Sunday, October 13, 2024

LAS COMADRES & FRIENDS BOOK CLUB ANNOUNCES BOOKS FOR OCTOBER

 



Las Comadres & Friends Book Club is pleased to announce its October books:


 

 CRAFT: STORIES I WROTE FOR THE DEVIL by Ananda Lima (Tor Books) – intoxicating, imaginative and surreal fiction debut by award winning author.

 

CHICANO FRANKENSTEIN by Daniel A. Olivas (Forest Avenue Press) – a modern retelling of the Mary Shelley classic that addresses issues of belonging and assimilation.


For complete book summaries and author bios, visit our website at www.latinolit.com.

 


 

Save the date of Monday, October 28, 8pm ET, for the monthly teleconference with live interviews with the authors.   Register now and you may win a FREE BOOK:  https://latinolit.com/join-teleconference/

 


Subscribe to the Las Comadres YouTube Channel for more author interviews:  https://www.youtube.com/c/lascomadresparalasamericas

 

 


Happy Reading and Always Read Latino Lit!

 

 

LAS COMADRES CELEBRATES MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS & BOOK NEWS - AUG & SEPT

 



Congratulations to the following Comadres on their Accomplishments, and to 

Comadre Authors on their new books.   

 


 ACCOMPLISHMENTS


Cecilia Aragon (Seattle, WA) – Appeared on the CBS show MISSION UNSTOPPABLE, filmed in September 2024. Plus, Cecilia celebrated her 40th wedding anniversary in June! Cheers! 


Ileana Araguti (Beaumont, CA) – The Spanish version of her novel SHATTERED PARADISE is now available, PARAISO DESTROZADO.  Ileana is working on new novels and is looking for literary representation.


Andrea Arroyo (New York, NY) – Returned from exhibitions in Italy and France, and she invites Comadres to join her for the opening of her next solo show in NYC, "Faces & Façades," featuring a new series of paintings inspired by the women and architecture of Northern Manhattan. Please join her on October 19, 3-4:30pm, at the Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum. Free and open to all, no Rsvp needed: https://morrisjumel.org/exhibitions/faces-facades/


Gloria Chin (New York, NY) – Launched Synergy Strategy Group, a Strategic Communications and Public Relations Consultancy focused on uplifting minority and women owned businesses, non-profits and entrepreneurs. With nearly 10 years of television news experience in the #1 media market and 17 years of public relations counsel to c-suite leaders, city leaders, and 2 U.S. Mayors, I am looking to put this experience to use for my community. Adelante!


Diana Diaz (Hackensack, NJ) – After an impressive 25-year tenure of a prominent Bankruptcy Law Firm, serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the last 10- years, Diana took a bold step forward and resigned to pursue her passion for helping others. Shortly after, she founded her own Legal Research Bankruptcy Consultant Firm, and she is pursuing her dream of becoming an attorney, laying the foundation for her future law firm. Reflecting on her journey, Diana realized that fear was once her greatest adversary, holding her back from seizing opportunities. However, she has now conquered that fear, emerging more confident and determined than ever to continue her mission of uplifting the Hispanic community. This journey is not just a professional milestone; it’s a profound personal transformation that inspires her to forge ahead and make a lasting difference.


Nylda Dieppa (Orlando, FL) – Her book, ALBORADA /DAWN: A Cross-Cultural Memoir in Poetry has received an Honorable Mention award from the International Latino Book Awards in the Juan Felipe Herrera Best Poetry Book Award category. Nylda is proud to be in the company of Emanuel Xavier, one of three finalists in the same category and author of LOVE(LY) CHILD.  She interviewed him for the Las Comadres Book Club recently.


Laura Esparza (Austin, TX) – After retiring in March 2024, Laura founded a new foundation called A3, devoted to raising and distributing funding to individual artists, musicians, performers and other arts related contractors who offer their work to the Austin public for free.


Eris Garriga (New York, NY) – Has a new Spanish language book coming soon, AGUADILLA EN IMAGENES Y VERSOS.


Ana Gonzalez, OP (Boston, MA) – Is rocking Graduate School at Boston College and on track to graduate with her MA in Theology and Ministry with an emphasis in Latino Pastoral Ministry.


Raquel “Rachel” Moran Nevarez (Pharr, TX) – Won a Goodwill Scholarship from the Texas Association Court Administration (TACA) for continuing in Certification of Court Administration in the State of Texas for Certified Court Management.


Mireya Perez-Bustillo (Brooklyn, NY) -- Her poem, Going to the Mammos, was published in Brownstone Poets 2024 Anthology.


