Saturday, February 14, 2026

LAS COMADRES CELEBRATES ITS MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE & BOOK NEWS FOR FEBRUARY

 


Join us in celebrating our Comadres Accomplishments, Community Service and Book News. 

We are proud our Comadres are Leading the Way!

 

NOTE:   This list is for promotional purposes only and not intended as an endorsement of any kind.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY SERVICE  

 

Aliana Apodaca (El Paso, TX) – was named a Women of El Paso and inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame by the El Paso Commission for Women.

Maritere Bellas (Los Angeles, CA) -- will be presenting at the Mom 2.0 Summit in Austin, April 16-18, 2026. The all-Latina panel will be addressing Culture Driven Growth-How Storytelling Fuels Competitive Advantage.

Marcela Evans (Plano, Texas) -- started as Managing Attorney with Texas Immigration Law Council on January 20, 2026

Glenda Galvan Garcia (Garden Grove, CA) – was honored by the Boys and Girls Club of Central Orange Coast as a "Woman of Greatness Honoree" for her volunteer efforts over 10+ years. Glenda’s cooking classes and private chef dinners have supported life-changing programs and mentorship.

Lila Guzman (Round Rock, TX) -- is proud of her Community Service.  She is a Spanish translator for the Manna House, First Baptist Church Round Rock Texas on Wednesday afternoons.  And, every year, Lila serves as a judge for the International Latino Book Award.

Celeste Leon (Truckee, CA) -- obtained her Level 3 Wine Award from WSET--Wine and Spirit Education Trust, the industry leader and largest regulatory body for wine and spirits in the world, after almost three years of study in the Wine Program at Cabrillo College (Aptos CA).

Elizabeth (Lisa) Liang (Los Angeles, CA) – premiered her second one-woman show, Home[sic]. It's about her relationship with Guatemala and her grandmother & family there. If my elders were my country, what does it mean now that they're gone? https://elizabethliang.com/home-sic.  Lisa was trained as a Witness for Justice (immigration court observer) with Acacia Center for Justice.

Alicia Luna (Nevada, TX) -- is proud of her Community Service.  She is a volunteer in the food pantry at Rockwall Helping Hands and help raised money for children with cancer. Alicia is a breast cancer survivor, going on her second year.

Nimia Ramos Beauchamp (San Juan, PR) – is a Volunteer Community Yoga Instructor at Cancha Baja Techo La Experimental Río Piedras, PR.

Susana Sandoval (Chicago, IL) --  is currently working on her 4th documentary. More info to follow regarding release/screening.  She is proud to report that she is serving her 8th year as human rights commissioner, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.  Susana trained as a Witness for Justice (immigration court observer) with Acacia Center for Justice.

 

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COMADRE AUTHORS

 

Lila Guzman (Round Rock, TX) – is proud to report that her young adult time travel novel, Snatchers, is a runner-up on Reedsy's 2025 Novel Sprint.  Lila wrote Snatchers last November during the Novel Sprint.

Alicia Luna (Nevada, TX) -- Published her first children's book, What Does Mateo Want to Play?, in September 2025. It’s a middle grade children’s book.

Antonia Murguia (San Antonio, TX) – Published a poetry book, Antonia’s Poetic Heart, last year.

 

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Congratulations to all and Thank You for your service!

 

Sunday, January 11, 2026

LAS COMADRES CELEBRATES ITS MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE & BOOK NEWS

  


Join us in celebrating our Comadres Accomplishments, Community Service and Book News.  This is a wonderful way to start the New Year with Comadres Leading the Way!


NOTE:   This list is for promotional purposes only and not intended as an endorsement of any kind.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMUNITY SERVICE  

 

Vibiana Aparicio-Chamberlin (Los Angeles, CA) – was appointed Pasadena Library Commissioner by Mayor Victor Gordo.  Vibiana is also a friend and volunteer at the Pasadena Public Library, where she is a bilingual children’s storyteller and puppeteer. She is on the board of the 50th Chicano Moratorium Scholarship Committee, which raised money for eight scholarships for graduating students of East Los Angeles College. And, Vibiana has built several altars for deceased community members including the 30 who died in the Altadena Fires.

 

Andrea Arroyo (New York, NY) -- Participated in the Guadalajara International Book Fair conferences, engaging in meaningful conversations about art, freedom of expression, and the vital role of women artists.

 

Elsa Prado (Oak Lawn, IL) – was recognized by Cook County as an Influential Woman.  Elsa is a certified Spanish interpreter and translator with 20+ years of experience serving Cook County and healthcare settings. She is also an active volunteer with organizations addressing domestic violence, child welfare and social justice.  Watch the recognition video here.

