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![]() September, 2022 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month ![]() This special edition of The Southern Bookseller Review celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month, also sometimes known as Latino or Latinx Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15. This is a time to honor the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. In doing so, we also bear in mind the terms Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx are often used interchangeably but actually have different meanings. “Hispanic” denotes people ethnically from Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America and Spain. “Latino,” or the feminine “Latina,” is used to describe people with ancestry from Latin American countries. It can include non-Spanish speaking peoples, such as those from Brazil (Portuguese) or Haiti (French) or those from indigenous cultures in Latin America, which number in the millions. "Latinx" is a more recent term meant to be gender neutral, and is often used by LGBTQ+ communities. Which term used often depends on personal choice. "Hispanic" is the most common term used by the US Federal Government for official purposes. But it does not describe the rich pre-Columbian cultures and indigenous traditions of South and Central America, or the African cultures and traditions brought by enslaved peoples. In the end, perhaps the best way to honor and understand a culture is to listen to its stories. It is the stories of Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx peoples that we honor here. “Writing is a struggle against silence.” -Carlos Fuentes Read This Now | Read This Next | The Bookseller Directory |
Read This Now! In praise of the stories that transport us |
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Witches by Brenda Lozano, (Heather Cleary trans.) Adult Fiction, Hispanic & Latino, Mexico, World Literature Witches, by Mexican writer Brenda Lozano, features quite possibly the most distinctive voice I’ve come across in fiction this year. Feliciana’s narrative, recounting her life as an indigenous healer – or curandera – is hypnotic, elliptical and utterly absorbing. Her story intertwines with that of Zoe, a journalist from Mexico City sent to report on the death of Paloma, Feliciana’s muxe – or third gender – cousin. Their stories combine to highlight the struggles of women striving to be true to themselves and to find their own voices. Reviewed by Jude Burke-Lewis, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi ![]() About the Authors: ![]() Heather Cleary has translated poetry and prose by writers including Betina González, Mario Bellatin, Sergio Chejfec, and María Ospina; her work has been recognized by the National Book Foundation, the Best Translated Book Award, the National Translation Award, and others. |
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Solito by Javier Zamora Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Hispanic & Latino, Personal Memoirs This is one of the most riveting memoirs I have ever read ― Zamora captures his experience as a child migrant with extraordinary detail and emotion. It feels special to read a memoir that manages to stay true to the confusion of childhood in a very adult scenario and the uncertainty of migration while also not shying away from the kindness he was shown and the gratitude he so clearly feels towards those that helped him. Reviewed by Cat Bock, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
About the Author: |
Bookseller Buzz |
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Spotlight on: How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz
![]() “In this moment of despair, while I was waiting on a crowded subway platform – I saw this woman in her late 50s teaching herself English. She held this kind of handbook and reminded me so much of my tías, my grandmother – all these women in my life who were laid off during the Great Recession in 2007. After working in the same factory for over 25 years, they were supposed to start over again. They had a lot to offer, but to go on a job interview is something they’d never done before. Thinking about this compelled me to go online and look up the most popular interview questions. I downloaded interview questions, and Cara Romero came to life. I heard her say, ‘You want to know something about my life? I’ll tell you about my life. I came to this country because my husband wanted to kill me.‘” ―Angie Cruz, Interview, Dominican Writers ![]() What booksellers are saying about How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water
About Angie Cruz Angie Cruz is the author of the novels Soledad, Let It Rain Coffee, and Dominicana, which was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize and a Good Morning America Book Club pick. She is founder and editor in chief of Aster(ix), a literary and arts journal, and is an associate professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh. |
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Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton Adult Fiction, Cultural Heritage, Hispanic & Latino, Historical Fiction I didn’t realize this was the fifth book by this author but it was good as a standalone. The family is living in Palm Beach after being forced to leave Cuba because of the revolution. 1964: Isabel is married to Thomas though it is more of a marriage of convenience than one of love. There has been no communication between the family and her sister Beatriz for a few weeks. Beatriz is involved in dangerous spy work with the CIA so Isabel decides to travel to Barcelona to check in on her. When she arrives she finds her sister’s apartment empty and meets Beatriz’s friend Diego. The two of them are concerned for her sister’s safety and start searching for her. Eventually, the two develop a close bond which has Isabel second-guessing her whole life. 1936: Alicia, (Isabel’s mother) travels to Barcelona from Cuba with her young daughter, Isabel, after finding her husband with another woman. While in Spain she reconnects with a man from her past who she once had feelings for. Spain is in the midst of a civil war and violence is erupting. Alicia has to make some quick decisions about her life and her heart. The author does such a great job in weaving the stories of this family together. There is so much going on that you just don’t want to stop reading! Reviewed by Trish Peters, Book Bound Bookstore in Blairsville, Georgia ![]() About the Author: |
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Woman Without Shame by Sandra Cisneros Adult Nonfiction, Hispanic & Latino, Poetry, Women Authors Woman Without Shame reminds me of Nikki Giovanni’s most recent collection, in that I had a similar feeling while reading each book that these are two poets that get better and better with age. Every bit of Woman Without Shame is saturated in maturity and confidence, right down to the title. When I grow up, I want to be Sandra Cisneros. Reviewed by Jordan Pulaski, Small Friend Records & Books in Richmond, Virginia About the Author: |
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Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega, Rose Bousamra (Illus.) First Second / October 2022 Children, Comics & Graphic Novels, Hispanic & Latino, Juvenile Fiction I needed this book so bad when I was younger! From middle school to high school, I hated my curly, frizzy, thick hair. I didn’t know what to do with it other than straightening it to make it look "pretty" and I didn’t have anyone in my life with hair like mine, so my hair always felt like a problem. I loved that Marlene wanted to embrace her curly hair and started that journey for herself without permission. She unapologetically wanted to be herself and it completely warmed my heart. Thank you Claribel A. Ortega for this story! I cannot wait for other kids to read this and learn to love their hair! Reviewed by Juliana Reyes, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina ![]() About the Author: ![]() Rose Bousamra is a freelance illustrator and comic creator born and based in Michigan. Frizzy is their first graphic novel, with their forthcoming solo debut graphic novel Gutless also being published with First Second. When they’re not making or reading comics they love baking sweets and playing fantasy video games. rosemakesart.com. |
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How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland Contemporary, Hispanic & Latino, Romance, Young Adult Fiction Moon Fuentez is a fascinating character. I liked the exploration of the psychological effects of pitting two children against each other in a family. This is a book about resilience through a lifetime of pain. It’s sex-positive. It’s a really original story. Moon’s humor carries a lot of the story and keeps it from feeling too dark. Reviewed by Lizzy Nanney, Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, North Carolina ![]() About the Author: |
Parting Thought "My weapon has always been language, and I’ve always used it, but it has changed. Instead of shaping the words like knives now, I think they’re flowers, or bridges." |
Publisher:
The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance /
siba@sibaweb.com |
SIBA | 51 Pleasant Ridge Drive | Asheville, NC 28805
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