Book 1, Post 1

 Book Choice:

American Like Me by America Ferrera

I chose to read American Like Me by America Ferrera as I am the child of immigrants and wanted to hear more perspective stories. Like Reshma in the second chapter of the book, I myself was born with a traditionally Polish name chosen by my mother, a Polish immigrant. I grew up under the nickname Anya, something more easily digestible for others, and only until I got older did I understand the significane of my parents decisions. I then chose to embrace my name and parents struggle to make a better life for themselves and family, I began going by Anastazja. 

By reading this book, I am hoping to gain some more perspective on my own families decisions, as well as hearing other experiences living as an “outsider” in the United States. I also feel I do not get the opportunity to read more “casual” styles of writing and personal stories, so I am hoping to learn about different ways to voice stories and write with my own voice. 

So far upon reading, I really enjoy this formatting. I am captivated by each different writer in the book, and find each different voice to be refreshing and interesting to read. I found each writer to have a distinct style, and the book feels captivating to read as it doesn’t sound boring and heavily detailed, rather a personal accounting of each story. I feel like I am having conversation with the writers, taking advice and wisdom from each persons tales. At first, I had thought each style of writing would be a story of immigration or feeling excluded, but found each writer found an interesting way of expressing their unique differences and contribute to the book in a very diverse way. For example; Al Madrigal wrote from a more witty and tips and tricks approach, while Reshma told a story of her parents immigration and decision to name her. This gives me ideas and teaches me other ways to share my own voice in my writing.