Hispanic Heritage Month

While most heritage month recognitions in the United States last from the first to last day of a given month, Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. During this time, we can celebrate the historic and continuing contributions of Hispanic and Latinx individuals and cultures to the United States. What began as a weekly celebration in 1968 expanded in 1987 to a full month that honors both Hispanic Americans (those from or descended from Spanish-speaking countries) and Latino Americans (those from or descended from Latin American countries), a population that exceeds 60 million in our country. As we continuously navigate the terrain of respecting people's perceptions of their own cultures and identities, many have called for a rebranding of the month as Latinx Heritage Month.

As with all heritage months, it is critical to remember that these are times for special recognition but are in no way a replacement for a constant embrace of a diverse range of identities that make up our communities. Nevertheless, we can take this opportunity to embrace and learn more about these cultures, perhaps battling some misperceptions. For example, while many of the resources below highlight the experiences of immigrants, the vast majority of Hispanic and Latinx Americans in the U.S. are citizens, a fact which may get clouded by the news. Regardless of citizen status, we are lucky to have a plethora of vibrant cultural and individual contributions from these communities, both immigrant and naturalized citizens. The theme for 2021 is "Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope," so join us at the library in both hoping and sharing as we look to some of the fiction and nonfiction below to learn more.

Click here to explore the site hosted by the Library of Congress and check out a list of U.S. Latinx Voices in Poetry from the Poetry Foundation. And/ or... read below to discover and request a plethora of books by authors identifying as Hispanic or Latinx.

Fiction

A Long Petal of the Sea, Isabel Allende

Afterlife, Julia Alvarez

The Savage Detectives, Robert Bolaño

It is Wood, It is Stone, Gabriela Burnham

Martita, I Remember You: a story in English and Spanish, Sandra Cisneros

Prayers for the Stolen, Jennifer Clement

Dominicana, Angie Cruz

Cantoras, Carolina De Robertis

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Díaz

Infinite Country, Patricia Engel

Things We Lost in the Fire: stories, Mariana Enriquez