Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps

by Lara Rios

Book Overview

From a talented new voice, this funny, edgy novel follows the efforts of Marcela Alvarez to out-Latina her sisters and cousins. Who knew being herself could be so much work?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425207552
• ISBN13: 9780425207550
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
• Length: 372 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.3" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

I love this book!!!

I bought this book becuase I read about the author in the local paper so I thought I would support the local talent. It turns out, I absolutely loved this book, and read it in two days. The main character is so real and believable, you just can't help but to cheer her on. She writes up this list and then goes full steam ahead trying to become this great latina, when the whole time she should just realize that being a great person is enough. I loved how much I disliked her political activist aunt and how much I wanted her to love George the guy from Accounting. I think this is a really good book and I can't wait to read the next one!!

Fantastic!!!

I was browsing through the book store, just looking for something to read and picked this up because the title intrigued me. After reading the brief description on the back cover and the first few paragraphs inside, I decided to give it a try. It turned out be a wonderful book. Marcela is a lovable, but flawed character, trying to figure out who she truly is - someone many of us can relate to. Definitely worth the read! I can't wait to read more of Lara Rios' work.

Not just latina chic lit

"Becoming Latina......" is not just about being Latina; it's about learning who you are. And it's a delight to read. I so related with the primary character, which makes little sense given my ethnic background is Scottish, Irish and English. But Lara Rios has created a wonderful character who is much like, and angsts like, any other young woman. It's a must read for anyone, of any age, who enjoys a light hearted look at themselves in the mirror. Charlotte Maclay

Great self-discovery story

When Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps opens, heroine Marcela finds out that she's half white, the result of an affair her mother had. Add to that her family's assertions that she's a sell-out, and not Mexican enough, and she's questioning her identity. So she, with the help of her best friend, makes a list of 10 steps that will help her discover her inner Latina, find her self, and get her family off her back. As you might expect, things don't go exactly as Marcela plans, and there are some wildly funny situations, as well as some dramatic, poignant, and even frightening ones. It's a story of self-discovery, and also about the challenge of being true to yourself while embracing two cultures. I appreciated the glimpse into a Latino culture, as well as the universality of the search for ones own identity. Larger societal questions aside, Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps is an entertaining, warm-hearted story with a heroine you can root for. I enjoyed it very much.

Praise from the Latino Communtiy

I have just finished reading one of the most realistically funny novels about Latino life. 'Becoming...' is just a vabriant telling of Latinos in America and the struggles we all face with our own identities as Latin Americans. This is exactly what the Latino community needs and is looking for. More books on Latino life in a realistic view. Though sterotypical, the truth of the matter is, it's real. This book takes a good look at what it means to be Latino and American and shows how hard it is for Lations to prove to other Latinos how Latino we are and to show Americans how American we are. This book is a great telling of the strength of Latinos.