Soledad by Angie Cruz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Angie Cruz’s Soledad is a story that makes everyday life in Washington Heights magical. She began the novel by pulling me into her world with vivid details such as empty bottles of Presidente in the trash cans, the stinging “smell of onions and cilantro,” and merengue blaring out of cars on the street. I was immediately hooked. She continued to pull me in with her complex characters who are all just regular people trying to make the best out of their circumstances in life. The story revolves around four strong female characters Gorda, Flaca, Soledad, and Olivia and explores their relationships with each other, with the men in their lives, and their culture. The magical realism takes this relatable down-to-earth story and its characters to another level. This beautifully written novel has layers upon layers and is one that can and should be read over and over again.


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Lucky Boy by Shanthi Sekaran
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I finished reading this book two days ago and it is still with me. From the very first page it was obvious to me that Shanthi Sekaran took the time to research the topics and cultures she explores in this book. She writes about Mexico not as a stereotypical version we often see in American media. She talks about it through her characters and their version of life in a small town in Mexico. She also explores Indian-American culture with the same sensitivity and without the stereotypes. She takes us through the foster system, immigration detention centers, and the life of an undocumented woman in the United States in detail. Then, she goes beyond these countries, cultures, and legal institutions to make the reader feel the emotions of a foster parent, a couple who is unable to conceive, and a mother who has lost her baby. This book is beautifully written and is extremely topical. I highly recommend this book!



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