Latina readers 18-35 needed for book club research

Are you a Latina between 18 and 35 years of age?
Do you like reading popular fiction novels?
If you answered YES to these questions,
you may be eligible to participate in this book club research study.

The purpose of this research is to gain an understanding of how Latina women connect with “chica lit,” a genre of women’s popular fiction aimed at Latina readers.  Participants will read 6 books from September 2009 to May 2010 and will meet 7 times to discuss each novel as a group.  All books will be read in English.  Book club meetings will last approximately 1 hour and will be held in the 5th floor conference room at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library in San Jose.  Participants may not directly benefit from this research study, but it is hoped that they will enjoy the process of reading and discussing books as a group.  Participants will receive all of the books to keep and will receive a $25 book store gift card at the completion of this study.

More details below….

Participants must attend the first meeting and at least 5 additional meetings to receive the book store gift card.  The following books will be read in English (and will be given to participants for free):
1. Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz (Author: Belina Acosta)
2. Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Author: Marta Acosta)
3. Hot Tamara (Author: Mary Castillo)
4. Divas Don’t Yield (Author: Sofia Quintero)
5. Becoming Latina in 10 East Steps (Author: Lara Rios)
6. Dirty Girls Social Club (Author: Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez)

Book club meetings will last approximately 1 hour and will be held in the 5th floor conference room at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library at the following Wednesday evening times:

September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
October 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
December 2,  6:30-7:30
Jan 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
March 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
April 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
May 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Women of Hispanic descent, who are between 18 and 35 years of age are eligible.  Please attend an informational meeting in the 5th floor conference room at the MLK Jr. Library (150 E. San Fernando St.) on Wednesday, September 30 at 6:30 p.m. to receive more information and participant consent forms.  You must attend this first meeting to be considered for this study (only 8-12 participants will be selected).

This research study is being conducted by Felicia Salinas, Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of
American Civilization at Brown University (Providence, RI) as part of her dissertation research.
Please contact Felicia Salinas at Felicia_Salinas@brown.edu or (408) 642-1902 for more information.

Felicia Salinas
Doctoral Candidate
Department of American Civilization
Brown University
B.A. Creative Arts, Mexican American Studies minor
San Jose State University