How Alejandro Wants to be Remembered
Explicit content warning
10/12/23 • 47 min
In the first ever episode of “Los Bookis,” AGG and Sergio Lopez sit down with Alejandro Varela, to discuss his latest book, “The People Who Report More Stress.” They dig deep into his work, his job at the US Open, outings to gay bars as a young man, capitalism v. working class issues, what Alejandro would be like if he was on the apps, what we should be advocating for at all times, who he wants to play Eduardo and Gus if there was a movie adaptation, and how he wants to be remembered.
About the author:
Alejandro Varela (he/him) is a writer based in New York. His debut novel, The Town of Babylon (2022), was published by Astra House and was a finalist for the National Book Award, as well as a nominee for the PEN America Open Book Award and the Aspen Literary Prize. His work has appeared in The Point Magazine, Georgia Review, Boston Review, Harper’s, The New Republic, and The Offing, among other outlets. Varela is an editor-at-large of Apogee Journal. He has a Master’s Degree in Public Health. The People who Report More Stress, his story collection, was published in April, by Astra House.
About the book:
The People Who Report More Stress, published by Astra House earlier this year, is a stunning collection of humorous, sexy, and highly-neurotic tales examining issues of parenting, systemic and interpersonal racism, and class conflict in gentrified Brooklyn.
@drovarela
@Los.Bookis.Podcast
@adriangaston.garcia
@que_viva_sergio_lopez
Author recommended playlist:
Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield - What Have I Done to Deserve This
Prince - Little Red Corvette
George Michael - A Different Corner
Produced by Caandor Labs.
In the first ever episode of “Los Bookis,” AGG and Sergio Lopez sit down with Alejandro Varela, to discuss his latest book, “The People Who Report More Stress.” They dig deep into his work, his job at the US Open, outings to gay bars as a young man, capitalism v. working class issues, what Alejandro would be like if he was on the apps, what we should be advocating for at all times, who he wants to play Eduardo and Gus if there was a movie adaptation, and how he wants to be remembered.
About the author:
Alejandro Varela (he/him) is a writer based in New York. His debut novel, The Town of Babylon (2022), was published by Astra House and was a finalist for the National Book Award, as well as a nominee for the PEN America Open Book Award and the Aspen Literary Prize. His work has appeared in The Point Magazine, Georgia Review, Boston Review, Harper’s, The New Republic, and The Offing, among other outlets. Varela is an editor-at-large of Apogee Journal. He has a Master’s Degree in Public Health. The People who Report More Stress, his story collection, was published in April, by Astra House.
About the book:
The People Who Report More Stress, published by Astra House earlier this year, is a stunning collection of humorous, sexy, and highly-neurotic tales examining issues of parenting, systemic and interpersonal racism, and class conflict in gentrified Brooklyn.
@drovarela
@Los.Bookis.Podcast
@adriangaston.garcia
@que_viva_sergio_lopez
Author recommended playlist:
Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield - What Have I Done to Deserve This
Prince - Little Red Corvette
George Michael - A Different Corner
Produced by Caandor Labs.
Previous Episode
Welcome to Los Bookis Podcast!
Welcome to Los Bookis Podcast - a podcast for queer Latine bookworms who like queer Latine stories. Co-hosted by Adrian Gaston Garcia and Sergio Lopez, join us for lively interviews with some of the baddest queer Latine storytellers in the game. Each month, we dig deep into the authors’ literary works and get all the chisme readers have been dying to know.
Follow, listen, and subscribe to Los Bookis on Apple, Google, Spotify, and anywhere else you listen to your favorite podcasts. Stay connected with us on Instagram, Facebook and Threads @ LosBookisPodcast.
Hasta luego bookworms!
Produced in Partnership with Caandor Labs
Next Episode
POCAS PERO LOCAS
In this episode, AGG and Sergio become honorary members of Myriam’s gang: P.P.L. Myriam discusses the history of Creep, her incredible memory, embracing slut terminology, who she wants to surround herself with, recognizing the beauty and pain that her grandfather caused, the urban legend of Pedro Paramo, and her ability to speak up for others.
*Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault and may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
About the author:
Myriam Gurba is a writer and artist. She is the author of the true-crime memoir Mean, a New York Times Editors’ Choice. O, The Oprah Magazine, ranked Mean as one of the best LGBTQ books of all time. Publishers Weekly describes Gurba as having a voice like no other. Her essays and criticism have appeared in The Paris Review, Time, and 4Columns. She has shown art in galleries, museums, and community centers. She lives in Pasadena, California.
About The Book:
Creep is Myriam's second book and is a blistering and deceptively playful genealogy of creeps: the individuals who deceive, exploit, and oppress. In eleven bold and electrifying pieces, Gurba mines her own life and the lives of others - some famous, some infamous, some you’ve never heard of but will likely never forget - to unearth the toxic traditions that have long plagued our culture and enabled the abusers who haunt our books, learning institutions, and homes.
Connect with Myriam at https://www.myriamgurba.com/ or follow her on Instagram at @alt_myriam_gurba666
@Los.Bookis.Podcast
@adriangaston.garcia
@que_viva_sergio_lopez
Author recommended playlist:
Chavela Vargas - Paloma Negra
Zapp & Roger - More Bounce to the Ounce
Rosie & The Originals - Angel Baby
Produced by Caandor Labs
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