Novels
Randy Lopez Goes Home. The latest by Bless Me, Última author Rudolfo Anaya
Getaway. Lisa Brackmann. I loved Brackmann’s Rock Paper Tiger and this one is just as good. You will be willing the heroine to Get rid of the darn cell phone!
Have you seen Marie? Sandra Cisneros. A delicate poem in prose that shimmers with Cisneros’s deft weilding of her craft and charming illustrations by Ester Hernández.
On Hallowed Ground. John Lantigua. Get away from those frigid Swedes for some fun sleuthing with Miami-based private eye Willie Cuesta who is feeling good.
Purgatory. Tomás Eloy Martínez. The consequences from Argentina’s dirty war still resonate.
Triple Crossing. Sebastian Rotella.
Conquistadora. Esmeralda Santiago. This is a sensual, riveting tale, set in a place where human passions and cruelties collide – Puerto Rico!
The Barbarian Nurseries. Héctor Tobar.
Short stories
This is How you Lose Her. Junot Díaz. Another slam dunk for Díaz!
Before the End, After the Beginning. Dagoberto Gilb.
Three Messages and a Warning. Contemporary Mexican Short Stories of the Fantastic.
Memoir/Nonfiction
Taco USA. Gustavo Arellano. ‘The Mexican’ puts Tulsa on the great Mexican food map in this fun and informative book.
The Boy Kings of Texas. Domingo Martínez.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Kind of Kin by Rilla Askew
Rilla Askew is an Oklahoma author with a heart of gold and a way with a story. Her latest novel places an Oklahoma family at the center of the vortex that was unleashed with the implementation of harsh immigration laws that foreshadowed harsher laws in Arizona and other states. Robert John Brown, an ornery local farmer who has found religion and a conscience has been busted for hiding undocumented workers from the chicken processing plant in his barn. This sets off a chain of events that has a profound effect on his family and community.
The narrative is told from the perspective of four characters. Brown’s daughter, Sweet Kirkendall, as the embattled matriarch, is the novel’s heart and soul. Her seven-year-old nephew, Dustin, tells his side of the story in the voice of a lonely little boy whose is world turned upside down by grown-ups’ senseless actions. Dustin forms a bond with Luis, one of the workers who eluded capture, overcoming the language barrier in an effort to help Luis re-unite with his family while Dustin’s falls apart. Monica Moorehouse is the character whose voice provides the legislative context as a carpetbagger legislator riding the anti-immigrant tide to fame and, she hopes, higher office. She is a woman who is out of touch with the real life consequences of the legislation and, indeed, ends up losing her best friend, her gay hairdresser, over it.
Friday, July 20, 2012
¿Qué hago aquí?
Bibliochola pregunta ¿Qué hago aquí?
La primavera ha llegado en toda su gloria y ha llegado la hora de sacudir las telarañas del frío invierno. Es la estación ideal para reflexionar sobre el sentido de la vida. Para entrarle de lleno en el espíritu de renovación, renacimiento y energía positiva de la estación, presento algunos libros para apoyar la búsqueda espiritual de cualquier lector fascinado con las maravillas del universo.
El principito de Antoine de Saint-Exupéry es una novela clásica querida en todo el mundo por su tierna historia escrita como si fuera un libro infantil. Los personajes principales son un piloto cuyo avión se ha estrellado en pleno desierto Sahara lejos de cualquier rastro de civilización y el joven principito que ha viajado lejos del pequeño planeta donde vive con tres borregos y su rosa adorada. Para pasar el tiempo mientras se compone el avión, el principito cuenta sus aventuras viajando por las galaxias. Lo que a primera vista parece una historia sencilla, realmente viene siendo una joya que conmueve el corazón, una joya que nos invita a reflexionar sobre la existencia, sobre las cosas que realmente importan, sobre el amor y la amistad – ‘solo con el corazón se puede ver bien; lo esencial es invisible para los ojos’.
Siddhartha de Hermann Hesse es una obra clásica de la literatura alemana. Cuenta la historia de un hombre aristócrata y su camino de búsqueda espiritual durante los tiempos de Buddha en la India del siglo VI.
El Alquimista de Paolo Coelho también trata de un hombre y su viaje hacia la realización espiritual. En este caso, el hombre es un pastor español que ha soñado con encontrar tesoro en Egipto. Sigue su sueño y hace el viaje difícil a Egipto para encontrar otro tipo de tesoro. Las obras de este popular autor brasileño suelen tratar temas de espiritualidad – La bruja de Portobello, El vencedor está solo y Once minutos, pueden ser de interés .
El monje que vendió su Ferrari de Robin Sharma. En esta novela tipo fábula, un abogado casi pierde la vida cuando le da un ataque cardíaco lo cual lo motiva a dejar todo para viajar a la India para aprender cómo llevar una vida de verdadera felicidad.
Los siguientes libros no son novelas pero tratan temas similares:
Come, reza, ama de Elizabeth Gilbert relata el viaje que empeña la autora en busca de la realización espiritual después de sentirse fuertemente deprimida y frustrada con su vida convencional. El viaje le lleva a países que empiezan con la letra ‘I’ [o sea ‘yo’ en inglés] – Italia (donde come), India (donde reza) e Indonesia (donde ama).
Los cuatro acuerdos de Don Miguel Ruiz, ‘una guía práctica a la libertad personal’ [de la portada]. Don Miguel basa su receta para la felicidad, amor y libertad en la sabiduría de la antigua cultura Tolteca.
Cualquiera de estos títulos es un buen lugar para iniciar su propia reflexión sobre el camino que lleva su vida y si es el momento propicio de hacer cambios. Un buen cambio podría ser... ¡leer más!
La primavera ha llegado en toda su gloria y ha llegado la hora de sacudir las telarañas del frío invierno. Es la estación ideal para reflexionar sobre el sentido de la vida. Para entrarle de lleno en el espíritu de renovación, renacimiento y energía positiva de la estación, presento algunos libros para apoyar la búsqueda espiritual de cualquier lector fascinado con las maravillas del universo.
