Um, I think I’m getting addicted to joining reading challenges. Is this a common problem? Should I seek help? 😉
Anyway, yes, I’m joining another challenge: the Mexico 2010 reading challenge! I really enjoy reading Latin American literature, and as a Mexican-American myself, I almost felt like I HAD to do this one. (I mean, I rarely reread books, but I’ve read Open Veins of Latin America three times now.) I could definitely be reading more Mexican literature than I am. And you could too! 😉 If you’re interested in joining yourself, it’s hosted here by Sylvia of Classical Bookworm.
According to Sylvia,
In honour of the tricolor, the flag of Mexico, the challenge is to read three books of Mexican literature, history, or art.
Anyway, exciting! My potential reading list (suggestions welcome!):
Mexico: Biography of Power, by Enrique Krauze: I already own this, and got about 1/3 of the way through it before I was distracted and didn’t finish –which doesn’t mean it was boring or I didn’t like it. It’s pretty fantastic and extremely comprehensive. If anything, it was just too heavy to carry in my bag on the subway!
The Death of Artemio Cruz, by Carlos Fuentes: A fictional account of the rise of a Mexican man during and after the Mexican Revolution, representing the paradoxes of modern Mexico itself.
Basta! Land and the Zapatista Rebellion in Chiapas, by George A. Collier & Elizabeth Lowery Quaratiello: A non-fiction history of the Zapatista rebellion and the continuing land disputes in the Mexican state of Chiapas.
The Hummingbird’s Daughter, by Luis Alberto Urrea: According to Publishers Weekly, “The book is wildly romantic, sweeping in its effect, employing the techniques of Catholic hagiography, Western fairy tale, Indian legend and everyday family folklore against the gritty historical realities of war, poverty, prejudice, lawlessness, torture and genocide. Urrea effortlessly links Teresita’s supernatural calling to the turmoil of the times, concealing substantial intellectual content behind effervescent storytelling and considerable humor.”
Daughters of Juarez, by Teresa Rodriguez: A journalist’s account of the mysterious murders that have been occuring in Juarez, Mexico, since 1995, and have resulted in more than 300 women’s deaths. This was my Friday Find a few weeks ago.
Endangered Mexico, by Joel Simon: A broad appraisal of the many and myriad environmental problems of Mexico, which is the third most biodiverse country in the world, yet has difficulty protecting its natural resources.
The Log From the Sea of Cortez, by John Steinbeck: Gotta love Steinbeck! A combination of “science, philosophy and high-spirited adventure,” this book is his account of exploring the Gulf of California with his marine biologist friend.
If you have suggestions, please leave them in the comments! And as always, I’m keeping track of my reading challenge progress on the Challenges page.
bookwanderer 
I read The Hummingbird’s Daughter and LOVED it! I’m doing this challenge too & we have a couple overlaps. 🙂 I have Here’s to You, Jesusa! out from the library right now as my first book for the challenge.
I found The Hummingbird’s Daughter on your blog, actually 🙂 It sounds really good and I’m hoping I can find it at my library! I haven’t heard of Here’s to You, Jesusa!, but I’ll look forward to your review!
I know what you mean about reading challenges being addictive. This one looks interesting, I don’t think I’ve ever read any Mexican literature. But I have been thinking about joining the China challenge as well (I have 4 books on my shelves related to China that I’m still waiting to read). I think I’m going to drive myself crazy with all the reading I want to do this year.
Good luck on your challenge!
The Hummingbird’s Daughter sounds really interesting.
Haha, thanks!
Also, I just saw your post about the China challenge! It certainly sounds interesting. The last book about China that I read was Iron & Silk, written by a Western martial artist who travels there. It was much better than I was expecting it to be!
Hi! That’s a great list. The Hummingbird’s Daughter looks really interesting. Endangered Mexico sounds good too, especially since it’s also the International Year of Biodiversity. I look forward to reading your thoughts on these books.
Hi Sylvia! Thanks for stopping by. I already own Endangered Mexico, so I think that will definitely be one that I read. I’m looking forward to participating and reading everyone else’s reviews too!
Yes, reading challenges are definitely addictive! But in a good way. 😀
Haha, well, I blame you for getting me into them! Your challenge was the first I ever signed up for. 🙂 And actually, I’m working on completing it right now with Forever, by Pete Hamill.