#PuertoRicanPride: Five Books You Need To Check Out

Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera

Eury is a girl who’s haunted by the events of Hurricane María. Not only that, she’s also being persecuted by an evil being called Ato. After moving to the Bronx, she meets Pheus. He’s a bachata singer whose voice can captivate absolutely anyone, although he only has eyes for Eury.

Never Look Back isn’t just a love story, even though it’s certainly an important part of the plot. This book details that tragedy that befell Puerto Rico after the events of Hurricane María, a major catastrophic event that forever changed our lives. It also touches the themes of faith and trust while highlighting the importance of asking for help with mental illnesses. Lilliam Rivera does a wonderful job with character development, and Eury’s journey is one that makes me teary-eyed whenever I think about it. A retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice like you’ve never read before!

Memorias de una Despitá by Dori Lozada

This book is a collection of drawings based on the author’s own experiences, and she showcases them in such a way that anyone can relate to them.  

Dori shares experiences of her childhood, the struggles of becoming an adult, and the importance of always having snacks handy. This book is an absolute joy and I find myself constantly flipping through the pages and laughing at the drawings. Memorias de una Despitá is completely in Spanish though, so keep that in mind if you’re thinking of buying it!

Blazewrath Games by Amparo Ortiz

Dragons and tournaments and mysteries…oh my! Lana Torres wants nothing more than to represent Puerto Rico in the upcoming Blazewrath World Cup. After all, she’s always liked dragons way more than she liked people (can we blame her though?). Her dreams are put on hold, however, when a dragon who’s cursed into human form begins to wreak havoc. Armed with pure determination and fire in her veins, Lana will stop at nothing to ensure the Cup isn’t jeopardized.

Blazewrath Games is full of action, heart, and insanely wicked dragons!

You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

Jasmine Lin Rodriguez is working towards becoming a leading lady. She’s spent most of her career working on soap operas, so when she gets the opportunity to work on a bilingual romcom, she’s determined to let nothing get in the way. Meanwhile, Ashton is a well-known telenovela star. He’s proud of all he’s accomplished, but his dream is to get noticed by Hollywood agents and become part of mainstream media. These actors agree to rehearse in private, after all, both of their careers are currently on the line. But the blossoming romance between Jasmine and Ashton definitely gives off telenovela vibes. I’ve been obsessed with telenovelas ever since I was old enough to binge watch them with my grandma, so this book was an absolute joy to read. I also love how the author dealt with PTSD, attachment issues, and insecurity while also bringing some of the drama that telenovelas are known for.

Ellas by Enery López-Navarrete, Mariola Rosario Padró & Laura Rexach-Olivencia

For the longest time, history has erased the accomplishment of women and that’s a fact. I admit that my knowledge of Puerto Rican women who shook history was slim to none. It’s not something we’re really taught in school, although there’s the exception of a few writers who make the cut when it comes to education. That’s why Ellas is such a powerful book that deserves more recognition. A wonderful collection of women, from STEM to Hollywood, who made their mark on our culture. Accompanied by illustrations from the talented Mya Pagán, this bilingual book is perfect to learn about powerful women and the marks they left in Puerto Rican history.