In a break with the tradition of honoring writers penning works in the Spanish language, French poet, narrator, essayist, critic and translator Yves Bonnefoy has won the 2013 FIL Award in Romance Languages.

In her first book, “Living at Lake Chapala,” local writer Judy King has compiled a treasure trove of information with equal appeal for seasoned expat residents, newcomers and folks still contemplating a move to the area.

July 19 saw the launching of a new book describing the mammals of Jalisco’s Primavera Forest. “Mamíferos del Bosque La Primavera, Guía Ilustrada” (in Spanish) has 112 pages and 60 color photographs. The authors are three biologists, Silvia Zalapa, Edgar Godinez and Sergio Guerrero.

Mike Headley started dreaming up tales for kids as a young father raising his own brood of three. It wasn’t until his offspring left the nest and he went into retirement that he found the time and impetus to put the stories down on paper to share with a wider audience. His recent discovery of a Chapala teenager with an innate knack for cartoon drawing finally put him on the path towards publication of his first book, titled “Where Do the Tumbleweeds Go?”

The first novel of 32-year-old Guadalajara author Ave Barrera García has won the Premio Latinoamericano de Primera Novela Sergio Galindo de la Universidad Veracruzana – a prize for debut novelists.

“Puertas demasiado pequeñas” is the story of painter down on his luck asked by an eccentric antiques dealer to falsify a 15th century painting.

More than 33,000 people gathered across Mexico to celebrate World Book Day by reading Jane Austin’s classic tale “Pride and Prejudice” on Tuesday. Reading marathons were held in 150 locations across Jalisco, including Guadalajara’s Rambla Cataluña, where over 450 readers took part, including 25 who were dressed in costumes from the 19th century, when the book was set.

Two hundred years after it was published, hundreds of Tapatio literary enthusiasts will celebrate World Book Day by reading Jane Austen’s classic novel “Pride and Prejudice” on April 23.

The American Society (Amsoc) is hosting an intimate literary event with psychiatrist and Guatemala native Roberto Moulon, author of the English book, “The Iguana Speaks My Name” (Egret Books, 2012), a volume of short stories and a novella. The book reading, discussion and signing are set for Thursday, March 21, 11 a.m.

The Iguana Speaks My Name

By Roberto Moulun

Back in his native Guadalajara last week, Los Angeles-based professor and author Manuel Aguilar-Moreno launched a Spanish-language account of the 1846-1848 U.S.-Mexican War, a tome he calls a “humane” study of an “unjust” invasion.

A book signing celebration was held Thursday, September 20 at Hacienda Ajijic’s Steak House for Dr. Roberto Moulun, whose book “The Iguana Speaks My Name” was published this week.