Mirta Rinaldi (Forest Hills, NY) – The company she works for, League of Kitchens, is publishing a cookbook that showcases her recipes, along with the recipes of her peers. We are proud and excited to introduce this collaborative book that allows us to share a little bit of our culture and favorite family recipes. We will have a book tour through the end of the year with a big launch event at the Invisible Dog Art Gallery in Cobble Hill on November 13th, 7pm, here in NYC. All Comadres and friends are welcomed to celebrate our book and taste eight of our instructors’ food!


Madeline Vega (Austin, TX) – Was interviewed by the University of Texas Austin Electrical and Computer Engineering department for Hispanic Heritage Month: https://www.ece.utexas.edu/news/alumni-profile-madeline-vega  


Desiree Zamorano (Altadena, CA) – Her book launch and profile appeared in Latinitas Magazine: https://latinitasmagazine.org/author-desiree-zamorano-releases-new-novel-dispossessed/


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COMADRE AUTHORS

 

Congratulations to our COMADRE AUTHORS for their latest publications.

 

AUGUST


Ileana Araguti (Beaumont, CA) – The Spanish version of her novel SHATTERED PARADISE is now available, PARAISO DESTROZADO from New Trends Press.


Sarah Bonamino (San Antonio, TX) – her book THE BORDER BETWEEN US, fiction, was published by Blackstone Publishing.  The book is also available in Spanish, LA FRONTERA ENTRE NOSOTROS.


Mireya Perez-Bustillo (Brooklyn, NY) -- Her poem, Going to the Mammos, was published in Brownstone Poets 2024 Anthology.


SEPTEMBER


Desiree Zamorano (Los Angeles, CA) – her book, DISPOSSESSED, a historical fiction novel, was published by Running Wild Press.


OCTOBER


Julia Amante (Inland Empire, CA) – her romance book, CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU, was published by Wise Writer Publishing.


Nimia Maria Ramos Beauchamp (Bayamon, PR) – self-published a games and puzzle book, COMBO X-WORD PUZZLE ALTERNATIVE HEALTH 2024.  Find out more here:  www.APYArte.com.


NOVEMBER


Deborah Nevarez-Vivolo (Placerville, CA) – her poetry appears in the INLANDIA: A LITERARY JOURNEY, published by Inlandia Institute.  Her flash fiction was published in last year’s WRITING FROM INLANDIA anthology.


Mirta Rinaldi (Forest Hills, NY) – her recipes appear in THE LEAGUE OF KITCHENS COOKBOOK from Harper Collins.



CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL.

www.lascomadres.com

 

Sunday, August 4, 2024

LAS COMADRES & FRIENDS BOOK CLUB ANNOUNCES BOOK FOR AUGUST 2024

Las Comadres & Friends National Latino Book Club is pleased to announce its books for August:



   

LITANY OF SAINTS: A TRIPTYCH by Diana Rojas  -- three novellas about immigrant families from Costa Rica struggling with a divided sense of identity.  Are they Americans or are they Ticos?

 

THE THINGS WE DIDN’T KNOW by Elba Iris Perez – a coming-of-age novel about two siblings whisk away from their Massachusetts hometown to the mountain villages of Puerto Rico and back again.  Kids are confused about where they belong and who they’re supposed to be.

 

 

For complete book summaries and author bios, visit our website at www.latinolit.com.

 

 


Save the date of Monday, August 26, 8pm ET, for the monthly teleconference with live interviews with the authors.  

 

Register now for the August teleconference and you may win a FREE BOOK:  https://latinolit.com/join-teleconference/

 

Subscribe to the Las Comadres YouTube Channel for more author interviews:  https://www.youtube.com/c/lascomadresparalasamericas

 

Check out our 10th Annual Summer Reading List here: https://latinolit.com/summer-reading-list-2024/

 

 

 

Happy Reading, and always Read Latino Lit!

 

  

 

LAS COMADRES CELEBRATES MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS & BOOK NEWS !

 

Congratulations to the following Comadres on their Accomplishments, and to 

Comadre Authors on their new books.


ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

Andrea Arroyo (New York, NY) -- was awarded a grant for her exhibition “Faces and Facades”, to be presented at the Morris-Jumel Museum, opening on October 18, in New York City.

 Raesha Cartagena (New York, NY) – will be honored with the Music, Arts and Literature Award by The New York League of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. on August 8.

 Lynette Correa-Velez (Chicago, IL) -- Starting mid-August, Lynette will be the inaugural Vice President of Leadership Programs at the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE) which is an over 40-year-old national non-profit headquartered in Chicago that provides Hispanic/Latine'-identified individuals and groups with online and in-person career & leadership development coaching and programs. Learn more about HACE here: https://haceonline.org/

 Beatriz Fritschler (New York, NY) -- Launched a new company, Executive Losers -- an online platform dedicated to empowering executive women in achieving their health and wellness goals through a supportive online community.  Learn more about the platform here:  https://www.executivelosers.com/

 Erica Gallardo (Kyle, TX) -- Celebrated 15 years with Communities In Schools of Central Texas (January) and moving into a new position as the Senior Director of Campus Based Services (July).

