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John Manuel Arias

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Although I spend all year reading work by Latinx and Hispanic authors, these are the ones I read during the month! I wish I could choose a TBR and stick to it but the mood dictates the next read! Also, to those who participated in the Raíces y Relatos challenge, I hope you had some great reads!

Thank you to so many creators for being the reason why my TBR continues to grow! May everyone continue reading and supporting Latinx/Hispanic writers! If there is one thing I always get reminded of is that we have many stories to tell!

#latinxheritagemonth2026 #raicesyrelatoschallenge #supportlatinxauthors

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Latine Futures - Matt Shafi-Aragon

In the modern era of AI-slop and disconnection, Matt Aragon-Shafi and West Side Books play an important role in keeping us connected to community, to the written word, and our shared humanity. Matt was a long-time bookseller and manager at West Side Books before taking over as owner in January 2026.

When he took over the store, they made one major change: they shrank their footprint; the used books that once made up the majority of their inventory are mostly gone. (Take heart, the store plans to expand back into part of the original space in 2027.)

Instead, Matt and his staff have worked to build a highly curated experience where he hopes that customers feel seen. As a supporter of queer authors and writers of color, he said it’s important that people see their experiences jump off the page. He has been able to explore his own multicultural Latine identity thanks to writers like Kali Fajardo-Anstine.

For Matt, a North High graduate, it was important to buy the book store and keep it on 32nd Avenue as a reminder of the Latino community that mostly has been displaced by gentrification.

If you’re in the Northside, stop by West Side Books, say hi to Matt and his team and see yourself on their shelves.

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Happy Latin/Hispanic Heritage Month to you all!!! 🫶🏾 we are weeks in and it’s been a joy to see the recommendations, celebrations of Latin/Hispanic media online!!⭐️ be it books, movies, authors or creators, this had been amazing so far 🥹

Keeping the trend of starting my curriculum on the last day of a celebration we are starting this curriculum 🥰

I particularly want to learn about Central American History. I learnt a bit about the effects of US Imperialism on the countries there but I want to learn who these countries ARE, not under the umbrella of the US in any way and I’m SO EXCITED to start⭐️

Hope you guys stick with me as I start💗🇵🇦🇬🇹🇸🇻🇨🇷🇳🇮🇭🇳🇧🇿

Also this song has been on repeat 🔁🫶🏾

#latinheritagemonth #hispanicheritagemonth

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JOHN MANUEL ARIAS readers, please spend a few as he opens up about writing his one-of-a-kind story here in
CROCODOPOLIS on ABOUT THE AUTHORS TV

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In frank conversation with the amazing @johnmanuelarias about Crocodilopolis - the highlight of my past week! 😍
As always, John, thank you for your insight, good humor and friendship. It means the world to me!
🙏🏼🐊🐊📚💚

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Book Recs for Latine Heritage Month ☺️

🙋🏻‍♀️ Who is your favorite Latine book character?

Hola, friends! 👋🏼 While Latine Heritage Month is quickly coming to an end, there’s NO end to the number of amazing Latine books out there. 💃🏻 Latine Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the beautiful diversity of the community that has helped shape American culture; what better way to celebrate than with stories? 📚 Here are just a FEW of the amazing Latine books out there. Which ones will you be adding to your TBR? 🤔

There are so many stunning Latine books out there! 🥰I need YOUR help to ensure they receive the love and attention they deserve. 💬 Comment with your favorite Latine book or author to help me celebrate Latine Heritage Month and continue to build my own TBR!❗

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Thank you to @librofm for the audio copy through the Educators Plan! I’ve been waiting to read this one for Latinx Heritage Month, and I’m so glad I did.

Although I struggled a bit with the shifting timelines in the beginning, I eventually found my rhythm and became completely invested in this story. The narration was excellent, and Arias weaves together family, greed, jealousy, and Costa Rica’s political history in a way that makes this story feel incredibly layered.

At its heart, this is a story about two brothers and the lengths one will go to in an attempt to outdo the other. The rivalry is intense, and I loved how everything comes full circle through their sons, who must confront the weight of this generational cycle and decide what to carry forward.

There’s so much to unpack in this novel, and I don’t want to spoil a thing! Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend giving it a read.

#Crocodopolis #JuanManuelArias #librofm #LatinAmericanLiterature #2026reads📚

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Haul from the Bookmarks Festival of Books and Authors last weekend 📚🩵

I didn’t intend to buy a whole stack of books last weekend, but here we are. I heard all of these authors speak (except for Kylie Lee Baker because I was at a different panel at the same time), and I couldn’t pass up these books after their wonderful talks.

I’m genuinely so excited to read each of these but believe I’ll have a hard time deciding where to start. I don’t think I can go wrong, though!

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Book 48 (borrowed)
Crocodilopolis by John Manuel Arias
Bloomsbury Publishing

This was one of the best books I’ve read this year. From the first sentence, this book sucked me in, and I didn’t want it to end.

The novel is en epic Costa Rican family tale that bounces back and forth in time and location.

Weaving the history of the country, with the history of this extremely troubled family. There’s the militant grandfather, the alcoholic father, the aunt who is in touch with the Earth and the spirits, the American sisters, their children, but the bulk of the story revolves around 2 brothers, Seth and Osario.

This is a modern day Cain and Abel story set against the backdrop of Costa Rica. Therese brothers are consumed with lies, corruption, uncovered truths, jealousy, and revenge.

Every word of this book was beautifully written. A must read.

#Crocodilipolis #JohnManuelArias #literaryfiction #costarica #readingisfundamental📚

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ARCtober is here and I am ready to dive in head first.

My TBR is stacked with a total of 236 ARCs that I need to read and I have no idea where to start. So I chose the ones that gave me the October vibes I was looking for. Cozy, spooky, thrilling, and just plain ol fun.

To help keep me motivated I’ve joined up with @cityreadingmouse and @electric_bookaloo in their ARCtober group to see if I could stick to it this month. Follow along with me as I post and whine and scream and review!

⁉️QOTD: Which should I start with? Help?!

#arctober #arcreader #tbr #bookrecommendations

Want in on our bookish engagement chat? Reach out to our admins for more info:
@thiccbooksandthiccthighs
@nikki_loves_to_read
@stephs_bookery
#ThiccBooksChallengeOct26

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Book 37 of 52
Prompt 32: Publisher starts with the letter ‘B’
Crocodilopolis - @johnmanuelarias
#52booksin52weeks #2026readingchallenge #the52bookclub2026 @the52bookclub #bookstagram #booktok

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Hello, and welcome to Crocodilopolis, one of the best books I’ve read all year.

Crocodilopolis is a generational epic that explores the cyclical nature of toxic masculinity, dooming brothers Seth and Osario Oreamundo to pay for the sins of the men in their family who understood all too well how to hate. Though they are born to a bloodline of wealth and power in Costa Rica, security slips away as unforgivable family secrets bubble to the surface, forcing Seth to flee to the US, leaving his little brother in their cursed family home.

As the brothers grow older, sides are chosen, and the miles wedged between them leave too much room for grudges to grow. These boys were never taught to forgive, and eventually, the same deadly spite that lived in their grandfather’s heart and their father’s mind, catches up to them.

Although this novel is dark in theme, John Manuel Arias’s prose is graceful and it sparkles off the page. Costa Rica comes to life in the background of the story, and is almost a character in itself as the tropical forests guide Seth and Osario through their lives. There’s also an immense amount of pain that drives every decision made by each character, and it’s only shown in their lonely shadows, far away from one another.

Please, read this book!

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