Spanish Lit Month 2014

After a year off spent stockpiling new acquisitions and such, Stu of Winstonsdad's Blog and I have decided to host another edition of Spanish Language Literature Month in July 2014 under the catchy yet no nonsense moniker of Spanish Lit Month 2014.  Hope that you'll decide to join us.  For those new to the event, the basic idea is that those participating will read one or more works originally published in Spanish and contribute a review or reviews of what you've read so that other event participants can visit your site and leave comments, mash notes, etc.  Naturally, you may read the work(s) in Spanish or in translation depending on your language skills and interests.  Stu and I will do at least one monthly link round-up to facilitate discussions, but there will prob. be more frequent ones than that if the turnout is anywhere near as numerous and enthusiastic as it was in 2012.  Want to participate in the event but not sure what to read for it?  Check out Spanish critic Ignacio Echevarría's list of his idea of the essential books in Spanish-language literature since the 1950s here.  Or check out Semana.com's list of the 100 best Spanish-language novels of the last 25 years here.  Way too recent recommendations for someone of your snooty archival bent?  "Good literature needs to breathe a little after it's decanted" and all that?  Then how about 100+ More Reading Recommendations for Spanish Lit Month 2012, which provides three top U.S. universities' reading lists for the canonical works dating back to the medieval era in Spain and the colonial era in Latin America?  For those wanting a simpler choice, you can also choose one or both of our group read selections set to be discussed during the last week in July: Gabriel García Márquez's 1996 News of a Kidnapping [original title: Noticia de un secuestro] (Stu's pick)* or Guillermo Cabrera Infante's 1967 Tres tristes tigres [translated title: Three Trapped Tigers] (my pick).**  For my part, I'm also considering Mexican Elena Garro's 1980 Andamos huyendo Lola, whose "novel" in the form of 11 linked tales about two characters on the run is said to bear some similarities to Roberto Bolaño's Los detectives salvajes [The Savage Detectives], and--well, let's keep the other choices secret for now, eh?  You'll find out or not find out soon enough anyway.

*Stu plans a Gabriel García Márquez theme week for the last week in July as part of a  tribute to the late Colombian Nobel winner.  Details forthcoming.
**I'm happy to note that the Guillermo Cabrera Infante novel is being read in conjunction with Richard of Shea's Zibaldone, who is hosting a Javier Marías-inspired Kingdom of Redonda Readalong this year.

Probable Spanish Lit Month 2014 Lineup

Stu, Winstonsdad's Blog (co-host)

Amanda, Simpler Pastimes
Bellezza, Dolce Bellezza

Brian Joseph, Babbling Books

Caroline, Beauty Is a Sleeping Cat 
Emma, Book Around the Corner
Grant, 1streading's Blog
Helen, a gallimaufry
Himadri, The Argumentative Old Git
JacquiWine, JacquiWine's Journal
Karen, BookerTalk
Lizzysiddal, Lizzy's Literary Life 
Mel U, The Reading Life
Miguel, St. Orberose 
Obooki, Obooki's Obloquy

Rise, in lieu of a field guide

Scott, seraillon
Scott G.F. Bailey, six words for a hat  
Séamus, Vapour Trails
Tom, Wuthering Expectations
Tony, Tony's Reading List

Tony Messenger,  Messengers Booker (and more)
Violet, Still Life with Books