In exploring who society regards as disposable, El Paso author and creative writing professor Sylvia Aguilar-Zeleny takes readers to a border city trash dump in her latest novel.
Set in Ciudad Juárez, “Trash” tells the stories of three women with connections to a municipal dump site: a teenager who was abandoned there; a researcher studying the people who live at the dump; and a trans woman and sex worker who lives nearby.
“Each one of the characters navigates family, abandonment, power, jealousy, greed, and multiple taboos around sexuality and gender violence,” the publisher states in its book description.
“Trash” was released in March 2023 by Deep Vellum, a Dallas-based nonprofit press that publishes worldwide literature in translation. The book was originally published in Spanish as “Basura” by Nitro/Press in Mexico City in 2018.
“Trash” is El Paso Matters Book Club’s next pick – and the first of 2024, the club’s second year. You can join the bimonthly club by clicking here.
“Trash” is Aguilar-Zeleny’s second book to be released in English. Her first book to be translated is titled “The Everything I Have Lost,” a young adult novel about a 12-year-old growing up in Juárez published by Cinco Puntos Press in 2020.
Sylvia Aguilar-Zeleny is an assistant professor in the Creative Writing Department at the University of Texas at El Paso. The bilingual author and native of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, has published several short story collections, novels and memoirs, including “Todo Eso Es Yo,” which was awarded the Premio Nacional de Novela Tamaulipas in 2015, and an LGBTQ young adult series titled “Coming Out.” She founded Casa Octavia, a residency for women and queer writers, and has coordinated writing workshops for teens and victims of violence.
Reading Schedule
Jan. 8-14: 9-37
Jan. 15-21: pgs. 38-66
Jan. 22-28: pgs. 66-101
Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: pgs. 101-133
Feb. 5-11: pgs. 134-164
Feb. 12-18: pgs. 165-195
Feb. 19-27: pgs. 196-222
Feb. 28: In-person discussion (tentative date)
How to get the book
Shop local at Literarity Book Shop, 5411 N. Mesa Street in Pepper Tree Square and 100% of the profits will be donated to El Paso Matters.
Check out a copy at your El Paso Public Library branch. Place a hold if unavailable.
The post El Paso Matters Book Club to read ‘Trash’ by Sylvia Aguilar-Zeleny appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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