Hey 24hr.YABookBlog here, creator of The Booked Shelf! Its my goal on the blog to not only highlight YA Book news, but also the fantastic creators in the bookish community!
I had the opportunity to interview Adriana from Boricua Reads, she’s a wonderful book blogger friend who continuously boosts and supports Latinx books!
Today’s post is the first in a new series I hope will be a staple here alongside all the bookish news, enjoy our interview!
Thanks for being a guest on the blog today Adriana, I’m honored to have you here! What inspired you to start your blog and what has your journey been like so far?
Adriana: I originally was blogging on Tumblr about the occasional book, and book lists as a way to turn my brain off from college assignments. However, I felt I wasn’t getting traction on there and I talked to Cam (justabookeater) since we know each other since high school and they were more experienced in the online book community. I started a twitter account to start following my favorite writers and be updated about new releases and not be so behind reading (in late 2010’s I was reading early 2010 YAs like Beautiful Music for Ugly People and Ari and Dante). In early 2018, I got mad at tumblr because it kept messing up my posts (and the fact that it was just a bad website) and I migrated all my posts to WordPress, where I knew some folks were posting like Sylvia (serialbibliophile, whom I miss) and Marianne (she’s mostly deactivated publicly now, but she used to be bookishboricua). That May I posted the first #ReadLatinx list, or what would become the #ReadLatinx list.
That leads right into my next question! According to your blog, you created #ReadLatinx in June of 2018 to promote and uplift Latinx authors (that often don’t get as much exposure as they should). What were your expectations/hope with this hashtag? Also, what’s your reaction to how its been received & utilized by the book community? Lastly, in general what does #ReadLatinx mean to you?
Adriana: I started using the hashtag as a way to call attention to books being published by Latinx writers. I felt like I kept seeing books by white authors be promoted to the point of annoyance and I wanted to tell the world that we’re here, telling stories and moving people with words. So I started promoting each new release in threads and calling attention to them, hoping that someone in the Twitter void would listen, and people did! At first it was mostly Latinx promoting within our community of readers (folks like Latinx in Kid Lit have been both sources of knowledge and encouragement), but then more people started feeling motivated to self-promote and nudge me saying “hey I have a book coming out” and more book bloggers began to take interest in these books.
Whenever I see someone using my hashtag it fills me with so much joy! It’s just such a straightforward way of telling people “hey, read Latinx books! However, I’ve also seen the downside of it, which is people using the hashtag to promote books by harassers like Junot Diaz and books by non-Latinx folks (mostly, white authors) who write racist Latinx caricatures and are praised as the epitome of representation. It’s frustrating but I also can’t control everything happening on the internet.
#ReadLatinx means a celebration, una bulla for all the Latinx writers who’ve been passed over, silenced, ignored, and show that we’re proud of our works. The publishing industry rewards white supremacy by publishing more books by white writers than any BIPOC (attach numbers), and we see that in bookstores and famous bookstagrams. Publishing doesn’t exist in a vacuum and I’m glad something like a hashtag has helped me feel better of what I put out in the universe.
How do you discover new reads? Any go-to places for book recommendations?
Adriana: For my seasonal Latinx book lists, I rely on book announcements from Publisher’s Weekly, Edelweiss (since they have publishers’ catalogs of upcoming releases), librarians like Sujei Lugo and booksellers like Cecilia Cackley, the Latinx author collective Las Musas, Goodreads, online book content creators, and word of mouth.
I discover new reads in the same way, but also through what’s on sale on my mobile book seller (I usually use Apple Books) and review copies.
If I want a book rec I go to my friends who have sort of the same taste as I do, like Cande, Caro, and Marianne. Other great resources: the LGBTQ Reads website (thank God for Dahlia Adler), Rachel Strolle’s (@recitrachel) posts, Fadwa’s social media (wordwoonders), The Quiet Pond (a blog run by CW, Joce, and Skye, all Asian book bloggers), Black book content creators like Jesse (Bowties and Books) and The Artisan Geek, and other Latinx book reviewers like Adriana (perpetualpages), Andrea (alifebydreaming on twitter, bookramble on YouTube), Jocelyn (yogi with a book/joceraptor), Alicia (booknonsense) and Paola (@Guerrerawr on twitter, Paola Mancera on YT). And, of course, you!
I noticed there’s a lot of variety to your posts where you alternate between reviews, lists, tags, etc. How do you decide what to post and what’s your process for writing one?
Adriana: The variety is due to my inconsistency as a book blogger because I post when I feel inspired and have time. I’ve been slacking on the review side of my blog, mostly because I feel like the speed with which I’m reading these days is too fast for me to catch up with my reviews. So I’ll do book tags and collabs with friends instead of doing… actual original content.
When I decide to write something, I give myself breaks if I need them. After all, this is free labor so I try not to pressure myself to have a consistent schedule and I’m not that hard on myself. I post when I deem something is finished, as in all the links are in, the formatting looks good, the header design is good and I don’t notice a glaring typo. Sometimes I’ll ask a friend to look at it with fresh eyes because everyone needs editing.
