September 7, 2021

Sisterhood is Not a Right, But a Privilege

María Amparo Escandón, author of L.A. Weather, on what her Hermana taught her

Sisterhood is Not a Right, But a Privilege

María Amparo Escandón, author of L.A. Weather, on what her Hermana taught her

I had an imaginary sister. An identical twin named Yolanda. She was the rambunctious one, the one who always got us in trouble.

“Who ate the cookies?” my father would ask me as I brushed crumbs off my lips.

“Yolanda, of course.”

Sure, I played with my two younger brothers, but Yolanda was who I had the most fun with. We’d walk over to the train station near my grandparents’ family hacienda to put coins on the tracks and watch the train’s tires flatten them as it zoomed by a couple of feet away from us. At that age—maybe five or six—I had no clue where my sister had come from, but now I believe she existed only for me to cure my loneliness. Over the next few years, Yolanda came and went until she slowly faded as I made new friends at school, even though I was sure no one would ever replace her.

Then, when I was ten, came the miracle. My brothers and I were preparing for our First Holy Communion and, as was customary for parents, my mother asked me what was I going to pray for when I received the sacred host.

“A sister,” I said without hesitation.

“You’re supposed to pray for peace on Earth, not make wishes,” she said.

But I could not be dissuaded, and my persistence paid off nine months later when my mother came back from the hospital carrying a little bundle and said, “Meet your sister Alejandra.” I was eleven then, and having a baby sister was far better than concocting an imaginary twin (sorry, Yolanda!). I immediately put away my dolls and assumed the big sister role with gusto. I changed her clothes several times a day, whether she needed it or not, enduring my mother’s reprimands. I bathed her, most times unsupervised. We slept together, unbeknownst to our parents. I fed her, don’t ask me what, but today her immune system is top notch. I was there when she walked her first steps, when her first tooth cut through her gums, when she ate her first mouthful of rabbit manure, when she showed up with a panty liner stuck to her cheek just when my boyfriend and I were kissing on the couch. She was probably four years old when I took her to see Romeo and Juliet, a movie that had been forbidden by my parents (“There’s a flash second there where you can see Romeo’s behind!”). Of course, we got busted and were grounded together, thus becoming mutual accomplices in all our adventures, which we remain today.

My sister and I call each other “Heerm,” which is a shortened version of “hermana.” We have no secrets from each other. I am the godmother of her four kids because she didn’t want to deprive any of them of the honor (her words). When I got sick with breast cancer, she flew to New York and camped at the hospital 24/7. I am her perpetual student in motherhood, common sense, friendship, character, spunk, loyalty and the meaning of family. Claudia, Olivia and Patricia are composites of us, with a good amount of fiction, a sprinkle of Yolanda and a dash of other sisters in my life. If asked, I would say that what I’ve learned most from my Heerm is that sisterhood is not a right, but a privilege. And this is what I wanted to celebrate in .

We’re taking our copy of Gone Before Goodbye on a little coffee date this weekend ☕📖 
Link in bio for book tour tickets and to get your own copy!

Where are you reading yours this weekend?
Had the most amazing time connecting with the Reese’s Book Club community IRL at #ShineAway2025 last weekend! ✨ @RaeganRevord and @TembiLocke picked up some incredible book recs that we are immediately adding to our TBR. Drop your must-reads below!
This Thursday's coffee and current read is an iced matcha and our new favorite eco-fiction mystery, Bog Queen by @AnnaNorthBooks. Talk about a perfect combo!
Bog Queen is now available, including at our link in bio.
We’re incredibly lucky to have the incomparable and inspiring @Malala join us on Bookmarked, the Reese's Book Club podcast. 💛

She's a powerful voice for so many—championing causes like girls’ education and women’s rights. In her new memoir Finding My Way, Malala Yousafzai turns inward, exploring the messy, beautiful journey of rediscovering yourself after the world has already decided who you’re supposed to be.

In this episode, @DanielleRobay and @Malala's conservation has all the heart—and then some. Listen now on the @iHeartPodcast app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you love to listen. 🎧
Did not see that coming! Gone Before Goodbye by @ReeseWitherspoon & @HarlanCoben is here and you don't want to miss another second. 

Start reading at our link in bio.
Diving back into the brilliant Anita de Monte Laughs Last after hearing @XochitltheG’s powerful conversation with @DanielleRobay at Shine Away.

Feeling deeply inspired by the vibrant storytelling and the beauty woven into every word.
Sorry, we're booked.

It's official! Pick up your copy of Gone Before Goodbye by @ReeseWitherspoon & @HarlanCoben at our link in bio.
Shop the Reese's Book Club Space with us at #ShineAway2025! ☀️@ZibbysBookshop brought the perfect vibes and of course, so many fantastic reads to add to our TBRs.

Which three books would you chose and why?
Today we honor Indigenous voices like our September Pick author @ElianaRamage. ⭐

With honesty and heart, To The Moon and Back shows us what it means to search for a sense of self—and emerge proud.