Book Club | Charles Don Flores

Words That Sustain Me: Reflections on “Tattoos on the Heart” – part 2

Chapter 2. Dis-Grace. This chapter was a tuff one. Much to my shame, I have been the one who has mistaken another’s suffering for an interruption. And I have been like Carmen, a disgrace to the people who loved me the most. I was a disgrace to my parents, most especially, for living a life ... Read More

Words That Sustain Me: Reflections on “Tattoos on the Heart” – part 1

READ!!! READ!!! READ SOME MORE!!! “With That Moon Language” Admit something: Everyone you see, you say to them, “Love me.” Of course you do not do this out loud Otherwise, Someone would call the cops. Still though, think about this, This great pull in us to connect. Why not become the one Who lives with ... Read More

Words That Sustain Me: A Man Called Ove Discussion Questions

A Man Called Ove is a beloved book club selection: a heartwarming tale about a grumpy old man that is a thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on many others. “If there was an award for ‘Most Charming Book of the Year,’ this first novel by a Swedish-blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down” ... Read More

Words That Sustain Me: My Elevator Ride – Part 2

In this post, Charlie continues his imagining of his own Elevator ride, inspired by our April book club book “Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds. Please be sure to read Part 1 here. THIRD FLOOR. As the elevator doors slide open I see my brother Juan Elias, and he appears as he did when ... Read More

Words That Sustain Me: My Elevator Ride – Part 1

“Long Way Down”, by Jason Reynolds, is a book about a kid named Will, who’s fifteen years old and is struggling to decide whether or not to take revenge on the guy he thinks murdered his older brother, Shawn. This struggle us summed up in the new LWD musical’s tagline: “Sixty seconds, Seven Floors, Three ... Read More

Words That Sustain Me: The Rules of The Redeemed – Part 2

“The Rules of The Redeemed, of The Vessels Who Were Once Broken But Are Now Made Whole Through Him.” One of the saddest parts about this month’s book Long Way Down was when Jason Reynolds wrote this about the rules: ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE RULES They weren’t meant to be broken. They were meant for ... Read More

Words That Sustain Me: The Rules of The Redeemed – Part 1

“The Rules of The Redeemed, of The Vessels Who Were Once Broken But Are Now Made Whole Through Him.” One of the saddest parts about this month’s book Long Way Down was when Jason Reynolds wrote this about the rules: ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE RULES They weren’t meant to be broken. They were meant for ... Read More

Words That Sustain Me: The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson

The book “The Space Between Worlds” is a fantastic tale that is based upon the idea of parallel-universes existing, and multiverse travel is now possible. And on each one of these earths our doppelgängers are living a version of our lives.. I think because I am a Texas Death Row prisoner the idea of ... Read More

Words That Sustain Me: Where The Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Wilson Rawls (1913-1984), grew up in the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma. The area was so rural that there were no schools for him to attend, so his mother taught him how to read and write. He says that reading “The Call Of The Wild” changed his life and convinced him to become a writer. ... Read More

Words That Sustain Me: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

The book “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” by Malinda Lo is a wonderful story that weaves together Chinese-American heritage, 1950’s “Red Scare” paranoia, and forbidden love. Ali recommended this book telling me that it was a great one. When I got it I began to read and could not put it down and read ... Read More