El principito de Antoine de Saint-Exupéry es una novela clásica querida en todo el mundo por su tierna historia escrita como si fuera un libro infantil. Los personajes principales son un piloto cuyo avión se ha estrellado en pleno desierto Sahara lejos de cualquier rastro de civilización y el joven principito que ha viajado lejos del pequeño planeta donde vive con tres borregos y su rosa adorada. Para pasar el tiempo mientras se compone el avión, el principito cuenta sus aventuras viajando por las galaxias. Lo que a primera vista parece una historia sencilla, realmente viene siendo una joya que conmueve el corazón, una joya que nos invita a reflexionar sobre la existencia, sobre las cosas que realmente importan, sobre el amor y la amistad – ‘solo con el corazón se puede ver bien; lo esencial es invisible para los ojos’.
Siddhartha de Hermann Hesse es una obra clásica de la literatura alemana. Cuenta la historia de un hombre aristócrata y su camino de búsqueda espiritual durante los tiempos de Buddha en la India del siglo VI.
El Alquimista de Paolo Coelho también trata de un hombre y su viaje hacia la realización espiritual. En este caso, el hombre es un pastor español que ha soñado con encontrar tesoro en Egipto. Sigue su sueño y hace el viaje difícil a Egipto para encontrar otro tipo de tesoro. Las obras de este popular autor brasileño suelen tratar temas de espiritualidad – La bruja de Portobello, El vencedor está solo y Once minutos, pueden ser de interés .
El monje que vendió su Ferrari de Robin Sharma. En esta novela tipo fábula, un abogado casi pierde la vida cuando le da un ataque cardíaco lo cual lo motiva a dejar todo para viajar a la India para aprender cómo llevar una vida de verdadera felicidad.
Los siguientes libros no son novelas pero tratan temas similares:
Come, reza, ama de Elizabeth Gilbert relata el viaje que empeña la autora en busca de la realización espiritual después de sentirse fuertemente deprimida y frustrada con su vida convencional. El viaje le lleva a países que empiezan con la letra ‘I’ [o sea ‘yo’ en inglés] – Italia (donde come), India (donde reza) e Indonesia (donde ama).
Los cuatro acuerdos de Don Miguel Ruiz, ‘una guía práctica a la libertad personal’ [de la portada]. Don Miguel basa su receta para la felicidad, amor y libertad en la sabiduría de la antigua cultura Tolteca.
Cualquiera de estos títulos es un buen lugar para iniciar su propia reflexión sobre el camino que lleva su vida y si es el momento propicio de hacer cambios. Un buen cambio podría ser... ¡leer más!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Bibliochola goes to the movies
Oscar season was an excellent moment to appreciate great films based on great books. Recently, the most obvious example would be the Harry Potter series that has inspired so many people to revisit books and reading. Keep in mind that as excellent as movies may be, there is no way they can fully recreate the rich environment that exists in the novel. In order for a story to fit within the two hour time frame, the director must leave out an awful lot. For example, in the final film in the Potter series, there was some intrigue involving a mirror fragment – but, how, why? Where did the mirror and its special powers come from? All of that information is perfectly developed in the novels along with a wealth of information about each character and other magical implements.
This month I’m recommending books that have been made into movies. If you liked the movie, try the book and you are certain to be pleasantly surprised:
War Horse, Spielberg’s latest film is based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo about Joey, a horse and his adventures in World War I when sold by his young owner’s father. For those who like war stories, horses and the special relationship between a boy and his horse.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the movie based on the bestseller from Sweden. The story takes place over three volumes and is a very intense tale with an unforgettable heroine –Lisbeth Salander, a hacker with a punk edge able to uncover secrets and even the score. For those who love stories featuring strong women, suspense and dark, dirty secrets.
Great books that inspired Spanish movies include –
The Pearl by the great director Emilio Fernández [Interesting factoid -Fernández was the model for the Oscar statuette) is based on the wonderful novella by John Steinbeck who also collaborated on the movie. It’s about a family of poor divers and the drastic change that comes to their lives after finding a pearl. This book is short, easy to read and beautifully written.
Two Crimes – this black comedy is based on the novel by Jorge Ibargüengoitia about a man who, fleeing the big city after being falsely accused of murder, falls into worse situations in the small town where he is hiding. Any novel by Ibargüengoitia is a delight.
Other suggestions –Paradise Travel, Jorge Franco Ramos; The Secret in Their Eyes, Eduardo Sacheri
This month I’m recommending books that have been made into movies. If you liked the movie, try the book and you are certain to be pleasantly surprised:
War Horse, Spielberg’s latest film is based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo about Joey, a horse and his adventures in World War I when sold by his young owner’s father. For those who like war stories, horses and the special relationship between a boy and his horse.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the movie based on the bestseller from Sweden. The story takes place over three volumes and is a very intense tale with an unforgettable heroine –Lisbeth Salander, a hacker with a punk edge able to uncover secrets and even the score. For those who love stories featuring strong women, suspense and dark, dirty secrets.
Great books that inspired Spanish movies include –
The Pearl by the great director Emilio Fernández [Interesting factoid -Fernández was the model for the Oscar statuette) is based on the wonderful novella by John Steinbeck who also collaborated on the movie. It’s about a family of poor divers and the drastic change that comes to their lives after finding a pearl. This book is short, easy to read and beautifully written.
Two Crimes – this black comedy is based on the novel by Jorge Ibargüengoitia about a man who, fleeing the big city after being falsely accused of murder, falls into worse situations in the small town where he is hiding. Any novel by Ibargüengoitia is a delight.
Other suggestions –Paradise Travel, Jorge Franco Ramos; The Secret in Their Eyes, Eduardo Sacheri
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Bibliochola va al cine
Ya que pasaron los premios Oscar, se puede apreciar las películas basadas en libros que se han llevado a la gran pantalla. El más famoso de los últimos años sería obviamente la serie de Harry Potter lo cual inspiró a muchas personas volver a la lectura de novelas. Les recuerdo que aún siendo excelentes, no es posible que las películas alcancen a abarcar la riqueza que existe en cada novela. Para que la historia se pueda caber dentro de lo que alcance en más o menos dos horas, el director debe dejar afuera tantísimo. Por ejemplo, en la última pelí de Potter, hubo un trozo de espejo con poderes – pero ¿por qué? ¿De cuándo acá el famoso espejo? Todo está desarrollado a la perfección en las novelas, claro, junto con mucha más información sobre cada personaje. Las oportunidades para dejar volar la imaginación abundan en cualquier novela bien.
