Welcome to Litsy!

Peruvian born author, Mexican/American story. Isabel & Martin marry on Day of the Dead. On their wedding day, Martin‘s father, Omar, visits from the dead and continues to visit each year. The chapters alternate between present time and 1980‘s with Omar & Edna‘s border crossing and starting their life in Texas. Full of family dynamics, hardships, and secrets. Peruvian dinner includes 1/4 chicken, potatoes and fried plantains. #FoodandLit

Isn‘t this a beautiful cover?? #migrates #MayCharacters

Wonderful story!!

An immigration novel without the sensationalism. It‘s an introspective narrative of sacrifice, secrets, and familial bonds.

Powerful story about illegal immigrants living in south Texas, mostly from the perspective of the dead husband-father-grandfather who shows up once a year on the Day of the Dead. The descriptions of life in 1980‘s Texas are 100% accurate, and I felt like I know exactly where she‘s describing places in McAllen even though I‘ve been there a handful of times. That accuracy makes her depiction of the characters‘ life and fear frighteningly real. ⬇️

So exquisitely lovely and sad and moving and important. I relished every word. So happy that Natalia will be coming to the Unbound Book Festival in April!

Loving this so far. About half-way through.

Moving, harrowing, and timely story about a Mexican-American family living in a Texas border town. I especially liked how she portrayed the quiet moments between couples, siblings, parents, friends. Selected by the Reading Women #podcast as a finalist for best fiction of 2018. Here‘s the interview. https://www.readingwomenpodcast.com/blog/interview-with-natalia-sylvester

More #diverse reads in the comments.
#Booked2019 #anewchapter

1. My coworkers seem to think I read minds and don‘t keep me in the loop on anything, so I‘d like to try teleportation for a while.
2. Current read tagged.
3. Get sh*t done.
4. Not Netflix, but I‘ve been watching CB Strike on demand.
5. I‘m on it!
#friyayintro

This book has not been publicized nearly enough! A couple living in a border town in South Texas gets married on The Day of the Dead and encounters the groom‘s dead father‘s spirit on their wedding day and subsequent anniversaries. Chapters alternate between the present and the 1980s, when the groom‘s family experienced a harrowing journey while crossing the border from Mexico. A beautifully written, moving reflection on immigration and love.

Sunday morning vibes. Good book ✔️ doggie snuggles ✔️ coffee ✔️ all things that contribute to a good morning. Hoping all of you are enjoying some quality weekend reading time.

Someone is bored and would rather be going on a walk. #sorrycharlie I'm reading.

Started this one last night. Read about 20 pages before I feel asleep. It's my in-person book club's pick for October! Also one that was already in my Kindle so fits for #readwhatyouown. I'm really enjoying it so far. Closing in on 5 hours for #24B4Monday which doesn't seem like very much so far. 🤔 Trying to get another hour or in before I go see a movie with my husband.

Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for the book, @catiewithac ! I‘m thrilled that you chose this one for a few reasons - 1) the author is a friend of mine 2) I‘ve taken workshops with her and 3) she is a local, Austin writer. I‘m over the moon!! #justabookswap

I'll probably think about this one for a while, but it didn't wow me as much as I had hoped. I loved the dual timelines and the stories of families crossing the border and the struggles they face. I never felt really connected with Isabel and Martin and I wasn't really a fan of Isabel's internal (and occasionally external) snarkiness with her former BFF now SIL, Claudia.

This novel explores illegal immigration (pre-Reagan and now), danger, fear, love, family, opportunity, and more. It has a little too much magical realism for my taste, but it is done well and isn‘t really necessary for the story to come together (though it does give a cultural taste). This book reminds me of the movie Coco in several ways—but I won‘t spoil it by explaining. #texaslit #immigration #magicalrealism

“It seemed useless to pray. Who protects the invisible?”

Half way through this, and loving it 🤘🏼