In the Shadow of the Volcano -
One family's Baja adventure
- By Michael Humfreville
- Sunbelt Publications, San Diego, California. 2006
In my humble O:
If you're looking for a different kind of read pick up a copy of In the Shadow of the Volcano.
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Agave Marias - Border Crossers, Boundary Breakers
- By Lake Chapala Women Writers
- 2005
In my humble O:
A most enjoyable and appetizing smorgasbord of literary snacks.
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A visit to Don Otavio:
A Traveller's Tale from Mexico
- By Sybille Bedford
- Counterpoint, 2003
In my humble O:
It's an interesting read. And as you can see, it's a very quotable book. I don't know if it quite lives up to all that lavish praise from the reviewers of fifty years ago but obviously a lot of readers believe it's worth keeping in circulation.
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Tequila, Lemon, and Salt:
From Baja - tales of
love, faith - and magic
- By Daniel Reveles
- Sunbelt Publications,
San Diego, 2005
In my humble O:
Good one.
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Accidental Paintings - Photographs by Carol Stein
- Robin Hill Studios, Norfolk, Connecticut, 2005
In my humble O:
A must for photographers engaged in an artistic quest, important to all visual artists, and a provocative visual experience for all to enjoy.
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Queen of the South
- By Arturo Pérez Reverte
- Penguin paperback, 2005
In my humble O:
Disappointing.
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The Guaymas Chronicles -
La Mandadera
- By David E. Stuart
- University of New Mexico Press, 2003
In my humble O:
Give it a go. I think you'll like it.
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The Devil's Highway - A True Story
- By Luis Alberto Urrea
- Back Bay Books, 2004
In my humble O:
Luis Alberto Urrea is to be congratulated on a fine achievement in researching and writing this book. If the topic holds any interest for you this is the one to read.
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The Salvation of La Purísima
- By T. M. Spooner
- Floricanto Press, 2003
In my humble O:
Good one! A really enjoyable read. I look forward to seeing more from Señor Spooner.
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Mexico - A Traveller's Literary Companion
- By C. M. Mayo
Whereabouts Press, 2006
In my humble O:
Good one! Ms. Mayo mentions in her introduction that she solicited hundreds of writers, translators and professors for samples that might be included and she considers herself amply rewarded. It sounds as though there are lots more items that might find their way into subsequent volumes to accompany this one.
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Tears from the Crown of Thorns
- By Charlotte Bell
http://www.charlottebell.com 2005
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Mexico Magic
- By Dru Pearson
- Published by Escape Artist Magazine
In my humble O:
A good primer for anyone interested in moving here. A pleasant nostalgia trip for those of us who have long since made the adjustment.
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Murder in La Paz
and
Death Mask of the Jaguar
- By Murdoch Hughes
- Hard Shell Word Factory, 2004
In my humble O:
In my humble O:
If you're headed for the beach, make sure you include one or both of these thrillers. I think you'll enjoy them. The good news is Murdoch Hughes tells me he has the third Rick Gage novel well underway.
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Speaking Spanish Like a Native
- By Brad Kim
and Erika Dominguez BR>
- Golden Zone Publications, 2005
In my humble O: Pruébelo - puede que le guste.
(Read it - you might like it.)
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Opening Mexico,
The Making of a Democracy
- By Julia Preston
and Samuel Dillon
Oceano de Mexico, 2004
In my humble O:
This one belongs on the permanent shelf.
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Zorro, A Novel
By Isabel Allende
HarperCollins, 2005
Hardcover
In my humble O:
I'll leave you to make up your own minds on this one.
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The Insider's Guide
Mexico's Lake Chapala & Ajijic -
Includes Jocotepec
- By Teresa A. Kendrick
Expanded second edition. June 2005
In my humble O:
Teresa Kendrick and her cohorts should take a huge bow for what they have created here. I hope their Guide makes it to many of the area's bookshelves. It fully deserves to be a local bestseller.
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Only Once in a Lifetime
By Alejandro Grattan
We Publish.com.
2002
Paperback
In my humble O:
As you can see, I have mixed feelings on this one.
