On Everyday Superheroes
with Robin Arzón author of 'Strong Mama'
#NuevasPaginasconLupita is a space that is both an archive and resource aimed to "spotlight" Hispanic/Latinx/e authors with newly published books. The goal is to connect readers to new and/or old favorite Hispanic/Latinx/e authors and their books! So give this & every post a share to help us reach more readers!
How does it work?!
Here’s the deal, I came up with a set of casual/random/funny questions to ask each Hispanic/Latinx/e author, I interview. For now, the questions will all be the same but maybe in the future I’ll launch this into more specific questions to the author or maybe I’ll turn this series into a mini-podcast, or maybe……well, you get it! The possibilities are endless.
If you are new here don’t forget to check out all the other amazing interviews! We also have a great line-up of guest authors coming up so make sure you don’t miss an issue by subscribing now!
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Hey Heyyy Book Franz!
I have been secretly doing all the happy dances knowing this interview was coming your way and the day is finally here! I am still doing happy dances because today’s author is someone I’ve admired for a while. Someone who physically (and mentally) helped me pick myself up during the pandemic and who I turn to whenever I need to remind myself how strong I truly am. Many other folks part of the Peloton community and beyond share similar admiration and love for today’s author which is truly why it feels like such an incredible honor to be able to bring you all this interview.
Okay! Without further ado, our special guest author today is….Robin Arzón!!!!!
Could you tell me a bit about where this photo was taken? Is it special to your book in some way?
This photo was taken on the day that Strong Mama was published and I was reading it to Athena really for the first time in its public iteration. She was super engaged with the book so that felt really good that she understood it was about us.
Tell me about your book without telling me about your book - share any literary inspirations behind your book! If there are none, the gap you wanted to fill in the literary canon with your book.
I really wrote this book because I want to see more stories where the queen saves herself and we normalize everyday superheroes - especially caregivers, and I wanted to center caregivers at the center of this book as the superheroes in our families. I want Athena and especially young girls to see examples of strong female characters and they're not being saved by a prince. They're using their inner strength and physical strength to save themselves.
What are two central themes in your book that you connect with the most and why?
Two central themes in this book are movement is medicine and self-care is not selfish. That’s how I live my life. It's the example I want to set for my daughter and it’s something I use to connect with folks in my classes at Peloton and on social media.
If a book was home, where would your home be?
This book is so personal to us that it really came from our home and depicts parts of our home. This is a representation of home. Also, the idea of self and coming back to yourself, can be an idea of home.
If your book was a famous musician who would it be?
It would probably be Lizzo’s song "Juice."
What comfort food could a reader pair with your book?
A protein smoothie.
In what ways has access (or little to no access) to Hispanic/Latinx/e literature defined you as a writer?
It was so important to me to include elements of Spanish like references to Abuela, which is what my daughter calls my Mom as grandmother in Spanish. Choosing a Latinx illustrator was super important to me. Infusing that with the text and imagery created a link to a very special lineage. I’m super proud to be Latina and I want to see lots more examples of art expressed in the world for folks to identify with and have that represented.
Where can readers keep up with your work?
Follow me on Social media! @robinnyc on IG and Twitter. @robinarzon on Tik Tok.
A huge thank you to Robin Arzón for taking the time to chat with me about her book! Please please make sure you purchase a copy (or request your local library carry a copy) of her book #SupportLatinxLit!
Bio for Robin Arzón:
2x NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR of Shut Up And Run and Strong Mama, Robin Arzón, discovered her passion for athletics after healing from a traumatic experience through movement. She fearlessly left behind a successful law career to embark on new adventures in the health and wellness space and has since reinvented herself into an avid ultra-marathon runner and global fitness leader. As Vice President of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor at Peloton, she believes that sweat transforms lives, and her story is living proof.
To date, Robin has run 27 marathons and several ultra-marathons, including five marathons in five days in support of MS research. Her life’s mission is to redefine, reform, and rethink possibility through movement.
Synopsis for Strong Mama from Bookshop website:
A New York Times bestseller!
Mama and baby make one incredible team in this new picture book from New York Times bestselling author and Peloton instructor extraordinaire Robin Arzón.
Before I met you, I dreamed of you. This is the story of how we first met.
Ultramarathons. Bike sprints. Squats and deadlifts. Naps. Kitchen dance parties! All of it is in preparation for meeting Pequeno, the "Little One" growing in this strong mama's belly. From first heartbeats and fluttery kicks to grinning grandparents and that first loud cry -- pregnancy might just be the biggest workout yet! But there's nothing this mom and new baby can't tackle together as a team.
BTW for those that might be interested in joining the Peloton community - I do have a discount code I can share with you (email me at Lupita dot reads at gmail dot com)!
The best way you can support Latinx/e authors and Latinx/e literature is by doing the following:
REQUEST that your local library carry a copy
PURCHASE a copy of a friend, family member, or your nemesis (hey! I’m sure they read too).
SHOUT about the book on any social media platform or to your friends and family!
SHARE this interview widely! Word of mouth does wonders for connecting readers to books.
REVIEW their books on any website that sells books!
The other day one of my cousins asked in our family group chat….” Hey! What kind of music does Lupita listen to?” and without even missing a beat my brother replied “AUDIOBOOKS”!
The moment audiobooks stepped into my life, they became my music. I listen to them on walks, while doing laundry and chores — basically any moment I have to myself. So if that is you too (or if you simply want to fit in more reading during your daily life) check out Libro.FM! If you use the code LupitaReads you’ll receive two audiobook credits for 14.99 USD with your first month of membership. These credits can be used on your choice of more than 250,00 audiobooks on Libro. FM.
And if you need some audiobook recommendations - I made a list just for you!
love this!