May Reviews of the Latest Spanish-Language Books for Adults, Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Also in Translation

Edited by Aida Bardales -- Library Journal, 05/13/2010

FICTION | NONFICTION | ALSO IN TRANSLATION

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FICTION

Paraíso portátil.
(Portable Paradise)
Bencastro, Mario.
U.S.: Arte Publico Pr. 2010. 232p. ISBN 978-1-55885-516-8. pap. $15.95. FICTION/POEMS

America as the promised land, tales of indigenous ancestors, memories of people in exile, and other contemporary paradises permeate the emigrants’ stories and poems in this bilingual collection. With the simplicity of a reporter and a touch of romantic idealism regarding the characters he describes, Bencastro portrays familiar and current topics such as the deadly struggles to cross the border, the despair of low pay, the nature of migrant and unwanted jobs, and the fatal destinies of desperate, impoverished, and abused Central American civil war survivors. Most of the stories center on the borders, real or imaginary, that people must cross in times of difficulty, as well as the obstacles they encounter and the fears and treasures they left behind. With strong images, dramatic plots, and sad endings, this is not light reading. Recommended for public libraries with a Spanish-language Hispanic and Central American literature collection.—Angela Lang, New York, NY

Escipión.
Casacuberta, Pablo.
Uruguay/Spain: 451 Editores. 2010. 302 p. ISBN 978-84-96822-63-4. pap. $25.95. FICTION

Aníbal Brener is an alcoholic scholar, frustrated from living in the shadows of his famous historian father. When Brener Sr. dies, his will has one condition for his son to become the heir to his fortune: Aníbal, an ancient history fan, must write a book on contemporary history, the ultimate humiliation for him. Prompted by the family’s attorney, Aníbal sets out to write the story of his philanthropist grandfather. In the process, he discovers that his father wasn’t the tyrant he always thought and that his famous grandfather didn’t actually deserve his good reputation. Young Uruguayan author Casacuberta offers an exquisite meditation on the fragile, often conflicted, relationship between father and son. Boasting a winning, self-deprecating humor and a sprawling yet tasteful style, the book is, for the most part, a delight to read. Unfortunately, at the end the author decides to inject some “action”: After an old fling visits him, Aníbal faces a flood and, later, hospitalization. This rushed succession of events seems a little bizarre, as if the author, unable to decide on an outcome, was giving himself permission to throw the whole thing up in the air to see what happens. And what happens is that it derails a decidedly promising start. Recommended, nonetheless, for large Spanish-language fiction collections and general bookstores.—Carlos Rodríguez Martorell, East Elmhurst, NY

El Bargueño.
(The Chest)
Ochoa Harris, Keila.
U.S.: Grupo Nelson. 2010. 315p. ISBN 978-1-60255-263-0. pap. $18.99. FICTION

Interlaced with familiar themes of tragedy and spiritual salvation, the latest book from this Christian author and dedicated English teacher is a topical tale that takes place in both the 17th and the 19th century. The characters come to an intersection with a Spanish bargueño where broken dreams are often hidden. The antique chest has a top lid that conceals small drawers and pigeonholes that nest inside palace-like arches. It is in this chest in the 1600s that Magdalena, newly orphaned and arriving with her brother in the New World, stores her late mother’s belongings and, with them, her despair and guilt; and it is there, 300 years later, where the middle-aged and divorced Gonzalo deposits his own loneliness and misery over his alcoholic daughter as he works to refurbish the old chest. Nearly every character pines for forgiveness in this spirited novel—from the Jesuit priest who has sinned to modern-day Delia, who battles heartbreak and alcoholism—and they each in their separate centuries find forgiveness in the discovery, acceptance, or understanding of God. The bare language builds the authentic, sympathetic cast who, burdened with their broken dreams, spin their tales around the old chest. Libraries with a strong Christian collection won’t be mistaken to acquire this title.—Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Palo Alto, CA

