The Book of Unknown Americans

In my opinion, some books just need to be read, and I think The Book of Unknown Americans is one of them. Though this book is fiction, the author Cristina Henriquez, beautifully and at times tragically tells the story of a group of Latino people who all live in the same apartment complex.

Each person is from a different country in Central or South America. Each has a different past. Each has come to the United States for a different reason. I began listening to the audio version of this story, which I highly recommend if you have a commute each day or want something to listen to while working out, then ended up buying the book as well.  The chapters are told by the different characters, each with their own unique voice and perspective, and we see their lives intertwine.

Sometimes people tend to be afraid or apprehensive of those who are different from them, and the title of the book comes from that fear from those of us who were born here. The author shared through the voice of the character how many Latinos feel as though they are faceless and nameless, "We're the unknown Americans, the ones no one even wants to know, because they've been told they're supposed to be scared of us and because maybe if they did take the time to get to know us, they might realized that we're not that bad, maybe even that we're a lot like them."

If there is one book you put on your reading this this summer, I highly suggest The Book of Unknown Americans, both thought provoking and powerful, it is definitely a book that needs to be read.