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Books to read if you're planning a vacation in "puerto rico", sorted by average review score:
The Queen of Puerto Rico: And Other Stories
Published in Hardcover by William Morrow (November, 1993)
Author: Joe Frank
Average review score:

A very compelling group of short stories
I can little relate to stories of heroic millionaires living in castles, or titled members of European Society. Joe Frank gives us a group of short stories about real people with real problems, worries, and conditions. From stories of compulsive, loser nebbishes like "Fat Man" to the tragedy of the Human condition found in "Night", Frank gives us characters we many times find disgusting, yet fascinating. And Frank's excellent narrative storytelling style only makes it better. I would highly recommend this book.

Joe Frank Amuses Again
Frank keeps you intrested with his own discriptive style characterized in his weekly radio programs. Worth reading.

Refranes Usados En Puerto Rico
Published in Paperback by Univ Puerto Rico Pr (July, 1994)
Author: Maria Elisa Diaz Rivera
Average review score:

You'll Be Speaking Like an Elder in No Time!
In traditional Latin American/Iberian culture, proverbs are a way of transmitting ideals or messages to one another in order to allow the person receiving the saying to reflect on the though a bit longer. While growing up in a traditional Puerto Rican household in New York, my parents instilled these common proverbs whenever they wanted to make a point.

In this book, published by the great editorial staff at the University of Puerto Rico Press, editor Maria Elisa Diaz Rivera shares some of the most used proverbs/sayings heard among islanders. While many of the proverbs are traditional proverbs imported from Spain (e.g. "Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda" or translated "Although the monkey dresses in silk, it is still a monkey" which really means that "fine feathers don't make fine birds") others are native to the island. Written entirely in Spanish, this book will appeal to Puerto Ricans wanting to reconnect with their culture, or anyone who has a strong admiration or interest in Puerto Rico and her people.

While it is not available on this site, another great book that covers traditional Puerto Rican proverbs is "How to Speak Puerto Rican" by Felix Hernandez. It is available on the island, and through some online catalogs that deal with Puerto Rican goods. I especially liked this book's compact size, and it's design, which allowed me to tag it along with me to work. After reading this book, you'll get a feeling of being much more wiser and reflective on life. It is a great book that should be explored by all, regardless of nationality. Students of the Spanish-language will find this book appealing, and it even makes a great gift for a friend or relative born on the island and/or raised in the island's traditions and culture.

Wise Thoughts From a Beautiful Island!
In traditional Latin American/Iberian culture, proverbs are a way of transmitting ideals or messages to one another in order to allow the person receiving the saying to reflect on the though a bit longer. While growing up in a traditional Puerto Rican household in New York, my parents instilled these common proverbs whenever they wanted to make a point.

In this book, published by the great editorial staff at the University of Puerto Rico Press, editor Maria Elisa Diaz Rivera shares some of the most used proverbs/sayings heard among islanders. While many of the proverbs are traditional proverbs imported from Spain (e.g. "Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda" or translated "Although the monkey dresses in silk, it is still a monkey" which really means that "fine feathers don't make fine birds") others are native to the island. Written entirely in Spanish, this book will appeal to Puerto Ricans wanting to reconnect with their culture, or anyone who has a strong admiration or interest in Puerto Rico and her people.

While it is not available on this site, another great book that covers traditional Puerto Rican proverbs is "How to Speak Puerto Rican" by Felix Hernandez. It is available on the island, and through some online catalogs that deal with Puerto Rican goods. I especially liked this book's compact size, and it's design, which allowed me to tag it along with me to work. After reading this book, you'll get a feeling of being much more wiser and reflective on life. It is a great book that should be explored by all, regardless of nationality. Students of the Spanish-language will find this book appealing, and it even makes a great gift for a friend or relative born on the island and/or raised in the island's traditions and culture.

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Published in Paperback by Discover The Caribbean (01 March, 2001)
Author: Mark Drenth
Average review score:

Notes from the Photographer/Author
Hi, this is Mark Drenth, author and photographer of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The general idea behind this book was to condense a "coffee table" book to a smaller format, thus providing a more affordable book with all the quality of a larger one. Youll find this book to be the one you pull out of your library to show friends what San Juan looks like, and it will end up on the coffee table. I covered all the major areas of San Juan, as well as some intersting areas that only a few tourists get to see. I kept the text to a minimum in order to focus more on the photos of San Juan. Im sure your going to love this book.

Beautiful Book
I saw this book in the airport of San Juan Puerto Rico in a couple of the stores. I loved it and bought four for gifts. I should have bought five because so many friends have looked through my copy, its beginning to get worn out.