NONFICTION

Un futuro para México.
(A Future for Mexico)
Castañeda, Jorge & Héctor Aguilar Camín.
Mexico/U.S.: Punto de Lectura: Santillana. 2009. 114p. ISBN 978-607-11-0400-7. pap. $6.95. CURRENT AFFAIRS

In anticipation of Mexico’s sexennial presidential election of 2012, this challenging, timely tract lays out a blueprint for long-term restructuring of Mexican political and corporate governance. The authors call for the nation to shed what they describe as a perennially inculcated but fundamentally damaging self-concept of its revolutionary history and to adopt policies more conducive to the expansion of a prosperous middle class. It is no surprise that this book has provoked strong debate: Proposals to restrict the habitual powers of labor unions, to further open important economic sectors (notably energy) to foreign investment, and to revise electoral practices by welcoming candidates unaffiliated with major party machines are regarded by many Mexicans as anathema. For novelist and journalist Aguilar and NYU lecturer Castañeda—one of his country’s leading public intellectuals—the traditional strong unions and corporate monopolies are obstacles to significant economic growth, as is Mexico’s vast, informal economy, dominated by tiny enterprises forced into the shadows by what the authors describe as an unreasonable regulatory climate. A political culture rife with cronyism and self-interest receives due scrutiny as well. Divided into eight brief sections, the book reads like a campaign platform, offering lucid descriptions of problems and proposals to correct them. No accident: Castañeda’s own bid to run for President in 2006 was thwarted by one of the rules he criticizes in here. A quick and thought-provoking read for those interested in Mexico and likely a good catalyst for discussion outside its borders. Recommended for public and academic libraries.—Bruce Jensen, Kutztown Univ. Lib., PA

A pie.
(On Foot)
Amara, Luigi.
Mexico: Almadía. 2010. 108p. illus. photogs. ISBN 978-607-411-036-4. pap. $11.95. POETRY

Consisting of a single long poem, this book is an amazing journey on foot through the streets of Mexico City. Mexican poet Amara explores different aspects of the act of walking and the experience of taking a walk in one of the biggest cities in the world. This long poem starts with a philosophical exploration of what taking a step is and then slowly takes us to the middle of busy streets in the city. The author incorporates the noises of the city into his narration: the street vendors, the beggars, the subway, the traffic, etc. He also adds quotes from thinkers and artists about walking. His is a journey without destination; for him, the act of walking is an end in itself. However, the city presents many obstacles for people who just want to take a walk, and Amara’s writing successfully expresses the need to recover walking spaces. The poem’s short, paced verses mimic the author’s footsteps, giving the poem an extremely rhythmical sense. The use of language for descriptions of sounds and flavors is always melodic and charged with meaning. Also, the photos and drawings scattered in the text make the reading experience even more enjoyable. This extraordinary poem is highly recommended for all libraries and bookstores.—María Elena Cruz, Boston, MA

Scenes from la Cuenca de Los Angeles y Otros Natural Disasters.
Susana Chávez-Silverman.
U.S.: Univ. of Wisconsin Pr. 2010. 176p. ISBN 978-0-299-23524-6. pap. $18.95. MEMOIR

Chávez-Silverman has written another memoir, a follow-up to Killer Crónicas. This time, she takes the reader on a bilingual, Spanglish, code-switching trip to painful moments in her past. These vignettes don’t follow any particular order but form a kind of pastiche of diary entries, email messages, letters, and reflections in a postmodern style narrative. The unifying thread seems to be an artists’ retreat at the Montalvo Arts Center, where she put the book together. The medium is the message here, though, and Chávez-Silverman’s manipulation of Spanish, English, and Spanglish vocabulary and usage is impressive and should be saluted. Unfortunately, it comes off as artificial—but perhaps that is the point. The author invites readers to “Just chill, gente.… Take a risk.” The payoff for taking that risk, however, is only the satisfaction of reading the book without getting a headache. While it is a thrilling idea, the execution is a disappointment. The reader is placed in the position of pariente pobre (“poor relative”) at a society gathering, and the party is not that interesting. For all of her passion, sensitivity, and use of second person, Chávez-Silverman does not succeed in translating, if you will, her experiences into something that most readers will identify with or care about. This book will appeal to bilingual, bicultural, female college students in California; recommended for academic libraries and bookstores serving that demographic.—Sara Martinez, Hispanic Resource Ctr., Tulsa City–Cty. Lib. Syst. OK

