Before we get to the winning book, I first want to introduce you to Zoraida Cordova.
Zoraida is a favorite award-winning author of mine. Born in Ecuador before coming over to the US as a child, she’s written 24 books & contributed to more than a handful of anthologies in addition to serving on the board of We Need Diverse Books.
I never would have stumbled upon her if not for her appearing in a collection of great reads for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Here’s another book of hers which I’ve just picked up on audio & am already loving!
Perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman, Isabel Allende, and Sarah Addison Allen, a family searches for the truth hidden in their past in this “expertly woven tale of family power, threaded with as much mystery as magic” (V.E. Schwab).
“A rich, intergenerational novel steeped in magical realism.” ― BuzzFeed
BUT WHAT BOOK ARE WE READING FOR THE CLUB?
Currently available on Kindle US for $1.99
When Malens tidy, carefully planned world collapses following her father’s mysterious suicide, she finds a letter—signed with an “A”—which reveals that her mother is very much alive and living in San Isidro, a quaint town tucked in the Andes Mountains. Intent on meeting her, Malena arrives at Alameda Street and meets four sisters who couldn’t be more different from one another, but who share one thing in common: all of their names begin with an A.
To avoid a scandal, Malena assumes another woman’s identity and enters their home to discover the truth. Could her mother be Amanda, the iconoclastic widow who opens the first tango nightclub in a conservative town? Ana, the ideal housewife with a less-than-ideal past? Abigail, the sickly sister in love with a forbidden man? Or Alejandra, the artistic introvert scarred by her cousin’s murder? But living a lie will bring Malena additional problems, such as falling for the wrong man and loving a family she may lose when they learn of her deceit. Worse, her arrival threatens to expose long-buried secrets and a truth that may wreck her life.
Set in 1960s Ecuador, The Sisters of Alameda Street is a sweeping story of how one woman’s search for the truth of her identity forces a family to confront their own past.
"A family saga like no other—a story that's hard to put down." —Paula Paul
"This book is great fun. Scenes involving clandestine late-night excursions, visits to a seedy motel, and Malena's unexpected tango performances demonstrate the author's skills in writing comedy—such a rare treat in historical fiction. The many threads are carefully untangled, and the strength of family wins the day. Heartily recommended to saga readers." —Historical Novel Society
"[A] joy to read, with delectably evil villains and gratifyingly strong female characters. When those women face marital, societal, and career limitations, they end up overcoming them with ingenuity." —Santa Fe New Mexican, Pasatiempo
(Group read suggestion from Gemma Ware, book club moderator.)
Happy reading! (If you want to read & discuss the book the book together, join our online book club on Facebook.)