In the book community, Latinx Heritage Month is a time to call attention to the voices and stories of Latinx authors. As Latinx Heritage Month comes to an end, we want to highlight the importance of reading stories by Latinx authors all year round and not just in the months of September and October. Latinx voices have historically been underrepresented in publishing and deserve to have their stories told and celebrated.
The LITina Book Club, created and hosted by Erica Bernal, has made it their mission to read and discuss books by Latinx authors every month of the year. As a Latina woman, Bernal wants to emphasize the importance of seeing people like herself in books and the great joy that comes from discussing them.
Read on to learn more about the LITina Book Club, Bernal, and for fantastic reading recommendations by Latinx authors.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and where the inspiration to start the LITina book club came from.
I am an HR specialist by day, and avid reader and lover of books when I’m not chasing my two young kids around. I’ve always been an avid reader, but struggled to find books where I was represented. I started a personal book club which was pretty successful and we went to author events. When I went to one for a Latinx author I looked around the room and didn’t see many Latinx in the room. I wanted to change that so I started LITina book club!
Something unique about your club is that each month you conduct live interviews with the author of the book your club has selected. Share what that’s like and one of your favorite interviews so far.
That’s a really hard one because I really do enjoy all of them. If I had to pick I would say probably Maria Hinojosa who is so smart and passionate; for Once I Was You or Quiara Alegría Hudes, (My Broken Language, In the Heights) because she’s a Philly girl and super talented. Then there’s also my first in-person talk with the author of Daughters of the Stone, Dahlma Llanos Figueroa, which was amazing because she is so smart and the conversation was magical.
What do you enjoy most about leading a book club?
Knowing people are reading because of me. I don’t mean that in a bragging way; I mean when I was young I didn’t know what to read or where to find myself in books. When someone tells me they picked up a book because of book club, it makes my heart happy.
What is your book club’s October pick? Why did you choose this book?
Murder in Red Hook by Theresa Varela. I love Theresa’s writing and it was her latest release. I also picked it because I try to diversify our books. A murder mystery is something we haven’t done yet.
Tell us about any upcoming virtual or in-person events on the horizon.
Virtual will be Friday the 21st at 5:30PM ET on IG Live.
What are your reading/resource recommendations for someone looking to read, support, or learn more about Latinx representation in publishing?
Honestly bookstagram has been my best source. I follow a lot of authors so I find when they have something coming out. There are a lot of Latinx bookstagrammers who post reviews and stuff all the time.
What does Latinx Heritage Month mean to you? How can we celebrate Latinx Heritage Month all year round?
Latinx heritage month is bittersweet for me. Because I live it all year. I love being Latina, there’s so much joy and pride in it. ButI hate that the only time there is a spotlight is during that month.
Share some of your all-time favorite and current favorite books by Latinx authors.
- Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz + discussion questions
- Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo + discussion questions
- When We Make It by Elisabet Velasquez
- My Broken Language by Quiara Alegría Hudes
For Spanish speakers looking for a book club to join, check out the Loser Book Club based in Mexico who read Horror, Fantasy, and YA best-sellers.
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