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We’re less than four weeks away from Independent Bookstore Day—do you know what books you’ll be buying?
There are eight releases by Latino authors in April that you should add to your bookshelf while perusing or pre-ordering from your local independent bookstore.
1. The Cemetery of Untold Stories (April 2, 2024)
By Julia Alvarez
In The Cemetery of Untold Stories, Julia Alvarez weaves a mesmerizing tale centered on Alma Cruz, a distinguished writer who, fearing the toll that unfinished stories can take on her, embarks on a unique project in her homeland, the Dominican Republic. Inherited land transforms into a burial ground for her incomplete manuscripts and the vivid characters within them, serving as a metaphorical resting place for her creative endeavors that never came to fruition. Alvarez’s novel poignantly explores themes of storytelling, memory, and the resilience of narratives that refuse to be buried, emphasizing that our stories persist beyond our lifetimes.
2. You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World (April 2, 2024)
Edited and Introduction by Ada Limón
You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World, edited by twenty-fourth US Poet Laureate Ada Limón, is a resonant anthology that transcends traditional notions of nature poetry. Showcasing fifty original works from preeminent contemporary poets, including Joy Harjo and Jericho Brown, the collection presents an evolved vision of the genre, one that embraces the ecological diversity and shifting terrains of our time. You Are Here prompts readers to reevaluate their surroundings and the poetic form and to explore the bond between the self and nature with fresh eyes.
3. Bones Worth Breaking: A Memoir (April 9, 2024)
By David Martinez
Bones Worth Breaking by David Martinez is an evocative memoir that delves deep into the complexities of brotherhood amidst the backdrop of societal and familial challenges. David and his younger brother Mike navigate their youth in Idaho as mixed-race individuals in a predominantly Mormon community, engaging in activities that defy their upbringing—skateboarding, getting high, and run-ins with the law. Martinez’s narrative is raw and nonlinear, echoing the tumultuous flips and turns of a skateboarder, as he confronts themes of abuse, racism, loss, and the quest for identity. Through his journey from stoicism to vulnerability, Martinez seeks to understand and articulate the forces that shaped him and the brother he lost, offering a poignant reflection on love, legacy, and resilience.
4. I’ll Give You a Reason (April 9, 2024)
By Annell López
In I’ll Give You a Reason, Annell López presents a tapestry of life in the Ironbound—a melting pot neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey—through a collection of vivid stories that delve into the complexities of race, identity, and belonging. López’s characters navigate the intricate dynamics of their immigrant community, confronting issues of political unrest, sexuality, religion, body image, and more. These stories intertwine to form a multifaceted exploration of the American Dream, and they highlight the struggles and aspirations of those on its periphery. López crafts a compelling narrative that celebrates the resilience and diversity of her characters, offering a profound commentary on the search for identity and belonging in a constantly changing world.
5. Bad Habit (April 23, 2024)
By Alana S. Portero, Translated by Mara Faye Lethem
Bad Habit by Alana S. Portero is a poignant coming-of-age narrative set against the backdrop of Madrid’s turbulent ’80s and ’90s. Acclaimed by Pedro Almodóvar, this novel delivers an unflinching look at the life of a trans woman in a society rife with adversity and danger. Portero’s debut novel combines raw realism, portraying a journey marked by the heroin epidemic, societal upheaval, and the vibrant yet perilous city nightlife. The narrator, with defiant sweetness, navigates her detachment from an ever-changing world and her quest for identity. Every choice carries the weight of survival in this landscape of conflict. Bad Habit is a celebration of sisterhood and self-realization, resonating with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
6. We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century: an Oral History (April 23, 2024)
By Ray Suarez
We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century: an Oral History by Ray Suarez is a compelling mosaic of contemporary American immigration, offering a richly detailed narrative that captures the essence of our nation’s enduring identity as a melting pot. Veteran journalist and historian Suarez an insightful portrait that challenges stereotypes and showcases the resilience of these individuals. These recent immigrants share a common thread with their forerunners: despite facing significant obstacles, including political animosity, they strive, persevere, and integrate into the fabric of American society. Suarez’s extensive interviews across the country illuminate the personal experiences and contributions of these newest members of our communities, emphasizing their hard work and determination to succeed. We Are Home underscores the continuous, dynamic process of becoming American and highlights how each new group reinvigorates the narrative of the United States with fresh perspectives and vitality.
7. A Light in the Darkness: The Music and Life of Joaquín Rodrigo (April 23, 2024)
By Javier Suárez-Pajares and Walter Aaron Clark
A Light in the Darkness: The Music and Life of Joaquín Rodrigo is a profound exploration of the celebrated Spanish composer, written by Javier Suárez-Pajares and Walter Aaron Clark. Joaquín Rodrigo—revered for the iconic Concierto de Aranjuez and its profound influence on artists such as Miles Davis—is depicted beyond this masterpiece. The biography chronicles Rodrigo’s life, from his early years in Valencia and the tragedy of losing his sight to his flourishing as a musician and composer. Spanning the tumultuous periods of Spanish history, including Franco’s regime, Rodrigo’s story is a testament to the resilience of art and its capacity to thrive amidst adversity.
8. The Way That Leads Among the Lost: Life, Death, and Hope in Mexico City’s Anexos (April 30, 2024)
By Angela Garcia
The Way That Leads Among the Lost: Life, Death, and Hope in Mexico City’s Anexos by Angela Garcia is a compelling exploration into the shadowy world of anexos, informal addiction treatment centers embedded within the urban fabric of Mexico City. Garcia, a prizewinning anthropologist, shares insights from over a decade of research and presents a nuanced narrative that intertwines the lives of mothers and their children caught in cycles of addiction and violence. Through her empathetic lens, she exposes the dual nature of the anexos as both sanctuaries from external chaos and sites of internal turmoil. Garcia’s narrative—enriched by her personal experiences with family, homelessness, and drugs—offers a poignant reflection on love, violence, care, and the desperate search for hope amid despair.
This article was written with the assistance of AI.
