#unpresidentedreads Challenge 2017 discussion

What book(s) are people choosing for this month? Remember that the books provided are suggestions, but anything that fits into this category will work!

I'm thinking I'm gonna try reading at least the first two (In the Country We Love and The Wangs vs The World) and all three if I can.

hey ashe--i am assuming that we can read books other than the ones on your list. in some categories, i have read all the books listed.

i can make a list of other suggestions as i choose.

i am excited about this.

Yes, the books I listed are just suggestions. The idea is to read something that fits into the category :)

I found a novel by Ndibe on my library's ebook platform, so I'm going to check that out.

Foreign Gods, Inc.

As a librarian who skews towards YA or middle grade I'm sure my book choices will go more that way, but for this month, if I can get my hold on time I think I'm going to go with The Wangs vs The World. (I've only heard good things about it!)

I put Never Look An American in the Eye on hold at the library. I've also been wanting to read some Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, so I'll get started with Americanah. (I think from the title and blurb that it fits this theme, though I know there's more to it.)

I think I'm going to start with The Mango Bride.

I just ordered 'Jasmine and Fire' and looking forward to participating in this reading challenge.

Just started Diane Guerrero's In the Country We Love

Got it as a gift so recently started Julissa Arce's My Underground American Dream; the Spanish translation of the title -- In the Shadow of the American Dream -- sounds a bit better. Hope to check out Diane Guerrero's book too.

I'm going to read Never Look an American in the Eye.

On a related note, this is a great challenge, thanks for organizing it!

I just read a list of fictional treatments of various diversity topics, so I'm going to try one off that list that fits with this month's theme: World and Town by Jen Gish (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...)

I've settled on Americanah - it has been on my to read list of awhile and it fits nicely into the reading category for the month! I'm terrible with hardback books, but I'm hoping to grab In the Country We Love: My Family Divided next.

Liz! wrote: "I've settled on Americanah - it has been on my to read list of awhile and it fits nicely into the reading category for the month! I'm terrible with hardback books, but I'm hoping to..."

Yes! As soon as I finished reading it I learned that they're making a movie of it!!!

I've settled on The Book of Unknown Americans for the exciting reason that I didn't have to put a hold on it at work.

Ashe wrote: "Yes! As soon as I finished reading it I learned that they're making a movie of it!!! ."

WHAT i had no idea! i am so excited. i absolutely loved it

I was going to start with Never Look an American in the Eye, but I managed to receive In the Country we Love first. This book is heartwarming, heartbreaking and funny all at the same time. I'm about 1/3 of the way through and am loving it. It wouldn't have been on my radar if it hadn't been for this book group.

A friend recommended "My New American Life" or "Girl in Translation." I think this challenge is an excellent idea and I'm excited to get started!

I'm 2/3rds through Julissa Arce's memoir "My Underground American Dream." I was a bit wary of it at first because I thought there were a few classist statements made in the beginning. But it gets better and more engaging. I'm second generation and, sometimes my experience with folks who are first generation or 1.5 (those who immigrate as children) is that there can be some pretty pronounced classism and internalized racism. But, through this memoir, I learned about how 9/11 really pushed immigration rights back for a generation and that state-level legislation can change people's lives for the better. For instance, House Bill 1403 (one of the first DREAM acts) was passed in June 2001 and allowed undocumented students in Texas to pay in-state tuition and receive in-state financial aid. Arce is definitely a fighter but the years of having to hide and struggle definitely take a toll on her mentally/physically and I'm in the part of the book where she discusses this. Makes me want to read Diane Guerrero's memoir next. CW for domestic violence.

An eye-opening moment for me yesterday. I started World and Town a couple days ago, and I'd just been assuming this whole time that the author's name was Jen Gish - even could have sworn it was written in that order on the cover (even though it's not). I read the back flap for the author bio yesterday and realized that no, her name is Gish Jen. Good reminder that not every author is American with an American-style name.

Throwing out more love for Americanah <3 <3 <3 Have you ever read a book so beautiful that as it came to a close, you were sad, because of how much you were going to miss the characters from now on? Sighhhh

Kayla wrote: "Throwing out more love for Americanah <3 <3 <3 Have you ever read a book so beautiful that as it came to a close, you were sad, because of how much you were going to miss the characters from now on..."

Reading it now, it's taking a long time because I'm savoring it. She is really a fantastic writer.