Welcome to Books of the Month, where once a month, College of Letters and Science staff select works from our Bookshelf of entirely UC Davis authors. Start the quarter off strong by adding these staff picks to your reading list in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
This month’s picks explore diverse narratives, from the testimonials of Latina/x and Chicana/x caregivers to the politics of the Puerto Rican diaspora.
Check them out! You never know, your new favorite book may be written by your professor!
Pragmatic Liberation and the Politics of Puerto Rican Diasporic Drama
Jon D. Rossini (Department of Theatre and Dance)
In Pragmatic Liberation, Jon D. Rossini analyzes the work of Puerto Rican playwrights working in the U.S., some of whom have previously received little attention in theatre studies. The book demonstrates the ways these diasporic playwrights worked to implement strategies and nuanced models for facilitating liberation, while remaining cognizant of the potential impact on those closest to us.
Peopling for Profit in Imperial Brazil
José Juan Pérez Meléndez (Department of History)
Peopling for Profit offers a different analytical lens on post-independence Brazil. Turning away from Brazilian slavery and the end of century mass immigration, José Juan Pérez Meléndez explores the combined efforts of migrant recruitment, transport to and settlement in post-independence Brazil. Pérez Meléndez reveals the Brazilian Empire’s engagement with for-profit, private colonization efforts and examines how it impacted Brazilian people in regards to social, racial, and class inequalities.
