I first learned about Esteban Castillo, the author, on Instagram. I tried some of his recipes and I put him on my notifications! Whether you're a seasoned chef or you burn water, you'll find a recipe you love. Recently my daughter and I made churros from this cookbook. We ate so many that we had an Abuelita chocolate sauce hangover the next day.  Don't say I didn't warn you!

Find me in FOOD

Reyna Grande tells the most breathtaking story of her migration from Iguala, Guerrero, México to the United States. When I read this book, I literally wanted to reach through the pages and wring an old lady's neck. For real! The prose makes you feel like you're right next to Reyna running through the desert. Immigration is not black and white, and this book is all of the gray in between.

Find me in AUTOBIOGRAPHY/BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR

Karla Cornejo Villavicencio has written a MAS 👏🏽TER 👏🏽PIECE 👏🏽! After that horrible American Dirt (or as I like to call it American Trash) was so highly acclaimed, I regained my trust in the universe after reading The Undocumented Americans. Authentic and uncensored. She's my girl crush.

Find me in AUTOBIOGRAPHY/BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR

This is the poetry collection I needed when I was in high school. I see so much of myself in Citizen Illegal by José Olivarez. After I read his book, I was fangirling so much I slid into his DMs! I just said, "I really love your book!" and he said, "Thanks! Much appreciated!" That's it. Nothing else. Please don't tell anyone. That's embarrassing. 

Find me in POETRY