Popular by Maya Van Wagenen

I read this memoir a long time ago for a project in middle school so it was nice to revisit it again. This memoir details Maya’s journey to finding popularity by utilizing a How to be Popular Guide from the 50s by then teen model Betty Cornell (who writes the forward to this book!).

What’s interesting is that even though the popularity guide was from a whole different generation, it is quite applicable today with easy to do tips like perfecting posture, having confidence and going out of your comfort zone to talk to people.

And as thousands of YA books and tv shows have reminded us, though it’s always nice to hear again, popularity is in the eye of the beholder. Even the people who are popular think themselves as losers or find others to be intimidating as Maya learned when she talked to the goths, the artsy geeks, the gangbangers and the jocks. By breaching this invisible but undeniable clique boundaries, Maya was able to gain popularity in a way she never imagined.

Relatable and introspective, Maya brings readers into her life and personal moments as she moves forward with her experiment and shares some lifelong messages.

Binge by Tyler Oakley

I admit I borrowed this on whim because I liked the candy cover but it is quite fun. Though I never seen his youtube videos, it didn’t stop me from enjoying this entertaining memoir. Oakley seems to be very heartfelt and genuine as he discusses big issues like abuse and family estrangement as he came out when he was a teenager to experiencing #CancelTylerOakley when he spoke out about a 1D member’s iffy support to an anti LGBTer.

But it’s not all serious as he also discusses entertaining ancetedotes like 10 things he’d do if he were Beyonce for a day to Tinder fails to getting high at a teen dance when he was a camp counselor. Very fun light read.

Man Up by Justin Baldoni

This memoir is very thoughful and introspective and in my very biased view, makes me love him all the more.

Baldoni gets candid about how hypermasculinity affected him starting in childhood and in relation, how it affects other males. Each chapter tackles a different toxic aspect of masculinity–physicality, friendship, sexuality, communication etc.

He also delves into other topics, not just his family relations but his own reckoning with being a good ally to his friends in regards to racism rather than reacting defensively; how porn affected his view of sexuality; and his own insecurities regarding his body while working as an actor.

While I was a bit confused by the spirituality (I never heard of Bah’ai faith before) I ultimately found it to be a moving, reflective memoir of a man trying to be better and change the definition of manhood for the next generation.

Inheritance by Elizabeth Acevedo

This is not so much nonfiction as one of Acevedo’s most famous poems set to page but it was under nonfiction in the library so I’ll do that here too. It’s a nice poem tackling the controversial subject of Afro-Latino hair as well what it means to be beautiful in this world of narrow standards. It’s powerful and affirming to those who relate to the subject and very moving when read outloud as you can see on Youtube. So if you want a complete collection of Acvedo’s work, go read this. Others might get disappointed by its short volume as it is only one poem, so they might prefer the youtube rendition.

American Like Me anthology edited by America Ferrera

America Ferrera brings together several stories from famous friends, mainly actors but several comedians and activists to discuss what it means to be American to them. Many are immigrants or children of immigrants and they get personal about life in America. The racism, the stereotypes, the isolation of not belonging and being forced to a box while trying to achieve the American dream that is not meant for you to have.

I found it moving and I’m sure whether you’re a fan of them or not, it gives a new insight to what it means to be American from so many different people.

You Too Anthology edited by Janet Gurtler

If you’ve experienced sexual assault or harrasment, this is a hard book to read. Even if you haven’t experienced it, it’s still hard to swallow all the daily indignities or double standards against women and men that goes unheard for so many reasons.

But a prevailing message is that these issues, as difficult as they are, need to be spoken about so others know they aren’t alone, and this is one start.

Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed edited by Saraciea J. Fennell

This anthalogy focuses on the voices in the Latinx diasphora, specfically Afro-Latino voices that have largely gone unheard. The 15 writers cover various topics from colorism, identity/labels, depression and queerness within the community.

It contains such prominant authors like Elizabeth Acevedo who describes the changes between generation in regards to parenting and how it relates to the immigrant experience in A Mi Orden: A Meditation On Dichos. Meg Medina reveals the conflicting ideas of what constitutes a good immigrant in The Mark of a Good Man. Mark Oshiro describes being cast out of his community for not knowing his heritage and for his queerness but is also unable to fit in with his adopted family’s country in Eres Un Pocho. Invisible by Ingrid Rojas Contreras describes the constant microaggressions and insistant racism from her in-laws and learning to cut toxic relationships. Paraiso Negro talks about the meaning of Afro-Latinx identity in a wider stage and connecting more with his identity on his visits to Panama. Just to name a few.

Jane Against The World: Roe v. Wade and the Fight for Reproductive Rights by Karen Blumenthal

This is an excellent book that explains, researches and details the fight for reproductive rights beginning in the 1800s up to late 2010s. Blumenthal not only goes into history but she gives context to the biologoical/philosphical/religious views on abortion during the time periods.

She also has sections medically explaining the stages of conception, abortion methods through the years, different churches/religions views on a fetus, and law briefs.

She also comprehensively covers the trial itself and the values of each judge that presided over the case as well as the sides of the prosecution and defense. There’s more that I’m not getting into because there’s just so much! Really if you want to learn more about the long fight for and against abortion, the evolving views on sexuality and health and future implications for our rights, this is the book you should read.