Do I have a diverse bookshelf? Pt 15: Languages
This is the last category according to our original blog post! If you’re learning another language, reading is great practice. It’s not a drill. You get to see the language in a native context. You learn about the culture. It’s great all around.
While I have a few books that aren’t in English, I’m only going to post ones that I can read with any kind of fluency right now. Language is like a muscle; if you don’t exercise it, it falls out of practice. So they’re all in Spanish, and it’s been awhile since I’ve read many of them. Also I still have my Spanish and Latin-American literature anthologies from school; I will not be posting them either.
San Manuel Bueno, mártir by Miguel de Unamuno
A book I read in college and translated as Saint Manuel Bueno: Martyr, Unamuno is an important author of the language. This book is about a Catholic priest who has lost his faith in God. He tries to continue his ministry with his doubt while dealing with how the people of his village think he’s good like a saint.
Azul by Ruben Dario
This is the book, translated as Blue, that put Dario on the literary modernist map!
Los de Abajo by Mariano Azuela
I read this while studying abroad in Mexico; it’s translated as The Underdogs in English although a more literal translation is Those From Below. It’s set during the Mexican Revolution and talks about the people dragged into it.
Cartas escogidas by Federico Garcia Lorca
Another powerhouse in the the Spanish literary canon. I got this as a gift, and I’ve never read this selection of letters from the famous poet/playwright. I guess it’s time!
Bloody Mary Club No. 1
I picked up this anthology when I was last in Mexico City. It’s a collection of prose, poetry and etc about menstruation. In the preface, the editors explain how they wanted to create a space for women to discuss the topic.
Bonus:
Stef Soto, la reina del taco by Jennifer Torres
I don’t have this book on my shelf, but I’m currently reading it as an ebook from the library to practice my Spanish. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a middle-school book so the chapters don’t tire me out. But the story would be enjoyable to a person of any age. Stef wants more independence but her parents won’t give it to her! Taco trucks, the immigrant experience, growing up. I would’ve put this in milestones if I owned it.
While I have a few books that aren’t in English, I’m only going to post ones that I can read with any kind of fluency right now. Language is like a muscle; if you don’t exercise it, it falls out of practice. So they’re all in Spanish, and it’s been awhile since I’ve read many of them. Also I still have my Spanish and Latin-American literature anthologies from school; I will not be posting them either.
San Manuel Bueno, mártir by Miguel de Unamuno
A book I read in college and translated as Saint Manuel Bueno: Martyr, Unamuno is an important author of the language. This book is about a Catholic priest who has lost his faith in God. He tries to continue his ministry with his doubt while dealing with how the people of his village think he’s good like a saint.
Azul by Ruben Dario
This is the book, translated as Blue, that put Dario on the literary modernist map!
Los de Abajo by Mariano Azuela
I read this while studying abroad in Mexico; it’s translated as The Underdogs in English although a more literal translation is Those From Below. It’s set during the Mexican Revolution and talks about the people dragged into it.
Cartas escogidas by Federico Garcia Lorca
Another powerhouse in the the Spanish literary canon. I got this as a gift, and I’ve never read this selection of letters from the famous poet/playwright. I guess it’s time!
Bloody Mary Club No. 1
I picked up this anthology when I was last in Mexico City. It’s a collection of prose, poetry and etc about menstruation. In the preface, the editors explain how they wanted to create a space for women to discuss the topic.
Bonus:
Stef Soto, la reina del taco by Jennifer Torres
I don’t have this book on my shelf, but I’m currently reading it as an ebook from the library to practice my Spanish. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a middle-school book so the chapters don’t tire me out. But the story would be enjoyable to a person of any age. Stef wants more independence but her parents won’t give it to her! Taco trucks, the immigrant experience, growing up. I would’ve put this in milestones if I owned it.
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