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The Cooking School at Z
A novel of romance and food in Mexico
- By David Kennedy
- Paperback. 2005
In my humble O:
A completely satisfying and thoroughly appetizing read.. 
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Nothing to Declare
By Mary Morris
Penguin Travel Library. Paperback. 1987
In my humble O:
Each reader will have to make up his or her own mind on Nothing to Declare.
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Las Cucarachas' Tails
- Jerry Hesser
- Xlibris Corporation, 2004
In my humble O:
Good one! We should all live such full and happy and interesting lives.
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San Miguel and the War of Independence
By Mamie Spiegel
2005
In my humble O:
Ms. Spiegel mentions in her intro that she couldn't find any serious books about the area when she first went there to live. So she decided to write the book she would like to have found. And here it is.
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A Mexican Odyssey
Escape to Paradise.
- By William Reed
with Sylvia Garces de Reed
Garces Press, Puerto Vallarta, 2004
In my humble O:
Good one! We should all live such full and happy and interesting lives.
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Breaking Even
By Alejandro Grattan-Dominguez
In my humble O:
Good one. I enjoyed the other Grattan-Dominguez novel, "The Dark Side of the Dream" (reviewed here July 2001). And I find "Breaking Even" just as enjoyable.
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Treasures in Heaven - A Novel.
- by
By Kathleen Alcalá
Northwestern University Press. 2003.
In my humble O:
Now I'll go and look for those other two books that make up the trilogy.
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The Best of San Miguel de Allende 2005
By Joseph Harmes
In my humble O:
This one's a winner. And it comes with its own Spanish version, too. If you have any thought of visiting San Miguel sometime in the near future, you'd be crazy if you didn't pick up a copy before you leave home.
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Where the Sky is Born:
Living in the Land of the Maya
- by Jeanine Lee Kitchel
Enchanted Island Press, Hawaii, 2004.
In my humble O:
Look for it. I think you'll like it.
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Dancing Alone in Mexico.
From the Border to Baja and Beyond
- By Ron Butler.
In my humble O:
Treat yourself to a damned good 'armchair' journey through an endlessly interesting country....
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The New Oxford Spanish Picture Dictionary
- E.C.Parnwell
Oxford University Press. 1989. Paperback, large format.
In my humble O:
If you're interested in boosting your Spanish vocabulary here's a very valuable and entertaining tool to have at your disposal.
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Bilimbique: A Story from Mexico.
- By Peggy Brown Balderrama.
Athena Press, London. 2003
In my humble O:
A nice refreshing literary brew. As English as a cup of Catherine's tea.
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Copper Canyon - Chihuahua, Mexico
- Copper Canyon - Chihuahua, Mexico
by Richard D. Fisher
Sunracer Publications, 2003
In my humble O:
If you are planning a trip to the Copper Canyon, by all means make sure you get a copy of this book. I got mine at one of the train stops en route, as did all the other people in our group. The young man who was selling them made quite a killing that morning.
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Retire in Mexico: Live Better For Less
- By Dru Pearson
2003.
In my humble O:
A real winner! Five stars!
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Sliced Iguana - Travels in Unknown Mexico
- By Isabella Tree
Hamish Hamilton, London, 2001
In my humble O:
Highly recommended.
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Days of Obligation. An Argument with my Mexican Father
- By Richard Rodriguez
A Penguin Book. 1992.
In my humble O:
I really admired this one. I think I'll put it on the permanent shelf.
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Head for Mexico:
The Renegade Guide
- By Don Adams
Trafford Publishing Company, 2003.
In my humble O:
If you have thoughts of coming this way for a look-see, don't leave home without a copy.
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Mexifornia - A State of Becoming.
- By Victor Davis
Encounter Books, San Francisco, 2003.
- In my humble O:
It's a wonderful book for provoking some good heated discussions. |
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The Mexico Architecture books of Karen Witynski and Joe P. Carr
Gibbs Smith, Publisher, 1997 to 2003.
In my humble O:
It must be obvious that I'm extremely impressed with all of these volumes. And I realize that you're not going to rush out and invest in six large format coffee table books. But at least look in a bookstore or two and try to check them out. They're well worth your time.
