Ohhh who doesn't love a good read? Would you like to join a book club? Yes? Well do I have a recommendation for you! The Sniffy Book Club! Operated by Lupe, @wassloppyjoearealman. Bringing interesting new reads to you, but be sure to have your hand dandy sniffy library card! Another of this week's features is Lupe!
Before we begin Lupe shares with us what they have been enjoying as of recently "Other people’s art, boba tea, native plants and Robert Smith" I too enjoy looking at other peoples art that's for sure! It's always the best. My room is basically covered in local art haha. They continue by giving out a shout-out "Juntos, always. They’re grrrreat! (check them out though 403 n main st suite b)"
We begin by asking Lupe about the work that they do along with along with what they aim to provide to the community as they say "Honestly, whatever project I’m working on is always first and foremost about creative expression to me, so I guess I’m just trying to share parts of myself. I love history, I love the work I do with Divest/Invest RGV so naturally I put those together and created 'A history of policing in the Rio Grande Valley'. I love books and knowledge, and art especially, that’s why sniffy book club is as expansive and silly as it is, cause I’m just combining it all!" I can see their interest in history especially when it comes to the RGV along with the current events we have going on. As they created a petition flyer on the renaming of the Robert E. Lee elementary school along with another example being the recent zine created on policing in the valley. This is all very informative along with what they provide in their library book cart. I've found some neat stuff I've never expected to find that's for sure. So I do see the love of books, history and their creative expression spread upon The Sniffy Book Club.
What would the mission statement behind the Sniffy Book Club be as they state "To provide proletarian literature and other cool stuff, ensure dialogue, be a hub for self-expression (especially for me) and just have fun!" I'd have to say that it is FUN! It feels like I'm back in school at a book fair. Especially when I feel that there is something for everyone no matter their interest.
What got Lupe interested in creating the club? "I read John Water’s 'Carsick' in college and he basically creates this character who is an unhinged older lady slinging trashy books to degenerate customers out of a mobile library, she calls it her 'book club', and that’s all I’ve strived to do in my life since then." Thank you lupe for slinging "Mujeres Grandes, Black Indians: A Hidden Heritage, Foucault, Marxism & History" at me. May you continue on your mission! They continue by saying "I’ve always liked books, as a kid I wanted to write them (and work at McDonalds). I ended up trying to become a librarian instead, I’m actually going to school for that right now. I got into radical theory and politics when I was in college and just wanted to make that information accessible. Also I just felt like I hadn’t seen anything like this before! So I wanted to create it." I wanted to work at gamestop and read garfield books as a kid. I wanted to work as a librarian, until I realized I needed a masters for it? I was like WOAH! I do feel that with The Sniffy Book Club that there is good information available. Even when I saw people look through the cart that it made them interested and curious even if they were just looking through it.
What does Lupe wish to evoke from their book club? "Interest. Imagination. Dialogue. Self-expression. A LOVE FOR READING!!!" Reading Rainbow? More like Reading With Sniffy that's for sure. If you ever find yourself at the sniffy library cart take your time to see what they have available! You never know what you're going to find.
How does Lupe decide/choose what books/literature to provide for the public? as they explain "So I do try to incorporate stuff I learn from Library school into it, like research techniques and stuff but I mainly use those to look for literature that fits the themes: proletarian, culture, philosophical, historical, classic fiction and art. Someone told me once that the string that tied them all together was struggle. Basically it’s just all shit I like and can relate with from an ethical standpoint, and would keep in my home library." As Lupe mentions these are basically all books she would "keep in my home library." I can't imagine finding a cool and being like "Do I keep this or add it to The Sniffy Book Club?" like it must be tough, but in the end it'll be worth knowing it's going to a good home. I'd say that even with those themes it's just what Lupe enjoys and wishes to share with others and that's the fun part for sure.
Whether they're buying or browsing what would Lupe like to get out of their booth/book cart as she says "I hope a good time! I love when folks pick something up and are like 'Oh my god! They have this here?' and it’s just like yes, that’s what I’m trying to do!" There's simply just too much to choose from! I remember picking out my books and I was like Oh this is neat then I spotted something else and I needed to take that home with me. It's things that I'm interested in reading and learning from, but it's nice to know that now I know someone who has it readily available!
What has their vending experiences been like along with feedback received as they share "They’ve been pretty awesome! Even if I don’t make too much money those nights. The conversation around what I do has always been amazing. People want to learn and talk about their experiences and dive into politics and all the shit you’re not supposed to talk about at the dinner table. And I love conversations like that. I try to be open to people’s opinions, even if I don’t agree because that’s how true dialogue is supposed to be. We’re all just learning from each other." I like that "the shit you're not supposed to talk about at the dinner table" especially from my experience when it comes to parents who are very traditional it can be hard to talk about certain topics and so you just "talk" which is fine, but sometimes you just want to SHARE something and express yourself. As Lupe mentions "even if I don't agree that's how true dialogue is supposed to be" which is understanding both sides and hearing them out. Just in a lot of things that we do, read, listen to, and experience and a lot of it is communication we're just "learning from each other."
Is Lupe working on any new projects? As she shares with us "I’m working on expanding the story of the ‘McAllen Jail Beatings’ in the late 70’s. It’s not something that has been explored much in Valley History and I think it’s important to highlight and elevate that history. But other than that, I always have a million ideas churning in my head. Right now I’m putting together an event for May Day (International Worker’s Day), May 1st at Juntos. It's going to be a radical literature exchange with free zines and a presentation. Check it out!" Both of those sound so cool! In-case you're wondering May 1st is a Sunday! I had to double check my calendar. Now I'm wondering how/what it's going to be like! How exciting.
How does Lupe wish to grow as an artist along with Sniffy Book Club? As they explain "So Sniffy is me (please don’t rat me out) and I think besides’ the 'book club' being my baby I named it that cause I am always growing along with my interests. I want to become more secure in myself and my work. I want the same for the book club. And just for it to thrive and take on a life of it’s own for folks!" I can understand that. Feeling secure in the work she does for herself, but along for others? If she can't feel secure with her own work then what would that mean for Sniffy Book Club? When it's a sense of self-expression, ideas, thoughts, but most importantly it's FUN to be had. Already creating Zines and events for the public to come and learn. Sniffy Book Club will blossom beautifully that's for sure.
Lupe shares their thoughts on the local valley scene,
"The Valley and the people here are such a treasure. I’ve been going to shows since I was 14 at the VFW in McAllen and the V in San Benito (I'm from La feria). Growing up and going to college in Edinburg, meeting my friends and seeing the punk scene ebb and flow in the Valley has been special and irreplaceable. I can’t begin to explain how it’s shaped me as a person."
Along with one final comment,
"Like I said, the Valley is a treasure. Y’all can check me out at my permanent spot at Juntos Vintage Co-Op. Come buy some cool books, check out the free materials and resources we have and support local!"
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