El Salvador: Monografía.
(El Salvador: Monograph)
Dalton, Roque.
Mexico: Ocean Sur: Ocean Books. 2010. 189p. bibliog. ISBN 978-10921438-82-0. pap. $15.95. HISTORY

Dalton (1935–75), El Salvador’s foremost intellectual and revolutionary figure, provides a document much less literary than his previous collections of poetry but not without profound significance for his country. Written in the early Sixties from exile in Castro’s Cuba and published a decade later in El Salvador, Dalton’s text details his country’s history previous to the revolutionary upheaval of the mid-20th century, especially the massacres of the 1930s. Decidedly leftist and didactic in tone, the volume presents rare documents, such as letters from political leaders and documents from the Salvadorian Communist Party from 1962, and identifies political tendencies and parties of the different epochs. A bibliography augments the constant references contained in the text, which was meticulously researched by the author. Salvadorian academic Jaime Barba signs the prolog of this book, outlining the multiple reasons behind the republication of this significant monograph, which has long served as one of the fundamental alternative textbooks for surveying El Salvador’s past. This new edition also follows the publication of a number of similar volumes with the leftist win in last year’s elections in El Salvador (notably by Amílcar Figueroa Salazar’s study, El Salvador: su historia y sus luchas (1932–1985); LibraryJournal.com, 11/16/09). This book is the fifth of Dalton’s works to be published in the editorial’s Roque Dalton collection. Recommended for all libraries and bookstores.—Sophie Lavoie, Univ. of New Brunswick, Fredericton

Un libro rojo para Lenin.
(A Red Book for Lenin)
Dalton, Roque.
Mexico: Ocean Sur: Ocean Books. 2010. 246p. biblog. ISBN 978-1-921235-78-8. pap. $17.95. REFERENCE/POETRY

By 1973, Dalton was one of Latin America’s most recognizable voices, a Salvadoran poet with more than a dozen collections of essays and poems to his credit. But literary recognition didn’t matter in the least to Dalton. The revolutionary current sweeping through Latin America proved impossible to resist for the 38 year old, who, after living in exile, sneaked back into El Salvador, to join the People’s Revolutionary Army. So taken was Dalton with the revolutionary cause that he applied to serve as a soldier, only to be rejected by the higher-ups. So Dalton did what came most naturally to him: write. The result—a long-form collage poem about Lenin and Leninism in Latin America—is arguably one of Dalton’s most experimental and ambitious works, an attempt to re-conceptualize the art of poetry within revolutionary thought. Indeed, Dalton considers this work to be in the same revolutionary tradition as writings by Ho Chi Minh, Kim II Sung, and Fidel Castro. But unlike those works, Dalton’s foray into collage poetry, inspired by Vladimir Mayakovsky’s collage poem of Lenin, draws on multiple sources and voices, including Che Guevara, György Lukács, and Lenin himself, to capture the cacophony of revolutionary impulses animating Latin America. Dalton’s fascination with the art of collage poetry was such that it would carry into his subsequent Las historias prohibidas del Pulgarcito. Recommended for bookstores and university and public libraries with a Latin American poetry section.—Michael Sosa, Brooklyn, NY

Selena. Su vida después de su muerte.
(Selena: From Beyond the Grave)
Castrellón, Cristina.
Mexico/U.S.: Punto de Lectura: Santillana. 2010. 299p. ISBN 978-607-11-0416-8. pap. $10.99. BIOGRAPHY

