Filipino American History Month
Thanks to this Instagram post by L.A.-based merch store Manila Oriental, I realized October was Filipino American History Month which I NEVER KNEW before. And I'm a Filipino-American! What's wrong with me?!
Filipino American History Month commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States on October 18, 1587, when “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California. In 2009, the month was officially recognized by U.S. Congress.
In honor of FAHM, I put together a list of books by Filipino and Filipino-American authors. I added the genre plus linked to the book's Goodreads page. If you're looking for new and diverse reads, take your pick!
--Contemporary Books--
Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim
fiction, magical realism, romance
historical fiction, literary fiction
Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos
women's fiction, romance
literary fiction, historical fiction
The Mango Bride by Marivi Soliven
contemporary fiction, literary fiction
America Is Not the Heart by Elaine Castillo
literary fiction, historical fiction
In the Country: Stories by Mia Alvar
short stories
--Young Adult--
Something In Between by Melissa de la Cruz
romance, contemporary YA
Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay
graphic novels, contemporary YA
The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco
fantasy, paranormal, horror
--Nonfiction--
Lola's House: Filipino Women Living with War by M. Evelina Galang
biography, war
America is in the Heart by Carlos Bulosan
memoir, history
Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas
memoir, politics
**this is the only book I've read on this list so far (I'm working on it) and I highly recommend it!