Latina Book Club

Just heard word that my comadre in New York, Maria Ferrer, has started a new blog called Latina Book Club, dedicated to promoting the words of our gente. In addition to author and editor interviews, book reviews, giveaways, and the occasional literary chisme, she is hosting a book club directory so that readers can globally connect. Check out the 2010 Summer Reading List she recently compiled:

Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende
Historical novel set in Chile mid-1800s about how a woman’s search for her lost love leads to a journey of self-discovery.

The House Of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Saga about a proud passionate family, the Truebas.

The Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende
Historical novel about slavery from Haiti to Cuba to New Orleans.

Evenings at the Argentine Club by Julia Amante
Childhood friends fall in love in Southern California.

Little Nuggets of Wisdom By Chuy Bravo, Tom Brunelle
He may be short, but Chuy has tall Hollywood tales to tell and “little nuggets” of advice on finances, friendship and fashion. A hoot.

Goodbye to All That by Margo Candela
Heroine struggles to juggle work and family. A chance encounter gives her a new perspective on life.

Waking Up in the Land of Glitter By Kathy Cano-Murillo
The Crafty Chica’s debut novel about family, friendship, love and glitter. If you don’t fall in love with Star, Offie and Chloe and with crafting, you need to read this book again!

Amigoland By Oscar Casares
Three estranged brothers come together for an impromptu trip to Mexico that changes their relationship and lives forever.

The Case Runner by Carlos Cisneros
Murder mystery set in a Texas bordertown.

The Name Partner by Carlos Cisneros
This is a fast-paced legal thriller about a lawyer and his most important case.

Tell Me Something True by Leila Cobo
Mother and Daughter have love affairs that change their lives and not always for the better.

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Historical novel set in Mexico about a spinster in love with her sister’s husband.

Love In the Time Of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Passionate historical novel about a suitor who waits 50 years to marry the woman he loves.

Try to Remember By Iris Gomez
A stunning debut about a young girl who is her parent’s translator, family peacemaker and brothers’ keeper. See how she gains confidence, educates herself and learns to walk the line between the traditional Latina woman and the modern one.

God’s Spy by Juan Gomez-Jurado
A priest serial killer is on the loose at the Vatican.

Dancing with Butterflies by Reyna Grande
Colorful, vibrant novel about a Ballet Folklorico dance troupe.

Frida: A Biography by Hayden Herrera
The story of Frida Kahlo — the woman, the artist and the lover. (Frida was married to Diego Rivera, the famous muralist.)

A Simple Habana Melody by Oscar Hijuelas
Historical novel set after WWII, about a Holocaust survivor who returns to his Cuban roots.

Beautiful Maria of My Soul by Oscar Hijuelas
Sequel to “The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love.” This is Maria’s story and her journey from Cuba to Miami.

Daughters of the Stone by Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa
Saga of extraordinary Afro-Puerto Rican women.

Notorious by Michele Martinez
Fourth thriller featuring former Federal prosecutor Melanie Vargas.

Tear This Heart Out by Angeles Mastretta
Historical novel set in 1930s Mexico about survival amidst political turmoil and violence.

The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire by CM Mayo
Historical novel about the brief footnote in history when the Arch Duke Maximilian was Emperor of Mexico and the political turmoil surrounding his adopted heir.

The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Dark gothic read. Crime reporter turned pulp novelist gets offer of a lifetime.

The Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The story of a boy obsessed with a writer like himself.

Hot (broke) Messes By Nancy Trejos
The true story of how this financial expert falls into so much debt that she must turn to her parent’s for a loan. Nancy writes about her journey towards financial freedom and how to avoid the pitfalls.

Into the Beautiful North By Luis Alberto Urrea
19-year old Nayeli and friends decide to cross the Mexican border to the US and bring back seven men (think Hollywood western “Magnificent Seven”) to repopulate their village and save the town from evil bandidos.

Lone Star Legend By Gwendolyn Zepeda
What happens when a blogger dishes about family and boyfriend online? Yep, she gets caught. A fun read about truth and blogging.

One Comment

  1. Baltazar Arispe y Acevedo, Jr.

    Querida Stephanie,

    I am impressed with the focus of this new blog and also with the development of a reading club. Under a separate cover, I will recommend several works by Mexican-American/Chicano authors such as Ramon Saldivar, Barbara Renaud, Jorge Chapa, Rodolfo Anaya and Antonio Zavaleta.

    With every best wish, I remain.

    Baltazar

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