones. The whole point of storytelling and oral tradition is to teach a lesson or illustrate a point— So in a myth, what happens when you do the wrong thing or step out of line? In the case of this book the Elk Woman will come back to haunt you and she’s going to seek revenge. Combined with the themes of intergenerational trauma, the pain of being separated from your kids and leaving your home to start over, you’ve got a beautifully heart wrenching story about four Blackfeet friends who have to pay the price because they were entitled teenagers.”
18. Corinne (@bookpiphany) says: “We Want to Do More Than Survive by Bettina L. Love is an absolutely essential read for anyone who is seeking to eradicate injustice and oppression in education or otherwise. Love calls for the complete abolition of all interconnected systems of oppression, as reforms only create new opportunities for white rage to react and regrow its limbs: we must envision a radical, sustainable new future. If you have been feeling disheartened, this book will reinvigorate you and put you back on the path to fight for abolition.”
19. Maddy (@mads_lit) says: “I am obsessed with anything Jason Reynolds writes. I recently read his book Ghost with my students, and they loved it! He makes literature fun and approachable for them, and they are also able to recognize themselves in his work, which they are unable to do with many books included in school curriculums nowadays.”
20. Emma (@onegirlreading) says: “My fourth graders always enjoy Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan. It is a story about a young, privileged Mexican girl fleeing to California during the Great Depression and settling into farming life. Not only is it an inspirational story of hardship and hope, but also covers immigration, racism, and classism, providing a great discussion of migrant farming life and the workers’ rights movement in California.” 

Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers. 

Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.

booksforward.com/about-us/ellen-whitfield/

Books that inspire some of the most creative bookstagrammers

I’d say that all bookstagrammers have to be creative — a lot of work goes into creating aesthetically pleasing pictures of books. But these influencers go above and beyond! From fashion to baking to drawing, they raise the bar for book reviews. We asked 26 bookstagrammers what book inspires them, and here’s what they said:

1. Daci (@daciandthebooks) says: “The Book of Delights by Ross Gay is like if your smartest, wittiest friend—who also happened to be a poet—shared their gratitude journal with you. I read it on vacation and it helped me appreciate the mundane as much as (if not more than!) the remarkable.”
2. Carmen (@tomesandtextiles) says: “A book that inspires me is We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Although this is technically an essay adapted from Chimamanda’s TED talk, I find myself regularly referencing the words within these pages as a way to reinforce my feelings about intersectional feminism and to motivate me to keep fighting against the patriarchy.”
   
   
3. Lili (Utopia State of Mind) says: “I’ve been a fan of Mark Oshiro’s work since I read an early copy of Anger is a Gift and their recent release, Each of Us A Desert, is a transcendent book that emphasizes the importance of stories being told, our responsibility as a community to never forget, and the burden of carrying these weights alone. The stories that change us. Without which we become someone who doesn’t understand the weight of regret.”
4. Holly (@bookcooklook) says: “I’ve read so many wonderful books during the pandemic that it’s hard to choose just one, so I’ll go with my most recent favorite, The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd. I don’t typically “star rate” my books but if I did, this one would be five stars for sure. This magnificent novel is about a fictional character named Ana, who in this story is the wife of Jesus. It’s important to note that the book is not about Jesus per se, but rather about Ana herself, the women in her life, and her own strength, bravery and determination. It is very much a book about female empowerment, and while Ana likely never existed, the book is filled with historical details that add depth to the beautiful writing and captivating story.”
5. Saida (@saidainabook) says:  “I am always inspired by so many books but the one I want to mention today is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. For me, this book is a reminder that imagination and creativity know no limits. Full of magic and whimsy, The Night Circus breaks free of all sorts of boundaries and is endlessly inspiring.”
6. Kate (@katesbookparade): says “Ever since I was very young, I’ve been inspired by The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards, a small but mighty story about finding the wonder that exists all around us. I used to be a children’s librarian, and children’s books always hit me in all the feels by reminding me of the richness of life’s possibilities!”
7. Thom (@readbooks.servelooks) recommends: “Temporary by Hilary Leichter. Imagine a world where virtually anything can be a job. One day you’re cleaning the deck of a pirate ship and the next you’re an assassin’s assistant. In that same world, you might have 18 unnamed boyfriends that live in your apartment and bond while you’re gone. With Temporary, Leichter has written a novel that is absurd, hilarious, heartfelt, and memorable.”
8. Mariah (@thekneadtoread) says: “I recommend Sabrina & Corina: Stories by Kali Fajardo-Anstine. Each short story, centered around Latina characters of indigenous descent, will hit you right en la corazón. Excellent content, powerful message, and magnificent writing so you can’t go wrong!”
9. Melanie (@drawntobooks) says: “Although the subject matter might be a little dark to read amidst the pandemic, Cormac McCarthy’s The Road is a book that has always inspired me. His sharp yet poetic writing is nothing short of masterful. The father/son dynamic was explored so deeply and beautifully I will forever remember it’s characters and their journey.”
10. Zoe (@zoecreatesthings) says: “A book that inspires me is Mira Jacob’s graphic memoir, Good Talk. Oscillating between hilarious and heart-rending, Mira Jacob’s storytelling is strikingly earnest and beautifully nuanced. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in creative mediums. (I’d also recommend it to anyone, period.)”
11. Robbi (@book.to.bowl) says: “I really connected with the character of Thandie in What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons, as she navigates early adulthood and works to define her identity as a black woman; the story is a truly intimate look into what it means to be a black woman who often doesn’t fit into certain stereotypes. Additionally, as someone who loves to cook and eat, I appreciated how certain memories in the book are connected to a particular dish or cooking experience.”
12. Debora (@oh_apostrophe) says: “Little Women by Louisa May Alcott inspired me to be a reader, a writer, and an independent woman. The beauty and modernity of Little Women is that it gives girls the freedom to be whoever they want to be — dreamer or doer, poet or princess, homemaker or wave maker.”
    
