A good decade or so ago I went through a huge reading phase of Latino literature including sociological studies and general nonfiction. I still have a full shelf (you can see part of it here) dedicated to the subject. The books are even double stacked. So when I came across Sylvia's Mexico 2010 Reading Challenge I gave in to temptation. I try and stay away from reading challenges for the most part as I get easily distracted and don't always follow through. But I thought this would be a nice way for me to read outside my current comfort zone and pick up a few unread books off my shelf.
The idea is to read three books of Mexican literature, history or art (in honor of the tricolor). I don't absolutely guarantee that I'll read all three books, or even these three books, but I'd like to give it a try. I'm cheating a little as two of the authors are actually Mexican-American (though in the case of Josephina Niggli, she was born in Mexico). On a quick perusal of my shelf this is what I came up with:
Mexican Village, Josephina Niggli - This is a collection of interrelated short stories set in post-revolutionary Mexico. Niggli incorporates Mexican folklore, legends, traditions, and songs in her stories. It was first published in 1945.
Canícula: Snapshots of a Girlhood en la Frontera, Norma Elia Cantú - This is a fictional biography of growing up on the border in the 1940s, 50s and early 60s.
Tinisima, Elena Poniatowski - This is novel based on the life of photographer and revolutionary, Tina Modotti (one of, if not my favorite photographers). Modotti was actually born in Italy, was a silent film star and the muse of Edward Weston. They both lived in Mexico. She became a photographer in her own right, but in the end she gave it up in favor of politics. I've wanted to read this for such a long time. I can't think why I've never gotten around to it, but maybe now's the time.
So, now two challenges (this and the Women Unbound--am reading the first book for that one right now) plus my own little reading projects as well as my library's reading club. I think I'm good for the forseeable future!