The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

10.5 - Cinco de Mayo
May 5th is Cinco de Mayo. Read a book set in Mexico or written by a Mexican author (by birth or by residence). Required: If the GRs metadata does not indicate the book's setting or the author's birthplace/residence, you must provide a link to an outside source for verification purposes when you post.

These books work:
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
Servant of the Underworld
The Ruins
Queer
The Goldsmith's Daughter
In Different Waters

Mexican authors:
Laura Esquivel
Guillermo del Toro w/co-author is OK
Ann Aguirre aka Ava Gray
Leopoldo Gout
Luis Alberto Urrea
Reyna Grande
Fernando Vallejo (by residence)

This thread is now open!

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall - set in Mexico.

Claire wrote: "Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall - set in Mexico."

That works.

Will something work that is set during the time of the Aztecs who lived in what is today Central Mexico?

Servant of the Underworld

The Law of Love by Laura Esquivel - Mexican author

Fandury wrote: "Will something work that is set during the time of the Aztecs who lived in what is today Central Mexico?

Servant of the Underworld"

Yes, that works.

Bea wrote: "The Law of Love by Laura Esquivel - Mexican author"

Enjoy!

Will this work:

Cry No More

Wondering if this has enough information. The book is and in the author's biography there's a line that says " She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children..."

Is that good enough or should I look for another source as well?

Thank you!

Is this OK - ?

Setting is listed as Cancún. Thanks

Is Cancún OK? If not, I'll have to look for another book.

Amy wrote: "Will this work:

Cry No More"

Yes, that works.

Cait wrote: "Wondering if this has enough information. The book is and in the author's biography there's a line that says " She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, bu..."

That's fine. Just include that info when you post your completed task.

Lauren wrote: "Is this OK - ?

Setting is listed as Cancún. Thanks"

Yes, Cancun is in Mexico so that works.

I am going to read Accidentally in Love with...a God? - Mimi Jean Pamfiloff.

Thanks, Kristina :0)

I love Laura Esquivel! I'm going to read Between Two Fires: Intimate Writings on Life, Love, Food, and Flavor

Would this work for Mexico? Bodyguards in Bed by Lucy Monroe. Setting says Mexico.

Hina wrote: "Would this work for Mexico? Bodyguards in Bed by Lucy Monroe. Setting says Mexico."

Since there's not a lot of information in the book's description or reviews, you'll probably need to read it to find out. As long as at least 50% of the book takes place in Mexico it'll work and you'll need to explain how the book fits when you post.

Kristina, is mine ok?

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Kristina, is mine ok?"

As long as at least 50% of the book takes place in Mexico, yes.

Kristina Simon wrote: "Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Kristina, is mine ok?"

As long as at least 50% of the book takes place in Mexico, yes."

I looked up Books set in Mexico. This was 1 of the books x

https://www.goodreads.com/places/82-mexico

Guillermo del Toro was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. His "Strain" trilogy was written with an Anglo co-author, however; does that disqualify the books?

Hi, does this book work for written by an author living in Mexico?

Skin Game by Ava Gray

This is a pseudonym for Ann Aguirre

Suzanne wrote: "Guillermo del Toro was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. His "Strain" trilogy was written with an Anglo co-author, however; does that disqualify the books?"

No, that's fine. Guillermo del Toro works and the coauthor doesn't disqualify the book.

Becky wrote: "Hi, does this book work for written by an author living in Mexico?

Skin Game by Ava Gray

This is a pseudonym for Ann Aguirre"

Yes, that works. Please explain in your completed task post that Ava Gray is a pseudonym.

Ghost Radio by Leopoldo Gout Mexican author

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Luis Alberto Urrea was born in Tijuana MEXICO

Reyna Grande born in Iguala MEXICO

I've read it, but for anyone looking for a good read - at least 50% of this book is set in Mexico

Book Concierge wrote: "I've read it, but for anyone looking for a good read - at least 50% of this book is set in Mexico
"

I'd second that recommendation. I loved that book! ;-)

The author of this book is Mexican-American (born the the U.S.) and the book takes place in the U.S. but is about a Mexican-American family. Does it qualify for this task?