    
13. Mel (@acosyreader) says: “Any Ordinary Day: Blindsides, Resilience and What Happens After the Worst Day of Your Life by Leigh Sales is an eye-opening and compassionate book that has inspired me to view grief in a new light, and taught me so much about how we as humans cope with the challenges life throws at us. I read this book at a tough time, and it helped me see new ways of showing up for, and supporting, grieving friends and family. Full of compassion, empathy, good humour, and resilience – there’s something for everyone to be found in these pages.”
14. Mel (@thebookfamilyrogerson) says: “Underland: A Deep Time Journey by Robert Macfarlane is a nonfiction book that explores human existence in the context of deep time. Wide-reaching and at times almost mythical in tone, the author’s subterranean adventures to locations including the Paris catacombs and Norwegian sea caves challenge and dizzy the reader. This haunting read inspired us to assess our place in the world and consider the legacy we’d like to pass onto future generations.”
    
    
15. Maria (@mpjustreading) says: “The Body Papers by Grace Talusan inspires me to speak up about trauma and mental health issues. It’s a great reminder that cruelty or abuse should never be faced alone, especially since silence can never protect or heal anyone.”
16. Em (@pagingserenity) says: “I recommend The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi! It’s a story full of magic and friendship. The worldbuilding and writing are so captivating. And the characters are diverse and so likeable they feel like your own friends by the end of the book.”
17. Claire (@drawmeabookreview) says: “A book that has inspired me is The Right To Be Cold by Sheila Watt-Cloutier. Highlighting Indigenous voices and Canadian literature is important to me, and Sheila Watt-Cloutier is someone who has dedicated her life to fighting for and supporting her small Indigenous community in northern Quebec. I love that she’s done so many different things, from education worker to environmental activist, all to help those in her local community.”
18. Monica (@oxfordjanebooks) says: “Things In Jars by Jess Kidd is a newer favorite of mine! It is marvelously executed: magical, so funny, turn-your-stomach gross, odd and psychologically astute. I was completely captivated. Jess Kidd describes 19th century London so that you want to lift your feet out of the muck and cover your face to avoid the stench. Definitely a story for those of us who love a smartly crafted mystery with brilliantly created characters.”
19. Zaina (@writingquills) recommends: “Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali. This is an #ownvoices novel and a love story between two Muslim teens. As a Muslim myself, it warmed my heart to read a YA story with positive Muslim representation and that, along with the budding romance and beautiful imagery, made me feel a good deal of emotions. This book talks about Islamophobia, living with Multiple Sclerosis, cultural appropriation and so much more. Zayneb and Adam inspired me a lot. I adored Love From A to Z and would definitely recommend it!”
20. Vivien (@steepedinwords) says: “I would love to recommend Circe by Madeline Miller. Circe is strong and does not let men or her life circumstances dictate the way she will live. She’s independent and strong willed who loves unconditionally and does everything in her power for her loved ones.”
21. Amanda (@escape_in_a_book) recommends: “Autoboyography by Christina Lauren. This YA queer love story is a powerful ride. Coming of age, loving who you are, the toxicity prejudices…so much is unpacked during this fictional journey. Equally entertaining and important, a must read for everyone.”
22. Katie (@baytownbookie) says: “My book recommendation is Beginner’s Pluck: Build Your Life of Purpose and Impact Now by Liz Forkin Bohannon. Liz debunks the myth that your passion and purpose are just floating out in the universe waiting to be discovered and encourages readers to cultivate their passions through pluck (spirited and determined courage.) It is packed full of charm, wit, humor, 90s references and practical ideas for building passion/purpose in your life.”
23. Suruchi (@_ink_and_fables) says: “The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri inspires me because it teaches us how we should never ever let go of our roots. It’s a medium to reconnect with our family and no matter what, we are a product of our roots.”
24. Britannia (@booklooksbyb) says: “One of my favorite recent inspiration books is The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton. This series is not only visually beautiful, fantastical & engaging but it is also very smart in how it challenges & reflects concepts of beauty & how we as a society see, value and treat people’s bodies (especially the bodies of women). As a makeup artist, a book lover and a woman of color, this story really resonated with me and I would highly recommend it!”
    
