Manuel Martín-Rodriguez on Intertextuality and Readers

Manuel Martín-Rodriguez, professor of literature at the University of California, Merced, recently received a 2015 Latino Book Award in the category of Best Latino Focused Nonfiction Book for his examination of Chicano literary history, With a Book in Their Hands: Chicano/a Readers and Readerships (University of New Mexico Press, 2014). Martín-Rodriguez, who was formerly director of Hispanic Studies at Texas A&M University and director of the Roberto Hernández Center at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, is interested in the study of literary tradition framed not only by the books themselves but by readers, reading habits, literary references, and private libraries. Library Journal caught up with him recently to talk about his books and numerous side projects.