About Silvia

I am the fourth owner of Allende Books and its current administrator. I must confess that Allende Books is a one-person operation with a lot of help from a very supportive husband.

I play all the necessary roles to run an independent bookstore, which can be considered as an endangered species in itself.

I have been fascinated by animals ever since I remember. My grandfather Felix, gifted me with a volume of Wonders and Mysteries of the Animal World when I was three years old, way before I could read it, but its images kept me mesmerized forever. As my grandparents realized the profound effect of this book, they continued bringing me collections of books about animals from all over the world, throughout my childhood.

My grandfather, a delightful storyteller, also used to take me for long walks. We had great conversations, as he would encourage me to pay attention to native flora, ‘weeds’, insects, and every single life form around in the east coast of Patagonia in Argentina, where I was born. Now I realize what a privileged childhood I had! I also realize that these early experiences sculpted the foundations of my life.

Since then, I have continued exploring nature, books, and the world. I graduated from university as a literature teacher, I met my husband here in Mexico and that took me to Canada where I lived for twenty-two years, and I also lived in Andalusia Spain for a while. Many of those years I worked as a Spanish as a second language teacher. I have been an advocate for wildlife animals for several years, focusing especially on wild carnivores, I have also worked with companion animal species and did training on Animal Assisted Therapy and Education.

When the opportunity to buy the bookstore suddenly came, it felt like just the right thing to do, the perfect adventure for bringing together all the different fields I have walked throughout my life, and the ideals I believe in.

I love all sorts of books and subjects such as personal development, psychology, art, mythology, esoteric knowledge, and spiritual wisdom from different cultures.

You may notice that the books that I am bringing to the store are the reflection of a holistic approach:

wonderful field guides that will satisfy the scientific approach of marine biologists, and also readings that may challenge us to look at ourselves and what surrounds us with an open mind and heart.

I understand Independent Bookstores as ideal places to provide opportunities for creative expression, sharing, and exchanging ideas and knowledge. Offering activities that can enrich our lives and bring us together as a community respecting freedom and our uniqueness as individuals.

Please, check our event section, we frequently host author presentations, philosophical walks in Spanish, acoustic music sessions, and more events are coming.

I hope you enjoy your visit to Allende Books!