I know that there’s a particular duology you LOVE to tweet about: WE SET THE DARK ON FIRE! What do you love about Mejia’s books so much and what sets this series apart from other’s you’ve read?
Adriana: I first read Tehlor’s short story in All Out, the Queer YA anthology edited by Saundra Mitchell, and I fell in love with her lush writing and setting. Already being familiar with Tehlor’s writing from there, the expectations for WSTDOF were quite high for me. I like the fact that WSTDOF poses questions that it’s prepared to answer, and that it makes the audience ask questions as well. It explores different kinds of radical activism, from militancy to consciousness raising, from asylum to just strangers’ kindness, and how all of these must be used in a balanced way to overthrow a fascist government; hope for change to circumstances must be the core tenet of any revolutionary movement. I don’t know that I can compare this duology with any other series, but in my original WSTDOF review, I compared it to Sabaa Tahir’s Ember Quartet’s Laia (her experiences and the way she hopes for better and is steadfast in her beliefs) mixed with The Hunger Games’ Katniss Everdeen (especially in her experiences with trauma and the realities of a revolution). And yet it has the gentleness and prose you might find in a Roshani Chokshi book and the queerness of an Anna-Marie McLemore story. The way Mejia can meld all these things together and make an amazing story is incredible and unique.
Bonus: Give 3 reasons why people should read this duology
Thinly veiled metaphors for border life and Latin American (particularly Mexican) immigration, a quiet slow-burn (pun intended) queer romance, and villains who deserve the guillotine.
List your most anticipated Latinx book releases in 2020:
Adriana: I’m looking forward to Donna Barba Higuera’s LUPE WONG WON’T DANCE, Aida Salazar’s THE LAND OF CRANES, and Alexis Daria’s YOU HAD ME AT HOLA. I’m very lucky to have arcs of most other anticipated relases by Latinx, so three ARCs I have and am looking forward to reading are: WHAT IF A FISH by Anika Fajardo, PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE RIVER OF TEARS by Tehlor Kay Mejia (of course), and HERE THE WHOLE TIME by Vitor Martins.
You’ve also published poetry for inQluded & Boricua en la Luna anthology! What has been your favorite part of the writing process and any advice you have for book bloggers looking to write/publish too?
Adriana: My favorite part is stretching the limits of what I can do with my writing. I didn’t think I’d be publishing poetry even five years ago, but I’ve been writing poetry since I was a teen. I try not to box myself into a certain category of writer, as I write fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The versatility has opened many doors for me, even if it is writing a review for Tor.com or an op-ed for Bustle. So, my favorite part of the writing process has been to be kind with myself and be open to different kinds of writing. An advice I’d give to fellow book bloggers is to not put yourself down before you’re able to experience something new. Sometimes a publication will ask for book reviewers and I’ll have friends saying they’re not good enough for it, but the worst thing someone can say is no, and if they say no, it should be taken as an opportunity to grow and keep polishing your work. Also, to not be afraid to ask a friend to read over your posts; you’ll never know who might be reading.
Any media you’re currently enjoying? (Interview date was early April 2020)
Adriana: As I write this, I’m listening to THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ as narrated by Tituss Burgess, which is fun (even if the author of the book had anti-Indigenous sentiments). I don’t really listen to audiobooks but Apple Books has a handful of free audiobooks narrated by theater and film actors (in January, I listened to PRIDE AND PREJUDICE narrated by Kate Beckinsale, which was incredible).
In terms of physical books, I’ve absolutely loved: CEMETERY BOYS by Aiden Thomas, SAL AND GABI FIX THE UNIVERSE by Carlos Hernandez, AMERICAN SWEETHEARTS by Adriana Herrera, and MY RAINBOW by Trinity and Deshanna Neal and illustrated by Art Twink.
Recently, I watched High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, which is incredibly self-aware in its silliness and kind of tongue-in-cheek about its humor, and I absolutely adore that. It also deals with complex feelings of belonging and family and made me cry.
I’m also obsessed with Portrait of a Lady on Fire, directed by Céline Sciamma. The way the film talks about love and muse/artist relationships, and caring for someone purposefully, it left me feeling tender and raw.
I used to listen to more music while in college but recently I’ve loved Dua Lipa’s new album Carly Rae Jepsen’s Dedicated album, Bad Bunny’s YHLQMDLG, and Orville Peck’s debut album Pony.
What’s your favorite part about being a book blogger?
Adriana: I love being able to do whatever I want on my blog and be unapologetic about my love for books. Being a book blogger also allows me to connect with other like-minded individuals. It’s also a unique position where you’re constantly learning, since others might have different perspectives on what you’re enjoying (or not).
Any books you’ve been planning to read, but haven’t yet?
