Diasporic and Indigenous Voices Reading Group

Explore the world from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arabian Sea as we celebrate the voices of POC and diasporic authors. Within the pages of a book, get ready to ditch the cloudy English weather for new overseas landscapes, dishes, and cultural experiences.

I (Sammi) am proudly Mexican American and choose books that spotlight cultures across the globe - creating a safe space for inclusive discussions. Embracing diversity is important to us at Toppings, so please come along to discuss each month’s book paired with a glass of wine (or cordial!) and snacks (which may or may not go with the book theme).

This month’s book is Monstrilio by Mexican author Gerardo Sámano Córdova. A grieving mother cuts out a piece of her son’s lung after he passes away at home. Denial leads her to hiding it in her closet where she nourishes it until it grows into Monstrilio, a carnivorous creature that soon represents her son. The pages of this literary horror is an examination of life after bereavement, family, and sexuality. Córdova uses Mexican folk-horror to explore themes of identity, grief, and unconditional love in a tender yet terrifying way.

All readers are welcome to join our Diasporic and Indigenous Voices Group.