 

Nancy Salazar (Washington DC) -- Passed her certification program and is now a certified Paralegal!

 


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COMADRE AUTHORS

 

Elizabeth (Lisa) Liang (Los Angeles, CA) – produced an award-winning film entitled, ALIEN CITIZEN: AN EARTH ODYSSEY.  It’s an oldie, but goodie and very relevant today.  Learn more at https://aliencitizensoloshow.com/

 

Carmen Peña (Nutley, NJ) – Her book, Latina Rise: Step Into Your Divine Destiny with Faith, Love, & Purpose, is about faith-centered leadership and personal growth.  The book is also available in Spanish, Latina Rise: De El Paso Hacia Tu Destino Divino Con Fe, Amor, Y Proposito.  Both books available on amazon.  Learn more at www.latinarise.org.

 

Mireya Perez-Bustillo (Brooklyn, NY) – was a featured poet at the Calypso Muse Reading Series on January 8 at Gladys Books & Wine in Brooklyn, NY.

 

Nimia Ramos Beauchamp (San Juan, PR) – published a crossword puzzle book entitled, MUCH ABOUT YOGA X-WORD PUZZLE: AN ANCESTRAL HEALING SCIENCE.  Book is available on www.lulu.com/shop/.  Learn more about Nimia at www.APYArte.com.

                                   

 

   

Congratulations to all !



#ComadresLeadTheWay

#LasComadres

#Community

#Connection




 

 

Sunday, December 21, 2025

2025 LATINO BOOKS OF THE YEAR

 

List curated by the Las Comadres & Friends National Latino Book Club.

 


Abuela Lore by Isabella Santana (Somos en Escrito Literary Foundation Press)

Alligator Tears by Edgar Gomez (Crown)

Art Above Everything by Stephanie Elizondo Griest (Beacon Press)

Bird of Four Hundred Voices by Eugene Rodriguez (Heyday)

Black Mestiza: Poems by Yael Aldana (University Press of Kentucky)

Badass Bonita by Kim Guerra (Balance)

Brother Brontë by Fernando A. Flores  (MCD)

Daughter of Fire by Sofia Robleda (Amazon Crossing)

Embody Joy by Beatriz Fritschler (independently published)

I’ll Give You a Reason by Annell López (The Feminist Press at CUNY)

Latina Superheroes: Jalisco & Santa Vol. 1 by Kayden Phoenix (Andrews McMeel Publishing)

Las Bugambilias: A Bilingual Queer Novel by Lalo León (Alv Publishing)

Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura (Celadon Books)

Loca by Alejandro Heredia (Simon & Schuster)

Los Muertos: Day of the Dead Fiction by Adela Pineda Franco (Tinta Books)

Malinalli by Veronica Chapa (Atria / Primero Sueño Press)

One Summer Night at the Shore by Caridad Pineiro (independently published)

Ramas y Raices: The Best of CALMA by Colorado Alliance of Latino Mentors and Authors (CALMA)

Salt Bones by Jennifer Givhan (Mulholland Books)

Speak Up! by Susana G. Baumann (Excel Branding)

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Del Rey)

The Border Between Us by Rudy Ruiz (Blackstone Publishing)

The Prince & The Coyote by David Bowles (Levine Querido)  

The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo (Atria/ Primero Sueño Press)

Vanishing Daughters by Cynthia Pelayo (Thomas & Mercer)

 

 

The Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club is celebrating its 19th year.

There are book clubs in 12 cities. The Book Club is part of Las Comadres Para Las Americas, a not-for-profit organization for Latinas with 10,000 members worldwide.  The Book Club’s mission is to promote the work of Latine authors to every book lover, to bring our community to bookstores, and to support our writers. 

The Comadres & Friends Book Club Membership is free and open to everyone -- Latinos and non-Latinos.  We read two books by Latino authors every month in English, and hold a Live Author Podcast the last Monday of the month.  Visit us at www.latinolit.com.   


#ReadLatinoLit.


 

 







 

Sunday, December 7, 2025

LAS COMADRES & FRIENDS BOOK CLUB ANNOUNCES BOOK FOR DECEMBER 2025

 


The Las Comadres & Friends National Latino Book Club is pleased to announce its Books of the Month for December 2025:



SALT BONES by Jennifer Givhan 

Malamar Veracruz has never left the dust-choked town of El Valle. Here, Mal has done her best to build a good life: She’s raised two children, worked hard, and tried to forget the painful, unexplained disappearance of her sister, Elena. When another local girl goes missing, Mal plunges into a fresh yet familiar nightmare.





