Del Mar College librarian recommends five books for Hispanic Heritage Month

John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times

Hispanic Heritage Month is annually celebrated from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 in the United States to recognize the rich culture and heritage of Hispanic Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

At Del Mar College's Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Celebration Monday, librarian Jennifer Jimenez-Perez spoke with the Caller-Times about the importance of reading about notable Hispanic people and authors with a book display.

"We really tried to highlight what's in our library here at White (Library)," Jimenez-Perez said at the college's Heritage Campus. "It's closed right now for renovations, but we can do book checkouts for faculty and students. We have audiobooks also for people on the run."

Jimenez-Perez shared several authors she believes people should read this Hispanic Heritage Month. These books are available at the college's library, Corpus Christi public libraries and at local bookstores.

Books by Hispanic authors and about Hispanic people are on display in the Center for Mexican American Studies room at Del Mar College's Heritage Campus on Monday.
Books by Hispanic authors and about Hispanic people are on display in the Center for Mexican American Studies room at Del Mar College's Heritage Campus on Monday.

'A House of My Own: Stories of My Life' by Sandra Cisneros

In a series of essays, Sandra Cisneros invites readers to know her on a personal level.

Her memoir includes stories about her parents' tempestuous marriage; a rallying cry for one woman's liberty in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina; a tribute to French writer Marguerite Duras; and a twist at the ending.

As the founder of the United Farm Workers union, Cesar Chavez is considered an iconic leader in the Mexican community. Pictured here in a mural by a Toledo, Ohio, artist.
As the founder of the United Farm Workers union, Cesar Chavez is considered an iconic leader in the Mexican community. Pictured here in a mural by a Toledo, Ohio, artist.

'From the Jaws of Victory: The Triumph and Tragedy of Cesar Chavez and the Farm Worker Movement' by Matt Garcia

Most of the Coastal Bend are familiar with the name of Cesar Chavez, but author Matt Garcia dives into the American labor leader and civil rights activist in a more comprehensive exploration.

The novel recounts the expansion of the United Farm Workers and how the union defined the movement in 1970 for labor contracts.

Garcia shows how the union expanded and spread across the United States and Canada and to Europe.

'How the García Girls Lost Their Accents' by Julia Alvarez

Without selecting a particular title, Jimenez-Perez recommended anything by author Julia Alvarez.

Alvarez's first novel shares the voices of four sisters as they grow up in two cultures. The García sisters — Carla, Sandra, Yolanda and Sofía — are forced to flee their home with their family in the Dominican Republic.

Arriving in New York City in 1960, their parents try to hold on to their old ways as the sisters try to find new lives by transititioning to American cultures.

'Mi Voz, Mi Vida: Latino College Students Tell Their Life Stories' by Andrew C. Garrod, Robert Kilkenny and Christina Gomez

"Mi Voz, Mi Vida" recounts the stories of 15 Latino college students who come from a variety of socioeconomic, regional and family backgrounds.

The young men and women — of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Central American and South American descent — share personal details of their lives including identity, biculturalism, family dynamics, religion, poverty, stereotypes and the value of education.

The book allows readers to have a clear view of the experience of Latino students as they adapt to a new educational environment and cultural context.

'So Far From God' by Ana Castillo

Another author Jimenez-Perez recommended is Ana Castillo.

One of Castillo's early novels tells the story of Sofia and her four daughters as they endure hardship after hardship.

As Sofia tries to hold things together after the disappearance of her husband, each daughter attempts to live her own life. Esperanza travels farthest from home only to be drawn back in spirit, Caridad finally finds love after dulling her pain with alcohol, Fe tries to find stability after being dumped by her fiancé and La Loca has an accident as a toddler, leaving her attuned to higher spiritual frequencies.

RELATED COVERAGE

More: Here's how Corpus Christi is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15

More: 'Call for help': Instituto de Cultura Hispánica de Corpus Christi talks challenges, community

John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Del Mar College librarian recommends books for Hispanic Heritage Month

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