Limón, Mango, and Chicken Soup

Manuel Ramos


MARTIN LIMÓN SELECTED AS HAMMETT AWARD NOMINEE

The North American Branch of the International Association of Crime Writers recently announced the nominees for the annual HAMMETT PRIZE for a work of literary excellence in the field of crime writing by a US or Canadian author. Among the nominees is Martin Limón and his most recent military police procedural featuring G.I. cops Sueño and Bascomb, The Door to Bitterness (Soho Crime, 2005). Michael Sedano reviewed this book for La Bloga, which you can still read here.

The other nominees include: John Brady, Islandbridge (McArthur & Company), Joseph Kanon, Alibi: A Novel (Henry Holt), Cormac McCarthy, No Country for Old Men (Knopf), and Don Winslow, The Power of the Dog (Knopf). The winner will be chosen by three distinguished outside judges: André Aciman, author of Out of Egypt (winner of the Whiting Writer’s Award) and most recently editor of The Proust Project; Karen Rothmyer, managing editor of The Nation; and Lynn Slotkin theatre reviewer for CBC Radio’s Here and Now and editor of The Slotkin Letter. The organization will name the HAMMETT PRIZE winner on June 10, during the Bloody Words mystery conference in Toronto. The winner will receive a bronze trophy, designed by sculptor Peter Boiger. Congratulations to Martin for this well-deserved recognition.

SANDRA CISNEROS READS AND DISCUSSES HOUSE ON MANGO STREET FOR BRAZOS VALLEY READS
As part of the Brazos Valley Reads celebration, Sandra Cisneros will read from and discuss her classic House on Mango Street on February 27, 2006, 7:30 p.m., at the Bryan Civic Auditorium, 800 Coulter Drive, Bryan, TX. Brazos Valley Reads is a community effort to involve students and adults in reading and discussing literature. Blinn College in Bryan is presenting several related events leading up to Cisneros' visit.

SOULICIOUS
The Chicano Humanities and Arts Council sponsors Soulicious, described as "Soulful Inspirations, Art to Feed the Soul Bordering on ... Duel Identities. Peaceful Retributions of Funk and Groove Chicanismo." The exhibit features Eric Elfego Baca, Rachael Landau, Rebecca Rozales, Eugene Staner, Renee Fajardo, Arlette Lucero, and Thomas Rozales. The opening reception, February 24, 6:00 p.m - 10:00 p.m., includes storytelling, soulful food and booksignings. Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul (HCI, 2005), will be introduced by Renee Fajardo, storyteller and contributor to the book. CHAC is at 772 Santa Fe Drive, Denver. More info at 303-571-0440.

Later.