Circe
By Madeline Miller
The writing is so beautiful that individual paragraphs could be published as standalone poems. The overall story tracks one remarkable woman’s (well… technically a nymph) centuries-long journey towards true self-knowledge and self-reliance, and the people and relationships that sustain and challenge her along the way.
Recommended by Stephanie, Supervising Family Law Attorney
Everyone Who is Gone Is Here
By Jonathan Blitzer
It’s a great read, filled with facts about immigration and stories from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, and connecting our government’s role in creating situations in these countries that forced people to migrate. The author shares much well-known history and then introduces us to individuals who either migrated to the US to escape or stayed in their countries to fight injustice.
Recommended by Dan, Community Investment Officer
Rest is Resistance
By Tricia Hersey
In Rest Is Resistance, Tricia Hersey, aka the Nap Bishop, casts an illuminating light on our troubled relationship with rest and how to imagine and dream our way to a future where rest is exalted. Our worth does not reside in how much we produce, especially not for a system that exploits and dehumanizes us. Rest, in its simplest form, becomes an act of resistance and a reclaiming of power because it asserts our most basic humanity. We are enough. The systems cannot have us.
Recommended by Jessica, Community Advocate, Project Coordinator
All the Way to the River: Love, Loss, and Liberation
By Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert’s, author of “Eat, Pray, Love” new memoir is about being in an abusive relationship, the struggle with suddenly having a lot of money, addiction, loss, love. It’s a quick engrossing read and demonstrates so many ways a relationship can become abusive and codependent. And the shame that can lead to denial. Highly recommend!
Recommended by Carmen, Executive Director
Downtown Owl
By Chuck Klosterman
A quick read guaranteed to make anyone who grew up in a small town feel a little homesick. Downtown Owl explores the beauty in the mundane routine of life, while developing deep characters that you miss as soon as the book is over.
Recommended by Zoe, Communications Manager
Ni de Aqui, Ni de Alla: A Soul Suspended Between Two Worlds
By Jorge Xolalpa
Jorge’s memoir explores his journey from Mexico to the United States, stuck between two cultures, two languages, and two versions of himself – never fully belonging to either.
Recommended by Bryant, Community Advocate, Consumer Debt
Mexico: A 500 Year History
By Paul Gillingham
Just in the first chapter, I learned so much, and I think it’s a great read for anyone who is a fan of Mexico or history. It’s written so well that it’s difficult to put down.
Recommended by Dan, Community Investment Officer
How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States
By Daniel Immerwahr
Fast-paced despite the heavy subject matter, it explores America’s history of colonies around the globe.
Recommended by Bryant, Community Advocate, Consumer Debt
Migrant Heart
By Reyna Grande
This memoir-in-essays collection explores Reyna Grande’s experiences as a Mexican immigrant, writer, daughter, mother, and advocate. Through personal stories, she reflects on migration, family separation, identity, language, belonging, racism, cultural pride, and the emotional complexities of living between two countries and cultures. The essays examine how personal and collective memories shape who we become, while also celebrating resilience, community, and the enduring ties between generations.
Recommended by Sylvia, Dir. Manager of Trauma Informed Services and Education
Todos Somos Sagrados: All Are Sacred
By Rey M. Rodriguez with preface by Gregory Boyle
This bilingual (Spanish-English) book centers on the sacred dignity of every human being. Drawing from faith, spirituality, social justice, and Latino cultural traditions, Rey M. Rodriguez reflects on compassion, community, healing, inclusion, and the interconnectedness of all people. The book echoes many of the themes associated with Gregory Boyle’s work at Homeboy Industries: kinship, belonging, restorative justice, and recognizing the humanity of those who are often marginalized or excluded.
Recommended by Sylvia, Dir. Manager of Trauma Informed Services and Education
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
By Michael Chabon
It’s a daunting novel because of its length and the weight of the storylines but I promise it’s worth the time investment. The book is totally original and tells an epic story of two cousins who became successful comic book creators in New York City during the 1930s and 1940s. Chabon blends historical fiction and adventure storytelling to craft a narrative about creativity, escapism, and the power of art as a weapon while exploring themes of racism, trauma, exile, corporate greed and the search for identify and belonging.
Recommended by Jill, Director of Operations
When El Salvador’s Prisoners Go Free, She’s There to Pick Them Up
Written by Annie Correal
Photos by Fred Ramos
Originally published by the New York Times
This article made my cry and sit for a while.
Recommended by Julie, Senior Immigration Attorney
The Future of Everything is Lies,
I Guess
Written by Kyle Kingsbury
Originally published on Aphyr
It may be incredibly long, but this article breaks down how AI (specifically Large Language Models) works, even for someone who isn’t tech savvy. It makes a lot of predictions about the future of AI and how it could affect our culture, jobs, and safety.
Recommended by Zoe, Communications Manager
Cesar Chavez, a Civil Rights Icon, Is Accused of Abusing Girls for Years
Written by Manny Fernandez and Sarah Hurtes
Originally published by the New York Times
This article is one of the biggest stories of the year, along with Dolores Huerta’s own statement on the abuse she endured. It calls into question how we view leaders in our community, along with the misogyny that still permeates social movements.
Recommended by Marissa, Director of Development