LATINA SUPERHEROES: JALISCO & SANTA by Kayden Phoenix

Two stories in one.  Meet Jalisco and Santa.  Jalisco, a spirited girl from the outskirts of Guadalajara, finds her life shattered when her mother mysteriously disappears. Brushed off by authorities, Jalisco's quest for truth leads her to the Adelitas, a clandestine group fighting against the sinister forces behind the femicides plaguing their community.   Santa is from Wexo, a town on the Texan/Mexican border. The upcoming elections are threatening to put a corrupt politician in power: Ilena Chavez-Estevez AKA ICE. When citizens of Wexo begin to disappear, Santa raids the detention camps to take down ICE.


Join the Live Author Podcast on Monday, December 15, 8pm ET via zoom.

Register today for the podcast and you may win a free book:  https://latinolit.com/join-teleconference/


Read Latino Lit ! 



  

LAS COMADRES PARA LAS AMERICAS CELEBRATES ITS MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS & BOOK NEWS -- NOVEMBER 2025


 Comadres Lead the Way!

 

 

Join Las Comdares Para Las Americas in celebrating its Comadres Accomplishments and Book News for November 2025.


 

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 

 

Elizabeth (Lisa) Liang (Los Angeles, CA) – is opening a new one-woman show about her relationship with her birthplace of Guatemala y su abuela: https://homesic.ludus.com/

 

Tess Tobin (Metuchen, NJ) Presentó el programa «Bibliotecas interconectadas para el desarrollo sostenible: participación comunitaria y estrategias de divulgación» en la Conferencia Nacional de Reforma 2025 celebrada en Long Beach, California. El programa se centró en su trabajo con bibliotecas de la región andina de Sudamérica.  (Translation: Tess presented a program on Interconnected Libraries based on her work in South America at the National Reforma Conference in California.)

 

 

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COMADRE AUTHORS

 

 

Congratulations to authors Eris Garriga, Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa and Theresa Varela (New York, NY) for their participation in the 20th anniversary of the National Puerto Rican Artisans and Authors Fair sponsored by Comité Noviembre and PRIDA.

  

Vibiana Aparicio-Chamberlin (Pasadena, CA) – was appointed to the Pasadena Library Commission by Mayor Victor Gordo. She read poetry at the ALOUD Los Angeles Main Library at the Mark Taper Forum Auditorium.  On Dec. 13, she’ll have an Art exhibit about Our Lady of Guadalupe at La Morenita at Ave. 50 Studio. And, her chapbook, As Mexican As a Nopal, won publishing by Four Feathers Press.

Glenda Galvan-Garcia (Garden Grove, CA) Her bilingual cookbook/ history book, The Whole Enchilada: Mexican Recipes Full of History and Fun, was awarded the Bronze medal for Best Cookbook by the International Latino Book Awards! The ceremony took place on October 25. Wonderful to see our dear Nora Comstock in attendance for her namesake Mariposa award.

 

Yolanda Nava (Los Angeles, CA) – was honored with a televised feature by KOAT-TV journalist Nicholas Gallo titled “Leaving a Legacy: Yolanda Nava.  She released the Spanish edition of her memoir, A TRAVES DE LA OSCURIDAD, in November 2025.  A powerful story of spiritual renewal, inner strength and the ability to find meaning in life’s most challenging moments. Yolanda also participated in the Feria International del Libro (FIL) de Guadalajara early this December.

 

Deborah Nevarez (Alhambra, CA) – is a Contributing Author to the online Inlandia Journal Fall 2025, as well as the anthology, Writing from Inlandia 2024 (both published 11/2025).

 

Mireya Perez-Bustillo (Brooklyn, NY) – is a featured reader for Brownstone Anthology 2025 on Dec 6; for the Artemis Poets Collective on Dec 21; and on Jan 1 for the New Year's Day Alternative Reading, Westbeth.

 

  

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Congratulations to all !

 

This list is for promotional purposes only and not intended as an endorsement of any kind.



COMADRES LEAD THE WAY ! 



Sunday, October 19, 2025

LAS COMADRES CELEBRATES ITS MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS & BOOK NEWS --- OCTOBER




Comadres Lead the Way! 

 Join us in celebrating our Comadres Accomplishments and Book News. 
(This list is for promotional purposes only and not intended as an endorsement of any kind.)


ACCOMPLISHMENTS 


Amina Ali (New York, NY) – was accepted into the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Fiction) program at the City College of New York (CCNY), for Fall 2025. 

Andrea Arroyo (New York, NY) – is thrilled to share that her exhibition featuring 80 artworks from “Imaginations: Art as Solidarity” is on view at St Just Le Martel, France. Also, her exhibition in New York “Viva la Vida”, inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead, opens on October 25 at the Sugar Hill Museum in Manhattan. 