    
25. Aleyxandra (@alyxandriaang) says: “My book recommendation is Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. This heartwarming, generational tale is a story that teaches you compassion, the struggles of immigrants and the importance of identity in an unknown world. This book inspires me every day to be humble and resilient.”
26. Jennie (@jennieshaw) says: “The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith made me want to rent a billboard that featured the cover and a speech bubble containing bold all caps that screamed READ THIS BOOK. Because holy smokes, it’s amazing!! I’d been in a reading slump when this book’s quirky adventure of Hell’s librarian reminded me why escapist novels are so important — they’re like red bull for imagination inspiration!”
    
27. Meg (@bookswithmeg_) recommends: “Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson. I loved this one because just as soon as you think what’s going on … it’s something completely different. The emotions that this book pulled from me was unexpected but made me love this book THAT much more!”

Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers. 

Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.

booksforward.com/about-us/ellen-whitfield/

Latinx Heritage Month runs Sept. 15-Oct. 15, and there are so many wonderful bookstagrammers who represent the different facets of Latinx identity. We put together a list of people to follow, and asked them to recommend a book that means something to them.

1. Vero (@readingvero) recommends: Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo. “It shows the Dominican Republic and its culture in a beautiful way. It’s a beautiful story about love and sisterhood that readers of all ages can enjoy.”
2. Candace (@ace.of.pages) recommends Everyone Knows You Go Home by Natalia Sylvester. “Told in dual timelines, it covers everything from immigration, family, marriage, and there’s even a bit of mystery and magical realism. Even though I read it two years ago, it’s a book I pick up and read passages from to this day.”
3. Angie (@angiesreading) recommends: This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone “because I haven’t been able to shut up about it since I read it back when the pandemic first started. Following the lives of two badass agents on opposing sides of a time war, this story is told in the form of letters. It’s witty, romantic, and full of suspense (and time travel!) — I couldn’t help but inhale it in one sitting!”
4. Melissa Veras (@melissaverasreads) recommends: The Murmur of the Bees by Sofía Segovia. “This is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about a child that is found abandoned covered in bees, and the family that takes him in. Set in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and the influenza of 1918.”
5. Andrea (@pagecactus) recommends: Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika and Maritza Moulite. “Told in an epistolary format, this book explores the sometimes complicated relationships between not only mothers and their daughters but homelands and their people in the diaspora.” 
6. Marian (@marianp.readsavidly) recommends: “Tomas Rivera’s classic Chicanx novella Y No Se Trago La Tierra/And the Earth Did Not Devour Him. The book is composed of short, semi-autobiographical chapters that recount the challenges faced by the young male protagonist in the 1940s who works as a migrant laborer.  Rivera was the product of migrant labor and he became a university professor and chancellor of UC Riverside, the first Chicanx to do so.The book is meaningful to me because my dad also worked in his youth as part of a migrant labor family and likewise became an educator and the first in his family to graduate from college. Rivera’s words are meaningful as they reflect the young boy’s determination: “All he told her was that the earth did not devour anyone, nor did the sun…‘Not yet, you can’t swallow me up yet.’” 
7. Jessica (@armyofwords) recommends The Affairs of the Falcóns by Melissa Rivero. “A completely engrossing novel about an undocumented Peruvian immigrant in New York trying to survive circumstances and the people around her. It often felt like several swift punches to the gut to witness her journey, and yet I could not look away.”
8. Ana (@readingwithana) recommends Sabrina & Corina: Stories by Kali Fajardo-Anstine. “This collection of short stories highlights the lives of various Latinx women of indigenous descent growing up in Colorado. Each story tackles issues such as motherhood, sisterhood, and generational trauma that many readers will be able to see themselves in the characters. Not to mention, Kali’s writing is breathtaking!”
9. Lauren (@bylaurencapellan) recommends Let It Rain Coffee by Angie Cruz. “A lesser known book by Angie Cruz on bookstagram but definitely worth checking out. Let It Rain Coffee covers so much about Dominican culture, history, and identity politics while in the homeland and in the United States.”
10. Lupita (@lupita.reads) recommends Fiebre Tropical by Juliana Delgado Lopera. “Unapologetically written in Spanglish, this novel is an ode to all of us bilingual children often forced to choose one language to dominate over the other. It’s an immigrant queer coming of age story of Francisca finding herself within the tangles of her fractured uber-religious family.  One of my favorite books of this year.” 
