Readers looking to introduce more culture into their personal reading selections, get in touch with Latin literary culture or spice up the selections of their book club, can all benefit from Latino Books Month.
What is Latino Books Month?
May has been deemed Latino Books Month by The Association of American Publishers' (AAP) Publishing Latino Voices for America (PVLA). According to the AAP, the primary goal of the month-long celebration is to "promote reading among Latinos" and "to raise awareness of the rich variety of books authored by Latinos".
In addition to these two broad goals, other important and ongoing promotions of Latino Book Month include:
- A Latino summer reading list for adults and children, with books in both English and Spanish;
- A Hispanic Heritage Month reading list;
- Information on how to start a Spanish-language book club;
- Children's Day/Book Day, El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Día), which brings attention to the importance of literacy for children of all backgrounds, regardless of culture or language.
The AAP/PVLA urges all booksellers and libraries to participate in Latino Books Month mainly because it is "good for business and good for communities". Citing statistic relevance, the Latino population is the fastest growing group in the United States, and by promoting the importance that Latin authors bring to all literary genres makes good sense.
Top Latino Book Recommendations for Latino Book Month
A huge component of Latino Book Month is that the PVLA creates a reading list for both adults and children. This reading list can be utilized in classrooms, reading groups and for personal use. There is a wide variety of books included, ranging from adult fiction, adult non fiction, children's and poetry. Here are just a few of the books that appear on this year's list:
- El infinito en la palma de la mano / Infinity in the Palm of Her Hand by Gioconda Belli.
- The Disappearance of Irene Dos Santos by Margaret Mascarenhas.
- A Country for All/Tierra de todos by Jorge Ramos.
- Fit Home Team by Jorge and Laura Posada.
- Before You Were Here, Mi Amor by Samantha Vamos.
- Sergio Saves the Game! by Edel Rodriguez.
- Frivolous Women and Other Sinners / Fri´volas y pecadoras by Alicia Borinsky.
The books offer something for everyone and there is no need to be fluent in Spanish to enjoy them, as most of the books appearing on the list are available in both English and Spanish translations.
For a full list of all book recommendations, visit the AAP Latino Voices for America's Resource Page.
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