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Caramelo
- By Sandra Cisneros
Alfred A. Knopf. 2002.
- In my humble O:
You'll have to make up your own mind on this one. |
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Gringos
- By Charles Portis
2000
- In my humble O:
if you're browsing through Mexico Connect to find out about this country and its people, Gringos isn't going to help you.  |
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Oaxaca Journal
- By Oliver Sacks
National Geographic Directions. 2002.
In my humble O:
If you enjoy a good travel book it's well worth looking for this one. You don't have to be a fern fancier.
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True Tales From Another Mexico
The Lynch Mob, the Popsicle Kings, Chalino and the Bronx
- By Sam Quinones
2001
- In my humble O: Sam Quinones, writes for U.S. publications and has covered Mexico since 1994. He really lives up to the promise in his title of giving us "Another Mexico". Get yourself a copy.
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The Power and the Glory
- By Graham Greene
1940
In my humble O: I think this one hinges on whether or not you're a believer to start off with.
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Mexican Folk Art. From Oaxacan Artist Families.
- By Arden Aibel Rothstein and Anya Leah Rothstein
- In my humble O: Good one! Now, let me see….my birthday is coming up soon and I really like those whimsical woodcarvings of various animals. I wonder if they take Visa….?
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Four Wings and a Prayer.
Caught in the mystery of the Monarch Butterfly
- By Sue Halpern
2002
In my humble O: Sue Halpern has written a valuable and entertaining volume. As well as being an authoritative and first rate account of a fascinating subject, it's a damn good travel book and personal memoir.
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Border Crossings
- By David L. Fleming
- In my humble O: If you appreciate good straightahead storytelling give this one a try.
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Moon Handbooks - Guadalajara
- By Bruce Whipperman
2002
- In my humble O: I think it's obvious that I liked this one. Need I say that it now has a place on the permanent shelf.
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Escape to Mexico - An anthology of great fiction.
- Edited by Sara Nicklés
- In my humble O: An interesting collection of looks at an interesting character - Mexico itself.
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Strange Pilgrims: Twelve Stories
- By Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Penguin Paperback, 1994
- In my humble O: Not very memorable. In fairness, however . . .
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Yesterday's Train - A Rail Odyssey Through Mexican History.
- By Terry Pindell, with Lourdes Ramírez Mallis
- In my humble O: Good one! I must start looking now for a copy of Pindell's other book about my other country: "Last Train to Toronto."
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México Mágico
Everything You Wanted to know about Mexico… but nobody told you.
- By German Estrada Navarro
Asociación Mexicana de Estandares para el Comercio Electronico
- In my humble O: If you're contemplating coming here, for good or for an extended visit, include a copy of México Mágico in your survival kit.
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D.H.Lawrence would be amused
-
This month's column is a little bit different as I'm not reviewing one particular book on or about Mexico. Rather, I'd like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to some local writers here in the Guadalajara/Lake Chapala area.
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Travel Advisory - Stories of Mexico
- By David Lida
William Morrow & Co. 2001
- In my humble O: I'll be interested in David Lida's future offerings. The book jacket states he's working on a novel and a memoir. I look forward to reading them.
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Mexicasa - The Enchanting Inns and Haciendas of Mexico
- Photos by Melba Levick
Text by Gina Hyams
Dec. 2001
- In my humble O: If you have any interest in Mexico (and after all, you are reading Mexico Connect) go and treat yourself and your coffee table to a copy of Mexicasa.
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South of Yesterday
A True Story
- By Virginia Downs Miller
We-publish.com 2001
- In my humble O: A damned good story. Well worth your time.
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Mexican Mornings - Essays South of the Border
- By Michael Hogan
2001
- In my humble O: Good one! Mexican Mornings will go on my permanent shelf.
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Western Mexico: A Traveller’s Treasury
- Tony Burton
2001
- In my humble O: It’s a volume that just makes you want to git up and go. Now then - where on earth did I leave those car keys….?
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Mexico Way
- Robert Moss
1991
- In my humble O: A not too thrilling thriller.