I was browsing the books here and saw it, nobody has yet reviewed it so I feel compelled to give the first review.

The over all quality of the photos of the book are plain beautiful. Im from Puerto Rico, and didnt want a book with "old" looking photos, or photos of places that had changed. Its obvious all the photos are up to date, as of a couple months ago. Overall the book starts in Old San Juan and zig-zags through the city and ends up in Piniones. The only text of the book is a general opening on the first couple pages then just photos with captions of what they are. The captions are in four languages...english, spanish, german, french.

There are aerials of the city too...as Im looking at the book now there are also bookmark flaps on each cover...pages are high gloss...good feel.

This is one of those books that is a "must have" for anyone who travels... I just wish this book format was available for all the cities Ive been to. FIVE STARS.

Shake It, Morena
Published in Library Binding by Millbrook Press (April, 2002)
Author: Carmen Bernier-Grand
Average review score:

"Cheki-Morena" as we used to say--
This book is a true treasure for all of us that indeed used to play these games and sing these songs. You won't be dissapointed, this book is written in excellent quality of chosen words so everyone can understand. At the same time the illustrations are exquisite, colorful and nostalgic of my beautiful Puerto Rico. This book Enriches and makes our Traditions noted. It is wonderful that it is bilingual also! Share it with your kids! I love it!!

A terrific bilingual story packed with games and insights.
Lulu Delacre illustrates this mix of games, songs, rhymes and stories from Puerto Rico. The foundation follows a little girl throughout her day from awakening to bedtime, drawing upon her Puerto Rican traditions and providing a bilingual story of her customs and experiences. Basic reading skills will enhance this account, packed with games and insights.

Stories from Puerto Rico
Published in Paperback by McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books (11 June, 1999)
Authors: Robert L. Muckley, Jann Huizenga, and Adela Martinez-Santiago
Average review score:

Reviews from California : Repasos de California
I found this book to be very helpful in two important ways: widening my perspective of Latin culture, and bettering my Spanish reading comprehension. The 18 stories are each short enough to keep the reader interested in the story, but filled with enough vocabulary to keep him or her constantly learning. Plus, the reader that is a little shaky can use the opposite page in English as a crutch, and there is also an index of vocabulary in the back of the book if one would prefer that approach. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to further their vocabulary, while at the same time broaden their cultural perspective.

Puerto Rico's Tales & Legends in One Book
As a compilation of 18 legends, true-life experiences, and mysteries, "Stories from Puerto Rico," provides that reader with a wide array of stories all relating to the island's folklore and supernatural occurrences. The book's bilingual text, allowing both English and Spanish-language readers to enjoy these tales and accounts. The chronological order of these stories also is beneficial to classify which legends/accounts are recent and which are from the Spanish-colonial era. The tales in this book goes as follows:

(1) Creation {Pre-Colombian tale}: Discusses the Taino Indians (original island inhabitants) belief on how their gods created the Antilles.

(2) The Death of Salcedo {1511}: True-life tale of the murder of a Spanish conquistador by the Tainos, who wanted to determine whether or not he was a god. The drowning of this man in an island river helped the natives realize that the Spaniards were not from heaven.

(3) Guanina {1511}: A legend similar to a Puerto Rican version of Romeo & Juliet. Spanish conquistador-Taina love story ending in tragedy.

(4) The Miracles of Our Lady of Monserrate {1600}: The apparition of the Virgin in the town of Hormigueros caused many to build a shrine in her honor. Similar to the apparition of the Virgin in Lourdes and Fatima, this one was different because it involved the image of the Virgin of Monserrate, the black virgin who is the patron saint of Catalonia (Spain).

(5) The Snake's Curve {1700}: a legend involving a witch's curse that turned a woman from the town of Guayama into a snake.

(6) The Devil's Sentry Box {1790}: A legend that took place in San Juan involving the disappearances of several Spanish soldiers guarding the city from a Sentry House near San Cristobal Castle.

(7) & (8) Cofresi, Parts I & II {1824}: A tale of a Puerto Rican "Robin Hood". The tale is divided into two chapters.

(9) Carabali {1830}: An account of a slave fleeing from Spanish slavery.

(10) Lola de America {1858}: The life of Lola Rodriguez de Tio, one of Puerto Rico's most famous poets, and the author of the island's national anthem..

(11) Elena of the Holy Mountain (1900): The apparition of this ghostly figure in the town of San Lorenzo uses warns people of an impending storm.

