Introduction
Mimi Palacios, a passionate reader and advocate for literature, found solace in audiolibros when degenerative macular disease made it impossible for her to read traditional books. Her love for stories, shared through both silent and aloud reading, persisted throughout her life.
Early Reading Habits
Mimi reminisced about her school days, recalling the dual reading classes: one for silent reading and another for read aloud. She lamented that many people today struggle with basic literacy skills.
Building a Collection
Although not a collector, Mimi’s library contained first editions of novels and short stories from the 1960s and 70s. These books were read during their time of publication, when many now-renowned authors were just emerging.
Expanding Horizons
Through a friend’s influence, Mimi discovered translated works by Kundera, Baricco, and Marai. These authors introduced her to diverse landscapes and lifestyles, both distant and familiar.
Staying Informed
Despite her frustration with global infamy and injustices, Mimi followed the news. As a UNAM-educated lawyer, she believed it was crucial to stay informed, even if it meant witnessing the deterioration of the rule of law.
Embracing Audiolibros
In her later years, audiolibros allowed Mimi to disconnect from the violent world around her. She enjoyed revisiting classics like “Balún-Canán” and “El amor en los tiempos del cólera,” as well as exploring new authors such as Javier Cercas, Eduardo Mendoza, and Elena Ferrante.
Critical Listening
Mimi was discerning in her listening habits, critiquing readers who rushed through stories or exaggerated accents and stylistic flourishes. She understood the importance of engaging, entertaining, and thought-provoking narratives.
Personal Reading Experience
In her final days, Mimi listened to “El loco de Dios en el fin del mundo” by Cercas, engaging in a deeply personal read-aloud experience. She focused more on conversations and memories than on the philosophical discussions about immortality and eternity.
Audiolibros as a Lifeline
While technology often marginalized Mimi, audiolibros provided a vital connection to literature and culture. They allowed her to remember stories within history, converse with books, and engage with fellow readers.
Literature as a Beacon
In an era of disregard for education and rejection of culture and diversity, literature serves as a window to freedom and imagination. Reading—aloud or silently—unites us in a shared world, sometimes challenging but always enriching.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was Mimi Palacios? Mimi Palacios was a passionate reader and advocate for literature who continued to engage with books through audiolibros after losing her sight.
- Why were audiolibros significant for Mimi? Audiolibros allowed Mimi to maintain her connection with literature, remember stories within history, and converse with fellow readers despite her visual impairment.
- How did Mimi’s reading habits evolve over time? Mimi started with traditional silent and read-aloud reading in school, then expanded her collection to include first editions of emerging authors. Later, she discovered translated works that broadened her horizons and eventually embraced audiolibros when her sight deteriorated.
- What role did literature play in Mimi’s life? Literature was central to Mimi’s life, providing solace, knowledge, and a means of connecting with others despite her visual impairment.
