The Latina's Bible: The Nueva Latina's Guide to Love, Spirituality, Family, and La Vida

by Sandra Guzmán

Do you speak in English but dream in Spanglish? Do you crave homemade tortillas but end up buying them ready-made at the supermarket? Is your papi chulo a blue-eyed gringo, or do you have a Latin lover whose español is better than yours? Listen up, hermanas : Today’s Latina is a bicultural mamita who lives and loves in two worlds—and one of them is brimming with rich ethnic traditions and strong ties to home and familia . If you feel torn between these two worlds, and if you’ve been looking for un libro that will help you bridge the gap between the old-world ways of your mamá , tías , and abuelitas and the world of opportunities in the twenty-first century, then The Latina’s Bible is the book para tí ! With warmth, humor, and I’ve-been-there wisdom, author Sandra Guzmán tackles the real-world complicaciones that many Latinas face today,

* The Latina sexual mystique—plus the truth about interracial dating and marriage
* Finding professional success by networking Latina-style
* Surviving your mother—without going loca !
* Taking care of yourself, body and soul

The Latina’s Bible is a rich mix of real-life solutions, down-home dichos , inspiration, and support—the bedside companion no mujer should be without!

Genres: Nonfiction, Latina

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 12, 2002

Reviews

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book; I think that this book reads like a textbook, and it introduces you to SO much and tackles so many things--Guzman throws in different things like bath recipes and Latino heroes, even diosas and facts! I especially liked how well-written this book was--funny, entertaining, smart but always accessible to non-professional readers (but still stimulating for the professional reader!).

I wish that I had stumbled upon this book when I was a young school girl, and I wish that I'd had the wisdom to follow her advice. I read this book and I knew that I wanted to make it available in my classroom--though I'd need to think about how I advertise it because some of the stuff in here can be controversial for parents.

At some points, I felt like I was too old for this book, but most of the time, I felt like the points in this book can still reach and impact the new Latina woman well into her 40's. I want to gift this book to so many of my girlfriends, especially to those who would feel compelled to grow after the reading of it. I read this book and I am thankful to Guzman for writing it, and I even consider her a Latina hero. This book is comforting, inspiring, life-affirming, wonderful...and then it prompts you to reach out to all of your Latina sisters. This book convinced me to take part in Latina networking because we have a responsibility to guide those who are in need of guidance, and doesn't it just feel good to help others? Especially those girls who are having to wear our shoes?

I think that Guzman is brilliant, and I really admire her; I love the many facets of this book, and by the end of it, I really did believe that this IS the Latina Bible. I want to read passages from it to my daughter, and to my estudiantes. I want to reach for it after dinner or in the middle of a rough day and read something that I know will make me feel good. I loved how Guzman's tone was like my cool tia's, but still like my modern, powerful friend. I can't wait to get my hands on the new edition so that I can read the chapter on depression. You probably wouldn't think that a book that tackles so many issues could be perfection, but I think that this book is and I think that you should read it, even if it is just to feel good (because my aware sisters will be glad to read that someone out there has written about the questions we've all struggled with). What can I say about this, how can I sum my love and respect for this book up? I will probably have to come back periodically.

I WILL HAVE TO SAY that I didn't like the section that talked about getting hispanic men without letting them know that we are reeling them in--I say, if a man has a problem with my being forward with him and initiating our interaction/relationship, I don't want to be with him because I do believe that there is a NEW Latino out there ;)

There wasn't much new in here for me, but Guzman made me feel like she was my well-informed girlfriend, and I was SO GLAD to her talk about the things that trouble me, or the things that I'm passionate about...there is just so much in here. I recommend it.

[Ivon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a light read, with many truths from the women in our past.

It would be wise to pick this up and to remember the culture that we came from. If you are a Latin Woman, then this book is for you.

It is wise, and light hearted.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read bits and pieces of this book over the past decade, but these weeks since the 2018 mid-terms a few weeks ago when so many remarkable women were elected to leadership, I searched my shelves to re-affirm many of the works about women. I reread parts I had earlier enjoyed and then finished all of this "bible." I read this with a goal of discussion in various forms: remembering discussions and conversations of the past, questioning my own present internal dialogues, or engaging in banter or deep reflection with others. Some of the advice given here is a bit provocative, a great deal is given with humorous truth, a good amount is serious without being moralizing. Sure, you may not identify with each of these issues, but you'll find ways to better understand other women. You'll also find ways to help build community among other Latinas. If you are not Latina, you'll find some intriguing and engaging bits of wisdom for living a full, colorful life. Read this. Agree. Disagree. Enjoy!

[Michelle Estella Usher-Grano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I'm Belizean American I found a lot of similarities to the Latina culture in mine

[blereader · Rating 2 out of 5]

The style is much like someone talking to you, in a self-help book sort of way. So if you like that, go with this book. I picked this up to read about starting a club, and about religions, as I had been reading about these subjects recently in the frame of Latina culture. Unfortunately, the starting a club advice was limited in its usefulness, as it's mostly a lengthy narrative of how she helped start an exclusive club among high-powered professionals. What she writes about religions was more interesting, but partly because there's a lot I don't know on this subject, so I did learn some things.
The advice sometimes comes off as gay and flippant. "Dating can make you strong and wise about your womanhood, and you can test (and taste!) all kinds of men in the process." I've seen this sort of advice before, in books or articles that celebrate female freedom from antebellum-style Victorian chasteness. While there's some usefulness in this, how the author frames this advice seems like overcompensation for the limits that she complains about earlier, how Latina women are often expected to go straight from childhood, or college, to marriage without dating. If you're not of the type who is interested in dating, or feels the need to build "womanhood" or "wisdom" based on sexual relationships with men, then skip the relationships chapter; this "bible" renders such viewpoints invisible.
The book's casual talking style is meant to evince trust and demonstrate honesty. The book can come off as disingenuous, however, in how she will often make her point about something by setting up a duality (for the above advice about dating, she sets up not-dating/being-controlled vs. dating-lots-of-men/self-discovery), a duality where there's a clear "correct" answer, then asks "what do you think?" like a Dora the Explorer cartoon. I'd prefer her to not waste space with asking what we think, and instead explore counterarguments to her perspective.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one, I could so relate to it.

[Tudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

i connected with many of the things said in this book.

[Evelyn Gonzales Avila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I refer back to this book for funny antidotes about life. Although I cannot relate to everything in the book, it does give a good cultural overview.

[Trifari · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THIS BOOK!

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lame.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Was helpful for this latina. Would buy it again.

[Lizeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

for some reason..i expected more

[Glodil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. Every Latin women needs to read this great book. Loved it!!!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recipes written down from this book. it is very practical and a great gift. i put the official latina stamp on it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining to read couldn't put it down. I could relate to the book in many ways at times.

[Veronica Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. This book is like a best friend talking to you directly. I encourage every latina to read this book.

[Susy Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book everytime I need to connect with me. I love it!

[Msanti30 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So soothing, it's like your big sister thought about everything she learned and knows and wrote it down.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok, something to read every now and then. Not a real eye catcher unless you are wanting to find yourself.