Richardson, Chad. Batos, Bolillos, Pochos, and Pelados: Class and Culture on the South Texas Border. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1999.

This easy-to-read and interesting book offers an excellent introduction to life in the Rio Grande Valley.  Using touching personal stories and statistical data gathered from numerous interviews and surveys; the author paints a detailed picture of society in Deep South Texas.  Topics such as the experiences of migrant workers, life in the colonias, Winter Texans, the history of Anglo-Hispanic relations in the Valley, and much more are covered.   Whether you’re a newcomer to the Valley (like me) or you’re a life-long Valley native I think you’ll find this to be an enjoyable and valuable read, that will enhance your understanding of this unique region.

Click here to check availability.

Contributed by Joshua Wallace, Reference Librarian at the Pecan Campus

From The Giver “He knew there was no quick comfort for emotions like those.”

The Giver brings to light the question: Are the trials and tribulations of life worth deeper knowledge of beauty and happiness?

Fans of authoritarian utopian society novels like 1984 and Brave New World will enjoy this different take on societal control and imprisonment. Citizens of the society within The Giver have given up knowledge of love, family, music, and even color so that they no longer have to experience war, jealousy, guilt, and fear. Even death’s place in society is replaced by a much more palatable perception of the event. The authoritarian imprisonment within The Giver takes a softer approach to societal control and the apparent contentment of its citizens, truly allows one to ponder the worth of freedom versus safety.

The Giver is an easy read. Written for a younger audience, the text is not too long or too literally complex. At the same time the novel is not shallow and provides the kind of thought provocation that one would expect from the best of philosophical text.

An excellent read for anyone without a lot of time, but a thirst for perspective.

To check availability click here: (http://lib.southtexascollege.edu/uhtbin/cgisirsi.exe/x/)/0/5?searchdata1=0395645662)

Contributed by Arnold Becho, Librarian at MidValley Campus.