Category Archives: PUERTO RICO
Puerto Rican Young Writers: Mario L. Vázquez
The 2011 Reading Challenge: Puerto Rican Young Writers is a book reading challenge created to spread Puerto Rican literature outside our 100 x 35 miles island. You can sign up on ThirtyCreativeStudio at any time.
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THE BOOK
TITTLE: The Color of my Paint
AUTHOR: Mario L. Vázquez
ISBN: 978-1-4392-0511-2
NUMBER OF PAGES: 118
YEAR PUBLISHED: 2009
DATE READ: May 1, 2011 (finished)
THE AUTHOR
According to the author’s website ”It all started in the year 1976 when Luis and Maria had their last baby boy. Mario was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico and lived during his childhood years in Cidra. This town is located in the center of the island. One hour south of the capital San Juan. Both of his parents grew up in Cidra and notably on the same street (Read more here).
THE REVIEW
My Story with the Book:
For this book I had to do some research. I was trying to see what information I could get on the internet about young Puerto Rican writers. I was glad I found a couple of them, but not as many as I was hoping for. From the options I found, this book sounded like it was the perfect one to start the second quarter of this reading challenge. I was able to look into the author’s website and learn more about him and the book.
My Kind of Summary:
The Color of my Paint is a collection of short stories that are easy to read and written in a familiar tone. It feels more like conversations between friends than a non-fiction book. The author talks about some of his life experiences, friends, teachers and family.
There are a total of ten stories and he summaries his learning experiences as: (1) Learning from your mistakes; (2) Discovering the artist within; (3) Persistence and responsibility; (4) The value of family; (5) Honesty; (6) Family rituals; (7) Friendships; (8) Never give up; (9) The true meaning of competition; and, (10) The pursuit of my dreams.
If you want to learn more about growing up in Puerto Rico during the eighties, this is a must read. Vázquez experiences are and the descriptions bring you back in time. Since I am from the same generation as the author (a little younger…lol) I enjoyed the trip back into memory lane.
The majority of the stories are from his time in school and the influences in his life. Only the last story shows how his decisions during his senior year shaped his future. At the same time, that could be the story of any adolescent trying to figure out what to do after graduation and how to reach his or her dreams.
THE GIVEAWAY
You will have the opportunity to win a copy of the book in English.
How to Win:
Simple, just fill this FORM.
Guidelines:
1. Anyone can participate. There is no need to have a blog; you only need a valid email & postal address.
2. Only one form per person necessary.
3. You have from now until May 12th to fill the entry form.
4. The winner will be selected using Random.org and will be announced May 13th.
5. The winner will receive an email with further information on how to receive the giveaway. A new winner will be selected if no answer is received within 72 hours from email.
MORE TO READ
If you want to read more about this author, please visit his official website http://www.mariolvazquez.com/ or join his Facebook page.
OUR NEXT SELECTION
To learn more about our fifth featured book click here! We hope you enjoy our selections. Please feel free to leave your comments and join our mailing list. Also, you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter! I will leave you with a little sample of our next book.
“Uno que otro viejo bien bragado se abría el paso entre la pequeña legión de cegatos varicosos con la ayuda de escobas y mapos que encontraban en los baños o en los pasillos, para conseguir una mejor visión del viejo protagonista.”
Puerto Rican Young Writers: José Borges
The 2011 Reading Challenge: Puerto Rican Young Writers is a book reading challenge created to spread Puerto Rican literature outside our 100 x 35 miles island. You can sign up on ThirtyCreativeStudio at any time.
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THE BOOK
TITTLE: ‘Esa Antigua Tristeza’
AUTHOR: José Borges
ISBN: 978-1-935163-91-6
NUMBER OF PAGES: 167
YEAR PUBLISHED: 2010
DATE READ: March 22, 2011 (finished)
My Story with the Book:
Just like my previous selection, ‘El Valle de la Inspiración’ by Alexandra Román de Hernández, I found ‘El Blog de Borges’ searching for current Puerto Rican literature online. I was glad to find, not only his posts, but his short stories. As you know, I enjoy them and not too often they can be found online.
When I first looked at his blog, ‘Esa Antigua Tristeza’ was not yet published. I had the opportunity to follow the online developments after it’s release. Many Puerto Rican writers as well as international, spoke candidly about this first novel, and many other websites featured it.
I am currently subscribed to his blog and follow him on Twitter. I promise, I am not stalking him. I just like the simplicity of discovering more selections and contacting an author on modern times. If we were in the 1800’s I may need to write him a fan later, that may never receive an answer.
Just like his short stories, Borges novel can be found in Amazon.
My Kind of Summary:
At the beginning I had a little trouble differentiating the parallel stories occurring on the novel. I had to go back and check some facts. That could just be my problem due to my multi-tasking attempts. Other than that, the flow of the book is well kept and entertaining. Its structure is simple and the short chapters made it easy to engage.
The introduction of the characters is efficient and the descriptions limited. The reader learns about them, their stories and their relevance thought actions and the results of their decisions. Only the right amount of characters are present to develop the story and no unnecessary fillers were added.
The author’s imagination goes beyond the parameters of non fiction. ‘Esa Antigua Tristeza’ is a combination of reality, paranormal intakes, faith, everyday events, fantasy, grace, life beyond limits and much more. It will be a great book for young adults as well as older audiences. Borges knitted perfectly the characteristics of many genres into one great and unique novel.
The setting and time for this book took me by surprise. I was not expecting a novel happening almost in real time. Normally everything I read has a sense of past that is not present in this book. It makes you feel as part of the reality, as if the events narrated could be happening now.
I hope the book is picked for translation and movie adaptation in the near future. The story has all the elements of a good thriller and the essence of a great blockbuster. It is a story that transcends any language barrier and regionalism. Anyone can identify themselves with the situations and the personifications. It was well written and it is definitely a timeless piece.
THE AUTHOR
José Borges lives in Puerto Rico where he writes short stories, plays, sarcastic commentaries and opinions; that sometimes are not well received. Currently, he is working on his second novel and other projects.
THE GIVEAWAY
You will have the opportunity to win a copy of the book in Spanish.
How to Win:
Simple, just fill this FORM.
Guidelines:
1. Anyone can participate. There is no need to have a blog; you only need a valid email & postal address.
2. Only one form per person necessary.
3. You have from now until March 30th to fill the entry form.
4. The winner will be selected using Random.org and will be announced March 31st.
5. The winner will receive an email with further information on how to receive the giveaway. A new winner will be selected if no answer is received within 72 hours from email.
MORE TO READ
If you want to read more selections from this author, please visit him at ‘El Blog de Borges’. There you can enjoy a good selection of posts, as well as, a great collection of short stories (in Spanish). You can subscribe to his blog here.
OUR NEXT SELECTION
To learn more about our third featured book click here! We hope you enjoy our selections. Please feel free to leave your comments and join our mailing list. Also, you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter! I will leave you with a little sample of our next book.
“A crashing bolt of lighting struck as Molly plunged into unconsciousness. In an instant, she was transported to an island paradise. She was surrounded by natives of a far away land from a time long ago.”