 Eris Garriga (New York, NY) – best known for her vegetarian and Puerto Rican cookbooks, has a coffee table book coming out soon in Spanish entitled:   AGUADILLA EN IMÁGENES Y VERSOS.

 Yolanda Nava (Chicago, IL) – her quadruple award-winning inspirational memoir, THROUGH THE DARK, is a Finalist for a Global Book Award.  Winners announced on August 15.  Fingers crossed.  And, Yolanda will be a presenter at the World InterFaith Network Global Conference on August 17.

 Raquel V. Reyes (Miami, FL) – was interviewed by the Latino Book Chat podcast about her latest novel, Barbacoa, Bomba, and Betrayal, in the Caribbean Kitchen mystery series. https://www.podpage.com/latino-book-chat/50-raquel-reyes-a-culinary-sleuths-recipe-for-danger/

 Martha Tavera (San Antonio, TX) – aka Priestess Pampamissayuq shares her knowledge of Ancient Shamanic Medicine through her therapies and Initiation workshops, as well as Drum Journey Workshops, in person and online, in English, también en Español.

 Rhina Valentin (New York, NY) – aka La Reina del Barrio will be honored with the Creative Arts Award from The New York League of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. on August 8.


 COMADRE AUTHORS

 Congratulations to our COMADRE AUTHORS for their latest publications.

 

AUGUST

 Beatriz Fritschler (New York, NY) – wrote and self-published her memoir, Embody Joy: A Woman’s Journey of Reconnection with Her Body

Learn more about Beatriz’ life’s journey and harrowing experience with a ruptured brain aneurysm that nearly claimed her life here: LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatriz-fritschler-mpa-09784b42/, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatriz_healthjourney/

 

OCTOBER

 Glenda Galvan-Garcia (Garden Grove, CA) – wrote THE WHOLE ENCHILADA:  MEXICAN RECIPES FULL OF HISTORY AND FUN (Grupo Planeta). 

It’s a bilingual children’s book available in English and Spanish.  Visit Glenda’s websites here:  https://wholeenchilada.co/ and https://www.instagram.com/missmamachef/

   

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 NOTE:  these listings are for congratulatory purposes only. We are not endorsing any products, services, or candidates for public office.  

 

 Congratulations to all our Comadres!

 

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

LAS COMADRES & FRIENDS NATIONAL LATINO BOOK CLUB RELEASES 10TH ANNUAL SUMMER READING LIST

  


The Las Comadres & Friends Book Club’s 10th Annual Summer Reading List includes something for everyone in a variety of genres.  The List includes a 40-year-old classical novel; a Pulitzer Prize winner; a celebrity memoir; a dazzling anthology with intergenerational voices of Latine women; mysteries; historical fiction; young adult books; adorable children’s book, a mouth-watering cookbook and a gardening craft book.  


