Welcome to Litsy!

Julissa had a good life in Mexico, but when there was an incident at school, her parents brought her to them in America. They didn‘t tell her for years that she had an expired visa. This started her journey as an undocumented immigrant. Through faith, luck, and a lot of hard work, she was accepted UT-Austin and made connections there that led her to a job at Goldman Sachs, even though she had to use forged papers. An inspiring story. #audiobook

An interesting story of an undocumented immigrant who came here to be with her parents as a child, and stayed. How she navigated a world without the appropriate papers, and through hard work and determination ended up becoming a Wall St executive, all while trying to hide her past and lack of legal status….and the emotional toll all of that took in her life.

This quote struck me…

The wealth gap in this country, the real extremes of the real 1%, even famous people and professional athletes, people we think of as “rich” aren‘t rich enough for the PWM (Private Wealth Management) group at Goldman Sachs….not even close. And yet there were lots of potential clients. ⤵️

As I sit looking out a window in idyllic New England, the author muses on how history is defined by the powerful. A common refrain about New England is that it‘s historic. Why then was the history I learned one of an area far from these scenes, one where the desert is as far as the eye can see and Mexico was a major catalyst of history? Sure, this area has a lot for 18th century British rebels.

I think this book is an important read for anyone who is interested in finding out what it is actually like to be an undocumented immigrant. There is so much rhetoric and false statements out there so maybe take some time to learn about what it really is like.

We need books by all kinds of people, about all kinds of people. Diversity is vital.

#weneeddiversebooks

In this surprising, at times heart-wrenching, but always inspirational personal story of struggle, grief, and ultimate redemption, Arce takes readers deep into the little-understood world of a generation of undocumented immigrants in the United States today. #CopperfieldsRecommends

I got to meet Julissa Arce! Such an intelligent, beautiful, and gracious woman.

This should be mandatory reading. Life as an undocumented immigrant in the United States, through no fault of her own -- the constant shadow, the need to work harder than anyone else, perseverance, sacrifice. This book has it all.

Arce is open about her undocumented status, how it affected her every action in school and work. She is equally candid about her home life where her father sometimes beat her, her mother had a horrible work-related accident, and she pushed limits.

This is a coming-of-age story, as well as a story of perseverance and triumph. It gives the reader a clear picture of what life looks like as an undocumented immigrant living in the United States.

Library book sale? Check. 2 mile walk with the pup? Check. Next goal: Finish My (Underground) American Dream.

You guys. This book. I can't stop reading.

Lunch break. Starting this in advance of Hachette's Book Club Brunch.

Waiting for Julissa Arce to present her book at #strands in #NYC. The story of an undocumented immigrant who managed to work in Wall Street

Got my ticket to the Hachette Book Club Brunch next month! Anyone else going?

I love my local indie bookstore, @bookpeople for their great events, knowledgable staff and great gift ideas! #getindie