\u201cWe were all very emotional talking about this book because we could all relate to it. Even as adults now, a lot of things hit so close to home,\u201d Valdez said. <\/p>\n
Since then, the three women have co-organized monthly meetings, which now attract about 35 people per event, Valdez said. The book club is free and open to women and anyone who identifies as a woman.<\/p>\n
Together, they have chosen books by Latina authors that touch on important topics and are relevant across generations and backgrounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are book about Latinas and breaking barriers and things that are very important to us or things we weren\u2019t taught about when we were younger,\u201d Valdez said. <\/p>\n
![\"Sylvia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Las-Chicas-book-club-2-1024x997.jpg\")
Sylvia Sanchez, Jess Schutz and Lily Valdez, co-founders of Las Chicas de Pilsen book club pose on the day they met at Mi Corazon Cafe, 1636 W. 18th St. Credit: Provided<\/p>\n
While Schutz is second-generation Salvadoran, she could relate to gender dynamics, machismo and marianismo explored in \u201cI Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I read that book, I saw my mother and her life,\u201d she said. \u201cIt really opened my eyes.\u201d <\/p>\n
Schutz, an avid reader, has already read many of the books the club has discussed, and she\u2019s suggested them to promote positive and thoughtful discussions, she said. \u201cThe Pain We Carry\u201d by Natalie Y. Gutierrez was selected for October to coincide with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Valdez said.<\/p>\n
Together, the founders have found spaces where they can host the meetings as attendance has increased, including 18th Street Casa de Cultura<\/a>. In the next months, they plan to host more book clubs at the neighborhood library, highlighting all it has to offer, Schutz said.<\/p>\n The group has also partnered with local businesses and added a community engagement component. <\/p>\n Last month, Pilates instructor Alyssa Perez and chef Manny Mendoza collaborated on an event featuring Pilates, a healthy snacks demo and a discussion of \u201cThe Latina Anti-Diet\u201d by author Dalina Soto.<\/p>\n For the September meetup, Las Chicas de Pilsen is collecting school supplies that will be donated to a local teacher.<\/p>\n As the trio of Pilsen women has grown the book club, they have formed an unexpected, multigenerational friendship.<\/p>\n Sanchez has found a community who supports her mental health and sobriety journey and a new group of friends after her divorce, she said. Schutz, who moved to Pilsen last year hoping to connect with her Latino heritage, has found \u201ca beautiful community of honesty, integrity and power,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, Valdez found a group of friends with whom she can have conversations about \u201chard topics\u201d and get honest advice, something that feels \u201clike a warm hug,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Some of the book club meetups have taken place after important personal events, reminding each participant they are not alone and providing a space to talk and reflect, Valdez said.<\/p>\n Ultimately, Sanchez, Valdez and Schutz take pride in creating a community where women feel safe, are willing to share their perspectives and are open and respectful of other views, they said. <\/p>\n The book club is \u201cfree flowing,\u201d and participants are welcome to read or listen to the book, read half of the book, show up with friends or by themselves \u2014 or even come in their pajamas if they need to, Sanchez said.<\/p>\n \u201cNo judgment,\u201d she said. \u201cAll that matters, sometimes, is you showing up for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information, visit Las Chicas de Pilsen\u2019s Instagram<\/a> and Facebook.<\/a><\/p>\n Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:<\/p>\n \t![\"Participants](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Las-chicas-book-club-3.jpg\")
Participants pose at a monthly book club organized by Las Chicas de Pilsen, a local book club. Credit: Provided<\/p>\n