Season 1 Episodes

Join us as we delve into Sergio Troncoso's award-winning novel, "Nobody's Pilgrims." This episode explores the story of three teenagers on a desperate road trip across America. We discuss the characters' struggles, the themes of escape and belonging, and the thrilling chase that keeps them on the run. Tune in for a captivating conversation about this literary adventure that blends coming-of-age with edge-of-your-seat suspense. #LatinoBookChat

Let’s dive into the tantalizing world of “Barbacoa, Bomba, and Betrayal” by Raquel V. Reyes. In this third installment of the Caribbean Kitchen mysteries, we follow Miriam Quiñones, a cooking show sensation and amateur sleuth, as she navigates a web of intrigue and danger. Raquel chats with Latino Book Chat about her inspiration for her mystery series, the suspicious secrets, and how her protagonist untangles the threads of betrayal and danger. Tune in to find out! Get ready for a podcast episod...

In the magical town of Tres Leches, where Texas folklore dances with Mexican legends, the curse of La Llorona has lifted, but now the children of Tres Leches are mysteriously vanishing. Enter the Dancing Devil—a monstruo with a penchant for mischief and secrets. His son, Rooster, straddles the line between human and monster, and he’s determined to unravel the mystery. Diana López talks about how she created the world of Tres Leches and her captivating characters in her Los Monstruos series. Listen now on LatinoBookChat.com podcast.

In this heart-pounding thriller, a young couple fleeing a criminal family confronts a reluctant assassin. Melissa Cruz falls hard for dreamy-eyed photographer Jake, but she already has a boyfriend—a rising star in his family’s crime organization. Will Melissa and Jake be able to escape? Tune in to discover the twists and turns in this gripping tale!

In “Through Fences”, Frederick Luis Aldama and illustrator Oscar Garza weave a poignant tapestry of life in the US–Mexico borderlands. The stories follow Latino kids and young adults as they navigate the challenges of living near the border. From a young girl lost in a forbidding new place to a TikTok influencer grappling with COVID, each character’s perspective sheds light on the perils of being brown in this complex region. The graphic novel is visually striking and emotionally impactful, offering a modern-day twist on the borderland experience.

In this episode, we unravel the pages of The Mango Chronicle, a memoir that reads like a sun-soaked dream. Dr. Ricardo González, a physician turned storyteller, invites us into his world—a world where mangoes are more than fruit; they are vessels of memory, love, and longing. Join us as we delve into the complexities of identity, the ache of leaving home, and the resilience required to build anew. So, grab your headphones, settle into your favorite armchair, and let the warm breeze carry you away. The Mango Chronicle awaits—a literary passport to a Cuba that exists both in memory and imagination.

In this captivating middle-grade novel, City Girls by Loretta Lopez is a story of finding refuge with friends who understand the enormous challenges faced by eleven years old. The stories are told through the eyes of three young girls who confront loss, fear, and sorrow. Narrated by each girl in alternating chapters, City Girls captures the vulnerability of being a middle schooler and the joy of finding friendship where you least expect it. Tune in to Latino Book Chat podcast to explore the world of “City Girls”!

In this captivating episode, we delve into the whimsical tale of “The Extraordinary Adventures of Pepo and Pipa,” a Kickstarter-funded story that has captured the hearts of readers. Join us as we journey with two courageous siblings, Pepo and Pipa, who find themselves whisked away to a fantastical realm. With their parents in peril, they must navigate this new world filled with wonder, challenges, and the essence of traditional family values. We’ll discuss the themes that make this story resonate with its audience and how this narrative celebrates the bonds of family. Visit familypathmedia.com to offer your support for Luis' book project.

Join us as we sit down with the talented and insightful Daniel Olivas, author of the groundbreaking novel, "Chicano Frankenstein." Daniel takes us on a literary journey through the pages of his thought-provoking work, where he skillfully blends the elements of classic literature with the rich tapestry of Chicano culture. Explore the themes of identity, belonging, and societal reflections as we delve into the modern reimagining of a timeless tale. In this insightful conversation, we chat about the inspiration behind "Chicano Frankenstein" and learn about Daniel's creative process. Tune in now to discover the magic behind "Chicano Frankenstein".

In this episode, we dive into the rich and captivating novel Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar, a Pura Belpré Award winner and a descendant of Sephardic Jews from Cuba. The novel follows the lives of four girls from different generations of a Jewish family, many of them forced to leave their country and start a new life. We discuss how the themes of home and belonging are explored in the novel, as each girl faces challenges and opportunities in her new environment. We also examine how the novel portrays the diversity and resilience of the Sephardic Jewish community, a minority within a minority that has preserved its culture and identity across so many seas. Join our chat with author Ruth Behar about her personal connection to the novel and her message to young readers. Join us for a fascinating and inspiring conversation.

In this episode, we dive into the captivating novel Huizache Women by Estella González, which follows the lives of three generations of women who struggle with love, loss and survival in Mexico, Texas and California. We discuss how the author uses the huizache tree as a symbol of resilience and resistance, how she portrays the Mexican and Chicano experience through music and culture, and how she explores the themes of gender and identity in her characters. Estella shares her inspiration and insights behind writing this powerful and moving story. Join us as we celebrate the strength and beauty of Huizache Women.

In this episode, we are honored to have Carmen Tafolla author of Warrior Girl, a novel in verse that tells the story of Celina Teresa Guerrera Amaya. We talk to Carmen about her inspiration for writing this book, her use of poetry and bilingualism, and her message for young readers. We also hear some excerpts from the book, read by the author herself. Join us for this fascinating conversation with Carmen Tafolla, a woman warrior in her own right.

