Season 1 Episodes

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.

In her book 7 Steps to Talk Confidently to Anyone, Raquel Gonzalez offers a step by step guide to become more confident when speaking to others. We discussed ways to reframe our thinking and eliminate negative self-talk. Listen to our interesting chat on LatinoBookChat.com. You can get a copy of the book at Nuestra Tienda at Nicagal.com and check out all the other books we have featured on the podcast.

In her fascinating book Meltdown, Anita Sanchez warns us that the pace of climate change is accelerating. She tells us fascinating facts about glaciers and offers advise about what we can do to stop the melting of glaciers. Once they are gone, they are gone forever! Anita's book encourages us to find solutions and to take action before it is too late. Listen to this interesting chat at LatinoBookChat.com and make sure to get a copy of Anita's book at our online store at Nicagal.com today.

In her picture book "Plátanos Are Love", Alyssa Reynoso Morris chats about her family plátanos recipes and the importance of plantains to her African ancestors. By cooking plantains with her grandma, the young protagonist learns to appreciate her family history in this intergenerational tale of comida y familia. Plátanos are the connection between family and ancestors. By the end, you will be so hungry you need to make the recipes at the back of the book. Purchase a copy of the book at NicaGal.com and click Nuestra Tienda.

In her new novel Islands Apart: Becoming Dominican American, Jasminne Mendez chats about growing up Afro Latina in the South and how those formative years influenced the person she is now. Jasminne takes us on a journey of her most intimate moments as she struggled with being Dominican and American. Her story resonates with anyone who struggles to become their own person.

Maritere Bellas' award winning book Arroz con Pollo y Apple Pie: Raising Bicultural Children chats about her journey as a bilingual and bicultural advocate. Her love for the Spanish language and her native Puerto Rican culture led her to publish her first bilingual picture book Luisito's Island, and now is followed by I have a Secret part of the Yunito book series. Listen to this interesting chat.

Terry Catasús' beautiful book The Little House of Hope teaches children about the immigrant experience. The talented illustrator Raúl Colón gave life to this heart warming story. Discover how Terry and Raúl brought this story to life in this fun chat.

Alberto Roblest's new book "Against the Wall" is a collection of short stories are meant to engage the reader in Americas's social and political commentary. It's a way to be part of the discourse on the many topics prevalent in American society such as immigration, police brutality, political corruption, and the struggle for survival. Listen to this fascinating chat with Alberto Roblest.