Así que este mes voy a recomendar libros que se han llevado a la pantalla. Si te gustó la película, éntrale con el libro y segura que llevarás una agradable sorpresa:
"Caballo de batalla," la película de Spielberg está basada en la novela de Michael Morpurgo sobre Joey, el caballo de Albert y sus aventuras en la primera guerra mundial después de que el padre de Albert lo venda a las tropas de Inglaterra. Para quienes les gustan historias de guerra, caballos y la relación especial entre un caballo y su joven dueño.
"Los hombres que no amaban a las mujeres" es la película basada en la novela súper-exitosa de Suecia publicada en inglés como "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". La historia se lleva a cabo a lo largo de tres tomos – la trilogía Milenio - y es una historia bastante fuerte con una heroína inolvidable - la hacker estilo punk Lisbeth Salander que logra desentrañar secretos y abalanzar cuentas. Para los que aman historias de mujeres fuertes, de suspenso, de desentrañar secretos oscuros.
Libros que han inspirado películas en español incluyen –
"La perla" del gran director Emilio Fernández [de hecho, quien sirvió como modelo para la famosa estatuilla del Oscar) está basada en la novelita de John Steinbeck quien colaboró con la película. Se trata de una familia mexicana de pescadores pobres y el cambio drástico que viene a su vida cuando encuentran una perla. El libro es corto, fácil de leer y hermoso en su composición.
"Dos crímenes" – la comedia negra basada en la novela de Jorge Ibargüengoitia sobre un hombre que, tratando de escapar una acusación de asesino en la gran urbe, cae en peores situaciones en el pueblo a dónde huyó. Cualquier novela de Ibargüengoitia es una delicia – "Los relámpagos de agosto", "Maten al león".
Otras sugerencias – "Ilona llega con la lluvia", Álvaro Mutis; "Rosario Tijeras" o "Paraíso Travel", Jorge Franco Ramos; "El secreto de sus ojos", Eduardo Sacheri
Espero saber de más sugerencias de Uds. amables lectores.
Así que este mes voy a recomendar libros que se han llevado a la pantalla. Si te gustó la película, éntrale con el libro y segura que llevarás una agradable sorpresa:
"Caballo de batalla," la película de Spielberg está basada en la novela de Michael Morpurgo sobre Joey, el caballo de Albert y sus aventuras en la primera guerra mundial después de que el padre de Albert lo venda a las tropas de Inglaterra. Para quienes les gustan historias de guerra, caballos y la relación especial entre un caballo y su joven dueño.
"Los hombres que no amaban a las mujeres" es la película basada en la novela súper-exitosa de Suecia publicada en inglés como "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". La historia se lleva a cabo a lo largo de tres tomos – la trilogía Milenio - y es una historia bastante fuerte con una heroína inolvidable - la hacker estilo punk Lisbeth Salander que logra desentrañar secretos y abalanzar cuentas. Para los que aman historias de mujeres fuertes, de suspenso, de desentrañar secretos oscuros.
Libros que han inspirado películas en español incluyen –
"La perla" del gran director Emilio Fernández [de hecho, quien sirvió como modelo para la famosa estatuilla del Oscar) está basada en la novelita de John Steinbeck quien colaboró con la película. Se trata de una familia mexicana de pescadores pobres y el cambio drástico que viene a su vida cuando encuentran una perla. El libro es corto, fácil de leer y hermoso en su composición.
"Dos crímenes" – la comedia negra basada en la novela de Jorge Ibargüengoitia sobre un hombre que, tratando de escapar una acusación de asesino en la gran urbe, cae en peores situaciones en el pueblo a dónde huyó. Cualquier novela de Ibargüengoitia es una delicia – "Los relámpagos de agosto", "Maten al león".
Otras sugerencias – "Ilona llega con la lluvia", Álvaro Mutis; "Rosario Tijeras" o "Paraíso Travel", Jorge Franco Ramos; "El secreto de sus ojos", Eduardo Sacheri
Espero saber de más sugerencias de Uds. amables lectores.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Lujuria de la lectura
Lujuria, pasión y amor no son palabras que solemos asociar con el acto de leer. Sin embargo, a los que nos gusta leer, ficción en específico, el acto rebasa el simple transferir de información. Leer novelas nos lleva a otros mundos para sumergirnos en realidades ajenas. El contar historias es íntegro a la humanidad y al leer, participamos en una cadena que nos lleva hasta los principios de nuestra evolución como seres sociales.
Los invito a acompañarme en un viaje al mundo de la lectura. Empecemos con un microrrelato del autor guatemalteco Augusto Monterroso, “El dinosaurio”:
Cuando despertó, el dinosaurio todavía estaba allí.
Monterroso nos entrega un cuento en menos de veinte sílabas, invitándonos a completar el relato con nuestra propia imaginación. Las posibilidades son limitadas sólo por el número de personas que leen el cuento; cada uno con su experiencia vivida, su personalidad única, su visión del mundo muy suya. Monterroso fue un maestro de este género y sus fábulas siempre nos ponen a pensar y a cuestionar el status quo como “La oveja negra”:
En un lejano país existió hace muchos años una Oveja negra. Fue fusilada.
Un siglo después, el rebaño arrepentido le levantó una estatua ecuestre que quedó muy bien en el parque.
Así, en lo sucesivo, cada vez que aparecían ovejas negras eran rápidamente pasadas por las armas para que las futuras generaciones de ovejas comunes y corrientes pudieran ejercitarse también en la escultura.
¿Les recuerda de algún personaje? De esta manera, para los que son renuentes a la lectura, recomiendo empezar con cuentos. América Latina cuenta con los mejores escritores del… ¡cuento! Otro autor de Guatemala, el gran Miguel Ángel Asturias ganador del Premio Nobel en 1967, publicó cuentos inspirados por las leyendas de su tierra en El espejo de Lida Sal. Los cuentos del argentino Julio Cortázar no tienen igual, recomiendo Queremos tanto a Glenda. Para un reto a los que les gustan la filosofía, los laberintos, bibliotecas y espejos, Jorge Luis Borge y El Aleph los espera.