In this episode, we’ll dive into the plot, the characters, the themes, and the writing style of Suddenly a Murder by Lauren Muñoz. She talks about her inspiration, her writing process, and her favorite mysteries. So grab your flapper dress and your pearls, and join us for this episode on LatinoBookChat.com.

Daizee and the Dukes of Chuco: Chuco World Rally is a futuristic adventure by author E.C. Dukes and illustrator Ronnie Dukes. The graphic novel follows Daizee, a Latina engineer, and her cousins as they race to save the environment from the corrupt oil and gas industries. E.C. and Ronnie talk about their inspiration for this futuristic story and how they hope their characters inspire young Latinos to become inventors and innovators. Listen to this fun episode on LatinoBookChat.com or on your favorite streaming platform.

The Neapolitan Sisters by Margo Candela is a humorous yet moving story that delves into the themes of family, culture, trauma, and identity. The novel is told in alternating points of view by the three Bernal sisters: Maritza, Claudia, and Dulcina. Each sister has a distinct personality and a different way of coping with their past and present challenges. The novel reveals how each sister has been shaped by their shared trauma of growing up with an alcoholic father and a passive-aggressive mother, who have a dysfunctional marriage. The sisters have to confront their repressed memories and emotions, as well as their complicated relationships with each other and their parents. The novel also portrays the vibrant and diverse community of East L.A., where the sisters navigate their cultural identity and expectations.

What happens when you grow up in a place where two cultures collide and two languages coexist? How do you find your voice and your identity in a world that often misunderstands or misrepresents you? In this episode Yasmín Ramírez chats about her memoir ¡Ándale, Prieta!, a captivating and candid account of her life as a Mexican American woman in El Paso, Texas. Yasmín shares how her grandmother, who affectionately called her Prieta, shaped her sense of self and taught her to embrace her roots and her skin color. She also reveals the joys and struggles of living in the US-Mexico border region. Visit nicagal.com to get a copy of Yasmín's book.

In today's episode we’re going to discuss a memoir that has touched my heart and made me think about the complexities of family, memory, and art. The book is called One Last Song for My Father: A Son’s Memoir by Edwin Fontánez. One Last Song for My Father is a tribute to the author’s father, a tinsmith and musician who suffered from dementia for the last sixteen years of his life. The book is a blend of personal narrative, poetry, photographs, and artwork that explores the author’s relationship with his father. This is a book that will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the people in your life who have shaped you in ways you may not realize. It is a book that celebrates the power of art to heal, connect, and transcend.

Hola Ranger: My Journey Through the National Parks by David Vela is a memoir of his life story, from growing up in the farmlands of Southeast Texas, to visiting his first national park, to working in various parks across the country, to becoming the first Latino acting director for the National Park Service. David Vela share a lot of personal stories and insights into what it takes to protect and preserve our nation’s most special places.

Christian Meneses Jacobs, host of Latino Book Chat, interviews Adriana Erin Rivera, author of "Paloma: Song for Puerto Rico." They discuss various aspects of the book, including the importance of representing Puerto Rican history and culture accurately. Adriana shares her inspiration for the story, her collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino, and the challenges she faced while writing. They also discuss the complexities of Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States and the inclusion of Spanish language in the book. The episode concludes with a discussion about the upcoming release of Rivera's book and a call to support Latino Book Chat.

In this episode of the Latino Book Chat podcast, host Christianne Meneses Jacobs interviews author Ana Reyes about her book "The House in the Pines." Ana discusses the inspiration behind her story, including a creepy house in the forest, and how her personal experiences influenced the creation of an unreliable narrator. She also shares her research process and the importance of incorporating suspenseful elements into her plot. Ana talks about her favorite character, Frank, and her writing influences. She expresses her excitement about being selected by Reese Witherspoon for her book club and discusses her experience teaching a creative writing class. The conversation is friendly and engaging, leaving listeners intrigued about Ana's book.

In this episode, we’ll be discussing the fifth and final book in the series, Stella Diaz Leaps to the Future by Angela Dominguez. In this book, Stella is facing some big changes in her life. How will Stella cope with all these challenges? Will she be ready for what’s next? Join my chat with Angela as we dive into Stella’s world.

The Garden of Second Chances by Mona Alvarado Frazier explores real-life issues faced by Juana, the protagonist. Join us as we dive into Juana’s journey of survival, redemption, and courage in the face of impossible odds as we discuss topics such as immigration, incarceration, domestic abuse, and mental health. Subscribe now and don’t miss an episode!

In this episode, we’re discussing Incident at San Miguel by A. J. Sidransky, a riveting tale of heartbreak, loss, and forgiveness set during the Cuban Revolution. We are going to explore historical fiction and the stories behind the stories. Incident at San Miguel follows the Cohen family, a Jewish Cuban clan whose lives are turned upside down by the political turmoil of the late 1950s. Two brothers, David and Isaac, find themselves on opposite sides of Castro’s uprising, and must face the consequences of their choices. It also sheds light on Cuba’s Jewish community, whose members built lives in that island paradise, and found themselves facing political terror. Join us as we talk to A. J. Sidransky about his inspiration for writing this book, his research process, and his collaboration with storyteller Miriam Bradman Abrahams. We’ll also learn more about the history and culture of Cuba, and how it influenced the characters and events in the novel. If you’re a fan of historic…

With her book The Coquíes Still Sing, Karina González tells us the story of the devastation of Puerto Rico after hurricane María from the point of view of a young girl. Karina and her illustrator Krystal Quiles chat about the inspiration of the story and their reasons for creating this story. Get a copy of their book at Nicagal.com in the Nuestra Tienda section.