Café Con Libros Book Club: Plantains and Our Becoming

This gathering is exclusively for current and prospective members of the Latina Network and will feature coffee, hearty appetizers, and desserts catered by a local Latinx caterer, raffle prizes, book reflections and discussion, and a fun group photo. Please bring your copy of the book to reference during the discussion. If you don't finish reading the entire book by the day of the book club, that's okay. Show up anyway...however, there might be spoilers in the conversation!

The preferred vendor for obtaining a copy of the book is We are Lit GR, however if a free copy of the book would be helpful for your participation, we have 30 free copies for those attending the book club session. Requesting a copy of the book can be found when reserving a ticket for this event. You will be emailed separate instructions regarding book pick-up.

Plantains and Our Becoming is also available as an audiobook on [Spotify Premium: Fee], [Hoopla, Libby: FREE with library card].

Space is limited. Since this is a book club, we cannot find a replacement for your spot if you cancel or do not show up. We know life happens, however, please prioritize your attendance if you register to maximize the richness of the book conversation and to help us be good stewards of our limited resources. Thank you! 

Optional ways to prepare for the book discussion:

• We often ask readers to share a quote or passage from the book that resonated with them. As you read, consider highlighting or flagging quotes/passages that you might want to share with the group. 
• A book discussion guide will be emailed to all registered persons at least 2 weeks prior to the event. This is a tool to help readers reflect prior to the group conversation.
• Know that this is a conversation among Latinas in a warm welcoming environment. This is not a book report presentation nor pop quiz! You’ll be surrounded by supportive Latinas.

Inclement Weather: In the event of inclement weather, all registered persons will be notified via email of the cancellation by noon (12 p.m.) on the date of the event.

Childcare: We do not have childcare, however, you are welcome to bring your child(ren) so long as you also bring quiet activities and snacks for them. They are welcome to also eat with the group, however, to ensure accurate food counts for the caterer, please try to email [email protected] at least 3 days prior to the event. Life happens and sometimes you don’t know you need to bring them until the day of…no worries. We’ll see you at the book club. Please note, the conversation may not be suitable for little ears, as this space is designed for adult women.

Book Description: Poet and musician Melania Luisa Marte opens Plantains and Our Becoming by pointing out that Afro-Latina is not a word recognized by the dictionary. But the dictionary is far from a record of the truth. What does it mean, then, to tend to your own words and your own record—to build upon the legacies of your ancestors?
In this imaginative, blistering poetry collection, Marte looks at the identities and histories of the Dominican Republic and Haiti to celebrate and center the Black diasporic experience. Through the exploration of themes like self-love, nationalism, displacement, generational trauma, and ancestral knowledge, this collection uproots stereotypes while creating a new joyous vision for Black identity and personhood.

Co-Sponsors: We express our sincere gratitude to the Grand Rapids Public Library for their support and contribution to making the Café Con Libros Book Club accessible to local Latinas by providing free copies of the book and space for the book club.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, United States