A fun time at Kepler’s, now on to Vroman’s!

On March 30 (the eve of César Chávez Day), I read from my new novel, The Book of Want (University of Arizona Press) at Kepler's Books, in Menlo Park, just outside of Stanford University (my old haunts). Award-winning author, Stephen D. Gutierrez, offered a very kind introduction. I want to thank the kind folks at Kepler’s Books (Judi, Pam, Steve and many others) who put in a great deal of time in planning and promoting of the event. (Remember: Support your local, independent bookstore!) I also want to thank the co-sponsor of the reading, the Stanford Chicano Latino Alumni Association of Northern California. Finally, many thanks to those who came to the reading (friends, family and others I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time)…you really make these appearances meaningful. If you missed the Kepler’s reading, you may purchase an autographed copy by ordering directly from the book store.

Now it’s on to my next reading, at Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA. Phone: 626-449-5320. I hope to see you there! And don’t forget that Saturday, April 9, UC Irvine will host Literary Orange, a day-long celebration of literature (I will be on a panel with Lisa Alvarez, moderated by Andrew Tonkovich). For my complete book tour events, visit here.

OTHER LITERARY NEWS:

◙ An announcement from the Friends of the West Covina Library:

The Friends of the West Covina Library Community Mixer

WHEN: Thursday, April 7, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: West Covina Library, 1601 West Covina Parkway (West Covina Civic Center)

Celebrate National Library Week (April 10-16), mingle with civic and community leaders, and learn about the Friends and what’s going on at the West Covina Library. We will honor three individuals for their outstanding community service: Stephanie Moss, Rachelle Horn, and Kristi D’Arco. Door prizes include a freshwater pearl necklace, and prizes from Brunswick West Covina Lanes, Panera Bread, Elephant Bar, Fresh & Easy, In-N-Out Burger, Sizzler, Westfield Mall, and Yogurtland. We appreciate RSVPs to westcovinafriends@gmail.com or the Library at (626) 962-3541.

Hope to see you there!
James Toma, President
Friends of the West Covina Library

◙ Rigoberto González reviews Richard Yañez's debut novel, Cross Over Water (University of Nevada Press, $22 paperback), for the El Paso Times. He says, in part, that the novel “is set to become a sentimental favorite of El Paso insiders who will recognize the many businesses and sites that have become institutions or cherished memories of the international border; but so too will outsiders appreciate an alternative path into a city that's been more closely -- and unfairly -- associated with conflict than with community.” Read the entire review here.

◙ The new issue of Somos Primos is now live and includes book coverage as well as other topics related to Latino heritage.

◙ A message from Linda Rodriguez:

This is to all my Latino writer friends. The Latino Writers Collective gives a writing workshop every summer to children of migrant farmworkers in Kansas. We like to give them all a book by a Latino writer--this means so much to these kids. I'll be donating some of my books. Would you be willing to send one or more of your books for us to give to one of these students?

These are high school juniors and seniors in a special program that KU does each summer mid-June to mid-July. These kids would break your heart with their need and their huge desire to learn and to have a chance to do something. When they see books by people who look like them, who may have similar backgrounds, who have similar names, it opens such doors in their minds.

Here is the address for sending the books:

Linda Rodriguez
1115 E. 76th Street
Kansas City, MO 64131

Sign the book please. That makes it extra special for them. Once when giving them LWC anthologies, my husband (the publisher) was there. They were running getting all our signatures. Someone came up to him and asked for his. He said, “No, I’m not in the book. I’m the publisher.” And they all rushed him, wanting him to sign the books, as well.

Mil gracias, Linda Rodriguez

◙ Writer and professor, Himilce Novas, is quoted in a new book by Gail Collins, When Everything Changed (Back Bay Books). She had interviewed Himilce for this book on feminism and on the Hillary Clinton campaign. If you use the “Look Inside” function on Amazon and search “Himilce Novas” you will see where she is quoted.

◙ That’s all for this Monday. In the meantime, enjoy the intervening posts from mis compadres y comadres here on La Bloga. And remember: ¡Lea un libro!