Evil Eye by Etaf Rum • This book delves into the life of Yara, a first-generation Palestinian millennial grappling with her cultural heritage and personal struggles. The narrative unfolds through her introspective lens, revealing the complexities of navigating life as a child of immigrants.

Yara's family’s displacement from their homeland casts a long shadow, shaping her parents' decision to immigrate to the US in search of a better life. However, the weight of their displacement lingers, leaving Yara with a pervasive sense of not belonging. Yara grapples with reconciling her cultural identity with the realities of American culture. 

Art, journaling, and a newfound friendship emerge as Yara's heals, offering solace and space for self-discovery. The book artfully showcases her internal conflict and the challenges she confronts in forging her own path.

Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D.

This episode explores how owning your sexuality isn't just about personal fulfillment, but a catalyst for broader societal change. By dismantling harmful power structures around women's bodies, we pave the way for a more just and equitable world. This episode dives into:

• Tools for beginners and the language you need in order to explore your sexuality with confidence and joy.

• "Accelerators" and "brakes" - how to connect with your body and unlock new levels of pleasure.

• How your connections with yourself and others foster a more receptive state for intimacy.

With 8 billion people on Earth, your experiences and struggles are likely shared by many. Join the conversation and empower yourself and others!

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang • When a freak pancake-eating accident tragically claimed Athena's life, June stole her frenemy's unpublished manuscript while she waited for help to arrive. Seizing the opportunity, she made edits and presented it as her own, propelling herself to fame and fortune.

Who gets to tell whose stories? This book plunges us into the complexities of racial narratives and literary privilege through June’s life post-publication. June's self-doubt, envy, and unhealed wounds bubble beneath the surface, blurring her reality.

Join our most recent bookclub meetup where we chat about several books we've read over the years, Colleen Hoover, the types of books we like & don't like, and so much more!

Disclaimer: We were in a restaurant so you might hear us munching on bread, the chef's preparing food, or music playing in the background. It's a mess but we had fun and that's all that matters :)

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey • 

Admittedly, we started reading McConaughey's memoir with preconceived notions. He was the golden boy of the early 2000s rom-coms, an undeniable Hollywood charm machine. But "Greenlights" shattered that carefully crafted image, revealing a more accurate depiction of the man beneath the Texas drawl.

The raw honesty about his upbringing was eye-opening. It humanized him, reminding us that the past informs the present. He doesn't paint himself a victim, he walks through life with a contagious "just keep livin'" attitude. He acknowledges his privilege and doesn't shy away from highlighting the inequalities that others face.

McConaughey's positive outlook isn't blind positivity. It's a conscious choice, nurtured by introspection and self-awareness. He encourages going back to your roots, reflecting on your journey, and taking charge of your narrative.

The House Across The Lake by Riley Sager • The author's mastery of the "millennial female voice" is what initially hooked me. Riley Sager effortlessly navigates the nuances of our generation, making the protagonist instantly relatable and at times insufferable. This skill becomes even more crucial in the face of the book's creepy atmosphere when the neighbor's drowning sets the stage for a chilling mystery – she's saved, then vanishes, leaving us unsettled as Casey, the main character, tries to get to the bottom of it. This is not your typical summer retreat; it's a masterclass in building suspense, where every ripple on the lake and creak of the floorboards becomes a potential clue.

Cultura & Cash by Giovanna Gonzalez • I was actually able to get early access through the author's (@gigithefirstgenmentor) Cultural & Cash Crew program and read the book before it was even released!

As a first gen Latina, I felt so seen reading this book. Gigi’s mission is to equip people of the global majority with the tools and confidence to manage our finances, overcome debt, build lasting wealth, and achieve financial freedom. This book is unlike any other financial book out there because these types of books are often written with other audiences in mind. Drawing on her Mexican heritage and collectivist upbringing, Gigi highlights the importance of balancing our community and our personal financial future. This entire book is rooted in Latino culture!

I highly recommend this book for anyone who might feel frustrated or frightened by their current or future financial situation.

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride journeys through the lives of about 30 residents in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, sharing their hopes, struggles, and how they come together. You meet the alleged descendants of the Mayflower and Ellis Island voyagers, newcomers seeking to escape past mistakes, and lifelong townies. I encountered African American, Jewish, Russian, Greek, Italian, Romanian, and Yiddish influences that I was not familiar with and it was such a treat!

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut • Engaging with banned books brings me immense joy. Banned books expose you to a variety of perspectives and ideas that challenge societal norms, and often leave us with a sense of empowerment. As society advances, women gain the ability to stay informed, voice their opinions, and challenge conventions. It’s important that Chick Lit covers heavy topics like the ones mentioned in today’s book, including anti-war sentiments, consumerism, religion, imperialism, classism, humanity, and the industrial war complex. Although the overall tone leans toward a somber note, the mention of time-traveling aliens injects an intriguing element. 

Too Soon for Adiós by Annette Chavez Macias • The author, Annette Chavez Macias, beautifully captured the Latino/Mexican American experience throughout the book. Annette showcased Latino culture with an incredible blend of tenderness and care. The use of Spanglish in the book is authentic and avoids any cringe-worthy moments, a rarity in media representations. Annette's portrayal of Mexican dishes is brimming with love, skillfully illustrating that food is a genuine labor of love for Latinos. She also delves into the intricacies of being a No Sabo kid. Annette handles the sensitive topics of racism and discrimination with tact, presenting them in succinct bursts and avoiding prolonged, detailed scenes that could potentially retraumatize the audience facing these challenges daily.