University Libraries

By Ione Damasco

Join the University of Dayton as we celebrate Latinx Heritage Month, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Nationally known as Hispanic Heritage Month, this is a time when we honor the many cultures and contributions of people whose roots trace back to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking countries of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. 

The University Libraries Diversity and Inclusion Team encourages everyone to learn more about the many cultural groups that make up Latinx communities through different forms of writing: fiction, memoir, poetry and prose. The works listed here explore the complex intersections of language, gender, race and sexual identity through various Latinx cultural lenses. Students, faculty and staff can access or borrow these titles from Roesch Library. Alumni and friends can find these titles at their local libraries. 

A library guide on Latinx Heritage Month also provides a starting point for understanding the complexity of Latinx identity.

Recommended reading

Fiction

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

• This multi-award winning young adult novel tells the story of Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza and Dante Quintana, two teens with not much in common who become unlikely friends. Together, they navigate the challenges of understanding race, sexuality, culture, and family dynamics, building the kind of friendship that changes lives and lasts forever.

The Book of Wanderers, by Reyes Ramirez

• These imaginative tales feature a wide cast of characters, including a family of luchadores, a rideshare driver, a migrant worker in space, someone who fights neo-Nazi zombies, and more. What links these stories together are themes of wandering that explore Mexican and Honduran diasporas, unpacking what it means to be Latinx in real and imagined settings.

Clap When You Land, by Elizabeth Acevedo

• A unique novel told in verse that explores grief, familial connections, and forgiveness. This is the story of girls who live thousands of miles apart, unaware of each other’s existence, but who share the same father. Their lives are upended when he dies in a tragic plane crash.

Nonfiction

A Nation Of Women : An Early Feminist Speaks Out, by Luisa Capetillo

• Puerto Rican activist Luisa Capetillo was arrested in 1915 for wearing pants in public. This collection of her essays reflects her early sense of feminist resistance, and spans a wide range of topics, including sexuality, mental and physical health, hygiene, spirituality, and nutrition. 

Loving In The War Years : And Other Writings, 1978-1999, by Cherríe Moraga

• This updated edition includes two classic works by writer, activist, and queer Chicanx icon, Cherríe Moraga. Through essays and a longer memoir, Moraga explores many complex intersections: her Chicanx and lesbian identities, poetry and prose, the personal and the political. Through it all, Moraga builds bridges among the various facets of her life, demonstrating how global solidarity starts with self-awareness and deep engagement with the people around you.

Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation On Race and The Meanings and Myths Of “Latino,” by Héctor Tobar

• This award-winning book is a personal exploration by a Pulitzer Prize winning of what it means to be Latino in the U.S. in the 21st century. 

— Ione Damasco is a professor in the University Libraries and associate dean for inclusive excellence and organizational development.