From Pop-Ups to a Bookmobile—Libros con Alma Is Bringing Stories (and Spanish Lit) Straight to Southeast LA
Storytelling is the soul of a community—and Libros con Alma understands this. Founded in 2021 by Alma Guzman, the initiative was born out of a simple yet powerful mission: to distribute free books by BIPOC authors and Spanish-language texts to Southeast Los Angeles residents. But it didn’t stop there.
Now entering its fourth year, Libros con Alma has become a movement. From pop-up book giveaways to interactive book clubs and literary art exhibits, Guzman is creating space for readers, language learners, and cultural storytellers to come together. And this summer, she’s taking things to the next level with her biggest project yet—Libros con Alma’s first-ever Bookmobile.
Recently, I had the chance to chat with Guzman about Libros con Alma’s own story. We talked about literature as a means of understanding cultural history as well as personal history, the beauty of passing along the stories we love, and Guzman’s plans to expand her outreach.
How Libros con Alma Started: A Bookshop Without Walls
For Guzman, the idea for Libros con Alma wasn’t just about books—it was about access. “There is a lack of bookstores in this area,” she explained, “and I wanted to fill in the gap and do pop-ups in places where people gather.”
She started small, setting up at Cruzita’s Deli and Cafe in Huntington Park, a Latina-owned space that welcomed the idea with open arms. From there, she expanded to community festivals and local businesses, sharing books through donations and carefully curated thrift finds.
By 2023, her impact had grown. With the support of a California Arts Council and Community Partners grant, she was able to reach even more people across Southeast LA, ensuring that literature in Spanish and by BIPOC authors was placed directly into the hands of those who needed it.
Libros con Alma Proves BIPOC Literature Is Limitless
The beauty of Libros con Alma is that it showcases the vastness of BIPOC literature, breaking the idea that these stories have to fit into a singular mold. Guzman is passionate about showing the diversity of storytelling because she knows firsthand what it’s like to grow up not seeing yourself reflected in books.
“I never saw myself in the books I read,” she recalled. “It wasn’t until college that I started relating to the characters in my assignments. That made an impact on me—it helped me learn more about myself.”
That realization inspired her to create a platform that highlights stories often missing from school curriculums and traditional bookstore shelves. Guzman hopes that by offering these books, readers—especially young ones—will feel seen earlier in life than she did.
One book that has remained especially meaningful to her is Kindred by Octavia Butler. “It’s a time-travel book that highlights the stories of enslaved folks and how they relate to our present times,” she said. “It’s all about our ancestors and how healing and survival are themes we’re always grappling with.”
Sharing Stories That Stay With You
Through book donations and thrifting, Guzman comes across stories that have left lasting marks on readers—books that people hesitate to part with because they mean so much. That’s why she’s always surprised when she receives copies of All About Love by bell hooks.
“It’s a book that people hold on to forever,” she noted. “You can always revisit it and learn something new. Two years go by, and you look at it again, and there’s a nugget of wisdom that reads differently. When people donate that book, it’s really special because it means they’re ready to share it with another person.”
Another book she’s been thrilled to pass along is The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera. “It’s a dystopian novel for middle school kids about colonizing space at the end of the world,” she said. “It’s all about protecting our culture and traditions. The protagonist is a little girl who wants to be a storyteller, just like her grandmother, who is passing down stories about their family and ancestors.”
For Guzman, that’s the magic of books—the way stories can be passed from one reader to another, carrying history, wisdom, and hope.
The Amiguis Book Club: Where Literature Meets Language
One of Libros con Alma’s most engaging initiatives is the Amiguis Book Club, which isn’t just about reading—it’s also about language, culture, and community.
“The purpose was to create a safe space where it doesn’t matter what level you’re at or how good or bad your Spanish is,” Guzman explained. “It’s a no-judgment zone. We’re just there to support each other and practice.”
The first book the club tackled was Trece latas de atún by musician Amandititita. The sessions went beyond discussion—readers explored “anarcumbia” (anarchy cumbia), journaled in Spanish, and reflected on the book’s diary-like style. Now, Guzman is hoping to expand the project by partnering with Cruzita’s Deli and Cafe again for a cookbook session.
Cuéntame: Bringing Books Into the Art World
Guzman’s love for literature extends beyond the page. In 2023, she launched Cuéntame, a book-inspired art exhibit that celebrated Southeast LA’s storytellers and readers. Through a Creative Core Fellowship grant, she asked community members to share their favorite books and the stories behind them.
She then worked with artists to create painted and hand-drawn portraits of the participants, pairing them with audio clips and text about their chosen books.
“It was wonderful to hear them speak about the books that changed their lives—books they want their neighbors to read because they feel like they could change their lives too,” she shared. “I really love that aspect of reading—being able to pass on a book or story because you know it’s special.”
Libros con Alma Is Expanding—And Hitting the Road
While Libros con Alma has built a strong foundation in Southeast LA, Guzman is constantly finding new ways to expand access to books.
A recent book drive for wildfire-affected communities was so successful that it collected nearly 2,000 books—so many that she had to pause donations while figuring out storage and distribution. She’s hoping to create librito care packages to make sure the books reach those who need them most.
And this summer, she’s launching Libros con Alma’s first-ever Bookmobile.
“Right now, I’m working with a few artists who are helping with branding, artwork, and build-outs,” she said. “Hopefully, it’s on the road in the summer, so I can drive out a little farther and connect with more communities.”
Even as she prepares to start selling books through local business partnerships, one thing will never change: her mission to make books accessible for free.
“That’s part of my mission,” she emphasized. “To make books accessible.”
