Books to Enjoy by Tucson-area Writers

“Border women and the community of
In the tradition of scholarship that foregrounds the voices and experience of women activists, this scholarly ethnography examines a Mexican autonomous community through interviews with ten of its women. The community,
An associate professor at UA in Mexican American Studies, Téllez writes about transnational community formations, Chicana feminism, and gendered migration. She came to the study of the Autonomous Communities through her involvement in the Zapatista movement in 2002.
—
“COVID-29: In search of a newer world”
A bonus to writing fiction is that you can recast the world to your liking.
After a deadly virus wiped out nearly the entire human race in a week in
As the survivors face food, water, and fuel shortages and encounter rampaging militia types, Carroll reminds us how irresponsible humans have been in their stewardship of Earth and its people.
(And there will be no spoilers here on what Ross is up to with Biden, Harris and Trump.)
—
“How to Feed a Horse” by
As they tell in a
Dewey’s fine collection, “How to Feed a Horse,” is notable for its clear and precise descriptions of animals, birds, and plants in an increasingly parched West; the relationship between poet and landscape; the nature of the words: “…She will dream of more water in the dry springs”, reads “Saint John’s Day”, “and in the saguaros which / bloomed this year in the fever / As if no rain was falling anytime soon / like it was the very last bloom.
Great Gifts “Gone to Earth: Early and Uncollected Poems 1963-1975”
His powerful “What have myths got to do with the price of fish?”, defends – to a condescending poet – his use of mythology: olive, an old / intimate part begins to stir, … / – for a moment, / long as centuries or as the time that only stones / remember – none of this was to happen: / “…[missiles, the split atom,
—
“Radioland” by Me Elzey (
‘I swear, Harry,’ says Holocaust survivor
A free press, corrupt broadcasting, corporate greed, rabid defense of the Second Amendment, politics and contemporary white supremacists are all elements of this engaging and timely novel by writer Marana Me Elzey.
At issue is the influence of the venomous rhetoric of radio hosts and the fundamental fragility of American democracy. We follow the social justice advocate
Elzey’s warning to contemporary America is clear, but her message is more nuanced. Even seasoned cops can support gun control. Fame and wealth do not ensure happiness. Cal Brown’s opinions aren’t really his own — they’re scripted for market share. And it can happen here.
—
“Bottomless Cups” by
A taste for Marvel comics brought together fifth-grade students Teddy and Ray, back when men wore suits, women wore gloves, and armed conflict was on.
—
“Enough to Make Angels Cry”
Someone kills the descendants of St. Patrick’s Battalion, a bizarre circumstance that
During the Mexican-American War, Irish immigrants fighting alongside
—
“Mi-Granted Life: The Adventures of a Happy Immigrant”
Delifir, an affable narrator, tells his story with humor: learning the ropes of a superpowered industry came with cultural challenges, like adjusting to boozy lunches (he disliked booze) and collegial conversations about the sport, his knowledge of which was non-existent. But his story of assimilation into the American mainstream is fraught with commercial details, causing the narrative to periodically lose steam. He is at his best talking about his early struggles, personal growth, and awakening to what he considers the darker side of insurance.
His goal, Delifer says, is to give an honest account of himself to new immigrants who he hopes will encounter the good fortune he enjoyed.
—
“Science Is Doomed: How Ignoring Inconvenient Science Drained The
The over-allocation of
The implications continue to haunt us, say the authors of this highly researched and highly readable volume. To prove their point,
Clear and concise writing makes this book easily accessible to the general public, starting with a glossary that demystifies scientific terms and hydrological jargon. The cultural, historical and political contexts show how easily the denial of science has triumphed over the facts.
The way forward will require great negotiation that takes into account the great variability in the hydrology of the Colorado River and the effects of a warming planet; moving forward without a plan B for what to do if there is not enough water will have disastrous consequences. A compelling read.
—