¡A leer se ha dicho! Algunos relatos los pueden encontrar en línea y encontrarán todos en el Centro Hispano de la Biblioteca de Tulsa.
Los invito a acompañarme en un viaje al mundo de la lectura. Empecemos con un microrrelato del autor guatemalteco Augusto Monterroso, “El dinosaurio”:
Cuando despertó, el dinosaurio todavía estaba allí.
Monterroso nos entrega un cuento en menos de veinte sílabas, invitándonos a completar el relato con nuestra propia imaginación. Las posibilidades son limitadas sólo por el número de personas que leen el cuento; cada uno con su experiencia vivida, su personalidad única, su visión del mundo muy suya. Monterroso fue un maestro de este género y sus fábulas siempre nos ponen a pensar y a cuestionar el status quo como “La oveja negra”:
En un lejano país existió hace muchos años una Oveja negra. Fue fusilada.
Un siglo después, el rebaño arrepentido le levantó una estatua ecuestre que quedó muy bien en el parque.
Así, en lo sucesivo, cada vez que aparecían ovejas negras eran rápidamente pasadas por las armas para que las futuras generaciones de ovejas comunes y corrientes pudieran ejercitarse también en la escultura.
¿Les recuerda de algún personaje? De esta manera, para los que son renuentes a la lectura, recomiendo empezar con cuentos. América Latina cuenta con los mejores escritores del… ¡cuento! Otro autor de Guatemala, el gran Miguel Ángel Asturias ganador del Premio Nobel en 1967, publicó cuentos inspirados por las leyendas de su tierra en El espejo de Lida Sal. Los cuentos del argentino Julio Cortázar no tienen igual, recomiendo Queremos tanto a Glenda. Para un reto a los que les gustan la filosofía, los laberintos, bibliotecas y espejos, Jorge Luis Borge y El Aleph los espera.
¡A leer se ha dicho! Algunos relatos los pueden encontrar en línea y encontrarán todos en el Centro Hispano de la Biblioteca de Tulsa.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Best Latino Reads 2011
Muchas gracias a REFORMistas who sent their picks:
Fiction
Allende – Maya’s Notebook/El cuaderno de Maya
Dueñas, Maria – The Time In Between/El Tiempo entre Costuras
Gilb, Dagoberto – Before the End, After the Beginning
Goldman, Francisco – Say her Name
Martinez, Tomas Eloy – Purgatory/Purgatorio
Orozco, Daniel – Orientation and other Stories
Rotella, Sebastian – Triple Crossing
Santiago, Esmeralda – Conquistadora/Conquistadora
Tobar, Hector – Barbarian Nurseries
Urrea, Luis Alberto –Queen of America
Vásquez, Juan Gabriel – The Secret History of Costaguana/La historia secreta de Costaguana
- El ruido de las cosas a caer
Youth Fiction
Herrera, Juan Felipe – Skate Fate
McCall, Guadalupe Garcia – Under the Mesquite
Resau, Laura – The Queen of Water
Nonfiction
Hernandez, David - Down and Delirious in Mexico City
Fiction
Allende – Maya’s Notebook/El cuaderno de Maya
Dueñas, Maria – The Time In Between/El Tiempo entre Costuras
Gilb, Dagoberto – Before the End, After the Beginning
Goldman, Francisco – Say her Name
Martinez, Tomas Eloy – Purgatory/Purgatorio
Orozco, Daniel – Orientation and other Stories
Rotella, Sebastian – Triple Crossing
Santiago, Esmeralda – Conquistadora/Conquistadora
Tobar, Hector – Barbarian Nurseries
Urrea, Luis Alberto –Queen of America
Vásquez, Juan Gabriel – The Secret History of Costaguana/La historia secreta de Costaguana
- El ruido de las cosas a caer
Youth Fiction
Herrera, Juan Felipe – Skate Fate
McCall, Guadalupe Garcia – Under the Mesquite
Resau, Laura – The Queen of Water
Nonfiction
Hernandez, David - Down and Delirious in Mexico City
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Collection Development in Spanglish
Here are some of the recommendations and contact information that were presented in the SRRT's Serving Spanish-speaking Populations Workshop:
Distributors
Nerissa Moran at Brodart has been very helpful - Nerissa.Moran@brodart.com
Linda Goodman, Bilingual Publication, exceptionally helpful always - bilingualspanish@gmail.com
Edgardo Moctezuma, Latin American Book Source, Inc. - sales@latambooks.com
Teresa Mlawer, Lectorum - tmlawer@lectorum.com
Dror Faust, Puvill - dror@puvill.com
Movies
Rakesh Kumar, Multicultural Books and Videos - multiculturalbooks@sbcglobal.net
Luis Cano, Laguna films - lcano@laguna-films.com [http://www.lagunafilms.com/], especially for Mexican classics
Magazines
Tara Battles, WT Cox Subscriptions - tara.battles@wtcox.com
Norma Thomas, Latin American Periodicals [assorted novelitas] - (520) 281-0243; http://www.lapmagazines.com/
Martín de Jesús Sánchez Espinoza, Libros de Todo México - Tel / Fax : +52 (55) 5688-9610
Magazine Subscription Service Agency, magazine@gte.net
Check the Hispanic Resource Center's web page for some good links - www.tulsalibrary.org/hrc Keep checking, I will be improving and updating over the next few months.
Ah! For citizenship prep materials for the exam, don't forget uscis.gov has some great resources in Spanish and other languages here - http://tinyurl.com/3ew5vv6
¡Salud!
Distributors
Nerissa Moran at Brodart has been very helpful - Nerissa.Moran@brodart.com
Linda Goodman, Bilingual Publication, exceptionally helpful always - bilingualspanish@gmail.com
Edgardo Moctezuma, Latin American Book Source, Inc. - sales@latambooks.com
Teresa Mlawer, Lectorum - tmlawer@lectorum.com
Dror Faust, Puvill - dror@puvill.com
Movies
Rakesh Kumar, Multicultural Books and Videos - multiculturalbooks@sbcglobal.net
Luis Cano, Laguna films - lcano@laguna-films.com [http://www.lagunafilms.com/], especially for Mexican classics
Magazines
Tara Battles, WT Cox Subscriptions - tara.battles@wtcox.com
Norma Thomas, Latin American Periodicals [assorted novelitas] - (520) 281-0243; http://www.lapmagazines.com/
Martín de Jesús Sánchez Espinoza, Libros de Todo México - Tel / Fax : +52 (55) 5688-9610
Magazine Subscription Service Agency, magazine@gte.net
Check the Hispanic Resource Center's web page for some good links - www.tulsalibrary.org/hrc Keep checking, I will be improving and updating over the next few months.
Ah! For citizenship prep materials for the exam, don't forget uscis.gov has some great resources in Spanish and other languages here - http://tinyurl.com/3ew5vv6
¡Salud!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Tan cerca de la vida. Santiago Roncagliolo
Esta novela de Roncagliolo se lee como un sueño o una pesadilla. La historia toma lugar en Tokio, lo cual aumenta la sensación de extrañeza y aislamiento. Max llega a Tokio para asistir a una conferencia sobre inteligencia artificial y casi de inmediato empieza a sufrir alucinaciones aterradoras. El trabajo de logística que hace Max para la Corporación Geminís no lo encariña con los demás asistentes y tampoco habla japonés, así que solo tiene su PDA (asistente personal automatizado) para hacerle compañía hasta conocer a un alma afín – una de las empleadas del hotel, una muda que se llama Mai, por curiosa coincidencia. Hay algo raro sobre la situación que no se puede atribuir a la brecha cultural entre Oriente y Occidente.
Esta obra de ciencia ficción incluye elementos de terror que surgen de las pesadillas y alucinaciones de Max y en partes es narrada en tercera, segunda o primera persona. Aunque no guardará sorpresas para fans de la película Blade Runner {El cazador implacable}, no deja de ser una exploración intrigante del significado de vida y de humanidad.
Reseña originalmente publicado en inglés para Library Journal.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Top 10 reasons Mexican Buses far superior to U.S.
10. LEG ROOM
9. ASSIGNED SEATS
8. ENTERTAINMENT
7. SNACKS AND DRINKS PROVIDED, IN FIRST CLASSES
6. YOU CAN CHOOSE BETWEEN CLASSES OF BUS
5. RECLINING SEATS
4. CLEAN BATHROOMS IN THE STATIONS
3. BAGS STORED BY REAL PEOPLE
2. COMPETING COMPANIES MEAN COMPETITIVE PRICING
1. LAYOVERS ARE SHORT OR NONEXISTENT
Greyhound - take note!
9. ASSIGNED SEATS
8. ENTERTAINMENT
7. SNACKS AND DRINKS PROVIDED, IN FIRST CLASSES
6. YOU CAN CHOOSE BETWEEN CLASSES OF BUS
5. RECLINING SEATS
4. CLEAN BATHROOMS IN THE STATIONS
3. BAGS STORED BY REAL PEOPLE
2. COMPETING COMPANIES MEAN COMPETITIVE PRICING
1. LAYOVERS ARE SHORT OR NONEXISTENT
Greyhound - take note!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Dime quién soy por Julia Navarro; reseña
Las novelas de Julia Navarro se han comparado a las de Dan Brown, son thrillers basados en enigmas fascinantes como el Sudario de Turín. Dime quién soy toma lugar en la Europa del siglo XX, de la Guerra Civil Española, la Segunda Guerra Mundial y la Guerra Fría. El enigma en este caso es Amelia Garayoa, una espía y asesina tipo Mata Hari pero con conciencia. El bisnieto de Amelia, Guillermo Albi es un crítico literario necesitado de chamba cuya tía le encarga el trabajo de investigar la historia de la bisabuela oveja negra. Albi sigue las huellas de Amelia por toda Europa y a Buenos Aires para acabar en Barcelona para el final sorpresa.
Está interesante la manera en que está construida la novela en tanto que el narrador Albi entrega la narración a los testigos sujetos de la historia de Amelia. Pero aunque Amelia esté inmersa plenamente en las intrigas políticas de la época, Navarro no logra que el lector sienta visceralmente ni sus penas ni su pasión ni sus pérdidas.
Recomiendo esta novela épica solo para los fans empedernidos de Navarro.
Reseña originalmente publicado en inglés para Library Journal: http://tinyurl.com/4qm75p3
Está interesante la manera en que está construida la novela en tanto que el narrador Albi entrega la narración a los testigos sujetos de la historia de Amelia. Pero aunque Amelia esté inmersa plenamente en las intrigas políticas de la época, Navarro no logra que el lector sienta visceralmente ni sus penas ni su pasión ni sus pérdidas.
Recomiendo esta novela épica solo para los fans empedernidos de Navarro.
Reseña originalmente publicado en inglés para Library Journal: http://tinyurl.com/4qm75p3
Monday, December 27, 2010
delicioso
Ok, tried out Delicious and it's pretty cool. What happens now that it's for sale? Is is now passe? I do need to manage my favorites, la memoria se va...
Sarita's Favoritas 2010
The Girls from the Revolutionary Cantina by M. Padilla - a fun chica lit story that takes place in Southern Califas where several amigas struggle with love, work and telenovela stars.
Hungry Woman in Paris by Josefina López – from the author of Real Women have Curves comes this book about a Chicana in Paris reconnecting with her passion and learning to cook truit farcie aux morilles
Beautiful Maria of my Soul by Oscar Hijuelos – is the Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love from the point of view of the heroine. Sink into the passion and romance of pre-Castro Cuba and experience the thrilling times of 20th century revolutionary upheaval
Haunted Honeymoon by Marta Acosta – the latest installment in the Casa Dracula series, a humorous alternative to the melodramatic Twilight series that features a snarky Latina heroine, think Bridget Jones with Micheladas instead of Bloody Mary’s.
The Lady Matador’s Hotel by Cristina García – a deftly woven novel about people from vastly different cultures and stories who converge on the Miraflor Hotel in Central America with explosive consequences, this book is a real treat!
Queen of the South by Arturo Pérez Reverte – an exciting and suspenseful novel about a woman who escapes with her life when narcotraficantes murder her lover to ultimately triumph as a reigning queen of the trade. Will be made into a telenovela this spring starring Kate Del Castillo.
The Elephant’s Journey by José Saramago – this master storyteller died last year; this historical novel takes readers from the Lisbon of 1551 to Vienna to deliver Archduke Maximilian’s wedding present - an elephant.
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea – a formidable young woman, Nayeli, journeys north on the trail of her father to find her own ‘Magnificent Seven’ to bring back to her small town in Mexico; a town that has been almost completely abandoned by men and is in danger of being taken over by criminals.
Blackout in Precinct Puerto Rico by Steven Torres – police procedurals that take place in Angustias PR featuring police chief Luis Gonzalo; this one has him up against potential vigilante justice
Season of Ash by Jorge Volpi – Volpi is not easy to read because of his stylistic innovations and layered story-telling, but the effort is well worth the trouble. This novel brings you into the story of three women from different parts of the world whose lives are intertwined through globally significant events.
Lone Star Legend by Gwendolyn Zepeda – chica lit with a tejana twist about blogger Sandy Saavedra and her life and loves in Austin
Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa – the great Nobel Laureate brings his story-telling talents to recreate the life and times of Dominican despot Trujillo
Hungry Woman in Paris by Josefina López – from the author of Real Women have Curves comes this book about a Chicana in Paris reconnecting with her passion and learning to cook truit farcie aux morilles
Beautiful Maria of my Soul by Oscar Hijuelos – is the Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love from the point of view of the heroine. Sink into the passion and romance of pre-Castro Cuba and experience the thrilling times of 20th century revolutionary upheaval
Haunted Honeymoon by Marta Acosta – the latest installment in the Casa Dracula series, a humorous alternative to the melodramatic Twilight series that features a snarky Latina heroine, think Bridget Jones with Micheladas instead of Bloody Mary’s.
The Lady Matador’s Hotel by Cristina García – a deftly woven novel about people from vastly different cultures and stories who converge on the Miraflor Hotel in Central America with explosive consequences, this book is a real treat!
Queen of the South by Arturo Pérez Reverte – an exciting and suspenseful novel about a woman who escapes with her life when narcotraficantes murder her lover to ultimately triumph as a reigning queen of the trade. Will be made into a telenovela this spring starring Kate Del Castillo.
The Elephant’s Journey by José Saramago – this master storyteller died last year; this historical novel takes readers from the Lisbon of 1551 to Vienna to deliver Archduke Maximilian’s wedding present - an elephant.
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea – a formidable young woman, Nayeli, journeys north on the trail of her father to find her own ‘Magnificent Seven’ to bring back to her small town in Mexico; a town that has been almost completely abandoned by men and is in danger of being taken over by criminals.
Blackout in Precinct Puerto Rico by Steven Torres – police procedurals that take place in Angustias PR featuring police chief Luis Gonzalo; this one has him up against potential vigilante justice
Season of Ash by Jorge Volpi – Volpi is not easy to read because of his stylistic innovations and layered story-telling, but the effort is well worth the trouble. This novel brings you into the story of three women from different parts of the world whose lives are intertwined through globally significant events.
Lone Star Legend by Gwendolyn Zepeda – chica lit with a tejana twist about blogger Sandy Saavedra and her life and loves in Austin
Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa – the great Nobel Laureate brings his story-telling talents to recreate the life and times of Dominican despot Trujillo
Thursday, June 3, 2010
5th grade promotion at Peary Elementary
I was invited to be the main speaker at Peary's 5th grade promotion ceremony. The principal, Donna Ferrell, wanted words said in Spanish and English. I was not sure what to expect and thought well, I'll just say something in Spanish and the other speakers can do the English. Pues no, I was it. I did present a short speech, rogando paciencia con mi torpeza - in both languages, ha! Congratulating los presentes, emphasizing the hard times ahead and animando a LEER, leer mucho y a los grandes, pues que los vean leer. Oh! I also reminded them that we are community, that they are not alone, que hay que jalar juntos, etc.
Una vez ahí, I saw why Ms. Ferrell wanted a Spanish speaker, la gran mayoría de niños - mexicanos! Viva! The kids chingandole in the safety patrol in the snow and the slush! Latinos! Mexicanos inmigrados! I had to feel sorry for the teacher reading the names and the Masons giving out their prizes - they had a hard time pronouncing Ángeles... and Noe... but I do give them credit for making the effort. My own kids are cursed with a double 'l' in their last name; in okie, Bonilla sounds like Vanilla which they are definitely not - more café con leche.
Pero a la hora de la hora, it was the kids' day. They didn't care! They shone in all their finery - girls wobbling on high heels, boys' hair firmly gelled into place. Shiny satin, floor length dresses, white suits, even a fedora - mucha elegancia para el gimnasio. I hope they are ready para lo que vengan y se ve que los teachers at Peary did their best and wish them the best... con mucho cariño
Una vez ahí, I saw why Ms. Ferrell wanted a Spanish speaker, la gran mayoría de niños - mexicanos! Viva! The kids chingandole in the safety patrol in the snow and the slush! Latinos! Mexicanos inmigrados! I had to feel sorry for the teacher reading the names and the Masons giving out their prizes - they had a hard time pronouncing Ángeles... and Noe... but I do give them credit for making the effort. My own kids are cursed with a double 'l' in their last name; in okie, Bonilla sounds like Vanilla which they are definitely not - more café con leche.
Pero a la hora de la hora, it was the kids' day. They didn't care! They shone in all their finery - girls wobbling on high heels, boys' hair firmly gelled into place. Shiny satin, floor length dresses, white suits, even a fedora - mucha elegancia para el gimnasio. I hope they are ready para lo que vengan y se ve que los teachers at Peary did their best and wish them the best... con mucho cariño
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Public libraries in Mexico, an impression
The impression I have, from the conference and from visiting a few of these libraries is that there is a lot of work to do!
The system for adquisition is centralized; all handled from Mexico City through Conaculta. So, the people in Ciudad Juárez on the U.S./Mexico border get the same materials as the people in Oaxaca or those in Mérida, Yucatán...
