Books by regional authors selected to represent New Mexico at the 2022 National Book Festival

September 26th, 2022

Santa Fe, NM – New Mexico State Library (NMSL) announces that New Mexico Center for the Book, an affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, selected two books to represent the state at the 2022 National Book Festival. The Festival was held on September 3.  

The books are Shaped by Her Hands: Potter Maria Martinez by Anna Harber Freeman and Barbara Gonzales and illustrated by Aphelandra, a youth book, and The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez Quade, a book for adults. They were featured in Center for the Book’s Great Reads from Great Places program.  

“We are pleased to showcase these books about New Mexico and share them with this year’s National Book Festival participants,” said New Mexico State Librarian Eli Guinnee. “The National Book Festival brings booklovers together from across the country and beyond to celebrate reading, literacy, authors, and community.” 

Great Reads from Great Places features books and authors representing the literary heritage of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Marianas. For over 20 years this program has included a highlighted youth title from each affiliate center. This will be the first year Great Reads from Great Places includes titles for adults. 

This year’s National Book Festival was held in-person in Washington, D.C. on September 3., and included many livestreamed and recorded virtual programs celebrating books and authors. Freeman and Gonzales took part in an online panel conversation with other chosen authors from state Centers for the Book in the Western Region to talk about their book and what inspired them.  

The Great Reads from Great Places programming and other panel presentations have been posted on the National Book Festival website and their YouTube channel. You can also find out more about the New Mexico titles, find activities for children, and view additional videos by the authors at the New Mexico State Library National Book Festival site.