Fifteen years after her tragic death at the age of 23, Selena remains one of the most beloved and popular singers in Tejano music. Her death at the hands of Yolanda Saldívar, the founder and president of her fan club and manager of her clothing boutiques, solidified her reputation and enshrined her memory throughout Texas and Mexico. Castrellón brings Selena’s story to the forefront once again, sharing her perspective on Selena’s life, career, and relationships as she observed them through her service as Selena’s publicist for a number of years and through the friendship that developed between them. Most of the book is a recollection of Castrellón’s conversations, interactions, and history with Selena both personally and professionally. The book portrays Selena as the warm, caring, fun-loving, and modest person that fans have long imagined. Toward the end, Castrellón strays into the supernatural to describe how Selena has reached out to her through a medium to transmit thoughts and messages she left unsaid and to give her account of what happened on the day of her death. While the personal perspective is interesting and different, this book does not conclusively answer the question why Saldívar fired the fatal shot or add anything substantially different from what can be gleaned from reading the many newspaper and magazine articles written about Selena. Nevertheless, Selena’s die-hard fans will receive this title enthusiastically. Highly recommended for all public libraries, special music libraries, and general bookstores.—Yolanda J. Cuesta, Cuesta MultiCultural Consulting, Sacramento, CA

The Birds and the Bees with Ease! Cómo, cuándo y qué decir a su hijo de 5 a 9 años de edad acerca del sexo.
(The Birds and the Bees with Ease! How, When and What to Tell Your Child Age 5 to 9 About Sex)
De Freitas, Chrystal M.D.
tr. by author. U.S.: Healthy Chats LLC. 2010. 44p. ISBN 978-0-9844529-2-7. pap. $6.95. PARENTING

Pediatrician de Freitas has written a brief pamphlet containing useful information to help parents have those difficult, sometimes awkward conversations about sex with their children. She begins with general information, noting that it is important to talk about sexuality early in life since children will see it and hear about it in the media, at school, and with their friends. She advocates speaking positively about it at a level appropriate to the child’s age and understanding and using the proper words for body parts. De Freitas encourages parents to include their own ethical and religious values in the conversation since they are teaching by example. She also suggests methods for handling the normal sexual curiosity of children, as when they “play doctor.” The book includes a bibliography of resources in English and Spanish, color anatomical illustrations, and worksheets for parents. This is a useful resource for parents and a good addition to consumer health and public library collections.—Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., CA

Descubrir y liberarse del ego.
(How To Free Yourself from Your Ego)
De Vilanova, Carlos.
Spain: Ediciones Obelisco, dist. by Spanish Pubs. 2009. 233p. ISBN 978-84-9777-593-9. pap. $20.95. SPIRITUALITY/NEW AGE

De Vilanova, a student of “A Course in Miracles,” the spiritual guide that teaches forgiveness and reliance on the unconditional love of God to achieve inner peace, has written articles and online posts on New Age and natural health subjects. This, his first book, is intended as a guide to identifying our ego—the dark side of our being—and then bringing it out of hiding and into our awareness and conquering the negative thoughts, actions, and relationships that it provokes. As de Vilanova explains, mastering the ego is the path to self-development and discovery and the key to living a spiritual, peaceful, and harmonious life. This text offers a challenging, often repetitious discussion of concepts leading to spiritual enlightenment, increased faith and belief in God, and renewed energy for life. Written by a Spaniard in a somewhat more formal Spanish, the book may be stylistically off-putting for Latinos used to a more informal use of language. Recommended only for libraries and bookstores with extensive collections in spiritual and New Age subjects.—Yolanda J. Cuesta, Cuesta MultiCultural Consulting, Sacramento, CA

Meditaciones desde la calle.
(Meditations from the Street)
Del Agua, Jairo.
Spain: Ediciones Khaf: Luis Vives. 2010. 191p. ISBN 978-84-937-6150-9. pap. $20.95. CHRISTIANITY/SPIRITUALITY

