The People Who Report More Stress: Stories - Alejandro Varela

Every time I read a book by an author I’ve been newly introduced to, I want to read all of their work immediately after. And that’s exactly how I feel about Alejandro Varela.

I was lucky enough to get a copy of The People Who Report More Stress: Stories, which is the latest by Alejandro Varela. And when I tell you he can write, I’m not exaggerating. I LOVE reading work by authors who make me work even harder on my own writing. This collection of short stories is smart, at times funny, and yes, stressful. Each story follows a person or persons living the Latin-American experience. Their level of stress is not the typical “I have to deal with horrible bigots” kind of stress. Well, not in the way you think. The stress comes from living in a gentrified neighborhood, working at the United Nations (like in the story, “Carlito in Charge” which is my absolute favorite), selling high-end clothing on the side to make ends meet, playground politics or catching a cab in New York City (if you live there and aren’t white, then you know).

Not gonna lie, each story had me a little anxious in different ways but all of them are incredibly good and thoughtfully written. Also not gonna lie, reading books like this one opens my mind even further to the ways each of us are harmed by white supremacy and everyday microaggressions. Books like The People Who Report More Stress make me not only feel seen, but also understand how other people of color deal with their own stress, fictional or not. It’s incredibly relatable to read.

I have already added this book and the author’s first, Town of Babylon to my Bookshop cart because I am now an Alejandro Varela stan and I’m looking forward to reading more from him.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Where to buy: The Lit. Bar Loyalty Bookstores Amazon

Alejandro Varela, author of The People Who Report More Stress. Photo courtesy of Allison Michael Orenstein.

For more information about the author, please click here.