Luis Alberto Urrea book selected for community 'Everybody Reads'

"The House of Broken Angels" by bestselling author Luis Alberto Urrea will be the 2019 community reading selection. The announcement comes early to allow residents ample time to read the book in preparation for Urrea's appearances set for Nov. 12 - 15 across the Palouse and Lewiston-Clarkston Valley.

Inspired by the death of his brother, Urrea describes "The House of Broken Angels" as "the story of an American family, one that happens to speak Spanish and admire the Virgin of Guadalupe. Imperfect and glorious, messy and hilarious, sometimes heroic."

The novel gives readers a closer look at the daily lives, trials and triumphs of Mexican-Americans, insights that are especially relevant today.

Luis Alberto Urrea was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in nonfiction for "The Devil's Highway," a harrowing story of 26 men attempting to cross the Mexican-American border. Urrea is a critically acclaimed, best-selling author with 17 books and numerous awards for his poetry, fiction and essays. He is a member of the Latino Literature Hall of Fame.

In its 19th year, Everybody Reads encourages residents from across the region to read the featured title, discuss it with others and attend an author event. Residents can obtain their copy of Urrea's novel from local libraries and bookstores.

This year's presentations are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, Nov. 12, at noon, Artisans of Dahmen Barn in Uniontown; 7 p.m., Nezperce Community Library

Wednesday, Nov. 13, at noon, Asotin County Library, Clarkston; 7 p.m., Lewiston City Library

Thursday, Nov. 14, at noon Whitman County Library, Colfax (RSVP if you want lunch); 7 p.m., Neill Public Library, Pullman

Friday, Nov. 15, at noon, Washington State University, Holland Library, Pullman; 7 p.m., Latah County Library at the 1912 Center, Moscow