The author of this wonderful manual for thoughtful contemporary Catholics is a lay blogger who has compiled his own eminently accessible yet sophisticated reflections grounded in scripture and wisdom about the nature of being, the sacrament of Reconciliation, God, sin, the Word, faith, suffering, the afterlife, and humans’ obligations and responsibilities toward one another. Among the many gems here is del Agua’s view of prayer, which he describes as entering the sacred precinct within, where Being resides, and letting God flow in, rather than reaching up and out to God. Del Agua is a mystic who provides a loving constructive critique of the Church, refreshingly devoid of any bitterness. In his view, the Church must rededicate itself to the construction and repair of human beings by engaging less in rarefied intellectualizing amid the clouds of abstraction and more in a reified, incarnated being present to one another. He asserts that the clergy and the laity must endeavor to listen more effectively through surveys and the like, evaluate their relationships with one another, and embrace the psychopedagogy of growth. This is highly readable, revitalized Catholicism, not meandering New Age spirituality. Recommended for theological libraries, Catholic bookstores, and public libraries where interest dictates.—Carolyn Kost. Stevenson Sch Lib., Pebble Beach, CA

Daisy: Mañana, mediodía y noche. La familia que come unida permanence unida.
(Daisy: Morning, Noon and Night. The Family That Eats Together Stays Together)
Martínez, Daisy with Chris Styler.
U.S.: Atria Español: S&S. 2010. 326p. photogs. ISBN 978-1-4391-6030-5. $25. COOKING

Star of Food Network’s Viva Daisy and columnist for Every Day with Rachael Ray, celebrity chef Daisy Martínez presents a second cookbook that showcases Latin American and Spanish dishes inspired by her family’s travels throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes are divided into three main sections aptly titled Morning, Noon, and Night, the latter being the most extensive, with subsections for weekday dinners, cocktail parties, dinner parties, and buffets. Martínez infuses each recipe with humor and a down-to-earth style, introducing certain dishes with an anecdote about the locale that served as the inspiration. The genesis of her scrambled eggs with shrimp recipe was a stop at a famous Buenos Aires café, while the Nuevo Andino-style gnocchi were influenced by a meal at a trendy restaurant near Machu Picchu. The final three sections are brief and provide menu suggestions, a helpful list of ingredients commonly used in Latin cooking, and tips on preparing staples such as chicken broth and sofrito, Martínez’s signature seasoning base. With simple instructions, lush photography, and an easy, conversational tone, the content is well suited to novices and experienced cooks alike. Highly recommended for bookstores and public libraries.—Pamela Corante, Los Angeles

La audacia de la passion
(The Audacity of Passion)
Martini, Carlo María.
Spain: Ediciones Khaf: Luis Vives.. 2009. 191p. ISBN 978-84-263-7365-6. pap. $19.95. THEOLOGY

Separated into ten chapters, this book is a series of spiritual exercises in which Martini invites his readers to examine the scope of their faith through a reexamination of Peter. A seasoned theologian, Martini deliberately picks the flawed disciple of Jesus, who betrayed the Christ despite having absolute faith in him; in doing so, Martini invites people of faith to reevaluate their beliefs honestly and realistically, thereby rendering the examination of faith an accessible topic. Martini asks Peter questions concerning matters that include faith, sin, and how the presence of Jesus in his life changed him. He then answers on behalf of Peter, taking cues from Scripture, which Martini then supports with quotations. Although it is clear that he is not quoting the Bible willy-nilly and that this is thoroughly researched and presented as a hypothetical dialog, it is still speculation—a brilliant man’s interpretation that is meant as a guide to believers who wish to strengthen their faith. Strongly recommended for practicing Catholics and biblical scholars.—Vivian Gomez, Queens, NY

La belleza de saber vivir.
(The Beauty of Learning To Live)
Palacios, Bárbara.
U.S.: Grupo Nelson. 2010. 224p. ISBN 978-1-60255-293-7. $14.99. SELF-HELP/CHRISTIANITY

