Yxta Maya Murray Books

The narrative explores the pressing issues of moral corruption and environmental devastation within a divided nation. Through compelling, real-life inspired stories, it delves into the complexities of contemporary societal challenges, highlighting the struggles and resilience of individuals caught in the turmoil. The book captures the urgent need for awareness and action in the face of these critical problems, offering a poignant reflection on the state of the nation.

Set against the backdrop of East L.A. gang life, the narrative follows two teenage girls as they navigate the dangerous world of gun trafficking, which is on the brink of escalating into a lucrative drug trade. The story delves into the intensity and peril of their lives, capturing the raw realities of youth caught in a cycle of violence and crime. Celebrated as a stunning debut, it offers a gripping exploration of friendship and survival in a turbulent environment.

Set against the backdrop of East L.A.'s boxing scene, the narrative follows Rita Zapata, a fierce streetfighter who dreams of a better life. At eighteen, she earns the title "Queen of the Streetfighters," but her life takes a turn when she meets Billy, an ambitious fighter from Mexico. Their intense romance brings Rita love and newfound respect, but it also complicates her journey. With vibrant prose and a strong, relatable heroine, the story explores themes of ambition, love, and the challenges of rising to the top, ultimately leading to the bright lights of Vegas.

Sara Gonzales, a restorer of rare books, lives in a solitary world of dusty volumes. While devoted to her work, she is assigned to restore a scandalous sixteenth-century book, "The Conquest," which challenges her understanding of history and prompts her to reconsider her life choices and the cost of her passion.

An ancient document reveals a thrilling quest for Montezuma's stolen gold, leading Lola Sanchez, a passionate bibliophile and bookshop owner, into an unexpected adventure. The writings detail the journey of a thief who evolves from conquistador to alchemist and ultimately into a werewolf. This captivating blend of history and fantasy promises to immerse readers in a tale of treasure, transformation, and the allure of the past.

The play explores the profound themes of power, politics, and personal trauma through a reimagining of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Utilizing interviews, transcripts, and found texts, it creates a poetic and provocative narrative that challenges perceptions of truth and justice. Enhanced by a score from law professor Kathleen Kim, the work invites both reading and performance, making it a compelling thought experiment on gender, race, and societal dynamics.

The narrative unfolds through unconventional formats like web posts, Instagram essays, and rejected reviews, blending personal confession with art criticism. It follows an artist whose life collapses at the moment of her creative breakthrough, exploring themes of vulnerability, identity, and the intersection of art and personal experience. This unique storytelling approach offers an introspective look at the challenges and triumphs within the creative process.

Set against the backdrop of 2020 Los Angeles, Laura de León, a radar astronomer at NASA, navigates multiple crises, including the pandemic lockdowns and social unrest following high-profile police killings. Amid these challenges, she is tasked with writing a crucial section for a Congressional report on the need for a system to detect and deflect Potentially Hazardous Objects (PHOs). The narrative intertwines themes of family, love, and the impact of trauma, exploring how these experiences can drive the quest for a safer and more equitable world.

"This book concerns women of color and queer of color artist-activists-"artivists"-whose work challenges discriminatory and oppressive US laws. Written by a law professor and art critic, the book examines how artivists critique, protest against, and create new interpretations of law through their direct action and their art"--