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SUMMER READING LIST

I have compiled all the books recommended during the May Book Giveaway.  I've even added a little tag line to help you go through the selections.  The books are in alphabetical order by author.  

Happy Reading!--mcf



Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende
Historical novel set in Chile mid-1800s about how a woman’s search for her lost love leads to a journey of self-discovery.

The House Of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Saga about a proud passionate family, the Truebas.

The Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende
Historical novel about slavery from Haiti to Cuba to New Orleans.

Evenings at the Argentine Club by Julia Amante
Childhood friends fall in love in Southern California.

Little Nuggets of Wisdom By Chuy Bravo, Tom Brunelle
He may be short, but Chuy has tall Hollywood tales to tell and "little nuggets" of advice on finances, friendship and fashion. A hoot.

Goodbye to All That by Margo Candela
Heroine struggles to juggle work and family. A chance encounter gives her a new perspective on life.

Waking Up in the Land of Glitter By Kathy Cano-Murillo
The Crafty Chica's debut novel about family, friendship, love and glitter. If you don't fall in love with Star, Offie and Chloe and with crafting, you need to read this book again!

Amigoland By Oscar Casares
Three estranged brothers come together for an impromptu trip to Mexico that changes their relationship and lives forever.

The Case Runner by Carlos Cisneros
Murder mystery set in a Texas bordertown.

The Name Partner by Carlos Cisneros
This is a fast-paced legal thriller about a lawyer and his most important case.

Tell Me Something True by Leila Cobo
Mother and Daughter have love affairs that change their lives and not always for the better.

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Historical novel set in Mexico about a spinster in love with her sister’s husband.

Love In the Time Of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Passionate historical novel about a suitor who waits 50 years to marry the woman he loves.

Try to Remember By Iris Gomez
A stunning debut about a young girl who is her parent's translator, family peacemaker and brothers' keeper. See how she gains confidence, educates herself and learns to walk the line between the traditional Latina woman and the modern one.

God’s Spy by Juan Gomez-Jurado
A priest serial killer is on the loose at the Vatican.

Dancing with Butterflies by Reyna Grande
Colorful, vibrant novel about a Ballet Folklorico dance troupe.

Frida: A Biography by Hayden Herrera
The story of Frida Kahlo -- the woman, the artist and the lover. (Frida was married to Diego Rivera, the famous muralist.)

A Simple Habana Melody by Oscar Hijuelas
Historical novel set after WWII, about a Holocaust survivor who returns to his Cuban roots.

Beautiful Maria of My Soul by Oscar Hijuelas
Sequel to “The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love.” This is Maria’s story and her journey from Cuba to Miami.

Daughters of the Stone by Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa
Saga of extraordinary Afro-Puerto Rican women.

Notorius by Michele Martinez
Fourth thriller featuring former Federal prosecutor Melanie Vargas.

Tear This Heart Out by Angeles Mastretta
Historical novel set in 1930s Mexico about survival amidst political turmoil and violence.

The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire by CM Mayo
Available as a Kindle read only. Historical novel about the brief footnote in history when the Arch Duke Maximilian was Emperor of Mexico and the political turmoil surrounding his adopted heir.

The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Dark gothic read. Crime reporter turned pulp novelist gets offer of a lifetime.

The Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The story of a boy obsessed with a writer like himself.

Hot (broke) Messes By Nancy Trejos
The true story of how this financial expert falls into so much debt that she must turn to her parent's for a loan. Nancy writes about her journey towards financial freedom and how to avoid the pitfalls.

Into the Beautiful North By Luis Alberto Urrea
19-year old Nayeli and friends decide to cross the Mexican border to the US and bring back seven men (think Hollywood western "Magnificent Seven") to repopulate their village and save the town from evil bandidos.

Lone Star Legend By Gwendolyn Zepeda
What happens when a blogger dishes about family and boyfriend online? Yep, she gets caught. A fun read about truth and blogging.

Comments

Mayra Calvani said…
Great list, Maria!

I'll mention it on my column, Latino Books Examiner.
Ruins of a Society and the Honorable, ISBN: 978-0578043432, is an autobiography and a story based on real life circumstances as I lived it and remember it to the best of my knowledge and recollection. Names have been changed to protect sources from reprisals and legalities. Real names contained in this book were either approved by the individuals personally; were part of a publication made available to the public and encrypted in citations or were spoken of by me in honorability; while others are based on personal opinions. This book contains incidents which took place in one day and a half while at a prison where I worked and outside the prisons environment. It then sidetracks to speak of other stories, voice opinions and reflects on my life as a young Latino growing up in Brooklyn and abroad. This book honors many who crossed paths with me during my lifetime, who inspired me and whose recognition is well deserved. Honorableness can be described in many different definitions and involve many different circumstances that led me to honor who I felt deserves to be honored, and indeed an honor for me to do so. Although 75 percent of this book is based on prison experiences, other parts of this book relates to the many life encounters we’ve all experienced in our own lives. In reference to autobiographies and real life circumstances concerning prison life, this will be Al Bermudez’s final book. Throughout this book, the actual story stops with an asterisk, (*) to voice an opinion or explain a different set of circumstances; then it continues onto the actual story with the words. (STORY CONT)

"Winner of Literary Award for 2009 Best Autobiography/Biography"
—Multicultural Literature Advocacy Group, Living in Color Literary Awards, March 20, 2010.

"Thank you for thinking of me"
—Sonia Sotomayor, United States Supreme Court Justice, February 23, 2010.

"A Prison Story/Autobiography like you have never read before"
—Michael Levine, WBAI 99.5 FM. Expert Witness Radio, March 22, 2010.

“Nominated as Finalist for the 12th Annual International Latino Book Awards”
—Jim Sullivan, Executive Director, May 28, 2010.
C.M. Mayo said…
Hi, delighted to see the mention of my novel, THE LAST PRINCE OF THE MEXICAN EMPIRE. It is now available in paperback --- pub date was May 5, 2010. Saludos!