Adriana: I’m gonna call myself out and admit I have over 100 unread books (including ARCs) and I’ve been trying to get into NOCTURNA by Maya Motayne but I’m such a mood reader that I read a few pages and desire to read something else. I also have so many books I’ve started but left halfway, like TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY by Kwame Mbalia and WICKED FOX by Kat Cho, due to my bad ADHD.
When it comes to writing book reviews, what do you always plan on including or discussing? OR does it depend on the book?
Adriana: I try to treat each review as if they were a college paper or a college book review. I start out with a short summary of the relevant plot, and then tie it together to a specific topic I wish to tackle about the book. I sometimes outline the points I want to hit, like in the review I did for We Set the Dark on Fire, where I broke down the metaphors the book used for real world issues like immigration, code switching, class differences, machismo, and sapphic love in a Latinx setting. I also try to acknowledge my weaknesses in my reviews, such as the fact that my readings are done from the perspective of a light-skinned queer Puerto Rican, and therefore if I’m reviewing a book by a Black author where the story revolves around the experiences of being Black my voice shouldn’t be the one a reader should be listening to. I did that in my review of A Phoenix First Must Burn, and instead focused on the impact of each story and whether the author managed to convey the story they were telling in a successful way in such a short format.
As for reading, what are your favorite kinds of books and tropes?
Picture Books: I enjoy reading about new cultures by authors within that culture (like THE OCEAN CALLS by Tina Cho, MY RAINBOW and WHERE ARE YOU FROM? by Yamile Saied Méndez) and silly books like LLAMA DESTROYS THE WORLD by Jonathan Stutzman.
Middle Grade: Books that deal with identity. be it a queer character and/or a character of color, (like THE MOON WITHIN by Aida Salazar, A DASH OF TROUBLE by Anna Meriano, and MERCI SUÁREZ CHANGES GEARS by Meg Medina). Books by authors of color that are genre books (fantasy, mysteryn or sci-fi) are also big for me.
YA: : I really do love any kind of fantasy (whether high, paranormal, or urban fantasy) by authors of color. However, these days it takes me longer to settle into high fantasy with complicated worldbuilding. I enjoy sci-fi that takes the science part of the genre seriously and therefore their fiction is well informed by science, but I rarely pick it up. The last few YAs I’ve read and loved have been: CEMETERY BOYS by Aiden Thomas, COLOR ME IN by Natasha Diaz, and WANT by Cindy Pon. All of these books directly critique something about their culture, such as: Cemetery Boys’ defiance of gender norms in a magical Latinx family from the perspective of a trans boy; Color Me In’s critique of the mixed family (Black and white in this case) and how a white family can’t ignore someone’s Blackness and a biracial girl must come to terms with her privileges as a white-passing Black girl; and, Want’s takedown of the technological monopoly of billionaires and how they’re destroying poor people and the environment for profit. So, you could say I love stories with a social justice theme.
Adult: I’m not really into literary fiction, but I’ll read some adult fantasy (like books by N.K. Jemisin) and sci-fi and romance. I’m much more into adult romance by authors of color (what a shocker) like Adriana Herrera, Zoey Castile, and Alexis Daria, and erotica by Katrina Jackson. I’ll read contemporary and historical romance, and not much else.
As for tropes, I love well-written enemies-to-lovers, unrequited love that turns into something more, road trips, found families, fake dating, when a character has amnesia and slowly has to relearn everything or figure out what’s happened, when external circumstances have to keep two characters/parties apart… there are so many!
Any bookish content your looking forward to posting/creating on BoricuaReads in the future?
Adriana: I’m looking forward to my next #ReadLatinx list for the summer, which should be out in late May, and I’m planning to write a mega review of Adriana Herrera’s Dreamers series. I also have a mini series for picture book reviews that might be on the pipeline. Other than that, I don’t plan a lot of posts ahead.
Favorite book review you’ve written & Why?
Adriana: I loved the review I wrote of FIVE MIDNIGHTS for Tor.com just because it was my first paid book review, and my review of Lima :: Limón by Natalie Scenters-Zapico was a favorite one, just because the poetry collection was incredible and the fact that I found a way to talk about it and did it justice was a high point for me.
Any book blog goals for the rest of 2020?
Adriana: I’m trying to post more reviews and book lists. I want to keep bringing some of my interests outside of books into the book blogging realm, like Dungeons and Dragons and my favorite TV Shows. I would also like to spend more time reading my friends’ blog posts so I can keep learning and finding new reads.
Thank you so much to Adriana for highlighting your content and work in the bookish community!
Adriana M. Martínez Figueroa (she/they) is a bisexual Puerto Rican writer. She holds a B.A. from Iowa State University in Women and Gender Studies with a minor in US Latinx Studies. Her words can be found on her WordPress blog (Boricua Reads) as well as Bustle, Tor.com, InQluded, and Boricua en la Luna (e.d. Elena M. Aponte). She lives in Vega Baja, PR. Follow her social media @boricuareads.
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