1.       A DELICATE MARRIAGE by Margarita Barresi (Atmosphere Press) – fiction

2.       A HAUNTING IN HIALEAH GARDENS by Raul Palma (Dutton) – suspense

3.       AN AMERICAN IMMIGRANT by Johanna Rojas Vann (WaterBrook) – fiction

4.       ARRIBADA by Estela González (Cynren Press) – fiction, LGBTQ+

5.       DAUGHTERS OF LATIN AMERICA: AN INTERNATIONAL ANTHOLOGY OF 

          WRITING BY LATINE WOMEN edited by Sandra Guzmán (Amistad) – anthology

6.       DEATH’S COUNTRY by R.M. Romero (Peachtree Teen) – young adult, LGBTQ+

7.       FAMILY LORE by Elizabeth Acevedo (Ecco) – fiction

8.       I’LL GIVE YOU A REASON by Annell López (The Feminist Press/CUNY) -- fiction

9.       IN MY EYES, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL by David Unger (Mosaic Press) – fiction

10.     LEGENDARIOS: WRATH OF THE RAIN GOD by Karla Arenas Valenti (Aladdin) –

          children’s books

11.     LILIANA’S INVINCIBLE SUMMER: A SISTER’S SEARCH FOR JUSTICE by

          Cristina Rivera Garza (Hogarth) – Pulitzer Prize winner, non-fiction

12.     RELENTLESS: MY STORY OF THE LATINO SPIRIT THAT IS TRANSFORMING

          AMERICA by Luis A. Miranda Jr. (Hachette Books) – biography

13.     SYLVIA’S SECOND ACT by Hillary Yablon (Pamela Dorman Books) – fiction

14.    THE DOMINICAN KITCHEN by Vanessa Mota (Rock Point) -- cookbook

15.    THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET by Sandra Cisneros (Vintage) – classic, fiction

16.    THE PRINCE AND THE COYOTE by David Bowles (Levine Querido) – young adult

17.    THE ROARING DAYS OF ZORA LILY by Noelle Salazar (MIRA) – historical fiction

18.    THESE HOLLOWED BONES: POEMS by Amelia Díaz Ettinger (Sea Crow Press) --               poetry

19.    ¡VERDURA! LIVING A GARDEN LIFE by Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago 

         (Cool Springs Press) – craft, gardening

20.   WILD DREAMERS by Margarita Engle (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) –

        young adult, fiction

 

Join the book club here:  https://latinolit.com/join-book-club/

  #ReadLatinoLit


Some photos of our Summer Reading List







LAS COMADRES GARDEN CLUB TURNS 20 !

by Rose Costas Dietrich

 

Las Comadres Garden Club celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year.  


The Club started after I had attended several Comadrazos and found many other Comadres who also liked to garden. I had gotten some Flamboyant seeds from my father and put several of them in medium pots, and when they all sprouted, I posted a message through the Comadres network to give the little trees away and I would also mail seeds to several Comadres in the area.

 Our first meeting was in mid-August of 2004 at Velia Sanchez home in South Austin. She was a great first host since she is a master gardener. We had about ten people who attended.

 Since then, we have met every quarter on a Saturday morning at different Comadres homes. We bring food and plants, cuttings and/or seeds which we exchange during our meeting. We also do an informal tour of the hostess’ garden during the meeting.

 Sometimes we have presentations and sometimes we do a garden project. The core group is made up of about two dozen Comadres.

 I am so thankful for the Las Comadres Garden Club especially right after my father died two weeks after our first meeting. We had to take a break during Covid and had no meetings for four years, but we started again this year in time to celebrate our 20th Anniversary. I will be hosting the next meeting in September, and we will be doing a special garden art project. After all, Gardening is our Passion!

  

Rose Costas Dietrich has been a Comadre and part of the Las Comadres Garden Club for 20 years.

 

In the garden, We cultivate not

just plants, but also the joy of Life.

 

This article appeared in the 2024 Summer Comadres Connect! Newsletter.  

Visit our website at www.lascomadres.com.

MEET COMADRE KAREN D. GONZALES

 By Jacqueline Quiñones

 

 


When I interviewed Karen Gonzales for this edition the best way I can describe her is a woman of service who is passionate about helping other Latino writers.

 

A Denver native though her family comes from New Mexico, Karen has been a Comadre for about 13 years, and enjoys networking and staying in touch with many Comadres nationwide. 

 

Karen is also the coordinator of the Denver Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club, and one of six founders CALMA (Colorado Alliance of Latino Mentors and Authors) that started in August 2020 during the COVID pandemic. The mission of the group is to celebrate and promote Latino authors in Colorado. They meet monthly on Zoom or in person to network, have roundtable discussions and help authors to start or finish their writings.

 

CALMA presently has 70 Latino Authors they are promoting on their website, including more than one fellow Comadre. There are also many other author events CALMA is planning at a high school, colleges and the Denver Woman’s Press Club that include workshops, writers competitions and poetry festivals in various Colorado cities. If you are interested in learning more about these authors go to Calmaco.org. 

 

Karen is also a short story writer herself with a fiction children's chapter book titled, The Mystery of La Llorona and Mister Lloron, which took her about five years to finish with ongoing editing and rewriting drafts. One of the CALMA members’ sister, Dolores Guerrero was the illustrator for the book. Recently she wrote a screenplay adapted from her book and she is submitting it to competitions. She also wrote a short story titled “The Ranch” in CALMA’s debut Anthology, Ramas y Raices: The Best of CALMA releasing June 29, 2024.

 

Karen paused when I asked who her favorite author was because there are so many that she likes, especially the ones that are highlighted on CALMA’s website. She did mention she reads a lot of books by New Mexico Author Carmen Baca. Another Author and book she mentioned, which I have also read, was Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. 

 

This summer, Karen plans to enjoy several outdoor cultural festivals in Denver and church bazaars. She is also very fond of gardening, and has grown squash, calabazas, lettuce, cilantro, green beans, peas, tomatoes, radishes and beets. Plus, lots of reading and writing, of course.  #ReadLatinoLit 



This article appeared in the 2024 Summer Comadres Connect! Newsletter.  

Visit our website at www.lascomadres.com.