By Bernardo Moreno
The immediacy of transmitting an idea through social networks is possibly one of the reasons why we have stopped reading and become distracted from reading, understanding, and developing written ideas: we can see grammatical poverty in any post. Literature is very important —as we well know— because it is, perhaps, the best way to know the world and oneself. That is why the dissemination of emerging literature and editorial efforts is so valuable. “Librosbooks” is a collection of three books carefully translated into English, with the aim of disseminating emerging Mexican literature among the English-speaking public. It is an effort of the publishing house Librosampleados (CDMX).
“Vermin,” by Rodrigo Díaz Guerrero (Efren Hernández Short Story Award 2020) is a compilation of stories that move between the existentialism of the characters, the beauty of the descriptions, and the horror of the scenarios the author creates. Anguish, anxiety, and discomfort are the emotions that the reader is left with. Translated by Josemaría Moreno.
“Crazy Little Thing Called God,” by Ernesto Reyes, is a collection of poems that address the importance of childhood, the ephemeral nature of time and the speed with which it passes, and the search for our place in society through our evolving belief system.
“Immobility” by Alejandro Paniagua (Latin American Short Story Award, Edmundo Valadez 2019). This is a series of stories where toys represent immobility as does death. Immobility would seem to be a synonym for peace and stillness, but it can mean anguish, despair, and uncertainty. Translated by Cristina Pardo.
In addition to literature, we find pieces by three plastic artists on the book covers: Ramón Aviña does the illustration for the cover of “Crazy Little Thing Called God” a transgressed child god. For “Vermin,” Antonio Chaurand exhibits a painting that allows us to imagine someone who was and who is disappearing. Leonardo Díaz adorns the cover of “Immobility” with a painting of a doll in imminent decomposition forgotten and left to its fate. Books as mere objects can be beautiful, gloomy, or simply indifferent. That depends on the reader. “Librosbooks” will be presented soon at the San Miguel de Allende International Writers Festival with the participation of Nahum Torres and María Amor (editors), Rodrigo Díaz Guerrero (author), and Josemaría Moreno (translator). The presentation will be in English and Spanish, some chapters of the collection will be read and they will share with us the concerns of developing this project, the process, and its purpose. Join us on Tuesday, February 14, from 3:30 to 4:30 in the afternoon, in the garden of the Real de Minas hotel. It will be a free event that we recommend you put on your calendar.
