Want some new books to read this summer? Check out these Coastal Bend authors
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Looking for a book to read while you lounge at the beach or by the pool?
The Caller-Times has rounded up seven authors with ties to the Coastal Bend. Their books cover a range of ages and genres, including poetry, religious literature, fiction and history.
“There’s a lot of really good publications that happen here. I think it’s something that people don’t realize,” one of the authors, Bryan Edward Stone, told the Caller-Times.
All of the books listed can be found on Amazon.
Bryan Edward Stone
Born in Houston and now a history professor at Del Mar College, Stone wrote “The Chosen Folks: Jews on the Frontiers of Texas (Jewish Life, History and Culture)." The book is a narrative history of Jewish immigration in Texas going back to the 16th century and the growth of the community throughout the state. It won the Southern Jewish Historical Society Book Prize of 2011.
The book focuses primarily on Houston, Galveston and Dallas, which are home to most of Texas' Jewish population, but Corpus Christi also makes an appearance.
Diana Lopez
A native and resident of Corpus Christi, Lopez has numerous young adult and middle school books to choose from. Her children's book “Sing with Me,” the story of Selena Quintanilla, is available in both English and Spanish. Lopez also wrote the novel adaptation of the Disney/Pixar film "Coco."
Lopez's most recent book, “Felice and the Wailing Woman (Los Monstruos),” was released this year and is the first in a series. This magical fantasy adventure incorporates Mexican folklore. The main character, Felice, discovers her mother is La Llorona, who has been haunting the river in the town of Tres Leches. Felice joins forces with children of other monstruos, or monsters, to free Tres Leches from ancient curses.
More: 'Coco' author Diana Lopez on why a Corpus Christi native can best tell Selena's story
Robin Alvarez
The Flour Bluff High School graduate set her newest book in Corpus Christi. Her debut young adult novel, “When Oceans Rise,” was released in May and reached No. 1 on Amazon’s New Releases list.
In a retelling of "The Little Mermaid," 17-year-old Malaya seeks help from a sea witch to escape an abusive relationship. To strike a deal with the witch, Malaya gives up her voice — which the villain uses to release Filipino mythological creatures.
Alan Berecka
A retired librarian at Del Mar College, Berecka currently lives in Sinton. He was named the first poet laureate of Corpus Christi in 2017. “A Living Is Not a Life: A Working Title,” published in 2021, is Berecka’s most recent book of poetry. The poems follow the many jobs he has held, written with a humorous slant.
Stephanie Wolfe
Wolfe is a Corpus Christi native who now lives in the Waco area. Her first book, “Authentically Addie,” reached No. 1 on best-selling Amazon lists for various children's book categories.
This colorful picture book follows adventurous Addie on a trip to the zoo, meeting all the animals while learning about their disabilities. The book was inspired by Wolfe's daughter, Addie, who was born with chromosomal abnormalities and uses a wheelchair.
Lou Ella Hickman
Hickman is a member of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament of Corpus Christi. She has been published in many magazines and was nominated for the Pushcart Prize in 2017 and in 2020.
In her first book of poetry, “she: robed and wordless,” Hickman offers a new perspective of women in the Bible by creating poems in their voices.
Esther Bonilla Read
Read's columns and stories have been published in anthologies and Texas newspapers, including the Caller-Times.
More: Corpus Christi author Esther Bonilla Read shares passages of book from WWII veterans
The Corpus Christi resident and retired teacher published her second book, “After the Blessing: Mexican American Veterans of WWII Tell Their Own Stories,” in 2022. The book shares stories of Mexican Americans who served in World War II, including some local veterans.
Read named the book after a ritual among Hispanic-Catholic families when their child would venture off into the real world: bless their children.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Summer reading: Check out these Coastal Bend authors
