Book of the Month
THE PRICE & THE COYOTE
Author: David Bowles
Publisher: Levine Querido
ISBN: 1646141776 / ISBN-13: 978-1646141777
SUMMARY:
1418 – Pre-Columbian Mexico
Fifteen-year old crown prince Acolmiztli wants nothing more than to see his city-state of Tetzcoco thrive. A singer, poet, and burgeoning philosophical mind, he has big plans about infrastructure projects and cultural initiatives that will bring honor to his family and help his people flourish. But the two sides of his family, the kingdoms of Mexico and Acolhuacan, have been at war his entire life – after his father risked the wrath of the Tepanec emperor to win his mother’s love.
When a power struggle leaves his father dead and his mother and siblings in exile, Acolmiztli must run for his life, seeking refuge in the wilderness. After a coyote helps him find his way in the wild, he takes on a new name – Nezahualcoyotl, or “fasting coyote” (“Neza” for short).
Biding his time until he can form new alliances and reconnect with his family, Neza goes undercover, and falls in love with a commoner girl, Sekalli. Can Neza survive his plotting uncles’ scheme to wipe out his line for good? Will the empire he dreams of in Tetzcoco ever come to life? And is he willing to risk the lives of those he loves in the process?
This action-packed tale blends prose and poetry – including translations of surviving poems by Nezahualcoytl himself, translated from classical Nahuatl by the author. And the book is packed with queer rep – queer love stories, and a thoughtful of pre-Columbian understandings of gender that defy the contemporary Western gender binary.
Dr. David Bowles, UTRGV Assistant Professor in Literatures & Cultural Studies, on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019 at the Liberal Arts Building South in Edinburg, Texas. UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy
About the Author:
About David Bowles
David Bowles is the award-winning author and translator of more than two dozen books for children and teens, among them They Call Me Güero, My Two Border Towns, and The Sea-Ringed World. His work has been published in multiple anthologies, plus venues such as The New York Times, School Library Journal, Translation Review, and the Journal of Children’s Literature. In 2019, David co-founded the activist movement Dignidad Literaria to fight for the literary and cultural dignity of Latinx people in US publishing and education.
David Bowles is a Mexican American author and translator from South Texas. Among his multiple award-winning titles are The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas; Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky: Myths of Mexico; Flower, Song, Dance: Aztec and Maya Poetry; and Ancient Night. David presently serves as the vice-president of the Texas Institute of Letters.
About Amanda Mijangos
Amanda Mijangos was born in Mexico City and is the founder of the illustration studio Cuarto para las 3. Her work has been recognized with awards several times and in 2017 she was the winner of the VIII Iberoamerica Illustra Catalog.
Amanda Mijangos was born in Mexico City, graduated from the Faculty of Architecture, and studied illustration in Mexico and Buenos Aires. She has illustrated literature and poetry in books and magazines for people of all ages and gives drawing and illustration workshops for all audiences. Her work has been recognized with awards from countries near and far. This her third book for Levine Querido, following The Sea-Ringed World and Sheep Count Flowers.
Publisher page: https://www.levinequerido.com/the-prince-and-the-coyote
Author webpage: https://davidbowles.us/about/
Twitter: @DavidOBowles
Facebook: @DavidOBowles
Instagram: @DavidOBowles
https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidBowles
https://twitter.com/DavidOBowles
https://www.instagram.com/davidobowles/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bowles-42150221/
Conversations With Book
EMBODY JOY
Author: Barbara Fritschler
Publisher: Self Published
ASIN: B0DBW2BWX6 / ISBN-13: 979-8334498273
SUMMARY:
Embody Joy: A Woman’s Journey of Reconnection with Her Body
50% of the profits from the sale of this book will be donated to the Aneurysm and AVM Foundation (TAAF).
In “Embody Joy,” Beatriz Fritschler takes readers on an extraordinary journey through her life, weaving together the vibrant threads of her Dominican heritage, personal struggles, and triumphant reconnection with her body and soul. Born in Santo Domingo, Beatriz’s story begins in a neighborhood rich with culture and community but soon takes an unexpected turn with her family’s move to the United States.
Through candid reflections, Beatriz explores the challenges of adapting to a new country, the trials of working in grueling factory conditions, and the emotional upheavals of family dynamics. She delves deeply into her experiences with societal expectations, body image, and the relentless pursuit of self-worth. From the heart-wrenching moments of her father’s departures and returns to the joy and fulfillment found in her creative passions, Beatriz’s narrative is both compelling and inspiring.
A pivotal moment in Beatriz’s journey is her harrowing experience with a ruptured brain aneurysm that nearly claimed her life. This life-threatening event became a turning point, igniting a profound transformation in how she viewed her health, body, and purpose. Her resilience and determination to overcome this challenge add a powerful layer to her story, showcasing the incredible strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
This memoir is not just a personal account but a universal story of resilience, healing, and the power of embracing one’s true self. Beatriz’s journey from despair to joy, from disconnection to a profound sense of self, serves as a beacon of hope for anyone seeking to find their own path to happiness and health.
“Embody Joy” is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, a beautifully written memoir that will resonate with readers long after the final page is turned.
About the Author:
Beatriz Fritschler, MPA
Beatriz Fritschler is a visionary social impact strategist and author, celebrated for her over two decades of leadership within the non-profit and government sectors. Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, she migrated to the United States at 19, where her journey began amidst the vibrant culture of her homeland and transitioned to the challenging yet transformative environment of New York City. Her early experiences as a factory worker and community college student ignited a passion for social justice, revealing the hurdles and discrimination often faced by immigrants.
In “Embody Joy: A Woman’s Journey of Reconnection with Her Body,” Beatriz shares her extraordinary journey, weaving together the vibrant threads of her Dominican heritage, personal struggles, and triumphant reconnection with her body and soul. Her candid reflections explore adapting to a new country, overcoming societal expectations, and navigating family dynamics. The memoir reveals her resilience through the heart-wrenching departures of her father and the fulfillment found in her creative passions.
A pivotal moment in her life was surviving a ruptured brain aneurysm, which nearly claimed her life. This harrowing experience became a turning point, igniting a profound transformation in how she viewed her health, body, and purpose. As a brain aneurysm survivor, Beatriz is passionately committed to educating the public about this condition. Her resilience and determination to overcome this challenge showcase the incredible strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Beatriz’s professional achievements include forging connections with public-private partners to expand and innovate municipal programs and services for low-income New Yorkers. Her academic accomplishments include a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the City University of New York. Additionally, she is a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, embodying her commitment to health and wellness.
As the founder of Executive Losers, an online community providing tailored weight management, fitness, and professional support to executive women, Beatriz champions health and self-care advocacy. Her journey from despair to joy and disconnection to profound self-awareness serves as a beacon of hope for anyone seeking their path to happiness and health.
Residing in Washington Heights with her husband, Charles, and her beloved cat, Willow, Beatriz’s story is one of resilience, commitment, and fierce determination to drive positive change within the community she serves. “Embody Joy” is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, a beautifully written memoir that resonates with readers long after the final page is turned.
Instagram: @beatriz_healthjourney