Carmen L. Bonilla (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico) – is currently developing an online course to help working adults further develop their interpersonal communication skills in the workplace. It will be part of a larger course to help with workforce and career readiness. Carmen provides job seekers all over the US with coaching, helping them with resumes, interview preparation, and everything related to job search. Two of her job seekers landed their next roles recently. 

Lynette Correa-Velez (Chicago, IL) – is A.I. Founder/CEO of the Pagame Project w/RitaAI tech start-up, and created the inaugural "Latinas in A.I. & Business Panel" & co-presented at the annual 2025 Chicago Latina Expo on October 4. Lynette was awarded the "2025 Empowering Latinas Award" by United Latinas National during the 2025 HHM United Latinas Virtual Conference in Oct 2025. She was 1/3 awardees in the U.S. which had over 400 nominations nationally. She was also quoted in Forbes Magazine for #LatinaEqualPayDay on 10/8/2025! Check out the article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lyannealfaro/2025/10/08/latinas-are-powering-the-freelance-boom-but-a-pay-gap-persists/ 

Julieta Corpus (Donna, TX) – was named First Poet Laureate of Donna, Texas. 

Dori Contreras (San Antonio, TX) – was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas (Sept 3) and the Hidalgo County Bar Association (May 22). 

Eris Garriga (Brooklyn, NY) – will be participating in a "Congreso Aguadillano de Historia" on October 23rd and 24th at the University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla Campus (CORA). Her topic is Cultura Culinaria Aguadillana (Culinary Culture of Aguadilla). This is as part of the 250th year anniversary of the foundation of Aguadilla. 

Karina Martinez (Austin, TX) – participated as a designer in the Austin Woman Magazine and the ACC Fashion Incubator Fashion Show at Macy's on September 18th. 

Dora Elias McAllsister (Oak Park, Chicago, IL) – On September 9, Dora finished a 100K (62 miles) walk on the Camino de Santiago (the way of St. James), an ancient pilgrimage route across Spain. Bravo!

Raquel V. Reyes (Miami, FL) – On October 1st, 2025, Raquel became the first Latina to be president of Sisters in Crime. Sisters in Crime was founded in 1986 to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition and professional development of women crime writers. 

Dr. Donna San Miguel (San Marcos, CA) – was appointed President of Mana de North County San Diego. 

 
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COMADRE AUTHORS 


Maritere Bellas (Manhattan Beach, CA) – has a new book out, TIO RICKY DOESN’T SPEAK ENGLISH / TIO RICKY NO HABLA INGLES, from Lil’ Libros. The book is a bilingual children’s book/ middle grade. 

Flor Chaidez (Los Angeles, CA) – Flor’s book, THE TELEMENTAL HEALTH WORKBOOK, was published by Kendall Hunt Publishing, and available in English and Spanish. The book offers telemental health therapists a collection of engaging and innovative strategies for working with children and adolescents. 

Nylda Dieppa (Orlando, FL) – Her poetic chapbook, CRUMBS: POEMS ON THE JOURNEY FROM RATIONED TO REPLETE, has qualified as a finalist in the Royal Palm Literary Award competition.


Congratulations to all !


Thursday, October 2, 2025

LAS COMADRES & FRIENDS ANNOUNCES ITS BOOKS OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER

 



The Las Comadres & Friends National Latino Book Club is pleased to announce its Books of the Month for October:

 

  

 

LOS MUERTOS: DAY OF THE DEAD FICTION edited by Adela Pineda Franco (Trinity University Press) – The first anthology of fiction devoted to the Day of the Dead celebratory holiday written by Mexican and Mexican American writers.  Twenty plus stories related to memorializing the dead.  (NOTE: Publisher offering 20% discount. Use the code Comadres20 for paperback only.  Here’s the link:  https://tupress.org/9781595343130/los-muertos/)








VANISHING DAUGHTERS by Cynthia Pelayo (Thomas & Mercer) – This Bram Stoker Award-winning author has written a chilling suspense thriller about a haunted woman stalked by a serial killer and the nightmares of real life.   (NOTE:  Kindle Unlimited has this book for $0 now.)

 






  

SAVE THE DATE!  Mark your calendars for Monday, October 27, 8pm ET for the monthly Live Author Podcast when we will get a chance to talk to the authors and ask them about their books.   Register today for the podcast and you may win a FREE BOOKhttps://latinolit.com/join-teleconference/

  

Shop for your books here:  https://bookshop.org/shop/lascomadresbookclub

 

Subscribe to the Las Comadres YouTube Channel for more author interviews.  Here's the link to last month's Live Author Podcast: https://youtu.be/jg4yB6FefVM?si=s_xr01YyWGxqVy1L

 

    

Happy Reading and Always Read Latino Lit!