In The Community
Image by expertbooksmuggler on Instagram
Image by expertbooksmuggler on Instagram
Reading books isn’t just a means of entertainment, escapism, or education, it can also be an act of activism. No political movement in history would’ve happened without educated people or a means to educate others and inspire action.
This is why many bookstores, libraries, and activists create and share reading lists to support movements. For example, with the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, Palestinian stories and authors are constantly being highlighted in bookish spaces to raise awareness and educate people. Efforts like #ReadPalestine week, organized by Publishers for Palestine, is just one example, but individual content creators also share recommendations.
In celebration of World Book Day, we discuss a few reasons why reading is and will always be political.
Stories are a reflection of reality and human experience
At no point in time have war, disease, hunger, poverty, racism, injustice, etc., not been a part of our reality and human experience. Authors know these things either in theory or because they’ve lived them themselves. As a result, they inform their stories and are reflected in them. This is how, as readers, we’re exposed to an incredibly diverse range of human experiences through the books we pick.
It doesn’t matter if the stories are based in the real world or fantasy worlds, writers write what they know. Their experiences and knowledge of the world are always found in the stories they create in one way or another, and isn’t everything in our lives either caused by or affected by politics? Politics are involved even in the books we don’t have access to, or limited access to, because book banning, despite constitutional amendments that were supposed to protect against that practice, still exists and is flourishing.
Authors pour political elements into their works, whether to expose an aspect of our reality for its ugliness or to reimagine it. For example, “The Hunger Games” books aren’t just about a young girl trying to save her little sister. They’re about totalitarian governments, genocide, political repression, poverty, surveillance, revolution, sacrifice to achieve societal change, and more.
Books offer political expression and inspire action
Political expression can be found in all kinds of books. Yes, even romance books. Love stories involve all kinds of characters and depict all kinds of relationships. They also reflect the qualities of ideal partners, which are highly influenced by society. Whether it’s people from different social classes falling in love, interracial relationships, and more, authors can and do explore social issues through their characters’ relationships.
Of course, political expression can be positive or negative. While stories can imagine a more just world to provide comfort and hope, perspective, or criticism of the issues that plague us, they can also reinforce, promote, or even seek to rationalize those issues.
Why? Because it doesn’t matter what the intention of the author is, reading is learning. Instead of learning to uphold harmful political views, values, beliefs, or even stereotypes, we should learn to challenge and dismantle them. What better way to do that than through books? Reading can make a difference in who we are and what we believe, being aware of that fact is a lot more productive than trying to separate reading from politics.
Image by bookedwithrook on Instagram
Image by bookedwithrook on Instagram
Therefore, banning a book that explores one aspect of a relationship while allowing books that explore another is, in and of itself, a form of selective indoctrination. The selection of books can teach us to uphold harmful political views, values, beliefs, and stereotypes while offering no other perspective that challenges any of these views.
Reading and politics: an unbreakable union
While reading is often done for entertainment or relaxation, many seek how to gain more empathy in books. Books allow us to explore experiences and perspectives that we wouldn’t otherwise have access to. That exposure can affect us deeply and inform the way we approach not only other people but also our contributions to society. Authoritarian regimes know this and have used book burning throughout history.
Today’s book banning is akin to piles of burned books reduced to ashes.
Books communicate things about their authors and the world as it was at the time they were written. The very act of choosing a book is political. For example, choosing to read books that champion diverse stories when the publishing world is so white can be a political act. While books can provide comfort, enjoyment, relief, joy, and more, they’re also one of the many ways we can use our agency to affect change.
Books are one of the many vehicles through which we exercise our power to influence our community. On this World Book Day, let’s think more critically about the kind of stories we consume and recommend to others, and let’s vow to use books to promote diverse experiences, understanding, kindness, and positive change.
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We’d be remiss if we did not give Alegria Publishing a shoutout for their work as an indie publishing company whose primary mission is to nurture emerging Latina writers. Our list includes several of their publications because it’s important that we create our own Latine spaces and uplift those who are also doing the same.
“Déjame Contarte Lo Que Dice El Corazón” by Paloma Alcantar
Interested in words of wisdom as one navigates through the trials and tribulations of love? Paloma Alcantar’s poetry book is sure to meet your needs. Every word is beautifully written to capture all of the emotions one experiences in love, and we’re settling in for it.
