Definitely Hispanic

by LeJuan James

Perfect for fans of Jane the Virgin’s celebration of Latinidad and Fresh Off the Boat’s situational humor, Definitely Hispanic is a collection of introspective and witty essays by social media influencer and viral phenomenon LeJuan James about growing up Hispanic in the US.

Social media influencer and viral phenomenon LeJuan James loves being Hispanic. But growing up in the United States to immigrant parents, he quickly noticed that their house rules and traditions didn’t always match up with his friends’. Years later, the result was a lifetime of laugh-out-loud, relatable moments that he reenacted on camera and shared with the world online. Now, LeJuan is taking a closer look at everything he loves about his family, culture, and community.

Definitely Hispanic is a collection of heartfelt memoiristic essays that explores the themes LeJuan touches upon in his videos, and celebrates the values and traditions being kept alive by Hispanic parents raising US–born children. He shares anecdotes about discovering the differences between his and his friends’ households, demystifies “La Pela” (the Spanking), explains the vital role women play in Hispanic families, and pays reverence to universal cultural truths like “food is love” and “music is in Hispanics’ DNA.”

From the chapter “#Home”—in which LeJuan talks about how his family moved back and forth between the United States and Puerto Rico until settling in Orlando, Florida—to “#TheHouse”—in which he was finally able to buy his parents the home they deserve thanks to his online success—this wide-ranging collection celebrates being Latino and offers a humorous yet warm-hearted look at the lives of second-generation immigrants in the US. LeJuan’s hilarious online persona comes to life on every page.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Audiobook, Humor, Biography, Memoir, Latinx

256 pages, Audible Audio

First published June 4, 2019

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

At times he can be preachy and he is often repetitive, but I get the impression LeJuan James is sincere. This collection of reflections felt general and therefore not always relatable. The chapter on dating Hispanic women was cringey(as my 10 year old would say). I wanted to like this more; I had to make myself finish several chapters.

[Jessica Mendiola · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost didn’t finish this audiobook. At first I was just not prioritizing finding a new audio book, but there was this particular section about dating Hispanic (author’s word to describe identity throughout book) women that I did NOT like at all. I was really put off by it.

LeJuan’s vídeos r super funny but the generalizations in this book were NOT landing in the same way and highlighting stereotypes way. too much. I was ready to quit but I was driving.

Then he told the story of how his parents met and how he met how partner. That was really sweet stuff. The last few chapters redeemed the book a little bit.

[Andrea-Kim Nieto Gendron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had fun reading this book. It reminded me of my childhood with my dad. I laughed a lot. However, I have to say that some behaviours described in this book are totally toxic for young latinx... Don't get me wrong, I love what LeJuan does! It's just that I sometimes find there is a finality is his statements about some behaviours people do. Like "don't try to change this, it's just the way it is". No, we can change in a positive way ! We don't have to be victims of some of these stuff just because "that's how it is". Anyways, it is still a very fun book to read! I enjoyed it :)

[Mileena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful experience. As LeJuan intended, this truly felt like a celebration of my people and the specific unique and cultural ways we live our life. The next level protection when you could only have sleepover’s if they we’re at your own house was something I always had to do and my boyfriend jokes that he’ll see me being that way in the future with our kids lol. Also shit like opening your presents as soon as it hits midnight on New Year’s Eve and never putting your purse on the floor cause it’s bad luck, those were always things that were instilled in me at a young age and that I figured others might do but it started feeling like this isolated little bubble cause the only people I’ve ever met who do that are just my family. It was exciting and oddly made me feel less alone to see all of this here and hear him mentioning all that makes Hispanics a wonderfully unique thing. I also loved that in the book he’d just switch mid sentence to Spanish with no translation needed. He knows who’s picking this up.

I cried listening to him talk about his Abuela mainly because I am so close to my Abuelita and the idea of losing her is unbearable. Also cried at how beautifully and sweetly he spoke about his fiancé and love that he wasn’t afraid to be so vulnerable.

My only main gripe with this was the whole chapter on punishment to children. It just felt like he was trying super hard to justify the idea of physically harming your child and having them be afraid of you. His experience is different as well as his perspective and that’s fine it just made me uncomfortable.

