This Tuesday, VOZ NYC hosted a community author talk at the Reading Public Library – Main Branch, featuring José Martínez, author of Your English Is Great, But….
The event brought together readers, educators, and community members for an evening centered on language, identity, and belonging — themes that sit at the heart of VOZ NYC’s publishing mission.
An Author Talk Rooted in Lived Experience
During the program, José Martínez shared personal reflections from Your English Is Great, But…, reading a brief excerpt and expanding on the experiences that inspired the book. His remarks focused on how language, accents, and everyday “compliments” can shape identity and influence how people are perceived in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.
The conversation opened into a community dialogue, allowing attendees to reflect on their own experiences navigating language, belonging, and cultural expectations.
A Q&A session at the end of the talk gave space for audience members to ask questions, share stories, and connect the book’s themes to their own lives.
Why This Conversation Resonated
Language is never just about words.
It carries memory, power, and assumption.
Throughout the evening, participants discussed how phrases that may sound harmless or well-intended can carry deeper meaning — reinforcing ideas about who belongs, who is “surprising,” and who is expected to explain themselves.
These are the kinds of conversations VOZ NYC seeks to elevate: thoughtful, honest exchanges that reflect lived experience rather than abstract theory.
VOZ NYC’s Commitment to Community Storytelling
VOZ NYC is an independent publishing platform dedicated to stories rooted in language, identity, and lived experience. Beyond publishing books, VOZ NYC partners with libraries and cultural institutions to bring storytelling into shared community spaces.
Hosting José Martínez at Reading Public Library reflects that commitment — using books as a starting point for dialogue, reflection, and connection.
About the Book
Your English Is Great, But… explores the emotional and cultural weight behind everyday language. Through a series of reflections, the book examines how compliments, assumptions, and speech can quietly shape identity and belonging.
The book is available on Amazon:
Looking Ahead
VOZ NYC will continue supporting author talks, readings, and conversations that center language, culture, and community. More events and collaborations are planned as part of our ongoing work to amplify stories that reflect real lived experiences.
Read more: José Martínez Leads Conversation on Language and Belonging at Reading Public Library
Why VOZ NYC Published Your English Is Great, But… | Language, Identity & Storytelling
Why VOZ NYC published Your English Is Great, But… — a book exploring language, identity, and belonging through lived experience. Available on Amazon.
3 Things You Might Not Know About Your English Is Great, But…
1️⃣ It started as a journal I kept during lunch breaks in New York. What began as scribbled reflections turned into stories about language, identity, and navigating the world in Spanglish. 2️⃣ Every chapter title is inspired by real things people said to me. From “You’re not like other Mexicans” to “Wow, your English is…
Emmy-Winning Journalist and Author José Martínez to Host Book Talk at Reading Public Library
READING, PA — Emmy Award–winning journalist, author, and storyteller José Martínez will host a community book talk and conversation centered on language, identity, and belonging at the Reading Public Library this January. The event will take place on Tuesday, January 13 at 5:30 PM at the Reading Public Library — Main Branch and is free…
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