Palacios, best known as Miss Universe 1986, has become a leading spokesperson, TV host, and motivational speaker since winning her crown. Palacios was persuaded to enter the Miss Venezuela beauty contest as a means of changing the image of beauty queens and spreading her message of the importance of inner beauty and self-worth to women all over the world. She is now CEO of Bárbara Palacios Corporation, which includes a subsidiary with her own line of jewelry and beauty products and a motivational and coaching group with a focus on the Latin American market. Her face has appeared on countless magazine covers, and she offers her motivational messages on AOL Latino. In her new book, Palacios shows how to use our internal GPS system—the innate moral system—to achieve a balanced and successful life. Each chapter discusses one of nine principles that Palacios defines as the core of a beautiful and rewarding life: acceptance, focus, balance, leadership, optimism, gratitude, forgiveness, dignity, and faith. Palacios combines her personal story and magnetism with her strong belief in God to impart positive and practical guidelines for managing life and all its problems. Palacios writes in a comfortable and sincere style illustrating through personal anecdotes how her own belief system was formed and how it has shaped her life and career. This book will appeal to fans who know her through her TV appearances, readers of self-help books, and readers of Christian-themed books. Highly recommended for all public libraries, general bookstores, and stores with religious items.—Yolanda J. Cuesta, Cuesta MultiCultural Consulting, Sacramento, CA

Amor, sexo y noviazgo.
(Love, Sex, and Courtship)
Porras, Sixto.
U.S.: Grupo Nelson. 2010. 236p. ISBN 978-1-60255-247-0. pap. $13.99. CHRISTIANITY/SEXUALITY

Porras, director of Enfoque a la Familia para Iberoamérica, is a conservative, evangelical Christian. His book notes that sexuality is a gift from God and that it is a convergence of the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of human existence. The book addresses young people who are beginning to date and consider sexual relationships. The author’s goal is to encourage them to abstain from sexual intercourse until they are married. He offers sex education based on conservative Christian values: heterosexual couples and abstinence until marriage. The book includes a chapter on teaching sexuality in the church and quotations from teens who are happy with Christian values, as well as some who came to religion after failed relationships. This is an appropriate choice for libraries serving communities with these values. Recommended to Christian bookstores and libraries with popular collections on religion or Christianity.—Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., CA

El diseño chapucero. Darwin, la biología y Dios.
(Sloppy Design: Darwin, Biology, and God)
Sequeiros, Leandro.
Spain: Ediciones Khaf: Luis Vives. 2009. 207p. 978-84-937-6151-6. pap. $20.95. THEOLOGY/ESSAY

Sequeiros is a professor of geology at several universities, but he is also a theologian, a member of the Society of Jesus, and the president of METANEXUS (International Institute for the Dialog Between Science and Religion) in Granada, Spain. As a man of science and of religion, he sees no conflict between the two. He wrote this essay to confront the virulent antireligious sentiment among some European scientists and to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, hoping to prove that the two can coexist and even benefit from each other. In the process, he surveys the current philosophical, theological, and scientific debates taking place in different corners of the world regarding the origin of humankind, from the more radical views, such as those held by the Flat Earth Society or fervently atheist scientists, such as the British Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion), as well as those of more conciliatory scientists and philosophers. After showing how Darwin’s Theory of Evolution created a new paradigm that crushed the Theory of Intelligent Design, starting yet a new conflict between science and religion, he presents the arguments of those who currently deny Evolution and proves their irrelevance. Sequeiros also recalls Darwin’s own internal conflict when he first published On the Origin of Species., As a young man, Darwin had admired Anglican theologian William Paley, but after concluding that species evolved and were not created by divine intervention, he became an agnostic. However, Darwin was never an atheist. The author surveys the more recent sciences and philosophies that build on and expand the Theory of Evolution—like the Human Genome Project, the Evo-Devo paradigm, and neuroscience. Sequeiros ends his essay with a call for scientists, theologians, and philosophers to work together. Recommended for academic libraries.—Ximena Diego, Brooklyn, NY