Copyright: Alegria Publishing
“Imperfecta” by Alejandra Ramos Gómez
Meditations on being a woman, migrant, and a Latina. Alejandra perfectly captures what it means to live in-between two cultures and the struggles of making peace with your identity and your lived experiences.
Copyright: Alegria Publishing
“Corazón” by Yesika Salgado
The first of her three poetry books, Yesika Salgado has enamored our hearts with her way with words. Salgado also co-founded Chingona Fire, a poetry collective based on highlighting Latina feminist poets. We highly recommend checking out her other books entitled “Hermosa” and “Tesoro”.
Copyright: Not A Cult Publishing
“Mujer de Color(es)” by Alejandra Jimenez
Tackling everything from obstacles in expressing cultura to embracing your femininity, Alejandra Jimenez does well to tackle it all in entrancing words. Reexamine your ability to embrace your feminine strengths with this guide, it won’t let you down.
“El Poemario del Colibrí | The Hummingbird Poems” by Edyka Chilomé
Edyka Chilomé is a Mexican Salvadoran poet, identifying as queer, indigenous, and mestiza. Her work is heavily centered around transformative moments full of meaning in her book “El Poemario del Colibrí” (“The Hummingbird Poems” in English).
Copyright: Deep Vellum
“Groanings from the Desert” by Alma Cardenas
Alma Cardenas allows us a glimpse into her mind with “Groanings from the Desert”, a bilingual collection of poems in both English and Spanish. Cardenas wrote all of these works in 2020 between February and October, so there’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy her thoughts along with her.
“The Latinx Poetry Project” by Davina Ferreira
If you’re looking for the end all be all collection of poetry by Latinx poets, we’re recommending “The Latinx Poetry Project”. Over 45 Latinx poets are featured in this immense collection of work centered around a variety of themes: from social justice to feminism and beyond, this book truly has it all.
Copyright: Alegria Publishing
Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine
Sabrina & Corina is the kind of short story collection that opens doors, allowing you to walk into the life of the characters. Exploring themes like friendship, mother and daughter relationships, and more, the stories focus on Latinas of indigenous ancestry living in Denver, Colorado, and how they navigate their land. Each story is unique, full of poignant moments of strength and melancholy.
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
If you enjoy a good haunted house story, you’re going to love this one. The Hacienda combines gothic horror, historical fiction, and a dash of slow-burn romance. Set after the Mexican War of Independence, the story follows Beatriz as she moves into Hacienda San Isidro after marrying Don Rodolfo Solórzano. Beatriz lost everything in the war and she would do anything to find a home again. Instead, she finds herself thrust into a battle with darkness, both inside and outside of the human realm. Atmospheric, beautifully written, and very engaging!
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Adults often keep away from YA fiction, but in doing so they’re missing out on amazing stories. Clap When You Land is a great example of that and it explores themes like grief and love. It follows two sisters; Camino Rios living in the Dominican Republic, and Yahaira Rios, living in New York City. One day, they get the devastating news that their father has died in the Flight 587 plane crash (based on true events), forcing the two girls to face their new reality and bridge the distance between them. It’s written in verse, so the novel is lyrical and beautiful, but most of all, powerful.
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
What the River Knows transports readers to Cairo, Egypt, where Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera is set on discovering the truth behind her parents’ deaths. This is a historical fantasy full of adventure, magic, mystery, and romance. It’s surprising and immersive, so it’s the perfect choice if you just want to disconnect from real life. The writing is captivating and it will take you on quite a ride. Highly recommended for fans of The Mummy (1999)!
West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras
We all need to swoon, kick our feet, and twirl our hair every once in a while. That’s where good romance books come in, and West Side Love Story doesn’t disappoint. It’s a Latino retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in San Antonio, where we follow star-crossed lovers Mariana Capuleta and Angelo Montero. They’re members of feuding families and competing mariachi bands, but the heart wants what it wants. The story is very moving and full of secrets, sacrifices, and betrayals. Will love prevail?
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
Family Lore is Elizabeth Acevedo’s adult debut novel and it tells the story of a Dominican-American family through the perspectives of its six women. Each of these women has a unique gift, so the novel explores the challenges they’ve had to face as well as their victories in life. It’s been compared to 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez because it’s a family saga that moves back and forth in time, with a core mystery that keeps readers engaged. It’s also full of magical realism and Latin American culture!
