Hey, Foreign Bodies! I was sent a few extra copies of Mexican American author Noé Álvarez’s brand new memoir Spirit Run and would love to gift a copy to one of you. Our giveaways are usually exclusive to subscribers (please help me fund this!) but because this book came completely free with multiple copies I’m returning the favor and including free sign-ups this time around.
In this rave-reviewed memoir, Álvarez writes about running the 6,000-mile Peace and Dignity Journeys marathon, an Indigenous movement that takes runners through native lands in Canada, the United States, Central America and through the Mexican territory Álvarez’s parents once left behind.
"Noé Álvarez's words beat with the pulse of our hemisphere. Through them, we encounter Mexican, Indigenous, and migrant stories that are distinctly, defiantly American. Spirit Run is an anthem to the landscape that holds our identities and traumas, and its profound power to heal them." —Francisco Cantú, author of The Line Becomes a River
I can’t wait to devour this book.
Want a copy? Comment with your favorite literary character and why you love ‘em and I’ll pick a winner* by Tuesday!
*Chosen through the Random.org generator, not my preference! ;-)
Thanks for participating, Laura! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
Wow, I have not read anything but nonfiction in a LONG time, but John Singer from Carson McCullers' The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter is my pick. I feel like I've spent my entire adult life trying to model this character's compassion, and the romance of his friendship with Spiros Antonapoulos, "The Greek", broke me in a million quiet places.
Thanks for participating, Frances! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
WAIT I CHANGE MY MIND even though the giveaway is over - I URGE you to read The Book Thief. I was decimated. Liesel Meminger, the main character, is an extraordinary heroine, in the way that we all idolize young girls, but Death, the narrator, is the one that punches you in the gut—but compassionately, if you can imagine that. Send tweet.
Oooooh I need to read this! Especially considering it’s set in my state! (Also: what’s your top nonfiction rec?? I’ve been into memoirs + fiction, but enjoy some non-memoir nonfiction reads.)
I've been reading a lot of memoir as well, but a few that are blended memoir with reportage and criticism that I've recently read: I've reviewed Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong (which *ended* me, then brought me back to life), A Map Is Only One Story (Catapult anthology on immigration that is deeply interior), and The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri (read when you're ready, all I'm gonna say). Others: I also just finished Carmen Maria Machado's In the Dream House, Brandon Shimoda's The Grave on the Wall, and Paisley Rekdal's The Broken Country. I'll throw in Audre Lorde's Zami: A New Spelling of My Name because I just love it.
I LOVED IN THE DREAM HOUSE and just got my copies of MINOR FEELINGS and A MAP IS ONLY ONE STORY. Every other book just went on my to-read list :) Link your review whenever you can!
Thanks for participating, Mari! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
Jo from Little Women. I read the book first when I was a kid and then again recently because of the new movie (loved that too)! And I learned so many different things from her this time around. I love when characters age with you and teach you new things as you grow.
yes he did. daveed diggs was at my show and while I was crying at intermission he (wearing a hoodie and desperately not wanting fan interaction) was like uh u ok? and I was like yes thank you *silently screaming omg*)
Thanks for participating, Hunter! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
Thanks for participating, Hannah! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
Thanks for participating, Alex! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
Ifemelu from Americanah - a wonderful story about race and trying to fit in (or not) in different spaces. I identify with how she wrangles with racial challenges in different areas of her life and learns from them, but isn’t apologetic about her own background, something I haven’t always excelled at.
Thanks for participating, Neha! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
Nayeli from Into the Beautiful North by Urrea!!! I love that book and she was such a badass. have u read it? don't want to give away spoilers:)
I have not! I've never actually read Urrea at all. But The Devil's Highway is finally on my bookshelf :)
You will love it.
Thanks for participating, Laura! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
Wow, I have not read anything but nonfiction in a LONG time, but John Singer from Carson McCullers' The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter is my pick. I feel like I've spent my entire adult life trying to model this character's compassion, and the romance of his friendship with Spiros Antonapoulos, "The Greek", broke me in a million quiet places.
Thanks for participating, Frances! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
WAIT I CHANGE MY MIND even though the giveaway is over - I URGE you to read The Book Thief. I was decimated. Liesel Meminger, the main character, is an extraordinary heroine, in the way that we all idolize young girls, but Death, the narrator, is the one that punches you in the gut—but compassionately, if you can imagine that. Send tweet.
Oooooh I need to read this! Especially considering it’s set in my state! (Also: what’s your top nonfiction rec?? I’ve been into memoirs + fiction, but enjoy some non-memoir nonfiction reads.)
I've been reading a lot of memoir as well, but a few that are blended memoir with reportage and criticism that I've recently read: I've reviewed Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong (which *ended* me, then brought me back to life), A Map Is Only One Story (Catapult anthology on immigration that is deeply interior), and The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri (read when you're ready, all I'm gonna say). Others: I also just finished Carmen Maria Machado's In the Dream House, Brandon Shimoda's The Grave on the Wall, and Paisley Rekdal's The Broken Country. I'll throw in Audre Lorde's Zami: A New Spelling of My Name because I just love it.
I LOVED IN THE DREAM HOUSE and just got my copies of MINOR FEELINGS and A MAP IS ONLY ONE STORY. Every other book just went on my to-read list :) Link your review whenever you can!
Actually this is an interview of Map: https://electricliterature.com/there-is-no-singular-immigrant-experience/
And Minor Feelings one will also be once I'm done with it! Comin' atcha... eventually!
yay! I loved the maps intvw; included in this week's roundup!
You're the best!! <3
LOL, I'm reading Minor Feelings AND A Map Is Only One Story right now!! Great minds... <3
lololol we've already talked about MF but my copy of AMIOOS is here Monday hehehe
is it too much of a cliche to say hermione? XD
Thanks for participating, Mari! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
ABSOLUTELY NOT
Jo from Little Women. I read the book first when I was a kid and then again recently because of the new movie (loved that too)! And I learned so many different things from her this time around. I love when characters age with you and teach you new things as you grow.
CONGRATS ANERIIIIIIII you’re the winner ♥️♥️ Will email you with more info later today.
YAYYY! I've been entering all of these. So excited to win! Can't wait to read this!
My mom would pick Jo, too. I loved her and loved Saoirse for the role ♥️
Gotta go with my boy Atticus...shaped a lot of my life. Recently saw Sorkin's play and bawled like a baby. gonna make him my bio pic lol
I BAWLED LIKE A BABY TOO it was so so so good
and I love the bio pic ♥️
Jeff Daniels killed it.
yes he did. daveed diggs was at my show and while I was crying at intermission he (wearing a hoodie and desperately not wanting fan interaction) was like uh u ok? and I was like yes thank you *silently screaming omg*)
Thanks for participating, Hunter! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
I love Ramona Quimby! Her unabashed enthusiasm for life and her unbridled expression of her feelings is a delight.
Thanks for participating, Hannah! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
Ramona Quimby foreva and eva.
Oscar Wao. My favorite nerdy hopeless romantic.
Thanks for participating, Alex! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
The most hopeless of hopeless romantics.
Ifemelu from Americanah - a wonderful story about race and trying to fit in (or not) in different spaces. I identify with how she wrangles with racial challenges in different areas of her life and learns from them, but isn’t apologetic about her own background, something I haven’t always excelled at.
Thanks for participating, Neha! Unfortunately, you didn't win this one but I'll put your name down for a double entry in the next subscriber giveaway launching on March 18 :)
Yes yes yes. Ugh, I think I might reread Americanah now. <3 (miss uuuu)