The literary world in Texas is bustling with activity as San Antonio authors make waves with their latest works tied heavily to themes of race, politics, and life in the Lone Star state. Cary Clack takes readers through a decade of change and reflection with "More Finish Lines to Cross: Notes on Race, Redemption, and Hope." As reported by the San Antonio Report, Clack's collection of columns captures key historical events, including the presidential election that saw a starkly divided nation, the COVID-19 pandemic, and major social justice movements.
Meanwhile, a tribute to the dedicated public servant and Southside San Antonio influencer, Frank Tejeda Jr., emerges in "Mi Carnal Frank," authored by his brother Juan Tejeda. The biography spans Frank’s commendable tenure as a state legislator and U.S. congressman and includes personal accounts that unveil him not just as a politician but as a disciplined military man honored with the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. A public book launch is set to celebrate Tejeda's life with cultural flare and Texan authenticity — complete with conjunto music, pan dulce, and café y chocolate, according to the San Antonio Report.
On the front of poetry, Jenny Browne edits "Texas, Being," a collection from various Texan poets and others who've been inspired by Texas, such as Jorge Luis Borges. This book aims to encapsulate the nuances of Texan culture, from its biergartens to the detritus along its highways, suggesting a simultaneous expansiveness and sharpness that the state embodies.
The San Antonio Book Festival isn't falling behind in celebrating the literary richness of the region. Prominent writers like Kiese Laymon, Geraldine Brooks, Melissa de la Cruz, and others are confirmed to participate in the upcoming Festival on April 15, 2023. The gathering will host more than 100 authors and is expected to cover a diverse range of genres and topics. As per details from the San Antonio Book Festival's website, there's an increased focus on inclusion with panels addressing the surge in popularity of romance novels, thrillers, and horror stories, reflecting the rising trend established, in part, by BookTok. Adding local flavor to the national mix, the event will also provide a stage for San Antonio's own such as Lewis F. Fisher and beloved literary icon Sandra Cisneros, among others.
