“Woman of Light,” by Kali Fajardo-Anstine is a historical novel set in the 1930s in Denver and southern Colorado that traces five generations of an Indigenous Chicano and Chicano family. Books in Spanish and English are available now at CMC campuses.
‘Woman of Light’ is CMC’s Common Reader for 2023
English and Spanish versions of award-winning author Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s novel available now
Jan. 23, 2023 – The 2023 Colorado Mountain College’s Common Reader book selection is the nationally bestselling novel, “Woman of Light,” by Kali Fajardo-Anstine, a Colorado native and National Book Award finalist. The book celebrates CMC’s recent designation as an Hispanic Serving Institution and is being offered to the public in both English and Spanish versions.
Set in the 1930s in Denver and southern Colorado, Fajardo-Anstine’s fictionalized historical epic traces five generations of a Chicano and Chicana family. It follows the story’s heroine Luz Lopez as she traces her family’s history in this multigenerational western saga, meeting fantastical and memorable characters along the way as Lopez’s Indigenous ancestors emerge.
In addition to “Woman of Light,” Fajardo-Anstine is the author of “Sabrina & Corina,” an award-winning collection of short stories. She has received multiple awards for her work, including the American Book Award, and has been nominated for the Joyce Carol Oates Prize. She is currently the Endowed Chair in Creative Writing at Texas State University.
Now in its 16th year, the college’s Common Reader brings together students, faculty, staff and community members to read a selected book together and to participate in talks with the author.
Fajardo-Anstine will give author talks at four CMC campuses in March: at CMC Breckenridge on March 27; at CMC Leadville on March 28; at Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs on March 29; and at CMC Vail Valley at Edwards on March 30. All talks will be at 7 p.m., and the talks on March 27 and March 29 will be streamed live through the college’s Common Reader webpage.
Books are available at local bookstores, libraries and CMC locations.
For more information, including how to take part in an art and creative writing contest, go to Common Reader or call 800-621-8559.