As you may have noticed, we've got a brand new book club starting up at Indigo this week! Xoán Carbón Mallol, founder of the Spanish Book Club for Young Adults, kindly took the time to sit down and share some of his story with me. On behalf of the whole gang here at Indigo Bridge, I'd like to thank Xoán for answering our burning questions and congratulate him on all his hard work. ¡Felicidades!
Indigo Bridge Books: Let's start out by getting to know a bit about you! Your father is an Education Advisor at the Embassy of Spain, and has been in residence at UNL since 2005. You're currently a sophomore at Lincoln High. Tell us, how has your move to Nebraska impacted your life?
Xoán Carbón Mallol: Right. I'm a sophomore at Lincoln High. Moving to Nebraska and living here has impacted my life in a very positive way. I have been able to learn English, which is a skill that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Before moving to Nebraska, I really didn't know much about America, most of my knowledge about it was gathered from movies. I figured the capital must be New York, since that was the city I heard about the most. Living here has aided me in taking other points of view into consideration and has enriched my worldview.
IBB: Your father's post at the University is scheduled to end this year, and your family will be returning to your hometown of Girona. Do you regret that you won't be continuing at Lincoln High and graduating with your class?
XCM: In a way I do, I am really going to miss all the friends that I've made over the course of these five years, but I'm also excited to go back and be able to see my friends and family there more often. If it was my choice, I would probably stay here a couple more years so that I could graduate.
IBB: You and your parents are familiar faces here at Indigo Bridge. How did you first become involved with the bookstore?
XCM: We were walking through the Farmers' Market over the summer and noticed a new store, "Indigo Bridge Books". The name had a nice ring, the atmosphere was cozy, and the Coffee was great! We couldn't stay away. I wrote my contact info on a volunteer sign-up sheet and was notified about Spanish Story Time. The rest just went from there I suppose.
IBB: What inspired you to begin a Spanish-speaking book club for young adults?
XCM: I wanted to have the opportunity to converse with peers in Spanish. Maria had commented that she would like an opportunity to speak Spanish with other people more often and my dad recommended a book club. I thought it was a wonderful idea and was just the one to set it in motion. One of the Graphics designers at UNL made posters for the Book Club with a painting that my mother, Esperanza Mallol created. Additionally, I talked to the Spanish teacher at Lincoln High School and spoke to her advanced level students about the book club.
IBB: Have you made any reading selections yet?
XCM: Yes. So far, I've chosen two pieces that we can read for the Club. The first one is called "Oxolotl" by Julio Cortázar, and the second one is called El Hijo, de Horacio Quiroga.
IBB: How does the American attitude toward the importance of learning a second language compare to that of Spain?
XCM: It's really similar. Both understand that learning a second language is key to understanding the world better. One difference is that in Spain children start learning another language when they are in first grade or earlier. I think a language should be taught when children can still easily internalize it.
IBB: What do you feel will be the Spanish Book Club for Young Adults' greatest benefit to our community?
XCM: I think it'll be a good opportunity for people that are speakers of the language to improve/brush up on their Spanish having fun at the same time!
IBB: Who do you most hope to see at the inaugural meeting of your book club this Friday?
XCM: Anyone interested in speaking Spanish and discussing great reading with peers!
Sound like you? Join Xoán tomorrow evening at 6 pm, right here at Indigo! Para más información: clubdelecturalincoln@gmail.com.