The process for getting a library card seems difficult to me although the Mexican librarians don't find it so. You have to take 2 fotos and a fiador! Like, a co-signer! I forget what else...
The biggest problem would be that the people staffing the libraries depend on whoever is running city hall at the time. So when the mayor or presidente municipal goes, everyone goes y a empezar de nuevo! How hard would it be to implement a civil service??!!
Oh! And, of course, technology! They are still using card catalogs on paper instead of online. Those libraries that were lucky enough to have Gates computers were way ahead of the game
The system for adquisition is centralized; all handled from Mexico City through Conaculta. So, the people in Ciudad Juárez on the U.S./Mexico border get the same materials as the people in Oaxaca or those in Mérida, Yucatán...
The process for getting a library card seems difficult to me although the Mexican librarians don't find it so. You have to take 2 fotos and a fiador! Like, a co-signer! I forget what else...
The biggest problem would be that the people staffing the libraries depend on whoever is running city hall at the time. So when the mayor or presidente municipal goes, everyone goes y a empezar de nuevo! How hard would it be to implement a civil service??!!
Oh! And, of course, technology! They are still using card catalogs on paper instead of online. Those libraries that were lucky enough to have Gates computers were way ahead of the game
en Zacatecas
Pues, llegó el amante chido, so ya no hubo tiempo para estar sentado frente a la pantalla, but no más por no dejar -
Zacatecas treated us well! They have a tradition called 'callejoneadas' and the librarians met as a group the Wednesday night before my presentation to partake. We met in the Alameda at 8 p.m. and were given a small jarrito on a ribbon to hang around our necks. 2 or 3 young ladies had jugs of mezcal que convidaron whenever the mood struck. Ouch! I thought - no one is showing up for my ponencia in the a.m., todos van a estar crudos! We followed the brass band around town for a while and ended up at a sound and light show that used an old Augustine convent for backdrop, very cool.
The ponencia went well, started out with about 20 in attendance and ended with a full house. There were 3 of us on the panel - a woman from Colima presented about a project she implemented at her university - biblioburro. Basically, they did a reading promo campaign centered on the school mascot - a donkey. Tristemente, when the donkey died - from an African bee sting! - the project died with him.
Oralia Garza de Cortés presented about Día de los niños/día de los libros. She covered the trajectory of services to Latino children over the last half century in the U.S., especially this project.
Mine went well, some interesting discussion about respecting people's reading preferences and encouraging readers to challenge themselves. The cool thing was that this librarian guy from San Diego came who is very active in international exchanges and projects between Mexico and U.S. He introduced me to the director at the Benjamin Franklin library in Mexico City! So, conectados! A ver qué pasa...
Zacatecas treated us well! They have a tradition called 'callejoneadas' and the librarians met as a group the Wednesday night before my presentation to partake. We met in the Alameda at 8 p.m. and were given a small jarrito on a ribbon to hang around our necks. 2 or 3 young ladies had jugs of mezcal que convidaron whenever the mood struck. Ouch! I thought - no one is showing up for my ponencia in the a.m., todos van a estar crudos! We followed the brass band around town for a while and ended up at a sound and light show that used an old Augustine convent for backdrop, very cool.
The ponencia went well, started out with about 20 in attendance and ended with a full house. There were 3 of us on the panel - a woman from Colima presented about a project she implemented at her university - biblioburro. Basically, they did a reading promo campaign centered on the school mascot - a donkey. Tristemente, when the donkey died - from an African bee sting! - the project died with him.
Oralia Garza de Cortés presented about Día de los niños/día de los libros. She covered the trajectory of services to Latino children over the last half century in the U.S., especially this project.
Mine went well, some interesting discussion about respecting people's reading preferences and encouraging readers to challenge themselves. The cool thing was that this librarian guy from San Diego came who is very active in international exchanges and projects between Mexico and U.S. He introduced me to the director at the Benjamin Franklin library in Mexico City! So, conectados! A ver qué pasa...
Monday, May 3, 2010
1st day of conference
¡Clásico! A meeting of Mexican librarians and chaos at the registration table. The one thing that should flow, uf... Well, got registered and my blue wrist band, qué tal? We have to wear this the whole time; le comenté - así puedo tomar bebidas alcohólicas también, verdad?
The opening session was typical, thank everybody and their mamá; asking for donations to remodel their office. For 2,000 pesos, you get a faux brick with your name on it displayed for at least 10 years. Muy formal, awful sound system, not enough room between the rows, qué fijada!
The Palacio de convenciones is way out on the edge of town. Had to take a long walk and then a short bus ride and another long walk but found it sin problemas. Buen ejercicio que tanta falta me hace.
Have met some interesting people already, most here work at academic libraries or are students. They are exhibits, too. I was chatting with a woman who is pushing some scientific database. Turns out she's from New York; we figured out we both speak English, ha! She had a Portuguese accent, so ahí la confusión mía. Oh! A nice contact, the librarian from Cancún's Universidad Caribe, qué invite... digo...
The first panel I attended had some very interesting presentations. Here are the datos - Mexican libraries after the revolution were modelled on U.S. libraries since many of the revolutionary leaders were norteños - Alvaro Obregón, etc. "fundar una biblioteca en un pueblo tiene tanta significación como levantar una iglesia... un lugar para descansar y recogerse" My feelings on hearing/reading this - ¿y ahora? Public libraries in Mexico are in a sad state.
The next presenter has done research on Zacatecan migrants and information services. She has put together a web page that looks really good and helpful. I wasn't very convinced about the representative sample she used - 70% legal... ok... all with some education, etc. I met her and told her that I'm on the other end and would love to link to her site. It's not live yet, but will keep in touch.
Finally, a talk about measuring success in libraries. This seemed to provoke a lot of questions. Again, mainly talking about academic libraries. My feeling - hello! You have to constantly measure your relevance to your target population. Anygüey, as Chávez-Silverman says... The guy quoted Marx - el problema es el método - and Ranganathan - las bibliotecas son para usarse - so he's got to be ok.
Also, what god-awful Powerpoints!!! I know how to read, people!! But, bought a T-shirt from cuerito de la UNAM...
