Many great authors reside or are from the San Francisco Bay Area. If you’re looking for your next book to read, authors such as Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Tongo Eisen-Martin, and Charles Foster Jolivette are top picks. Their books are filled with thought provoking experiences, expressions from the heart, and mounds of creativity. Here are the top 5 must read books from authors in the Bay Area.
‘Heart Like a Window, Mouth Like a Cliff’ – Sara Borjas
Sara Borjas is a Bay Area native poet that recently released her debut poetry book, Heart Like a Window, Mouth Like a Cliff, in March 2019. The collection of poems dissects the experiences of Chicanos in America, relationships, self-love, and self-conflict.
As an educator, poet, and writer, Sara Borjas is making positive waves within Bay Area communities. She actively engages in discussions that preclude the importance of writing, and trauma based expressions in poetry. It’s her willingness to explore deep emotions and cultural experiences that landed her on the top 5 must read list of Bay Area authors.
‘Fruit of the Drunken Tree’ – Ingrid Rojas Contreras
Fruit of the Drunken Tree is a critically acclaimed novel by Ingrid Rojas Contrera Contreras. In this novel, Ingrid, a Bay Area resident presented prevalent themes of childhood experiences, Pablo Escobar, and life in Colombia. The setting of the novel takes place in Columbia, which is the author’s country of origin.
Her novel is a story of survival, friendship, violence, and secrets. The main character eventually escape to the United States to build a better life with her family. Ingrid Rojas Contreras beautifully illustrates the gut wrenching feeling of heartbreak. Spoiler Alert!! The novel presents issues of a previous love triangle with a friend. The emotional psyche of the characters are carefully nourished throughout the novel. But never gets fully resolved.
Ingrid Rojas Contreras’, ‘Fruit of the Drunken Tree,’ is a firestorm of emotional bonds, childhood traumas, and life’s journeys. It ranks number 3 on the top 5 must reads books from Bay Area authors.
‘Hidden History of Napa Valley’ – Alexandria Brown
It’s evident that the author is proud of her Napa Valley Bay Area roots. Alexandria Brown is a well versed author and librarian. Her passion for the historical context of land, and social narratives can be read in ‘Hidden History of Napa Valley.’
Napa Valley has a rich history that Napa native Alexandria Brown explores in ‘Hidden History of Napa Valley.’ In her initial research of Napa Valley, the writer came across deficits in the towns history. Interestingly, this empowers Alexandria Brown to write about the work of the Mexican, Chinese, and African Americans contributions.
‘Heaven is All Goodbyes’ – Tongo Eisen-Martin
Poetically speaking, Tongo Eisen-Martin’s writings are edgy, observant, descriptive, and playfully witty. This Bay Area author is an educator and advocate that was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. In his latest poetry book, ‘Heaven is All Goodbyes’ Tongo descriptively rhymes about life in the city, social injustices, and overcrowded prisons.
Tongo Eisen-Martin studied and graduated from Columbia University. He has the knack for writing eloquent bodies of work such as in his poems Faceless, and Skid Bid. He’s been awarded numerous honors including an American Book Award, a California Book Award, and National California Booksellers Association Poetry Book of the Year.
‘BRUH’ – Charles Foster Jolivette
Charles Foster Jolivette is a writer, director, producer, and actor born and raised in the Bay Area. One of his latest collections of rhymes (poems), BRUH, captivates the reader with charismatic words about life experiences, social injustices, and cultural perspectives. BRUH is the acronym for Bars Rhymes Unreleased Heralded.
In each poem you can hear his voice of reasoning, a sense of empowerment, and a creative eagerness for writing. It’s through his multifaceted talent that Charles’ work in several e-book releases has him ranked number one on our TOP 5 must read books from authors in the Bay Area.