Lotería

Lorraine wrote: "The author of this book is Mexican-American (born the the U.S.) and the book takes place in the U.S. but is about a Mexican-American family. Does it qualify for this task?

Lotería"

No, sorry. The a book must be set in Mexico or written by an author who was born there or currently lives there.

Kristina Simon wrote: "Lorraine wrote: "The author of this book is Mexican-American (born the the U.S.) and the book takes place in the U.S. but is about a Mexican-American family. Does it qualify for this task?

[book:L..."

Thanks, Kristina. The task description is clear; I think my question was wishful thinking/hoping for a task tweak :)

Hi would this work? Vernon God Little

I've not read it but it's listed in the 1001 catalogue as a Mexican novel. Not sure if it would be enough as it is also showing as being set in Texas as well.

Nicola wrote: "Hi would this work? Vernon God Little

I've not read it but it's listed in the 1001 catalogue as a Mexican novel. Not sure if it would be enough as it is also showing as being set in ..."

The author was born in Australia and lives in Ireland. So, to work for this task, that means the book must be set at least 50% in Mexico. From the plot synopsis on Wikipedia, it appears that most of the book takes place in Texas with just a brief stop in Acapulco. However, I haven't read it, so I can't tell you for sure. If you end up reading the book and half of it does indeed take place in Mexico, you can use it here but you'll just need to explain how it fits the task in your completed task post.

Set in Mexico ... The Ruins

Set in Mexico - Queer

and Author lives in Mexico - Our Lady of the Assassins

Set in Mexico ... The Goldsmith's Daughter

Book Concierge wrote: "Set in Mexico ... The Goldsmith's Daughter"

That looks really good. Another for the TBR pile.... ;-)

Has anyone read The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax? It mentions Mexico City, but I'm not sure how much of the book is set in Mexico.

Trish wrote: "Has anyone read The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax? It mentions Mexico City, but I'm not sure how much of the book is set in Mexico."

It's been nearly four years since I read it, but if memory serves, the majority of the book IS set in Mexico.

Book Concierge wrote: "Trish wrote: "Has anyone read The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax? It mentions Mexico City, but I'm not sure how much of the book is set in Mexico."

It's been nearly four years since I read..."

I don't think so. It starts in Mexico, but most of the plot takes place in Albania.

Sandy wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "It's been nearly four years since I read it, but if memory serves, the majority of the book IS set in Mexico.

I don't think so. It starts in Mexico, but most of the plot takes place in Albania."

Fair enough. It was just a thought. I may read it anyway, and if it won't fit here, it may fit somewhere else.

Trish wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "It's been nearly four years since I read it, but if memory serves, the majority of the book IS set in Mexico.

I don't think so. It starts in Mexico, but most ..."

It's a really fun book. All the Mrs. Pollifax books have been approved for 30.1 - job changer.

Sandy wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "Trish wrote: "Has anyone read The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax?

It starts in Mexico, but most of the plot takes place in Albania."

Oh, good. I wanted to use it for Albania in my Around the World challenge. I have it on my list for 30.1. Good to know that plan will work out!

So I'm contemplating this book but not sure if I can make it work here.



Is the series title enough to confirm a location? If it's not, does the link to purchasing it on Amazon work, where it says "Set amidst the adventure and intrigue of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica..." and some of the reviews mention it being set among the Aztecs? It's such a small book that I can't really find anything more concrete than that. All of this assuming I also get it approved for ebook length afterwards, of course lol

Thank you!

Cait wrote: "So I'm contemplating this book but not sure if I can make it work here.



Is the series title enough to confirm a location? If it's not, does the link to purchas..."

It appears to be set in Texcoco, which according to Wikipedia, "was a major Acolhua city-state in the central Mexican plateau region of Mesoamerica." So, the best thing to do would be to provide the Wikipedia link in your post when you claim the completed task to confirm setting.