Lo'Mas Lit Book Club

Lo'Mas Lit Book Club A book club for Uptown youth

Lo'Mas Lit Book Club is a reading group, a book club, a discussion zone, and a hangout space for youth ages 13–20. Starting in Summer 2020, this book club has brought together teens from across the Uptown Manhattan neighborhood and across the country. This is a book club for avid readers looking to connect with others over diverse novels, poetry, and graphic novels.

*Stay tuned for a Spanish edition of this book club*

SUMMER 2023 EDITION

Past Lo'Mas Lit Virtual Event

Past Sessions

Featured books


SUMMER 2023 EDITION

Lo'Mas Lit Summer 2023

Lo'Mas Lit Book Club is back this summer 2023 with an exciting medley of new young adult literature and meeting in person! Join our two moderators, Carisa Musialik and Marilyn Ramirez, to dive into new books, explore your own writing, and make connections with neighbors. 

SCHEDULE:
Every Other Thursday at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Start date: July 6, 2023 *Register by June 26 to receive the first book before the meeting*
All dates: 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31

LOCATION: 
Recirculation, a project of Word Up 876 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032

BOOK LIST:

Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne

From the first ever poet-in-residence at Lincoln Center comes a bold coming-of-age story told in verse about a young woman who loses a best friend, but finds herself in the process. The joys of basketball, the tumult of high school, and the bonds of family are lyrically woven together in this must-read novel.

The Making of Yolanda La Bruja by Lorraine Avila 

The Making of Yolanda La Bruja is the book this country, struggling with the plague of gun violence, so desperately needs, but which few could write. Here Lorraine Avila brings a story born from the intersection of race, justice, education, and spirituality that will capture readers everywhere.

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

In this gorgeous debut graphic novel, fairy tales are the only way one boy can communicate with his Vietnamese immigrant parents. But how will he find the words to tell them that he’s gay? A powerful read about family, identity and the enduring magic of stories.

The First to Die at the EndThe First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

In this prequel to the bestselling phenomenon They Both Die at the End, two new strangers spend a life-changing day together after Death-Cast first makes their fateful calls -- can Death-Cast actually predict when someone will die, or is it just an elaborate hoax?

 

FACILITATORS: 

  • Carisa Musialik
  • Marilyn Ramirez

OBTAINING BOOKS: 

  • Club members who are ages 13–20—and who live in upper Manhattan or the Bronx—will receive book club picks for FREE. All books will be available for pickup at 2113 Amsterdam Avenue, New York NY 10032, during store hours.

  • We kindly ask that non-local participants please purchase copies online from www.wordupbooks.com or from your local independent bookstore. 

  • If you are 21 years of age or older, stay tuned for new book clubs and other programs by Word Up!

  • If funding is a barrier to participation, email us at events@wordupbooks.com and we will work with you on this.

ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is key to having great discussions and doing meaningful activities (writing workshops, etc.). Free books will be provided to those who attend. Participants must show up to receive the next book.

Registration is done on a rolling basis, therefore participants are eligible to receive their first book before their first meeting. After that, books will only be given to participants who attend the meetings.

REGISTRATION: 
To receive the first book, please register by June 29, 2023!  Registration is open on a rolling basis, however, once a participant is registered, we assume participants are in it for the duration of the summer session! 

REGISTER

PUBLIC EVENTS & WORKSHOPS:
Past editions of Lo'Mas Lit have involved author events. More details TBD.

Lo'Mas Lit Book Club is presented collaboratively by Word Up Community Bookshop and co-curator Angie Cruz, is made possible in part with funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.


PAST LO'MAS LIT EVENTS


PAST SESSIONS

Lo'Mas Lit Book Club Summer 2020

Lo'Mas Lit Book Club Fall/Winter 20-21

Lo'Mas Lit Book Club Spring 2021

Lo'Mas Lit Book Club Summer 2021

Lo'Mas Lit Book Club Winter/Spring 2022


BOOKS FOR SUMMER 2023 EDITION (coming soon):

 

Chlorine Sky By Mahogany L. Browne Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9780593176429
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Ember - February 7th, 2023

The Making of Yolanda la Bruja By Lorraine Avila Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9781646142439
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Levine Querido - April 11th, 2023

The Magic Fish: (A Graphic Novel) By Trung Le Nguyen Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781984851598
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Random House Graphic - October 13th, 2020

The First to Die at the End By Adam Silvera Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780063240803
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Quill Tree Books - October 4th, 2022