Celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month
June is Caribbean Heritage Month! In celebration, we have gathered ten books written by Caribbean authors. Learn how to cook Caribbean cuisine by Bryant Terry or jump into a fantasy world created by author Kacen Callender. Read for your enjoyment and discover how the Caribbean people and their heritage have become a part of the history and culture in the United States.
Whether writing about childhood or adulthood, life in the islands or life abroad, the writers express their particular concerns with a passion that comes from lived experience, and with a love of place and a feminist sensibility that are accessible to new readers of Caribbean literature as well as to an academic audience. “What matters is how well we have told our tale, how well we have drawn pictures of the people and places we write about, ” Nunez says. And indeed, this anthology makes those pictures come alive.
On the islands of Hans Lollik, Sigourney Rose was the only survivor when her family was massacred by the colonizers. When the childless king of the islands declares he will choose his successor from amongst eligible noble families, Sigourney is ready to exact her revenge. But someone is killing off the ruling families to clear a path to the throne. And as the bodies pile up and all eyes regard her with suspicion, Sigourney must find allies among her prey and the murderer among her peers… lest she become the next victim.
In weekly phone calls to his daughter in Australia, widower Hubert Bird paints a picture of the perfect retirement, packed with fun, friendship, and fulfillment. But it’s a lie. In reality, Hubert’s days are all the same, dragging on without him seeing a single soul. Until he receives some good news—good news that in one way turns out to be the worst news ever, news that will force him out again, into a world he has long since turned his back on. Life is certainly beginning to happen to Hubert Bird. But with the origin of his earlier isolation always lurking in the shadows, will he ever get to live the life he’s pretended to have for so long?
- Flexible, strategic itineraries with ideas for backpackers, beach-lovers, adventure travelers, honeymooners, wellness-seekers, and moreTop activities and unique experiences: Watch hummingbirds flit about tropical flowers, take a dip in a crystal-clear spring on a hot day, or relax on soft white sands. See beloved local bands perform at a Negril nightclub and move to the beat of Kingston’s legendary music scene. Savor sweet Jamaican rum and coffee, chow down on authentic jerk chicken, or have a romantic beachfront dinnerOutdoor adventures: Cliff-jumping into azure waters, surf the waves, climb the Blue Mountains, or hike through lush jungleInsight from Kingston local Oliver Hill on how to experience Jamaica like an insider, support local and sustainable businesses, avoid over-tourism, and respectfully engage with the culture
- The top activities and unique experiences: Explore geological formations and see birds with startlingly bright plumage at Arikok National Park or celebrate Carnival with the locals. Indulge in traditional favorites like keshi yena (filled cheese) or cabrito stoba (stewed goat) or feast on fresh ceviche while dining beachfrontOutdoor adventures: Go off-roading through the outback, snorkel in turquoise waters, or try your hand at windsurfing or parasailingWays to respectfully engage with culture from local author and dive instructor Rosalie Klein, from supporting small businesses to exploring ethically and sustainably from local author and former dive instructor Rosalie Klein
- Flexible itineraries, from a Nassau getaway to a week of island-hopping, including day trips to the Out Islands Strategic advice for travelers looking for family fun, romance, nightlife, water sports, and moreMust-see highlights and unique experiences: Go diving to see shipwrecks, underwater sculptures, and coral reefs, snorkel with sharks, or swim with friendly pigs. Spot wild pink flamingoes, climb to a historic stone monastery at the highest point in the Bahamas, or visit the iconic Hope Town Lighthouse. Relax in an oceanfront bungalow, sip cocktails made from local rum, and hang out with locals at a fish fryHonest recommendations from Nassau local Mariah Moyle on when to go, where to eat, how to get around, and where to stay, from guest cottages and beach bungalows to luxurious resorts
- Flexible itineraries including the best of the Dominican Republic in 10 days, plus roundups of the best beaches, spots for diving and snorkeling, outdoor adventures, and moreStrategic advice for honeymooners, foodies, night owls, and more, whether you’re in the DR for a few days or a few weeksThe top activities and unique experiences: Don a mask and join in the frenzy of Carnival or dance the night away to live merengue. Visit a cacao plantation or organic coffee farm, snack on fried plantains or a breakfast of mangú, and explore the bustling markets. Stroll along cobblestone streets and admire 16th-century churches, palaces, courthouses, and statues or take a community tour for a deeper understanding of local lifeOutdoor adventures: Enjoy miles of sand and clear water for sunbathing, swimming, and playing in the waves. Hike to hidden waterfalls or zipline through the forest. Dive to shipwrecks, snorkel alongside spotted eagle rays, or try kitesurfingWays to respectfully engage with culture from DR-insider Lebawit Lily Girma, from supporting small businesses to exploring ethically and sustainably