Inside: Mis Clases Locas diverse book recommendations to read in English and/or Spanish. My favorite books I read in 2020.
Guess what?! We almost made it to the end of 2020! Honestly the two things that kept me the most sane this year were working out at home and reading. I have read a ton of books for fun this year, so if you are looking for some recommendations to disconnect and relax over break, this post is for you. If you are only interested in Spanish teaching content and not interested in possible books to read for fun in English or Spanish, feel free to take a pass. (If you are looking for books for your Spanish classroom, check out all of my libro lunes book reviews.)
If you follow me on my bookstagram, you may have seen that in the past year I have been reading a lot for fun, as well as trying to add a lot of diversity in my reading. Past blog posts about reading you might be interested in as well are: 10 books by Latinx authors & summer 2019 reading list.
Before I get into the list, I am going to answer the biggest question I have gotten.
When do you read?
The answer for me is actually pretty simple, instead of wasting time on my phone, I read. When I was locked inside during quarantine with my kids, I read. During nap time on the weekends, I read.
For me, it is about being intentional and having good books ready to go. The Goodreads app has been a game-changer. I can add books to my want-to-read list, and then when I go to the library I can just pull it up. Even easier, I can go online to my public library reserve books, and then just go pick them up with their curbside pickup.
What about Audiobook? Do they count?
ABSOLUTELY! I started with them listening on my drive to and from school, which made up quote a bit of my audiobooks this year. With quarantine and my library being closed for a while, this has been the year of the audiobook for me. I would listen on walks, while cleaning, or while my kids were playing nicely with each other.
Even better, every single audiobook I listened to in 2020 was FREE! With my public library, I have access to Libby and Hoopla apps on my phone. Plus as an educator, you can get Advanced Listener Audiobooks from Libro.fm. Sign up here!
Do I read in Spanish?
Diverse Book Recommendations – Fiction
Best Historical Fiction: Dominicana
This historical fiction novel is set in 1960s New York City and the Dominican Republic. It follows a 15 year old who is married off by her family to live in the US. I enjoyed reading about the little written about historical Latinx immigrant experience. It is based on the author’s abuela and her story. The story is real, heartbreaking, and shows the power of strong women (who is actually just a child). I would highly recommend it.
Best YA Fiction: Clap When You Land
Diverse Book Recommendations – Non-Fiction
Bonus Fun Books
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Allison Wienhold of Mis Clases Locas has a decade of experience as a #deptof1 secondary Spanish teacher in Iowa. She enjoys creating curricula using novels, films, and music. Allison provides professional development to World Language teachers, including being the keynote speaker at MALT and Comprehensible Iowa, and workshop presenter at dozens of state & regional organizations, school districts, AEAs, and virtual conferences.
Unknown says
Check out YA fiction Furia – lots of "chica" empowerment, cultural info of Argentina, main character from a multicultural family, etc. I'd have no problem recommending this book to high school or maybe even middle school students.
I loved Furia as well this year! Just too many great ones!
I loved “Dominicana” too! You should also check out “Mexican Gothic” if you haven’t already.
I actually just finished Mexican Gothic on audiobook over break! It was a different style for me, but I enjoyed it