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Village In The Sun
- Dane Chandos
1945
- In my humble O: A mildly interesting story for today's readers.
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A House Far South In Mexico
- By Elaine Dandh
2000
- In my humble O:All in all it's a useful addition to the growing library of books about coming to Mexico to live.
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House In The Sun
- Dane Chandos
1949
- In my humble O: Good one! Now I'll have to find myself a copy of "Village in the Sun."
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The Dark Side of the Dream
- Alejandro Grattan-Dominguez
1995
- In my humble O: A highly rewarding read. Go find a copy.
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Midlife Mavericks
- Women reinventing their lives in Mexico
- By Karen Blue
2000
- In my humble O: It's an extremely useful volume for anyone contemplating moving here.
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In a Village Far From Home
My Life Among the Cora Indians of the Sierra Madre
- By Catherine Palmer Finerty
University of Arizona Press Paperback, 2000
- In my humble O: Good one! Buy a copy. Then pass it on to a friend.
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The Old Gringo
- By Carlos Fuentes
Translated by Margaret Sayers Peden
1985
- In my humble O: I wasn't impressed.
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MEXICO: A HIGHER VISION
An aerial journey from past to present
- Photography by Michael Calderwood
Introduction by Carlos Fuentes
Alti Publishing, 1996
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In my humble O: This is a book to keep and treasure for images that you can look at and enjoy again and again.
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The Underdogs (Los de Abajo)
A novel of the Mexican Revolution
- By Mariano Azuela
1996
- The Underdogs is a very cynical, pessimistic, despairing kind of novel.
But if you're at all interested in Mexican history it's a powerful and essential read.
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The Mexican Day of the Dead: An Anthology
- By Chloe Sayer
1993
- If the subject is of any interest to you, this is one item you should have on your shelves.
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Approaching The Cosmos… Hotel.
Travelling the World with a Gay Sensibility
- By Robert Champ
2000
- A debate between the reviewer and the author on aspects of this interesting book.
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Wild Steps of Heaven
- By Victor Villaseñor
1996
- I liked it - after all, it's a well told, action-packed story - but not as much as "Rain of Gold."
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Like Water For Chocolate
A novel in monthly installments, with recipes, romances and home remedies
- Laura Esquivel
1989
- Tasty, saucy, spicy, delicious, piquant, hearty. If you're looking for an appetizing read, here it is.
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There's a Word for It in Mexico
The complete guide to Mexican Thought and Culture
- Marilyn P. Davis, Henry Holt
1990
- Here's a nifty idea for a book for both Spanish language students and for people interested in Mexico.
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Rain Of Gold
- Victor Villaseñor
1991
- An entertaining Mexican family saga about a group of people you ultimately end up caring about.
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Mexico's Lake Chapala and Ajijic
- The Insider's Guide to the Northshore for International Travellers
- Teresa A. Kendrick - Mexico Travellers Information
2000
- No Lake Chapala resident or area researcher/traveler should be without a copy.
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Mexican Voices/American Dreams
An oral history of Mexican immigration to the United States
- Marilyn P. Davis, Henry Holt
1990
- Go to your computer right now and order a copy. This one's a winner.
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On Mexican Time
- Tony Cohan - Broadway Books
1999
- If you have any interest at all in Mexico, this is one you must read!
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Live Well in Mexico
- How to relocate, retire and increase your standard of living
- Ken Luboff, John Muir Publications
1999
- If you’re contemplating coming here someday, consider this an essential item for your travel kit.
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Puerto Vallarta Squeeze
- - Robert James Waller
1995
- A pretty good page-turner. Waller is quite an elegant writer, even for a story such as this. You won't learn an awful lot about Mexico but it's a fun read.
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Mexico Travelers' Tales
- James O'Reilly and Larry Habegger
1994
- A winner! Definitely one for the permanent shelf.
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Consider This, Señora
- - Harriet Doerr
1993
- In my humble O: Ms Doerr still lacks conviction and authenticity.
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Atticus
- A Novel by Ron Hansen
1996
- Different strokes for different folks. You might be like Amy and want to hug it. I’ll be content just to forget it.
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