Throughout September, Bellingham Public Library will celebrate Hispanic and Latino heritage with book displays, reading lists, and staff recommendations, as well as opportunities to hear personal stories. Please join us in recognizing the contributions and influence of people with Latin American heritage to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
Enacted into federal law in 1988 under President Reagan, National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually observed from September 15 to October 15 in the United States to honor the “histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively.” Many other countries of the region celebrate independence in other months of the year.
The National Museum of the American Latino states: “Today, the Latino population in the United States today is over 60 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes up 18.9% of the total population… Latinos continue to help fuel our economy and enrich our nation as entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, entertainers, scientists, public servants, and much more.”
Listen to Local Stories of Hispanic Heritage
Somos Comunidad is a collection of personal digital stories facilitated by Monica Koller of Connecting Community and funded by the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library in the fall of 2024 to center local Latino / Latine perspectives. Bellingham Public Library maintains a viewable archive of these stories for our community members.
Our gratitude to the seven storytellers who gathered to connect and heal through voicing lived experiences. By deeply listening to stories, we better understand lived experiences, can empathize with others, and become inspired to create personal and community change.
Register for Listen Deeply: Community Voices Film Fest
Bellingham Public Library will host Listen Deeply: Community Voices Film Fest on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 10 am at Hotel Leo to celebrate the transformative personal stories of local community advocates and changemakers, including participants of the Somos Comunidad collection. There is healing that happens in telling stories and healing that comes from listening. Experience the power of listening together to 16 self-authored short videos by local community members. Hear from storytellers about the importance of sharing your voice. Learn about local organizations who are advocating for equity and belonging while building community together.
This program is a partnership with Connecting Community, and is sponsored by the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library. It is free to attend, but registration is requested. Light refreshments will be provided.
REGISTER HERE to join us!
Whatcom READS features Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora
The county-wide Whatcom READS book selection for 2026 is Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora. It is the author’s personal story of migration to el norte as a 9 year old, traveling alone.
Publisher Penguin Random House writes: “A memoir as gripping as it is moving, Solito provides an immediate and intimate account not only of a treacherous and near-impossible journey, but also of the miraculous kindness and love delivered at the most unexpected moments. Solito is Javier Zamora’s story, but it’s also the story of millions of others who had no choice but to leave home.”
In Solito, his debut New York Times bestselling memoir, Zamora retells his nine-week odyssey across Guatemala, Mexico, and eventually through the Sonoran Desert. He travelled unaccompanied, by boat, bus and foot. After a coyote abandoned his group in Oaxaca, Zamora managed to make it to Arizona with the aid of other migrants.
Solito is available from Bellingham Public Library as a book, eBook, eAudiobook or book club kit. Zamora will visit Whatcom County for Whatcom READS speaking events in March 2026. Whatcom READS encourages everyone to read the book and join the conversation.
Book Club Kit Titles for Hispanic Heritage Month
Bellingham Public Library offers a wide selection of book club kits that each contain 10 copies of the same title and a general reading guide for discussion. Book club kits check out for 32 days and can be reserved for pickup on a specific date. For more information, visit the Book Club Resources page.
Hispanic Heritage Reading Lists for All Ages
Hispanic Heritage Adult Fiction and Nonfiction Staff Recommendations
El Norte: The Epic and Forgotten Story of Hispanic North America by Carrie Gibson (Adult Nonfiction)
“This is my favorite kind of nonfiction: a highly detailed and documented account of something I know almost nothing about. In this case, it’s a history of the 500+ years of Spanish culture and language in North America. I’d like to highlight the map that shows Mexican territory ending at the Oregon border and reaching Oklahoma in 1848.”
– Karen, Public Services Clerk
Cenzontle by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo (Adult Nonfiction eBook)
“A lyrical, kaleidoscopic selection of poems. Castillo writes on immigration, grief, queerness, and belonging with an aching sincerity that must be admired from every angle. The kind of poetry that gives you something new to notice with every reading.”
– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times by Mónica Guzmán (Adult Nonfiction)
“Mónica Guzmán is a Mexican immigrant, dual US/México citizen, and local thought leader. I first encountered Mónica when she was artist-in-residence at Town Hall Seattle. Since then, she’s continued to shine a clear path on how one can
connect with people who think very differently. Her primary advice? Get curious! Mónica has done important work not only for our region but for our nation in how to bridge opposing ideologies. She has inspired me to ask good questions, maintain respect, and take an honest look at my own assumptions.”
– Miranda, Library Events Coordinator
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (Adult Fiction)
“Set in a fantastical world inspired by pre-contact Mesoamerica, four peoples’ lives become intertwined in the events leading up to the Winter Solstice.”
– Siena, Public Services Clerk
Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs by Camilla Townsend (Adult Nonfiction)
“Fifth Sun is a history of 16th century Mexico based primarily on the Nahuatl Annals – the only surviving account in Nahuatl, the Aztec language, of the years surrounding the Spanish conquest. Townsend is a good storyteller and a brilliant scholar, and one of the few to give the native accounts the respect they deserve. Highly recommended for adult readers, with the usual warnings about graphic violence – it is, after all, a war story.”
– Karen, Public Services Clerk
Illegally Yours: a memoir by Rafael Agustin (Adult Biography)
“Rafael Augustin found out that he and his parents were undocumented when he tried to get a driver’s license. Luckily, he has a sense of humor about this. I love his mom.” (ages 16 and up)
– Karen, Public Services Clerk
My (Half) Latinx Kitchen by Kiera Wright-Ruiz
“For those who love the combination of food and story, this cookbook memoir written by Kiera Wright-Ruiz is a great read, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month. The author is half Latinx and half Asian and experienced a disjointed childhood, growing up in many different family and foster homes. This cookbook relates the story of her journey to connect with and embrace her identity and includes vivid descriptions and fantastic recipes from all over Latin America.”
– Jenni, Community Relations Specialist
“‘Your first lesson is never to eat in public’ – these are the last words of my favorite story in Loteria, Cynthia Pelayo’s collection of short stories and poems based on Latin American folklore. The words are, in context, horrible. This is a beautiful and creepy book, perfect for readers who like their stories boiled down to the bone. For teens and adults.”
– Karen, Public Services Clerk
Hispanic Heritage Staff Recommendations for Teens
Breaking to the Beat by Linda J. Acevedo (Recommended for ages 6 to 100)
“In the 1970s Bronx, Manolo, a shy Puerto Rican boy, overcomes his fears and insecurities to become part of a new innovative dance style called breaking. This is a wonderful overview of break dancing with gorgeous art throughout!”
– James, Public Services Clerk
Hispanic Heritage Staff Recommendations for Kids
Alebrijes by Donna Barba Higuera (Recommended for ages 11+)
“A companion to The Last Cuentista, Alebrijes is a stunning postapocalyptic tale following 13-year-old pickpocket Leandro as he fights through exile and danger to rescue his sister and their loved ones from the oppressive regime that has held their community captive for years.”
– Rosalie, Public Services Clerk
Tumble by Celia C. Perez (Recommended for ages 9+)
“I like how Addie is a realistic character with a unique story. She is close with her mother and stepfather but can’t shake her curiosity about her biological father. Her investigation leads her to discover that her dad, Manny, is part of a famous wrestling family…and that family is complicated.”
-Mandee, Children’s Programming Specialist
Hispanic Heritage Film Recommendations
Hispanic Heritage Month Films from Kanopy
In recognition of #HispanicHeritageMonth, Bellingham Public Library presents this collection of narrative and documentary films honoring the Hispanic community. To view these titles with your library card, go to Kanopy.
Staff Recommendations
“When presented with a curious relic that promises to grant eternal life, an aging antiques dealer must confront his own mortality while dodging the grasp of a merciless hunter.”
– Siena, Public Services Clerk
“The haunting beauty of the cinematography combined with the deliberate pacing makes this an immersive treat. The story seamlessly weaves Guatemalan history and folklore, giving a new light to the ghostly figure of La llorona.”
– Siena, Public Services Clerk
“A dark fairytale about a group of children forced to band together and care for each other in a war torn city.”
– Siena, Public Services Clerk