Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps [Paperback]

Lara Rios (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 2006

With no marriage prospects and a high-powered career, Marcela Alvarez is already a spinster in the eyes of her traditional family. But when she finds out her deadbeat dad wasn't Latino, her problems only worsen. It's time for her to change some things and prove she still has Chicana roots with a fool-proof ten-step plan, including:

- Dating Mexican men. Her work crush, George Ramirez, almost fills the bill-except that he can't speak Spanish...
- Learning to cook, homestyle. Now, she can't even make mac and cheese without burning the house down. But that's nothing a few private cooking lessons can't fix, especially with a hot maestro...
- Mentoring an at-risk Latina. But with Lupe's switchblade and bad attitude, Marcela starts to wonder: which of them is more at risk...

And when she's done, she'll be able to out-Latina her sisters and cousins, no problem. But who knew being herself could be so much work?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lara Rios lives in Los Angeles with her family. This is her first novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (January 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425207552
• ISBN-13: 978-0425207550
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #951,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lara lives in California with her very culturally diverse and unstereotypical family that includes a brilliant Anglo husband, and two talented and beautiful Korean children. When she's not writing she enjoys challenging herself physically. Feats to date include five marathons in one year; biking down a volcano in Hawaii; and the latest ' walking across a fiery bed of burning coals all the while praying she didn't become another of her father's asados. But of course, spending time with her family is what she treasures most of all.

Lara is a multi-published author, consultant, and motivational speaker for educational and corporate settings. Lara can be contacted at [e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just latina chic lit, April 29, 2006

By 

Charlotte Maclay (L.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps (Paperback)

"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

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great self-discovery story, February 28, 2006

By 

D. K. Stokes - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps (Paperback)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!!!, January 16, 2007

By 

Michelle (BEAUMONT, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps (Paperback)

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!!