SOLVED. Short stories, mostly about one female character. [s]

[Raewyn]

I'm trying to help a friend rediscover a book. It's a collection of short stories, he thinks written by a woman, mostly about a central female character throughout her life.
She goes to a bullfight at some point, and on a roadtrip to Mexico where she possibly sees a lion or giraffe?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

When did your friend read it, or about when was it published? What is the nationality of the author? Set in the present or another time?

[Raewyn]

Read it a couple years ago, he thinks it wasn't published too recently (maybe late 20th century?), and was set around that time as well.
He's guessing the author is American because the main character in the book was.

[Raewyn]

In the first story, the character was a kid and she had a brother.

[Raewyn]

Found it! the book was "Light Can Be Both Wave and Particle" by Ellen Gilchrist

[Rosa]

Light Can Be Both Wave and Particle by Ellen Gilchrist

[Heather]

She (and you) might also be interested in this book. I thought of it when you said short stories with female main characters.
Kitchen