The opening session was typical, thank everybody and their mamá; asking for donations to remodel their office. For 2,000 pesos, you get a faux brick with your name on it displayed for at least 10 years. Muy formal, awful sound system, not enough room between the rows, qué fijada!
The Palacio de convenciones is way out on the edge of town. Had to take a long walk and then a short bus ride and another long walk but found it sin problemas. Buen ejercicio que tanta falta me hace.
Have met some interesting people already, most here work at academic libraries or are students. They are exhibits, too. I was chatting with a woman who is pushing some scientific database. Turns out she's from New York; we figured out we both speak English, ha! She had a Portuguese accent, so ahí la confusión mía. Oh! A nice contact, the librarian from Cancún's Universidad Caribe, qué invite... digo...
The first panel I attended had some very interesting presentations. Here are the datos - Mexican libraries after the revolution were modelled on U.S. libraries since many of the revolutionary leaders were norteños - Alvaro Obregón, etc. "fundar una biblioteca en un pueblo tiene tanta significación como levantar una iglesia... un lugar para descansar y recogerse" My feelings on hearing/reading this - ¿y ahora? Public libraries in Mexico are in a sad state.
The next presenter has done research on Zacatecan migrants and information services. She has put together a web page that looks really good and helpful. I wasn't very convinced about the representative sample she used - 70% legal... ok... all with some education, etc. I met her and told her that I'm on the other end and would love to link to her site. It's not live yet, but will keep in touch.
Finally, a talk about measuring success in libraries. This seemed to provoke a lot of questions. Again, mainly talking about academic libraries. My feeling - hello! You have to constantly measure your relevance to your target population. Anygüey, as Chávez-Silverman says... The guy quoted Marx - el problema es el método - and Ranganathan - las bibliotecas son para usarse - so he's got to be ok.
Also, what god-awful Powerpoints!!! I know how to read, people!! But, bought a T-shirt from cuerito de la UNAM...
Sunday, May 2, 2010
on the road to Zacatecas
Somebody suggesting blogging about my trip to Zacatecas to present at the Mexican Library Association conference, hmm! What a concept! Qué ocurrencia! A ver...
I decided to try Transportes Zavala to get me here; in February took the Grey dog and was not impressed. Needless to say, está pobre la patria - ya no hay $$ for air fare. Transportes Zavala picked me up in the Plaza Santa Cecilia parking lot. We didn't leave exactly at 11 a.m., but pretty close after loading everyone's stuff below... and it barely fit! I thought I saw a 19" flat screen tv...
It was a pretty comfortable bus, we picked up more people in OKC and again in Dallas. After that, it was straight for the border. I gained a large seat mate. An 80 year old slow moving woman, but she was game for all that! We hit the border in the middle of the night; the bus driver's helper asked everyone to pitch in $10 as a small incentive for the agents to overlook making us take everything off the bus to go through customs. Everyone ponied up, even me, who only took 2 little bags {travel light!}. Pues, we got there and the fiscal - a hard woman, according to the helper, was not taking any bribes. Too bad! Everybody and all their stuff off the bus. Hooray for the woman! The helper gave everybody their 10 bucks back... and we were held up for an hour or more, but justice worked - the people trying to get all that stuff across had to pay some hefty taxes on it, jiji!
By the time we got to our destination, we were all pals. My seat mate was trying to hook me up with one of the single men across the aisle, jajaja! No, thanx, I told her - been there, done that! One of the men on the bus did come up and say he thought he knew me. Turns out his kids go to Disney and they use the library.
Checked in to pretty nice hotel, thanx to my friend Antonio Gaytan - Elaine's ex who is from near Zacatecas. His hook-up got me a decent price for a Western Inn placed located right in the Centro Historico with this free Internet in the lobby, yay!
They are having some kind of BMX biking event in the main plaza. They have set up ramps for the kids to bike up and down, doing fancy moves uptop- spins, no-hands, etc. It seems like I see a lot of my customers here -their faces- Noe, Rey, German, Jose Luis. All guys participating, except one stubborn little girl with braids on a tricycle who insists on getting in harms way, right in the middle of the action - you go, girl! She is the only one wearing a helmet, jajaja!
I decided to try Transportes Zavala to get me here; in February took the Grey dog and was not impressed. Needless to say, está pobre la patria - ya no hay $$ for air fare. Transportes Zavala picked me up in the Plaza Santa Cecilia parking lot. We didn't leave exactly at 11 a.m., but pretty close after loading everyone's stuff below... and it barely fit! I thought I saw a 19" flat screen tv...
It was a pretty comfortable bus, we picked up more people in OKC and again in Dallas. After that, it was straight for the border. I gained a large seat mate. An 80 year old slow moving woman, but she was game for all that! We hit the border in the middle of the night; the bus driver's helper asked everyone to pitch in $10 as a small incentive for the agents to overlook making us take everything off the bus to go through customs. Everyone ponied up, even me, who only took 2 little bags {travel light!}. Pues, we got there and the fiscal - a hard woman, according to the helper, was not taking any bribes. Too bad! Everybody and all their stuff off the bus. Hooray for the woman! The helper gave everybody their 10 bucks back... and we were held up for an hour or more, but justice worked - the people trying to get all that stuff across had to pay some hefty taxes on it, jiji!
By the time we got to our destination, we were all pals. My seat mate was trying to hook me up with one of the single men across the aisle, jajaja! No, thanx, I told her - been there, done that! One of the men on the bus did come up and say he thought he knew me. Turns out his kids go to Disney and they use the library.
Checked in to pretty nice hotel, thanx to my friend Antonio Gaytan - Elaine's ex who is from near Zacatecas. His hook-up got me a decent price for a Western Inn placed located right in the Centro Historico with this free Internet in the lobby, yay!
They are having some kind of BMX biking event in the main plaza. They have set up ramps for the kids to bike up and down, doing fancy moves uptop- spins, no-hands, etc. It seems like I see a lot of my customers here -their faces- Noe, Rey, German, Jose Luis. All guys participating, except one stubborn little girl with braids on a tricycle who insists on getting in harms way, right in the middle of the action - you go, girl! She is the only one wearing a helmet, jajaja!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
