(PATERSON, NJ) -- Literature to Life (LTL) will be hosting a free book club gathering on Monday, March 2, 2026 at Paterson Free Public Library (PFPL) discussing I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez. This program is part of Books Unite: Literature to Life in Paterson, a yearlong series of free community events, bringing literature to life through performances, book clubs, and interactive workshops designed to engage community members in powerful stories and shared conversation.
The program is supported by a generous grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) under Phase II of the Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (A.R.T.) program.
Literature to Life is a nonprofit, performance-based literacy organization that transforms American literary classics into professionally staged verbatim adaptations. With a roster of books by authors such as Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Junot Díaz, and Kao Kalia Yang, LTL performs nationally in performing arts centers, schools, libraries, and correctional facilities.
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter tells the story of Julia Reyes, a South Side Chicago high school student who dreams of becoming a writer. She learns to navigate familial expectations and cultural standards while investigating the death of her sister, Olga —who might not have been quite as perfect as she seemed. LTL's production, adapted and directed by Ana Maria Jomolca and starring Elizabeth Raquel Ramirez, explores identity, trauma, and grief, allowing audiences to see both raw emotion and humor through the eyes of this budding young writer.
LTL invites residents of Paterson and surrounding communities to join the book club event at PFPL to discuss this popular novel. Participants will have the opportunity to share their thoughts and engage in community dialogue and connection. The meeting will be facilitated by Sherry Tanski, an adjunct professor at Passaic County Community College (PCCC). By partnering with PFPL and PCCC, LTL is deepening access to arts and literature in a city rich with cultural history and creative potential.
This program also offers live performances and an interactive workshop centered around PMD. Performances will take place at the PCCC Theater on Thursday, March 5 at 1:10pm & 6:00pm. These performances will be accompanied by a pre- and post-show discussion led by adapter / director Ana Maria Jomolca. The interactive workshop will be conducted at PCCC on March 12 at 1:10pm. All events are free and open to the public.
For up-to-date scheduling and more information, visit literaturetolife.org/booksunite.
"We are so excited to launch this year-long community series with I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter," says Lisa Beth Vettoso, Executive Director. "At Literature to Life, we believe all voices matter, and we would love to have YOUR voice represented at any of these events. Please join us!"
LTL began adapting I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter in 2024 and officially premiered the title in January 2025 at United Palace in New York City. Since LTL added this book to their roster, it has become one of their most popular; going to schools, libraries, and correctional facilities. Later this year LTL is bringing this title to performing arts venues in upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