(12) Esperanza (1910): The legend revolving a statue of a dog on a San Juan beach.

(13) Guayama, Witch City (1940): A report on witchcraft activities in the town of Guayama.

(14) The Miraculous Well (1953): The reported sighting of the Virgin Mary in the town of Sabana Grande, who appeared to a group of schoolchildren to tell them that the water from a well would have miraculous healing powers.

(15) The Specter (1970): The reported sightings of a ghost in the town of Patillas.

(16) Extraterrestrials (1975): Actual accounts of alien and UFO encounters throughout the island.

The final section of the book contains the popular folklore tales of Foolish Jack" ("Juan Bobo) and "Friend Rabbit" ("Compadre Conejillo"), which are well-known throughout the island. The author also includes a brief history of the island's original inhabitants, the Tainos, as well as a bilingual Spanish-English dictionary for reference. This book makes an excellent book for anyone interested in Puerto Rican culture and/or who wants to learn either Spanish or English using side-by-side texts. The author has done a great job of capturing most of the island's tales all in one book!

Abuelita's Paradise
Published in School & Library Binding by Albert Whitman & Co (September, 1992)
Authors: Carmen S. Nodar, Carmen Santiago Nodar, Carmen M. Nodar, and Judith Mathews
Average review score:

Excellent story that offers some cultural education.
This book was actually written by Carmen Santiago Nodar, who is a wonderful Hispanic children's author. She tells a beautiful story about the relationship between a child and her grandma (abuelita) who is no longer alive. The little girl remembers some of the stories her grandma used to tell her, one being her life in Puerto Rico as a young girl. The story seems so "real" and there is a nice intertwining of spanish words in the book that can offer a young reader a little taste of Spanish. I have really enjoyed reading this book to my children! This book is also printed in Spanish. I really loved this book because there are not many children books that are "cultural" especially Hispanic. I highly recommend this book if you are wanting someting a little different and also educational!

Architecture in Puerto Rico
Published in Hardcover by Hastings House Pub (February, 1981)
Author: Fernandez
Average review score:

Excellent historical reference
I found about this book while writing a paper for my architecture class last year. The book is a recompilation of all the major architectural works of the 60's. There you can see the University of Puerto Rico when it was new as well as many examples of Henry Klumb architecture. The book is not a book of history; it could be said that is a pictorical work. The book its filled with pictures and line drawings of different buildings. I find the book a great historical reference, mostly because it shows the influence of international style in the island. If you are an architect, planner or engineer or merely a person interested in Puerto Rico development this book is a must. Considering that most of those buildings are being either demolish or modified the book has an enormous historical importance.

The Balcony (Portraits Series)
Published in Paperback by Bethany House (September, 1997)
Author: Lynn Morris
Average review score:

A great book
Lynn Morris first solo book is great. If you have read the Cheney Duvall MD books written with her father, Gilbert Morris you know what a powerful duo they are. On her own Lynn is just as good. With a bit more romance than her father she still keeps God in the center of things. It has a great mystery to go along and this is one mystery you have to read the whole to book to figure out. You may suspect the "villians" but she keeps you off track. This is a wonderful book that I would recomend to anyone. If you like Lori Wick, Gilbert Morris, Jenette Oke, and many others you'll like this one. I do have one question for Lynn Morris though, when is your next solo book coming out???? :)

Birds in Jeopardy: The Imperiled and Extinct Birds of the United States and Canada
Published in Paperback by Stanford Univ Pr (T) (April, 1992)
Authors: Paul R. Ehrlich, David S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye
Average review score:

Very Informative!
Reading the sections on the extinct birds is quite distrubing since has an acute sense of frustration that they are in fact gone forever and cannot be braught back to life. This book in question, i.e., Birds in Jeopardy : The Imperiled and Extinct Birds of the United States and Canada by Paul R. Ehrlich, et al, is a good reminder that we have a huge responsibility towards other species in other surrounding enviroment and we have the obligation to keep the list of extinct animals from growing since loosing more species would indeed be quite devestating. Highly Recomended.

Bobo's Magic Wishes: A Story from Puerto Rico
Published in Library Binding by Bt Bound (October, 1999)
Authors: Janet Palazzo-Craig and Charles Reasoner
Average review score:

My students enjoyed keeping track of the wishes
Juan Bobo is a favorite of young children, and this book continues in the same noodlehead tradition of the original four folktales of Juan Bobo told in the An-I-Can-Read series.

Related Vacation Book Subjects: VacationBookReview portugal regions San_Juan
More Pages: puerto rico Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18