ALSO IN TRANSLATION

Malcolm X. La liberación de los negros y el camino al poder obrero.
(Malcolm X: The Liberation of Blacks and the Road to the Power of the Worker)
Barnes, Jack.
U.S.: Pathfinder Pr. 2010. 447p. ISBN 978-1-60488-024-3. pap. $20. HISTORY
Barnes, National Secretary of the U.S. Socialist Workers Party and a member since 1963, was one of the last people to interview Malcolm X before his 1965 assassination. This hefty tome contains a rich miscellany of photographs, articles, and reflections. Although the introductory essays, often presentations Barnes has made at public meetings, deal with Malcolm X, this book spans almost 100 years of labor history from the perspective of how the African American question was viewed by thinkers and leaders like Trotsky and organizations like the American Communist Party. Barnes paints a picture of African American leaders and their struggles, vision, and impact, and he includes recent reflections regarding the election of Barack Obama and how this fits into the overall perceptions of African America from within and without that community., specifically regarding rights and opportunities. Recommended for all public libraries and bookstores for its general appeal and historic content.—Catherine Rendón, Savannah, GA

El lugar entremedio.
(The Middle Place)
Corrigan, Kelly.
tr. by Martha Baranda. U.S.: Vintage español: RH. 2010. 336p. ISBN 978-0-307-47648-7. pap. $15. MEMOIR

This is Corrigan’s heart-wrenching and humorous memoir of her struggle with breast cancer. The chapters alternate between detailed descriptions of her chemo and radiation treatments and her happy childhood growing up in a large, loving Irish family. The text is well written and [brings] out the personalities and feelings of the main characters: Corrigan’s ebullient father, her worried mother, her loving husband, and her supportive brothers. Corrigan writes magazine articles and a newspaper column. Highly recommended for self-help and health collections in public libraries. [LJ 5/1/08]

La ciudad perdida de Z.
(The Lost City of Z)
Grann, David.
tr. by Nuria Salinas Villar. U.S.: Vintage español: RH. 2010. 412p. ISBN 978-0-307-47612-0. pap. $15.95. HISTORY

Grann, a staff writer at The New Yorker, gives a gripping, detailed account of the fate of English explorer Percy Fawcett. Fawcett disappeared into the jungles of Brazil in 1925 with his son and his son’s best friend. It was not the first time that Fawcett had plunged into Amazonia or confronted pestilence and natives not keen on receiving trespassers. Colonel Fawcett was a soldier, sometime spy, and expert surveyor and explorer who helped define the border between Bolivia and Brazil. But he was primarily obsessed with finding a rumored great city in the jungles of South America, which he simply called Z partly because it did not have a name and partly to throw off others who were looking for it. Grann’s experience following this mystery to England and Brazil was an adventure in its own right. He alternates chapters on Fawcett’s adventures, based on his diaries and contemporary accounts, with his own and others’ efforts to find Fawcett or at least the truth about his demise. This is a compelling and entertaining read. Recommended for all public and academic libraries. [LJ 11/01/08]

Vas a ser mama: consejos útiles para concer los secretos de tu embarazo
(You Are Going to Be a Mother: Useful Advice for Understanding the Secrets of Pregnancy)
Lewis, Marianne.
Spain: RobinBook. 2009. 249p. ISBN 978-84-9917-005-3. Pap. $17.95. HEALTH

Lewis, a psychologist specializing in childbirth preparation and postpartum issues, has written a good, basic guide for mothers-to-be. She covers ten basic subjects: what to consider before conception, nutrition and drugs during pregnancy, normal changes during pregnancy, problems that may occur, exercise, diagnostic tests, complications, birth, caring for the newborn, and postpartum issues. The tone is informal, and the information appears in lists and bullet points, with simple illustrations demonstrating the exercises. There is nothing new here, but this is a useful book on pregnancy. Although not as comprehensive as Qué puedes esperear cuando estas esperando (LibraryJournal.com, 4/15/10), it is recommended as a good addition for most consumer health and public library collections.—Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., CA

El ABC de la administración de propiedades. Todo lo que necesitas saber para maximar tu dinero ahora.
(Rich Dad’s Advisors: The ABC’s of Property Management. What You Need To Know to Maximize Your Money Now)
McElroy, Ken.
tr. by Alejandra Ramos. U.S.: Aguilar: Santillana. 2010. 217p. ISBN 978-607-11-0335-2. pap. $16.99. FINANCE

