The Association of American Publishers Publishing Latino Voices for America (PLVA) Task Force has declared May Latino Books Month.
Throughout the month of May, booksellers, librarians, and others in the book industry are encouraged to promote reading among Latinos in their communities and to raise awareness of the rich variety of books authored by Latinos that are available, in both English and Spanish.
Well, as a member of the book-reviewing media, I’m happy to do my part. I don’t know about you, but I love to read novels or memoirs set in a different culture or written by an author whose experiences are vastly different from mine.
And Hachette Book Group is really doing their part. They have offered up a great prize package.
One of you will win each of these books:
B as in Beauty By Alberto Ferreras
Into the Beautiful North By Luis Urrea
Hungry Woman in Paris By Josefina Lopez
The Disappearance of Irene Dos Santos By Margaret Mascarenhas
Houston, We Have a Problema By Gwendolyn Zepeda
If you click through the links you can read an excerpt of the books.
This contest is open to readers with a U.S. or Canadian shipping address. Just leave a comment if you’d like to be entered to win. If you want to tell us about your favorite Latino author or Latin-themed book, that would be even better!
I will announce the winners on May 31.
Good luck, or should I say “Buena suerte“?
Managing Editor Jennifer Donovan also blogs at Snapshot about life with her tween daughter and preschool son.
Follow 5M4B on twitter subscribe to our feed or on the top left sidebar you can sign up to have our posts emailed to you, so you won’t miss our reviews and giveaways.
Other current giveaways: The Household Guide to Dying
charline says
I haven’t read any
Melissa D says
I loved Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende! Please enter me in the contest. Thanks!
Daniel M says
I don’t know of any latino-based book I’ve read off the top of my head, always looking for more good stuff to read!
ikkinlala says
I’d love to enter. I don’t really have a favourite Latin-themed book, but I’ve enjoyed most of the ones I’ve read.
Magdalena says
Ah, since I was 15 my favorite book is Like Water for Chocolate! I have read it 7 times. It’s better in spanish, but only slightly! Fabulous. Love in the Time of Cholera is beautiful. Caramelo from Sandra Cisneros is very good, but maybe a bit dense if you aren’t super into it. Isabel Allende is great. If you like lyrical, slightly fantastic, emotionally deep books, Latin authors are for you. There are so many that are great. I haven’t read any of your giveaway books, what a delight to come to your site and find out about them. Also, if you want to have your heart broken a little read Y no se lo trago la tierra (And the earth didn’t swallow him)
Erma says
I would love the chance to win, thanks.
Leslie R says
What a wonderful selection! I wish I could say I have a favorite Latino author, but I don’t have one. Yet. One of these could be a new fave.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Diane Baum says
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
Heather Goldsmith says
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, definitely, for “Love In The Time Of Cholera” Thank you for the contest.
Rebecca Cox says
My favorite Latino Author is Carlos Ruiz Zafon. HIs book, The Shadow of the Wind is a wonderful novel about a boy’s quest through the secrets and shadows of postwar Barcelona for a mysterious author whose book has proved as dangerous to own as it is impossible to forget.
It is a great mystery, the writing is superb although you can tell from time to time that it is a translation from the original Spanish.
I follow you on twitter and tweeted at ccqdesigns
Jodi says
I can’t think of any authors off the top of my head, but I love reading just about anything, so I am sure that I would love these books. Thanks for the chance.
Mary says
These books look really good.
kim v says
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
Karen says
The only thing I have read that would qualify was by Oscar Hijuelos, put I’m always looking for more to read!
Carol Wolf says
I’ve enjoyed several books by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Please enter me in the contest.
wolfcarol451 at gmail dot com
Carol Wolf says
I subscribe by email.
Ed Nemmers says
Happy Weekend!
Paige says
I’d love to win some new books.
Christina says
I love Isabel Allende, particularly her book The House Of The Spirits (she’s really lived through a lot in her life!). I saw her here a few years ago when she came through town on a book tour and got an autographed copy of her book!
Adrian Lamont says
Sounds like great books, please count me in.
Sharon Fairclough says
I have not read any latin theme books lately, but these book sounds like wonderful reads, please add my name to hat and thanks for the giveaway.
sharr1226 at yahoo dot com
Chrysa says
I love books by Latin authors….it figures, I was a Spanish major!
Chrysa says
I’m following you on Twitter. (My Twitter name is @ThriftyJinxy)
Chrysa says
I’m subscribed to your RSS feed.
Jennifer Jozwiak says
i love to read so i hope i win!
Renee C says
Would love to win. My favorite Latina authors are Sandra Cisneros and Julia Alvarez.
Renee G says
Would love to win. The only latina author that I have read is Alberto Ferreras.
[email protected]
jayne b says
I would love to enter!
Lesley says
I would love to win this group, precisely because I am generally unfamiliar with Latino authors. Thanks!
Rebecca says
My favorite author is Paulo Coelho and is books are usually written in the setting of the Mediterranean. While not exactly Latino, it does give me a peek into a different culture. I have never read a Latino book so that would be interesting.
beckydsl13 at gmail dot com
bridget says
The most recent book by a latin author that I have read was The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. It was very good.
Cassandra Janda says
I love works by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Sandra Cisneros (especially House on Mango Street), and Richard Rodriguez (Hunger of Memory- The Education of Richard Rodriguez).
Tammy says
Marlene Perez writes some great YA books!
Gianna says
Please enter me 🙂
Janet says
I heart to read so I hope I win also!
kathy pease says
Thanks for the GREAT giveaway
please count me in 🙂
Denise says
Isabelle Allende is the greatest Latina author ever! I love “The Stories of Eva Luna.” Thank you for the nice contest!
Angel says
love it
sarah woods says
Love the Latino Collection we areteaching our grandtwins Spanish/age six. Many Thanks, SW
shar says
fav author is definitely Julia Alvarez, both her adult books and children’s books…wonderful author!
Lily Kwan says
I would like to be entered to win. Thanks!
Helen says
I really liked The Dirty Girls Social Club: A Novel by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez. I find the rest of her writing to be lacking but that was a great book.
Cynthia Mercado says
i would love to read the books!
Thank You!
mercsmercado at yahoo dot com