At the Emory Libraries, we’re pleased to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place each year between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15. This period commemorates the important contributions of the over 60 million Americans who trace their roots to Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Spanish-speaking islands of the Caribbean and Spain.
In 1968, Congress authorized the President to issue an annual proclamation observing a National Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988, this became a month-long commemoration. National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on Sept. 15, the day that the nations of Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica) celebrate their independence. Mexico (Sept. 16) and Chile (Sept. 18) also mark their independence days during the period. Día de la Raza, or Columbus Day (Oct. 12), also occurs in this 30-day interval.
This blog post highlights recent literature and literary criticism written by and about Hispanic American/Latinx authors found in the collections of the Emory Libraries.
“Solito a Memoir” by Javier Zamora
The New York Times best-selling memoir by a Salvadoran American poet of his migration from El Salvador to the United States as an unaccompanied minor at the age of 9.
“Crying in the Bathroom” by Ericka Sanchez
A new collection of essays by New York Times best-selling author of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter deals with such topics as depression, sex and feminism.
“The Family Izquierdo: A Novel” by Rubén Degollado
This debut novel, longlisted for the PEN/Faulkner Award, deals with three generations of a Tejano Mexican American family.
“The Shamshine Blind” by Paz Pardo
The first novel by an Argentine American writer set in 2009 in a world where emotions have been weaponized, and the United States is in decline after Argentina’s victory in the Malvinas/Falklands war.
“Women Without Shame: Poems” by Sandra Cisneros
The first new volume of poetry in more than 25 years by the author of “The House of Mango Street.”
“Doña Cleanwell Leaves Home: Stories” by Ana Castillo
A new collection of Latinx feminist short stories by the noted Mexican American author and poet Ana Castillo.
“Juan Felipe Herrera: Migrant, Activist, Poet Laureate,” edited by Francisco A. Lomeli
An edited volume of scholarly essays covering the breadth of the life, career and works of this U.S. poet laureate.
“Bless Me, Ultima; Tortuga; Alburquerque” by Rudolfo Anaya
A recent re-publication of three notable novels by famous New Mexico writer and National Humanities Medal winner Rudolfo Anaya.
—Phil MacLeod, Latin American Studies librarian