By Carole Reedy
Whether you’re buying for family or friends, a Mexican or just a lover of Mexico, here’s a short list of gift possibilities. Most you can find in both English and Spanish, as well other languages. The fascinating and bloody history of this enchanting land has been written about extensively–some books good, some not, some accurate and some not. This quick selection gives you the best from which to choose. Continue reading Understanding Mexico: Gift Ideas for Book Lovers
By Carole Reedy
A few months ago, the director of the Pochutla jail, Lic. Homero Gonzalez Ortega, and one of the inmates, Beatriz Arcia, approached the Biblioteca de San Agustinillo (a tiny library in an equally tiny village on the Oaxacan coast) for its assistance in creating a library at the prison. Continue reading In Pochutla Jail: Spreading The Joy of the Printed Word
By Carole Reedy
Although it was men who first made popular the concept of a reading group, women quickly followed, shifting their social activities from sewing circles and church groups to form their own reading clubs. Today, most book clubs are started by women searching to quench their thirst for knowledge in an ambience of camaraderie. Continue reading Personal Growth and Camaraderie: Four Book Clubs and Their Secrets of Success
By Julie Etra
When Mexico established its first official library in 1534, it was open only to the privileged class, and contained presumably mostly religious works and works that supported the domination of Indians by their conquerors. The history of Mexican libraries is extensive (http://archive.ifla.org/IV/ifla60/60-ferr.htm). Continue reading Libraries
By Carole Reedy
Oh, the joys of living in or visiting Mexico where meals are celebrated and are a significant focus of the day. And half the fun lies in researching and preparing recipes or searching for yet another gem of a restaurant If you read this column monthly, books are yet another passion in your life. So here we combine the two. Continue reading To fry or not to fry the noodles? Books and Food: The Secrets of Mexican Cuisine
By Carole Reedy
“One benefit of summer was that each day we had more light to read by.” Continue reading Summer Reading: New Releases by Favorite Authors
By Carole Reedy
“Pleasure is found first in anticipation, later in memory.” Julian Barnes, Flaubert’s Parrot
There are many preparations to be made for a trip abroad. For me, one of the best parts of travel is the reading list I compile and complete before, during, and after the trip. Taking Barnes’ quote as inspiration, these initial steps and, later, reflection may prove most enjoyable. With this in mind, here are some literary fantasies to accompany you on your journey to unknown (or known) lands. These books may neither help nor influence your decisions concerning the best restaurant for foie gras or the hotel with the most comfortable beds, but possibly they’ll tempt your palate and enhance the anticipated enjoyment of the lands you visit. Continue reading Beyond the Guidebook: Literary Companions for Summer Travel Abroad
By Carole Reedy
For extranjeros visiting and living in Mexico, it’s a challenge to find fine literature in English at a good price. Indeed, the shelves of the used bookstores on Calle Donceles in Centro Historico are laden with books in Spanish, with some in English but at inflated prices and in rather poor condition. New books in English are available in Gandhi bookstores and the American Bookstore, but can prove expensive for we who read several books a month. Continue reading Under The Volcano: The Best Little Bookstore in Mexico City
By Carole Reedy
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
It’s simply not possible list all the women writers who have influenced us over the past few centuries. Today we focus on five from different genres who will stand out in the annals of history (or already do), not only for what they’ve accomplished through the written word, but for the hours of sublime entertainment they’ve given us. Continue reading Influential Women Writers: 1660 to Today
By Marcia Chaiken and Jan Chaiken
The library in La Crucecita is so small that many people pass by without realizing it exists. After school, many children actually line up to enter the diminutive reading room. The librarian there is passionate about outreach to Huatulco’s children and increasing their literacy. Continue reading Collectively Supporting Huatulco’s Children: A Bring-A-Book-Breakfast
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