11. Kas (@kasandbooks) recommends With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo. “I usually read thrillers but the book I really love right now is With The Fire On High. Personally it was extremely relatable and it touched up on important topics. I truly enjoyed how Acevedo captured the Puerto Rican and Philadelphian culture. I highly recommend this book.”
12. Jessica (@bohobookish) recommends Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz. “Díaz’s poignant memoir reflects on her early life in Puerto Rico to her Miami Beach upbringing, all while dealing with an abusive mother, neglectful father, drugs, violence, and depression. Díaz struggled in life and she unfolds each moment on the pages and shows resiliency that inspires readers.”
13. Emma (@bookish.em) recommends Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. “I was captivated by the cover and the book held my attention the entire way through. It was a new genre for me but I was so charmed by how beautifully (and authentically) culture and tradition were woven into the fantasy.”
14. Marissa (@allegedlymari) recommends Paola Santiago and The River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia. “I don’t read a lot of middle grade stories, but this book has me wanting to read all of them now. Reading about La llorona, el chupacabras, and other mythical monsters I myself grew up hearing about felt like a warm cup of champurrado.”
15. Mariana (@latinasleyendo) recommends The Book of Emma Reyes by Emma Reyes. “It is a Latin American classic and a lyrical portrait of an artist who conquers illiteracy, abandonment, and poverty and comes into her own as an artist and author. It is a powerful and underrated story and a must read for anyone looking for Latin American works in translation.”
16. Neycha (@thesweetheartreader) also recommends Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. “It’s dark, suspenseful, and atmospheric and introduced me to one of my new favorite literary heroines!”
17. Alejandra (@libros.con.coffee) recommends Borderlands/La Frontera by Gloria Anzaldúa. “This is my forever recommendation, especially to young Latinas! Using narrative, mythology, history, and poetry, Anzaldúa explores inhabiting intersecting identities and dualities—being Chicana, colonizer and colonized, indigenous and conqueror, being queer, speaking Spanglish, growing up on the border. It’s a groundbreaking classic that’s equally relevant today as it was nearly 35 years ago when it was written!”
18. Debbie (@debbiesbooknook) recommends The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. “Every time I read or hear it, it evokes many emotions and memories of my childhood and (very) Dominican upbringing. Acevedo is a master of words and I am in awe of how her writing profoundly touches my soul. I’m grateful her books will be around for generations to come!”
19. Nina (@literary.latina) recommends Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera. “The author tackles all kinds of important issues through Juliet’s experiences as a queer Puerto Rican woman coming to an understanding of herself and feminism. Each time I read Juliet, she is less of a character in a book and more of a real friend that I feel like I know deeply.”
20. Andrea (@nastymuchachitareads) recommends Knitting the Fog by Claudia D. Hernández. “It is a bilingual memoir of poetry and prose by a Guatemalan writer recounting her childhood in her beloved homeland before migrating to the United States with her mother and sisters. I loved reading about her upbringing in Mayuelas and Tactic, where the setting is so central to the narrative; the generations of dynamic women who raised her; and her resettlement in Los Angeles.”
21. Karen (@idleutopia_reads) recommends Peel My Love like an Onion by Ana Castillo. “It gave me my reflection. I remember reading this book and feeling so grateful that it existed. It felt like finding a little crook that fit perfectly and ensconced your thoughts, fears and doubts in a comforting way that made you feel safe.”

And of course I have some extra recommendations of books I’ve read and loved recently from Latinx authors if you’re still looking for more books! (Who isn’t?) 

1. Running by Natalia Sylvester: Mari has no interest in politics, but her father’s running for president. She finds her voice and is forced to reckon with her father’s policies.
2. American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera: Nesto is giving his Afro-Caribbean food truck business one final shot when he meets Jude, a quiet librarian, and sparks fly.
3. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz: This is a YA book with as much emotional richness as any adult story. It’s about the early blossoming of a relationship between two loners.
4. The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio: A stunningly intimate look at the lived of undocumented immigrants. The author is one of the first undocumented immigrants to graduate from Harvard and incorporates pieces of her story into the narrative.
5. Movies (and Other Things) by Shea Serrano, illustrated by Arturo Torres: One of my favorite people to follow on Twitter, Shea Serrano continues his “(and Other Things)” series by exploring the most random aspects of some great movies.

Ellen Zielinski Whitfield

Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers. 

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