THE LATINA BOOK CLUB

   Poetry is the language of love, of revenge, of despair, of hope, of the people.   Here is a Top 14 List of Latino poets we should all be reading more of.  Among them we have the FIRST Spanish American Poet to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, an inaugural poet and two Poet Laureates.  I've tried to find websites for all the poets and, where there isn't any, I've posted a link where you could get more information on them.   Happy reading! --mcf TOP LATINO POETS Gabriela Mistral 1.     Gabriela Mistral (First Spanish American to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature) "Song of Death," http://www.poemhunter.com/gabriela-mistral 2.     Pablo Neruda, "Cantos Ceremoniales," http://www.fundacionneruda.org/en 3.     Julia de Burgos, "Rio Grande de Loiza," http://www.juliadeburgos.org 4.     Richard Blanco (Fifth Inaugural Poet of the U.S.), "For All Of Us, One Day," www.richard-blanco.com 5.       Th

   The Latina Book Club welcomes children’s author Diana Lee Santamaria .   As a child she struggled with reading so she understands the importance of literacy.   As an educator she recognizes the need for more diverse books.   Hence, the birth of DLee’s World – bright fun stories that engage young readers and expands their learning. GIVEAWAY!   Please leave a comment below to win a free copy of DLee’s World. "As a child who struggled with reading, I understand the importance of literacy and making it fun for children, so I work on bringing all the essential elements into DLee's World to engage children and increase learning."  --Diana Lee Santamaria     Q: Schools seem to slowly be coming to the realization that there are no books with “diverse” characters –African-American, Asian, and Hispanic – available for children. As an educator, do you also think that, “we need diverse books?”   Yes, I do believe that there is a lack of books displa

The Party Continues!   Join The Latina Book Club every week this month for new book reviews, fun “Top 14” lists, author interviews and book giveaways.   This week, we are giving away an e-book copy of EVERY HIDDEN FEAR.   Leave a comment below or tweet our hashtag -- #amreadingwiththelatinabookclub --   to win. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month and Good luck! --mcf If you’re not constantly watching and taking care of little things with a house, all kinds of things will fester in the dark and grow out of sight to damage it until they pull it down on your head. —Gran Riveting. Masterful. Suspenseful. Memorable. EVERY HIDDEN FEAR is book three in Linda Rodriguez’s Skeet Bannion series.  It’s a fast-paced, exhilarating drama starring a clever heroine, a ghastly murder and more suspects than innocents.  Readers will be enthralled (once again) from the very first page to the last.  NOTE: This may be third in a series, but it stands alone, and once done, readers will run

   La Latina Book Club continua con su celebración de Hispanic Heritage Month todo este mes.   Mas tenemos para ustedes reseñas todos los Viernes de libros en Español.   Le agradecemos a Open Media Español su regalo de una copia de DESEO DE UNA  NOCHE.   Dejen un comentario aqui o un Tweet con nuestro “hashtag” #amreadingwiththelatinabookclub.   Buena suerte!   //   The Latina Book Club continues celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and our Spanish reviews on Fridays.   We want to thank Open Media Español who is donating an e-copy of Alonso Cueto’s book, DESEO DE UNA NOCHE (in Spanish), to one lucky reader.   Enter to win by leaving a comment below or Tweeting our hashtag, #amreadingwiththelatinabookclub.   Good luck! Las historias pasan dentro de cada uno de nosotros. Y al final esto es lo que cuenta, creo: que las historias son parte fundamental de nuestras vidas y sirven para tratar de explicar lo que no tiene explicación. Durante muchos siglos no entendíamos los fenó

   The Latina Book Club welcomes Valerie Tejeda , a journalist turned author.   She had a dream about Marilyn Monroe and a book idea was born.   Despite her writing credits and contacts, getting published was not easy, but not impossible.   We are looking forward to her book’s debut next July.   Congratulations, Valerie! CONTEST!  Enter to win an advance readers copy of HOLLYWOOD WITCH HUNTER by visiting valerietejeda.com/showmethemagic .  Good luck! “Writing and performing have always been passions of mine, even though now I wouldn't be caught dead acting!” – Valerie Tejeda Q:   Are you a "Valley Girl?" Tell us about yourself and what you love most about living in Southern California. Well, I was born in North Hollywood, California, grew up in Burbank and spent my high school years in the Sacramento area, so I am truly a California girl!   To be honest, I love everything about Southern California! I love the weather. I love the people. I j

    There's a new Latina on TV and she is a hit!     Cristela Alonzo made history this past Friday, October 10, 2014, by being the first Latina to create, produce, write and star in her own primetime comedy show.   "Cristela" (the show) debut to 6.6 million viewers and rave reviews from audiences of all backgrounds.   It's a funny, loving show about family, fulfilling your dreams, getting ahead and being a strong modern woman.   We are very excited about this new show and its portrayal of a modern Mexican family living in the heart of Texas.   But Cristela isn't the first Latina on television, and certainly not the last.   Below is a fun list of 14 other Latinos on television.   How many do you know?   We welcome additions to this list.   --mcf                       LATINOS ON TELEVISION Desi Arnaz   1.         Desi Arnaz on "I Love Lucy"    2.         Lynda Carter on "Wonder Woman"   3

La Latina Book Club se a comprometido a presentar una reseña de libro en Español todos los Viernes.   Hoy nos alegra que podemos regalar tres copias de nuestro libro a tres "fans" de La Diva de la Banda, Jenni Rivera.   //   The Latina Book Club   is committed to doing a Spanish-language book review every Friday.   And this week, we are happy to give away three copies of our book to three fans of Jenni Rivera. NOTA:   El concurso solo esta abierto a fans en los Estados Unidos. Buena Suerte.   // NOTE:   Contest only open to fans living in the continental U.S.   Good luck.  Triumph Books JENNI RIVERA: LA DIVA DE LA BANDA por Michael Puente (Triumph Books) RESEŇA:   Jenni Rivera era una cantante y actriz con mas de 15 millones discos en total y millones de fans al rededor del mundo.   Cuando Jenni murio de un accidente de avión el 9 de diciembre de 2012, el mundo perdió a una artista cuyos talentos fueron más allá de fronteras y aún idiomas. Jenni logró 15 d

  The Latina Book Club will continue celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month all through October, and each week we'll bring you a new fun Top 14 List.   This week, we are listing our favorite Latino Foods.   Feel free to add yours. Plus, we are sharing our family's taco dip recipe.  Enjoy--mcf Tostones 1.     Tostones 2.     Flan 3.     Pernil 4.     Arroz con gandules 5.     Mole 6.     Burrito 7.     Churros 8.     Paella Paella 9.     Caldo Gallego 10.   Guacamole 11.   Chuletas Can Can 12.   Pasteles 13.   Piñon 14.   Arepas ANITA's TACO DIP My cousin Anita made this dip for a family celebration about 10 years ago, and ever since then it has been at every birthday, baptism, bridal shower, baby shower, et al. Ingredients 2 bars of cream cheese -- room temperature 1 bag of shredded cheddar cheese      1 jar of taco sauce   (mild, medium or hot) 1 small lettuce -- shredded 1 small tomato -- diced