“Bodega Stories” Author Event

Amaris Castillo will discuss her new book Bodega Stories, published by University Press of Florida in September 2026. In this book, Castillo takes readers inside her family’s bodega to meet the community at its heart, revealing a thriving local hub that bridges generations, languages, and traditions. She gives readers a glimpse into the lives of employees and customers as they navigate matters of immigration, love, history, food, and identity.

Amaris Castillo is a Brooklyn native and daughter of Dominican immigrants. A former newspaper reporter, her work has appeared in the New York Times, Lowell Sun, Bradenton Herald, and elsewhere. She currently works at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies and lives in the Tampa Bay area with her family. Castillo will be in conversation with Carlynn Crosby, an acquiring editor at the University Press of Florida.