The Barbarian Nurseries: Héctor Tobar

The Barbarian Nurseries by Héctor Tobar is a top book about Los Angeles that follows the story of a Mexican maid named Araceli who becomes entangled in the lives of her employers, the Torres-Thompson family. As tensions rise between the family members, Araceli is left to navigate the complexities of class, race, and culture in modern-day LA. The novel offers a poignant exploration of social dynamics and the immigrant experience in a diverse and sprawling city.