Libros



Fave Reads

	As you can imagine I'm not nearly as smart as I am well-read. I love books and love sharing my experiences with these babies with almost everybody. Here's a short list of some of my favorite books.

		Eva Luna by Isabel Allende If you can manage to read this in Spanish taht's you best bet. However, Allende has teamed up with an exellent translator who manages to preserve the essense of the book. Cien anos de soledad (One Hindred Years of Solitude) by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Again, this is best read in Spanish; however, a translation will not keep you from finding out why the big hoopla about Marquez's magic realism. La vispera del hombre by Rene Marques This is one of the first books I remember reading. Marques is mostly known for his work as a playwright, yet this novel is my coming-of-age story of choice in Puerto Rican litarature. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison This book is lyrical, magical and honset. Skin Deep: Women Writing on Color, Culture and Identity by Elena Featherston, ed. Excellent anthology by women of color. The bibliography is almost as good as the book. Borderlands/La Frontera by Gloria Anzaldua The flagship Chicana feminism work. Poignant, stirring, real. Ain't I a Woman? by bell hoooks This was written by bell hooks, 'nough said. Cronica de una muerte anunciada (Chronicle of a Death Foretold)by Gabriel Garcia Marquez This story is truly engaging. From a Native Daughter: Colonialism and sovereignty in Hawai'i by Haunani-Kay Trask Until I read this book I was unaware of how similar the history of Hawai'i and Puerto Rico are. La pasion segun Antigona Perez by Luis Rafael Sanchez This is the story of Anitgone with a Latin twist, dictator and guerillas included. Encancarnublado by Ana Lydia Vega Vega teaches literatre at The Univertity of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras. In her down time she writes hilarious political satire. El laberinto de la soledad by Octavio Paz Published in 1950, this was one of the first books to include a discussion of gangs (Pachucos) in the US as well as other inetersting views on gender roles. Hard Times by Studs Terkel This book got me into personal accounts. Terkel has travelled all over the country interviewing people on every issue from race relations to war. Hard Times deals with the Great Depression. Rain of Gold by Victor Villasenor Beautifully written family history. I cried. A Taste of Power by Elaine Brown Little did I know about the Black Panther Party until I read Brown's revealing account of her experiences with the leadership and as part of the working ranks. These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas Thomas' Streets not only deals with white supremacy in the streets of New york, but touches on racism and colorism among Puerto Ricans. Always Running by Luis J. Rodriguez Gang life in the 70's LA was never this poetic and raw. The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan In my humble opinion, Tan's best so far. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson Honset book about friendship and loss. Tangerine by Edward Bloor Squashed by Joan Bauer Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli Walk two Moons by Sharon Creech Nam by Mark Baker Amazing Grace by Jonathan Kozol Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs Lakota Woman by Mary Crow Dog