Overall though I’d still recommend this to every proud Latin person I’ve met.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audiobook gave so much life to the book! LeJuan James added more dialogue that isn’t in the book! I laughed throughout the book as we had similar upbringings! Thank you LeJuan James for using God’s gift to make people laugh and serve your family so dearly!

[Emely · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of this behavior is hilarious. Some is incredibly toxic.

[Lizvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely recommend the audiobook. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Every chapter made me laugh. This was like returning to my childhood with a humorous twist. I relived bad and good memories, flavors, traditions, frustrations, and of course, the popular and famous “pela”.

LeJuan, are we siblings? How come your mom sounds exactly like mine? 🤣🤣

[Nancy]

I really loved this book. If you have family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers or just about anyone you cross paths with that is Hispanic and want to understand them read this book.
So many fonds memories I thought of while reading about his childhood.
It is a quick read. Took awhile has I read several books at a time.
10/10

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am Hispanic and this book is so accurate and so funny. A must read, learn and love all the facts of our culture.

[Cambria Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this audiobook! What a fun way to practice my Spanish and celebrate Hispanic culture. LeJuan James has a new fan!

[Chrystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love his short videos, and this is amusing, but I hate to say, boring.

[Eric Murcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hispanic American

I can definitely relate to everything in this book it take me back to a point of time when I was kid and my mom would make me read letters in English lol

[Kerby Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Barbra Salas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dear friend asked me to read this because she related to it so much, and I'm glad she did. :) It wasn't really written for me to read, but I related to a lot of it anyway. We loved living with a huge Hispanic community in Florida and honestly a lot of his stories apply to most ethnic groups with big families who experienced poverty. So I got a lot of that. It's a very generalized and light book.

[Monica · Rating 1 out of 5]

maybe i'd like his writing in shorter doses (read, didn't listen to audio). Dating Hispanic Women?
the pela? not in all households. maybe he should have made it more about just his experiences. the title is generalized to include us all. Saying all this, I will seek him out online to see him there & what he has to say.
though as a child I did hear, the thing about would you jump off the bridge if your friends do......

[ANG · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 Book Review 📖
.
.
TITLE: Definitely Hispanic
AUTHOR: LeJuan James
GENRE: Memoir
.
.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.
.
My Review:
            I’m what’s considered a 1.5 generation. My parents are first generation immigrants, and I was the first born here. I never truly fit in here, and I never truly fit in my parent’s home country. I had to learn both languages and learn to navigate both cultures. Many times, it was confusing, and it felt like no one understood me. This book is a perfect example of what someone like me experiences.
            This book has a great sense of humor, and really gives you an insight to many thoughts we all have but don’t ever say out loud. This book made me realize I am not alone, far from it. I understand I’m biased towards this book because it speaks to my personal childhood and teenage years. Representation is very important, this book felt like it gave me a voice, I felt represented. Thank you to LeJuan for putting our childhood down on paper.
            This is a quick, easy, and joyful read. I highly recommend it, especially if you too are a 1.5 generation. If you’re interested in getting inside the head of someone navigating different cultures, this is the book for you. Overall, this book is hilarious, and you learn a lot about the author. I was already his fan from social media, but I loved getting to know him on a deeper level and being able to relate.
.
.
If you’ve read it, don’t hesitate in letting me know your thoughts! ♡︎
.
.
#angiereads #Angisbooked #bookstagram #somanybookssolittletime #somanybooks #books #booklover #bookreview #booknerd #bookaddict #bookaholic #booklove #bookstagrammer #bookphotography #bookblogger #bookcommunity #bookobsessed #booklife #bookworm #bookgeek #bookreader #booknerd #bookblog #instabook #bookchallenge #bookreads #booklover #bookaddict #bookreview

[Ais Quezada · Rating 5 out of 5]

