If you finish the year only reading one more book, let this be the one. Karla Cornejo Villavicencio is a powerhouse of a writer blending personal narrative with powerful reporting. I hesitate to call it reporting because it is so deeply personal and filled with such deep love and care. “Reporting” can seem detached. But there is none of that here, and rightfully so. She tells the stories of several undocumented Americans throughout the country’s landscape while weaving in her own personal history. It’s filled with anger and rage but also tenderness and love. Anything I say won’t do it justice. But please just go read it. Make sure you listen to @thestackspod episodes surrounding this book as it brings so much layer and depth to the understanding. Traci Thomas interviews the writer herself in one episode and @lupita.reads in two others. Lupita Aquino was a champion of this book from the very beginning. Thank you so much for letting us all be a part of the journey too. I feel like it’d be wrong to not also shout out @booksteahenny for also making sure this book got the recognition it deserved.

When I finished the last paragraph I had to sit and cry. I thought of my own mom coming here when she was 26 years old. I’ll never forget how shocked I was when I learned she came here under not-so-legal ways, I won’t elaborate here. I was surprised that my mom had broken the law. But what other choice did she have? She just wanted a better life, who the fuck doesn’t and who is anyone to say they’re not allowed?? She didn’t share with me her immigrant story until I was much older and even now there are so many pieces missing. But I’m lucky, my mom is a citizen now, and has been for awhile. I don’t know where I’m going with this but I love my mom and I’m thankful for her sacrifice. I just wish I knew more, but maybe it’s just something she doesn’t want to talk about. Anyways. Read the book. #becauseoflatinxreaders #bookstagram #readmorebooks #readersofinstagram #losangelesreaders #filipinobookstagrammer #alwaysbereading #alwaysbelearning #decolonizethecurriculum

I read this book for the #welovemglit book club and I’m hoping I can make it to the meeting tomorrow. This is my second book by Kacen Callender and I just love them so much. One thing so many adult writers and just adults in general do is talk down to kids because they feel they’re not ready to talk about tough topics, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m guilty of this as well and I’m trying to do better because the kids deserve so much more than what the world is currently offering. This is the story of King, a young Black child figuring out who he is while dealing with the grief he carries over the sudden death of his brother. We need more Queer representation in Middle Grade novels, we especially need more featuring Queer BIPOC children. This is one I’m definitely adding to my shelf and if you teach middle grade or middle school children you should get it too. Now excuse me while I purchase every book Kacen Callender has written….

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #middlegradebooks #kacencallender #kingandthedragonflies #readblackstories #readqueerstories #supportlgbtyouth #teachbetterbooks #decolonizethecurriculum

Why did you join the #bookstsgram community?

I joined this summer bc I was bored sitting at home and I was reading voraciously. I also shared a ton of what I read on my personal account and my friends and family gave me good feedback on it so I decided to make the jump. I really wanted to tie it to helping e people I love #decolonizeyourmind

I genuinely got so much more than I bargained for. I found other half-Filipinos like me looking for community and that has truly been such a blessing. I have also interacted with so many people and have reveled in the creativity of so many around the world. I am so glad I’m here now. I wish I had joined sooner.

It’s been a lot of fun having a visual space to track my reading and talk to other people about books so I can stop bugging my friends and family to read “that book.”

At first it was sort of weird and I got caught up in the numbers race but now I feel settled. I honestly don’t care about gaining followers. It’s been fun and I’m so glad I have the ones I do, but this is to me about community and in these times we all need that. Life is pretty fucking shitty right now. But being here has given me new energy so thank you so much for being a part of this journey.

A special shout out to @nerdtasticnoms for sending me this stack with some awesome goodies. I received it yesterday and it was so perfect to receive something so kind on such a hard day for us all. The kindness of people like you here has really helped keep me grounded. Thank you so much!