McElroy is coowner of MC Companies, a real estate investment and property management firm with properties in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Oklahoma, and Texas. He is also an industry leader in the multifamily housing market and adviser to the “Rich Dad” series. Here he provides a clear and concise overview of the opportunities and challenges in owning and managing any investment property. Whether they own one single-family house or several multifamily units, investors will find his description of the issues, responsibilities, and potential problems of owning rental property useful and practical. The eye-opening chapter describing one day in the life of a property manager is followed by a chapter on identifying a good property manager and another on the administrative and structural systems necessary to track the progress of the investment. McElroy provides samples of the basic contracts and forms needed in property management. While the subject may sound complex and intimidating, McElroy’s style makes property management a comfortable and approachable subject for any owner or investor. Highly recommended for all public libraries, business libraries, and bookstores.—Yolanda J. Cuesta, Cuesta MultiCultural Consulting, Sacramento, CA

Optimiza tu metabolismo.
(Master your Metabolism)
Michaels, Jillian.
tr. by Martha Baranda. U.S.: Vintage español: RH. 2010. 336p. ISBN 978-0-307-47651-7. pap. $14.95. HEALTH

Michaels, the strength trainer for television’s The Biggest Loser, here addresses how an imbalance in such hormones as estrogen, insulin, testosterone, cortisol, epinephrine, leptin, and others can influence weight loss. Various internal and external influences can cause hormones to over- or underproduce, causing not only weight gain but serious illness. Michaels’s plan to bring the hormones in balance emphasizes natural foods, organically grown and unprocessed. She describes which foods affect which hormones and how plastics and pollutants in our air and water and additives in many different products can also cause imbalances. She makes a good case for not using bioidentical hormones. Michaels claims that most prescription drugs should be eliminated but does recommend doing so under a doctor’s supervision. This generally responsible program is bound to be popular with the public. [Recommended for bookstores and libraries with large health collections.—Ed.] [LJ 4/1/09]

Mis años con los Yankees.
(The Yankee Years)
Torre, Joe.
tr. by Martha Baranda. U.S.: Vintage español: RH. 2010. 592p. ISBN 978-0-307-47667-8. pap. $16.95. MEMOIR

To many it must be surprising that the stoic and classy Torre, who managed the Yankees for 12 years, should decide to publish a book about his time in Gotham. Perhaps Torre’s sense of rectitude is why the book is in coauthor Verducci’s voice, describing Torre in the third person and quoting other parties almost as much as the man himself. Although there are the publicized criticisms of A-Rod, this is a sober study of the full trajectory of the Yankees under Torre and of his role in that story. It will be in demand at all public libraries. [Recommended for general collections and bookstores.—Ed.] [LJ 2/15/09]

NEW TO THE MARKET

Fiction

Tácticas contra el tedio.
(Tactics Against Tedium)
Bernal, Mauricio.
Colombia: Villegas Editores. 2008. 287p. ISBN 978-958-8293-41-7. pap. $16.95. FICTION

Santiago Buscáceres is a mediocre fortyish history history professor—the butt of his students’ jokes and pranks—who is tired of his life. He and his wife, Valeria, have three kids: an adult son who calls his father only when he needs money, a daughter who is trying to figure out her sexuality, and a baby. Every Wednesday, Santiago meets with friends at a bar to play parqués. The rest of the time he is miserable at home. The novel is divided into three parts. The first narrates the family dynamics at a very slow pace, as Santiago continuously ponders about his miserable and stagnant life. The second relates Santiago’s attempts to escape his routine. He embarks on endless travels, sometimes taking six or seven planes in a row, with no particular purpose or destination. (He is able to afford this with lottery winnings, which he hides from his family.) In the final section, the one with the most action, Santiago is back at home doing menial jobs. He strolls around town at night and commits a few well-intentioned infractions. Readers will surely experience Santiago’s tedium, as he is mostly an uninteresting character who laments his boring destiny over and over again and even fails in his attempt to escape to nowhere with his newfound fortune. After spending it all in six months, his life goes back to what it used to be. Recommended for undergraduate libraries.—Liliana Wendorff, Univ. of North Carolina at Pembroke

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