In America Book Club Recap

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Yesterday was our first meeting for our new In America Book Club Series.

This is the start of a four-month book club series for adults and teenagers that will have us reading books representing four different ethnic/cultural groups in America. These books are not meant to be the authoritative source representing all individuals of a culture, but serve as a unique glimpse into the struggles that arise in trying to retain cultural/ethnic identity in America.


October's pick was I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez.

Here's a description of the book:

Perfect Mexican daughters do not go away to college. And they do not move out of their parents’ house after high school graduation. Perfect Mexican daughters never abandon their family.

But Julia is not your perfect Mexican daughter. That was Olga’s role.

Then a tragic accident on the busiest street in Chicago leaves Olga dead and Julia left behind to reassemble the shattered pieces of her family. And no one seems to acknowledge that Julia is broken, too. Instead, her mother seems to channel her grief into pointing out every possible way Julia has failed.

But it’s not long before Julia discovers that Olga might not have been as perfect as everyone thought. With the help of her best friend Lorena, and her first kiss, first love, first everything boyfriend Connor, Julia is determined to find out. Was Olga really what she seemed? Or was there more to her sister’s story? And either way, how can Julia even attempt to live up to a seemingly impossible ideal?

Things we discussed today:

  • We appreciated reading a story with a protagonist who is female and a person of color.
  • The main character, Julia Reyes, struggles with depression and anxiety, and the way the author approaches her mental health journey was written in a meaningful and raw way.
  • We talked a lot about Julia's strained and contentious relationship with her Amá, and how relationships with parents change as children grow and develop.
  • The poetry incorporated into the book (Julia is a writer) was beautifully written and flowed well within the prose.
  • All participants in the book club would recommend that you read this book!

Further reading and info about the author, Erika L. Sánchez:

Books that I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter reminded us of:



Join us next month as we discuss The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui.
Copies are available for check out at the Library!

Happy Reading!

Natalie


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