Latine / Latinx Nonfiction
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), enjoy these recent memoirs and nonfiction by Latine authors, selected by librarians at The Seattle Public Library. (August 2024)
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Creep
Queer spoken-word performer, visual artist, and writer Gurba follows up her acclaimed memoir Mean with another work called memoir (and sure to draw on the personal) but perhaps better seen as fierce and engaging cultural criticism. (Library Journal)
Format: Book
Availability: All copies in use
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My Side of the River
A second-generation immigrant's story of holding her dreams, her parents' expectations, and America's demands in balance. By bringing readers into the precarious and emotional positions that these tensions force individuals and families to endure, she invites deeper, more compassionate analysis and conversation. A moving story of the humanity at the center of the often-breathless and uninformed immigration debate. (Kirkus)
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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First in the Family
Hoppe debuts with a bold and illuminating account of getting sober and her attempts to "decolonize recovery" by deconstructing ingrained narratives about people of color and substance abuse. This is essential reading. (Publishers Weekly)
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Dwell Time
An art conservator's personal and professional memoir. From the coasts of Cuba to Israel's Mediterranean shores, Lowinger ... interweaves her life story with insights drawn from her career in art conservation and restoration. A masterful revelation about life and art imitating each other in maintenance and repair. (Kirkus)
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Relentless
A Puerto Rican political strategist and philanthropist describes his life devoted to public service. His son [Lin-Manuel Miranda] provides the foreword. An engaging life story and clear picture of some of the mechanics of politics. (Kirkus)
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Rivermouth
Oliva's excellent debut recounts her experiences volunteering as a Spanish-English translator in an immigration detention center at the U.S.-Mexico border beginning in 2016. With uncut rage and breathtaking prose, Oliva edifies, infuriates, and moves readers all at once. This is required reading. (Publishers Weekly)
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Viva Hollywood
Through an authoritative narrative and lavish photography, this is an in-depth history of the stars, films, achievements, and influence of the Hispanic and Latino community in Hollywood history from the silent era to the present day. (Publisher description)
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Chita
The star of numerous hit Broadway musicals recounts her 70 years in the public eye. The author is honest and outspoken in life and on the page, and fans of musical theater and dance are in for a real treat. (Kirkus)
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Liliana's Invincible Summer
In this gut-wrenching blend of memoir and reportage, Rivera Garza, a Hispanic studies professor at the University of Houston, investigates her younger sister Liliana's 1990 murder by an abusive ex-boyfriend, who remains at large. This piercing remembrance hits home. (Publishers Weekly)
Format: Book
Availability: All copies in use
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Worm
Rodriguez details his journey from growing up in Cold War Cuba to becoming an internationally acclaimed illustrator and children's book author in this vividly rendered memoir. A passionate firsthand account of historical events and a compelling coming-of-age tale in one. (Library Journal)
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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