LeJuan James's "Definitely Hispanic" is a delightful and unexpectedly profound journey into the heart of Hispanic culture that left me feeling immensely proud of my heritage. From the very first page, James's ability to articulate the unique experiences of our community is remarkable, creating a narrative that is both deeply heartwarming and incredibly relatable.
What truly sets this book apart is James's uncanny knack for capturing the essence of our mothers and grandmothers. He provides perfectly relatable explanations of their often-mystifying thoughts and behaviors, eliciting knowing smiles and nods of agreement from anyone who grew up in a Hispanic household. It's this authentic portrayal that makes the book feel like a warm embrace from a familiar family member.
Beyond the cultural insights, "Definitely Hispanic" also offers a wonderful opportunity to get to know LeJuan James on a more personal level. His storytelling is engaging and genuine, making you feel as though you're sitting down with a friend. I particularly recall the hilarious anecdote about "pelas" – I'm certain I laughed out loud multiple times while reading it, a testament to James's comedic timing and vivid descriptions.
The book's organization is another strong point; it's well-structured and easy to follow, making it a true page-turner. I found myself eager to continue reading, drawn in by James's captivating voice and the rich tapestry of stories he weaves.
"Definitely Hispanic" is more than just a book; it's a celebration of identity, family, and the shared experiences that bind us. If you're looking for a read that will make you laugh, reflect, and ultimately feel a renewed sense of pride in being Hispanic, this book is an absolute must-read.

[Michael J Poehner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amusing story about the life of a man from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic who talks about what growing up Latino is like. This was a really funny story. He talked a lot about his parents and although he might have not agreed with his parents, he always has respected them. Even though they may discipline you with a pela, which is usually a sandal or a belt which they spank you with. Respecting your elders is a very important concept in the Latino household. He got good grades and expressed that studying and excelling in school is important.
He also states that Latinos are very religious and they pray and they have things that they are superstitious about. Music is something that Latinos deeply enjoy as it is he says it is in their DNA, as is food. With family gatherings, you should expect to speak to many people and participate and not be shy but if you are they are very warm loving people and they will make you feel special. You may even feel like you have a new family afterwards. Know that about family they will gossip, and he says that his mom and his abuela loved their telenovelas, to such a point to which interrupting them during an episode would be a sin.
Overall Lejuan James is a passionate person that loves to have fun and make people laugh. He loves his family and has a deep respect for his parents and his elders. He says that he is more on the introverted side until you get to know him. Which I find interesting since he is a social media figure.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This year I have listened to so many celebrity memoirs - the good, the bad, and the just plain forgettable (like this didn't need to be written or just not for me). I'm gonna be honest and mention I had very low expectations for this book. We got influencers writing books now (can you tell I'm a hater? I own it) and other marginalized folks trying to write Real stories that don't have followings don't get published? My bias prominent, I trudged on. With each chapter, that bias melted away. It's not a story that's written poignantly or a memoir really. It's an influencer's story who just happens to be Hispanic on his journey to Internet fame. I couldn't help but relate to his chapters on family and growing up Dominican in the States. By the end of it when he mentions how folks find happiness from his videos, I melted even more. I saw him as familia and someone I was proud of. I don't know him and he doesn't need my apoyo but I Saw him and his effect on the Latinx community. I appreciated this book. It's for anyone interested in learning what it's like growing up as a Latinx in the States and for those who identify as Latinx to see themselves on the page. A fluffy read but still a good one.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I picked this up from a library display for Hispanic Heritage month.

I never thought of myself has having been raised in a Hispanic household because my dad didn't speak Spanish with us, but James basically wrote about my childhood. This book gave me some clarity about my own parenting style. Respect is tops for me: respect for oneself, respect for elders, respect for others, respect for the environment. I am often taken aback when I hear my daughter's peers (4 and 5 years old) speak disrespectfully (IMO) to their parents and witness the parents completely ignore the behavior. I do realize that everyone parents to their own set of values, but now I understand how I came to feel so strongly about respect while others do not.

I related to a lot of the other topics, as well, which is probably why this book felt tedious at times for me. It's not always super interesting to read about something you already know so well. However, I came away really liking the author for his sense of humor, for his love for his family and community, and for his values. And I'd love to find more books like this about other cultures.

Audio version is highly recommended. I enjoyed the book more when I was listening to the author's words in his own voice.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute. I used to watch his videos so I was curious about his book. He oversimplifies a lot and I kept finding myself wondering who he intended this book to be for. On the one hand he explains things that most Hispanic people don’t need to be explained, but then he’ll rattle off something in Spanish like in his videos. Those parts were the highlight, particularly the parts about elders. It still walked a strange line though of feeling like a PSA about what Hispanic culture is though, which felt odd. I thought to myself— who is he explaining this to?? Because people who don’t speak Spanish aren’t going to understand the character bits in Spanish. He also gives a lot of advice which makes it feel like he’s speaking to a very young person. Maybe a teen? Anyways, it was entertaining and did make me laugh quite a bit. The part about helping his parents at the end was sweet.

[Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had never heard of the author before, but it seemed like an interesting read. Author James talks about what it's like growing up being Hispanic/Latino (author James uses both terms in the title and specifically Latino so that's what I'll use here). From childhood to moving back and forth to finding success.

That's basically it. I'm not sure if being unfamiliar hindered my understanding, but I wasn't particularly impressed with the author or the book. Maybe if i knew more about him this would resonate more but I didn't think the writing was all that great and there moments I cringed or raised an eyebrow.

I suppose this might be a good book if you're a fan or like these types of memoirs. I got this as a bargain buy but would recommend as a library borrow instead.

[Enid DeVita · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like a 2.5. I love, love LeJuan's videos. I remember the first video I watched and how I sent it to my sister laughing hysterically telling her, "This is mami!" And that's why he became so popular. So much of his videos are a funny portrayal of our childhoods as hispanics/latinos. But in his book, there were too many generalizations that he stated like they were absolute truths. Or he describes qualities of our community as if we were the only group who are like that. And then came his chapter about dating hispanic women and I couldn't disagree more with his stereotypical portrayal of latina women. In general, this book is the story of his family and how he got to become the social influencer he is now, all along describing how hispanics are (from his perspective, of course).

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absoutely worth reading!

As a fan of LeJuan I wasnt sure what to expect from this book. I must say I am happy I read it. This book brought me back to my childhood. I couldn't drop it because I felt like he was speaking directly to me. He impressed the Hispanic culture and reminded us (spanish people) how much of a blessing it is to be Latino. I recommend this book for anyone that wants a good laugh, learn more of the spanish community or just plain remind yourselves of how your family/childhood is. Its all in there. Lol! Thanks LeJuan for all your jokes. Laughing is the #1 medicine and you my friend is making it happen.

[Mariana Monterrubio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, Loved, Loved this book. I could see my childhood relived and it sparked conversation with my mami, reminiscing about us growing up and her antics. I remembered my Mama Goyita and my Momo and how different and similar they were. Yet, it rekindled those memories of visiting my Mama Goya in Mexico and not even knowing they were dirt poor. Staying in a two room shack, standing in line waiting on the outside shack showers and toilet with a roll of paper under arm or a cubeta de agua in order to flush the toilet. Ahhh beautiful memories. Thank You so much for this little bit of comfort.

[Jackie Latorre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one over the summer and got to meet LeJuan in Miami at a signing! Love the nostalgia of all our hispanic traditions, makes me want to keep those traditions alive. I lost my grandmother in the Spring and this helped me smile through a tough time because so much of what he talked about, she did. I will re-read this every time I need a little reminder of what makes me proud to be hispanic.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listed to the audiobook, which I'm sure added a whole other layer of fun. This book is "Definitely Hispanic" in talking about general experiences most Hispanics/latine people experience. It's lighthearted and enjoyable. Beyond that, it's really a love letter to the women in Juan's life (his mother, sister, grandmoter, Tias, primas, and fiance) and how they've shaped who he is and therefore his career. Really uplifting and fun.

[Stephanie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!!! Reading the reviews didn't faze me because I can relate to everything he talks about. I myself am Puerto Rican and I love when a fellow Boricua brings back memories. I laughed and agreed and even had to mention it to my kids. They also were like "Yep that is so true". He is right by saying that is how it was and is. Times may change but keeping the traditions alive counts. Thanks for writing this book Lejuan....I really did love it.

[Brenda Barzangy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Le Juan forever funny

It was a super easy read and enjoyable but definitely not what I was expecting. It didn’t feel raw and even tho he told his story somewhat it is still mostly about other Latino topics. I guess I wanted to hear more from him, a more honest story but it’s not a biography so I get that. Good job Juan ! I would recommend this book. :)

[Nanette Fandino-Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author speaks honestly and plainly about being raised Hispanic and the values that bind all of Spanish-speaking groups. As I read I was nodding in agreement to the sentiments in his stories and recalling examples within my own Hispanic upbringing. I am planning on using this book as an anchor/hook for my AP Spanish Language and Culture students.