Hello, all. I'm Tara, an Advocate general assignment reporter.

When I'm not writing for the newspaper, I love relaxing by the pool or in my big, comfy chair with a good read. I'd love to meet other bibliophiles, who like me, search for the next thrilling, emotion-stirring novel one moment, but can grab the cheesy, easy-reading best seller the next.

Since we're still in Hispanic Heritage Month, let's talk about some Mexican American books and authors.

Lorraine López in Soy la Avon Lady and Other Stories introduces us to amusing characters who define themselves and culture in their own ways. American and Mexican cultures sometimes blend, sometimes clash in these stories. By the end, readers wonder what it means to be Mexican American.

Is there any way of defining it? Do you need to speak Spanish to be Mexican American?

A passage from Soy la Avon Lady, page 91:
   
“¿Quién es?” she calls out. “Who are joo?”

A hurricane of words seems to funnel into that tiny fenced yard, whirling and teasing about my head. They were in all languages, and I felt as if I knew them, each one. I can reach out and grab an armful and the Chinese, the Hindustani, the Dutch, the Swahili and the French will be mine and mine forever. If I wait and if I’m quiet, the Spanish will come, too. Then I can speak the language everyone says I know. I know if I wait and I’m quiet, the Spanish will come back to me.

The old woman has asked a very good question, and we both deserve an answer

--Lorraine López, 2002

Read a review on the novel: http://www.thenation.com/do...

López speaks about the novel in Q & A:
http://www.curbstone.org/ai...

Thanks to Professor Domino Perez for introducing me to the novel.