Book Club(s) + Author Event(s), Story time, Read-along, Oh My!

Multiple chances to connect with other readers virtually or in person

Hi, Book Loves!

I hope summer is going well for you! I don't know about you but I signed up for at least two summer reading challenges and have not updated the reading logs to reflect that I’ve been participating. There’s also the fact that my reading this summer has slowed down significantly.

But I’m not going to let that stress me out because it’s not about quantity, it’s about the quality of reading time I’m getting. I’ve been reading some fantastic books for a variety of things I am going to share below, which you are welcome to join (all of them are free and open to the public):

READ-ALONG: Last week, in partnership with Riverhead Books, I kicked off a special read-along for Hombrecito by Santiago Juan Sanchez. I opened up a special discord group (you can join here) so we could chat about the novel as we read it and though we started last week, it’s not too late for you to grab a copy and join us. If discord isn’t your thing, I am also posting discussion questions on Instagram!

STORY TIME: So for the first time, I’ll be co-hosting a story time - Saturday, August 3rd at 11 AM ET! I say co-hosting because the brilliant idea came from my friends over at DCPL where I host/collaborate with them on an author-inclusive book club that amplifies Latine literature— #LaComunidadReads. We will be meeting in person at the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Library in the Children’s Section and we will be joined by literary legend, Angie Cruz who will be debuting her first picture book- Angélica and La Güira. If that doesn’t sound like enough amazing fun, my friend and local musical artist — JChris will be joining us for some dancing/musical fun. Oh and my kid will be co-moderating with me (wish me luck because he’s recently discovered he’s able to make people laugh and now everything is a punchline!). Register here to join us!

BOOK CLUB: La Comunidad Reads shifts back to adult programming with three amazing author-inclusive book clubs! So get your books ready because the authors will be present to help us discuss their books and the themes surrounding them.

In August (Saturday, Aug.17th at 2PM ET), La Comunidad Reads welcomes Alex Espinoza, author of The Songs of El Rey (I’m reading it now, truly such a vibrant and absorbing stroy) and Ursula Villarreal-Moura, author of Like Happiness (this one made my heart beat fast) to discuss their stunning books/publishing modern queer narratives. Register to attend in person here. This discussion will be available virtually via DCPL’s YouTube Channel.

In September, La Comunidad Reads welcomes comedian Aida Rodriguez and now newly minted author of, Legitimate Kid. A memoir that I found profound and insightful. Then later in the month, we welcome Vanessa Angélica Villarreal, author of Magical/Realism: Essays on Music, Memory, Fantasy, and Borders, and Deborah Paredez, author of American Diva —who both explore the impact of culture through their books.

Register here to attend Aida Rodriguez event in person.

Register here to attend Vanessa Angélica Villarreal and American Diva event in person.

Please note all the adult book events will be available virtually via DCPL’s YouTube Channel, there is no need to register for them. They can be watched live or viewed after the scheduled event time.

Anyways, I hope we can chat books in person or online during any of these events! And as always, please feel free to tell me or others in this community what you are reading or have read or want to read :) part of what I love about being a book lover is the community I’ve been able to tap into and I would hate to have anyone miss out on that even if reading is a solitary act — we can still find ways to “read” together.

In bookish love,

Lupita

P.S. a new #NuevasPáginas will be landing in your inbox tomorrow! excited to share that I’ve caught up with all my past author interviews and now we are moving forward with new author interviews. Thank you to everyone for your patience!