By Juan Alvarado Valdivia

Publisher: University of New Mexico Press

Although this memoir is about the author’s struggle through a portion of his life after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, it is written with such candor that you will find it thought provoking. The author goes into detail with his thoughts, weaknesses, and struggle in dealing with this life and death situation. You can’t help but wonder what you would do in his place. Read more ›

By Robert J. Alvarado

Publisher: Sierra Press

This is a great fiction story that incorporates both history and a great story plot of a young man whose life spirals after avenging the rape of his younger sister. It has all the muster of a good western including gun fights, murder, and survival. The author does a fantastic job of incorporating the history of the United States and Mexico during a time when the Wild West was in full swing and struggles occurred on both sides of the border. The descriptions of history add much to the story and make the life of Rafael, the protagonist, really interesting. Read more ›

Francisco’s Kites – Las cometas de Francisco

By Alicia Z. Klepeis, Illustrations by Gary Undercuffler, Translation by Gabriela Baeza Ventura

Publisher: Piñata Books – Arte Público Press, Houston, Texas

This children’s book excellently captures the mood of a young boy who is missing his friends left behind in El Salvador. He is wishing he had a kite, but his mom can’t afford to buy him one. He decides to make one.

This decision takes him on a journey that is fun, exciting, and intriguing not to mention inventive and filled with ingenuity. You have to read the story to see what happens next, but I guarantee that your child will enjoy Francisco’s story. Read more ›

Sofi and the Magic, Musical Mural

Sofi y el mágico mural musical

By Raquel M. Ortiz, Illustrations by Maria Dominquez, Translation by Gabriela Baeza Ventura

Publisher: Piñata Books – Arte Público Press, Houston, Texas

This is a children’s book with magnificent illustrations that will capture the hearts of any child. The colors are beautifully done and are the pictures describe and coincide with the story wonderfully.

The story captures what a child may be thinking as they are sent on errand and see a mural that intrigues them. What is even more interesting is that Sofi, the main character in the story, is taken on a magical journey through the mural. It is not just a story of a little girl on a delightful crossing, but also a story that is filled with images of the Puerto Rican culture. Read more ›

By Carlos Alemán

Publisher: Aignos Publishing

Nuno is a prequel to the author’s first novel Happy That It’s Not True. This prequel is a quick read and 219 pages long.

The author spins an interesting story about a young man named Nuno who overcomes a dysfunctional family environment; his father dies and his mom abandons him at the age of two. He is then brought up by his Aunt Olgalana and eventually they go to live with his grandparents. His grandfather is a monster in more ways than I will disclose here; the atrocities are unbelievable and scary and a world you may not want to enter. Read more ›

By Maceo Montoya

Publisher: University of New Mexico Press – Albuquerque

This book is comprised of six short stories that will keep you wishing each was a full length book. Each of the stories is so captivating that you hate it when they end. This is a testament to the writer’s talent.

The author manages to capture each character’s thoughts and view of the world with great precision, that you can’t help but love them immediately – yes even the antagonists. The reader will be able to identify with each of the characters immediately. Mr. Montoya captures life in the raw with just the right ‘slice of life’ if you will. Read more ›

By Manuel A. Meléndez

Publisher: Aignos Publishing, Inc.

This book is about a mother, two boys, and three daughters trying to survive in New York after having moved from Puerto Rico. With the encouragement of the husband, who has moved to the U.S. mainland first, the family follows looking for a better way of life only to find much despair and horror.

The family noticeably begins to battle a curse from the past that comes in the form of an evil spirit. The spirit, named Eduardo, once loved the mother from a distance and will stop at nothing to possess her. The evil spirit is determined to possess the mother, destroy her family, and take the youngest son’s soul. Read more ›