Las Ocurrencias de Farah

Hola, mi nombre es Farah, soy una miembra  del personal de la librería La Casa Azul.  En La Casa Azul me encargo de las operaciones de la librería.  Eso incluye ayudar a servir el cliente, clasificar libros, y ayudar con transacciones. Además de mis responsabilidades cotidianas es mi privilegio tener la oportunidad de escribir una columna sobre los eventos de la librería. Por lo tanto, cada semana voy a estar entrevistando al personal, autores y artistas en La Casa Azul Bookstore.
  

Primeramente, déjenme contarles un poco sobre mí. Mi libro favorito es: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, por Junot Díaz. La forma que escribe Díaz es refrescante, porque  cambiar de lenguajes (de ingles a español) con familiaridad y espera que el lector sepa comprenderlo. También me relaciono con el personaje de Oscar y su amor con la ciencia ficción. Por cierto, decidí trabajar en la Casa Azul Bookstore porque me encantan los libros y estar en una librería que se especializa en autores Latino Americanos es fabuloso.

Esta semana, mientras estábamos charlando en la librería, se me ocurrió una idea. ¿Por qué no hacerle unas cuantas preguntas a estas grandes chicas que forman parte del personal? Así podemos conocer un poco más sobre ellas.

Denise es otra miembra del personal, ella se especializa en la función del club de libros que tenemos en La Casa Azul. Ella me comento que  su libro favorito es  La Casa de los Espíritus por Isabel Allende.  La novela tiene un personaje femenino fuerte que la inspira mucho. Esta historia tiene temas de política, genero, sexualidad, y el pasado. Temas que son muy poderos y ayudan a reflexionar.

Le pregunte a  Denise: ¿Cuál es tu lugar favorito en la ciudad de New York? Resulta que como Denise originalmente no es de New York,  le impresiono mucho la entrada del museo de Brooklyn, por su fantástica  fuente. La fuente es un lugar especial porque siempre esta rodeada de niños, y eso le recuerda a su casa y familia.

Por ultimo, quise saber por que Denise se unió a La Casa Azul Bookstore. Para ella, la visión que representa la librería es hermosa. A Denise le fascina los lugares que reúnen a las personas con ideas similares. Estar apoyando a escritores Latino Americanos era algo que ella no se podía perder. Tener contacto con grandes obras de literatura es emocionante para ella.

Por igual, Yajaira, otra miembra del personal, como yo, también se especializa en las operaciones de la librería.  Me comento que unos de sus libros favoritos es la famosa saga de Crepúsculo por Stephanie Meyer.  A Yajaira también le impacto leer Esperanza Rising por  Pam  Ryan Muñoz y The Woman I Kept to Myself por Julia Álvarez. Estos libros la iluminan a seguir escribiendo, y luchar por sus sueños.

Al preguntarle cual es su lugar favorito, su sonrisa lo dijo todo. Cualquier sitio que este rodeado de agua le fascina. Sea el rio, la playa ó algo similar. 

También le pregunte: ¿Por qué se unió a la Caza Azul Bookstore? Me explico que le fascinan los libros. Le gusta la idea de ayudar a la comunidad hispana. Pero lo más impresionante es que Aurora es un modelo y una gran inspiración para ella. Algún día Yajaira también quiere tener un negocio propio, y ver como se maneja una librería es un gran paso para su sueño.

Como podemos ver, Denise y Yajaira tienen mucho en común.

Ahora, mis queridos lectores, así como Denise y  Yajaira han encontrado su 

trabajo ideal, me gustaría saber: ¿Cuál es tu trabajo ideal?

Hasta pronto!

Farah

Diego's Review of "How Tia Lola Came to Visit"

This past weekend I met Diego and his mom on their first visit to La Casa Azul Bookstore. I recommended "How Tia Lola Came to Visit" by Julia Alvarez - and less than a week later, here is Diego's review. 

I think Diego has a career as a writer, don't you agree?

Diego's Review of "How Tia Lola Came to Visit"
Rising 1st grader, 6 years old.

What was the book about?
This book is about how Tia Lola comes from the Dominican Republic to Vermont to stay with Miguel and Juanita. At first, it was just a visit but then she stayed longer than she was suppose to and that was a problem because she stays longer than 29 days. At first Miguel isn’t happy that she is there but then he begins to like her. Tia Lola becomes a part of the family and a very different community in Vermont.
 

What was your favorite part of the story? Why did you like it?
My favorite part of the story is when she tells a story about a group of people who wandered the world looking for the best place to live, they all end up on an island and then the island complains and the elements drive them away. It’s a story about how people are always looking for a better place to live instead of being happy were they are.

Who is/are the main characters? Tell us something about them. What happens to them in the story?
Tia Lola-She tells him really good stories and makes lots of good foods. She is a Santera and she is mysteriously magical.

Miguel-He’s a Dominican boy who is dealing with his parents divorce. He is the oldest. He likes his papi just like me!

Juanita-She’s the little sister. She tries to be a know-it-all.

The Mother-She’s a psychiatrist, she works as a counselor and she just moved her family to Vermont (except for the father, they got a divorce and he staid in New York).

 

What sort of book was it? Was it a picture book, a chapter book, a fantasy book, a nonfiction book for sport fans?
A chapter book

If there are illustrations, how did they help tell the story?
No illustrations.

Did you like the book?  

Yes

Why or why not? 

I thought it was fun reading the stories and it was really entertaining.

What was good about it? 

The characters were interesting, the beginning was a little boring but it became more interesting as you read on.

Did any parts make you laugh? Which ones?  

Juanita made me laugh because she was just like her mother. Also, there is a part when Tia Lola’s mole ends up on the other check because she draws it on. I thought that was funny.

Did you feel as if you were looking through the main character's eyes?
Yes.

What sort of people would like this book?
Dominican People, Latinos, Mixed-people, People from all lands would like this book.

WANTED: Bookstore ambassadors

La Casa Azul Bookstore is seeking volunteers to assist with our events and other store activities. Volunteers will be given the opportunity to work with a lively, creative team and meet a wide variety of visiting authors and guests.

Volunteers will have the unique opportunity to have direct contact with the general public while affecting change, excitement, and lasting memories in their community! Qualifications include strong communication skills, an outgoing personality, and an infectious passion for the written word.

Volunteer schedule:

4-8 hours a week, shifts are 12pm – 4pm or 4pm – 8pm 

6 month – 1 year commitment preferred

2 hour volunteer training required

Our need for bookstore volunteers is based on the on-site/off-site event schedule.

 

If you are interested in being a volunteer - assisting with events or other activities, please submit the following information:

1.      Cover letter that includes any special skills that might be helpful     (event planning experience, photographer, storyteller, actor)

2.      Resume

3.      Answer to question: Why are you interested in volunteering at La Casa Azul? Bookstore (1 page max, separate from cover letter)

4.      Schedule information (days/hours available from Tuesday – Sunday between the hours of 10am – 2pm, and 4-8pm)

Though we are never at a loss for something to read, we can't wait to read your application!

Email: lucha.libros[at]gmail.com

Subject line: Bookstore ambassador (+ your name)

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not contact the store to enquire about selection.