Fiesta 1980, by Junot Diaz

This is a wonderful story told from the view of a teenage boy. Yunior and his family have come to America but have carried with them their Dominican customs. One of them is based on a patriarchal society where males rule. Yunior's dad is abusive and is pretty much a typical male. I found parts of this story comical. I knew which author I was reading and would have guessed if the author's name wasn't listed. Diaz is able to cleverly and adroitly combine both English and Spanish into his narrative to capture the real voice of this teenage boy.

Good for the Soul by Tim Gautreax

Father Ledet has good intentions. It's just that his things don't work out exactly as he would want them to. One day he goes to give last rites to Clyde Arceneax. Father Ledet gets drunk beforehand and wrecks his car into a woman's car on the way to the hospital. The cop who comes along suspects that Father is drunk. Meanwhile, Clyde confesses to Father Ledet that he stole a friend's car years ago and has kept it in storage. Clyde's wife asks Father to keep it to himself so that Clyde doesn't die with a cloud over his head. Father Ledet has problems of his own. His license is revoked and some in his Parrish find out. Clyde's wife asks Father Ledet to take the truck back to the friend. Father agrees to. But he runs into deeper trouble trying to explain to the police why he is returning a dusty old truck while intoxicated. In the end this story is all about being completely honest with yourself and others.