Las Madres follows a group of mothers and daughters between Puerto Rico and the U.S. as they face challenges of health, natural disaster and family secrets with rich, warm prose and characters. Esmeralda Santiago joins us to talk about her personal connection to her characters, the challenge of writing real events, representing Puerto Rican history and culture and more. Elizabeth Acevedo’s Family Lore brings the secrets of a generational saga and the surprises of magical realism together in her adult debut. Acevedo joins us to talk about writing prose and poetry, the importance of silence and power, the danger women face in the world and more. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Mary and Marc.     Listen in as these authors speak separately with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.         Featured Books (Episode): Las Madres by Esmeralda Santiago Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo Conquistadora by Esmeralda Santiago When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago Almost a Woman by Esmeralda Santiago The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez Blessing the Boats by Lucille Clifton Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw Afterlife by Julia Alvarez   Featured Books (TBR Topoff): Lotería by Mario Alberto Zambrano The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani