How a Bodega Becomes a Home | Uncovered

Presented by PBS Books in partnership with the Association of University Presses, Uncovered invites viewers to discover the stories behind today’s most compelling books and the conversations they inspire. In this episode, we explore Bodega Stories by Amaris Castillo, published by University Press of Florida, a member press of the Association of University Presses.

A bodega is more than a neighborhood store—it is a place where stories are shared, traditions are preserved, and communities come together. In Bodega Stories, author Amaris Castillo takes viewers inside Orlando Latin Market, her family’s bodega in St. Petersburg, Florida, to uncover the people, memories, and cultural connections that make these spaces a vital part of Hispanic and Latinx communities.

Join host Heather-Marie Montilla for a conversation with Castillo about the inspiration behind the book, her family’s journey, the research and storytelling that shaped her work, and why these everyday stories of food, language, history, and identity deserve to be celebrated. Through the experiences of customers, employees, and families from across the Caribbean and Latin America, Bodega Stories reveals how places of gathering can preserve heritage while creating a sense of belonging across generations.

This episode expands the conversation beyond the featured book to explore the rich and evolving themes of Hispanic and Latinx heritage—including identity, community, immigration, cultural traditions, and the influence of language and history on the stories we share today.

Continue the discovery with a special reading list featuring additional books from Association of University Presses member presses that explore Hispanic and Latinx heritage through diverse voices, perspectives, and genres. Together, these selections invite readers to learn more, discover new stories, and continue the conversation.

Bodega Stories by Amaris Castillo

A bodega is much more than a neighborhood grocery store-it’s a lifeline to community and culture. In BODEGA STORIES, Amaris Castillo takes readers inside Orlando Latin Market, a bodega owned and operated by her parents in St. Petersburg, Florida, to reveal a thriving local hub that bridges generations, languages, and traditions.

Interwoven are snapshots of daily life, like a bulletin board outside the store where local residents post apartments for rent, messages through the bodega’s Facebook page asking for hard-to-find items, and photos from the past and present. Including Castillo’s own family’s story from the Dominican Republic to New York to Florida, BODEGA STORIES is a portrait of finding home-between the cultures we inherit and the ones we embrace.

Published by the University Press of Florida.

The scholarly publishing arm of the State University System of Florida, the University Press of Florida (UPF) was founded in 1945. UPF has published more than 3,000 volumes to date. One of the largest university presses in the South, UPF has earned a prominent reputation for publishing distinguished works by important global and local voices. UPF is proud to serve the State University System of Florida, its universities, and the diverse communities of our state.

The UPF faculty editorial board, composed of faculty members from universities in the State University System of Florida, assesses and approves all books that have passed peer review and are slated for publication under the UPF colophon, ensuring that the peer review process is thorough.

Between September 15 and October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens with Spanish and Latin American ancestry. In celebration, we hope to provide you with an opportunity to discover new voices and fresh perspectives that reflect the richness and diversity of Hispanic and Latinx experiences. This month’s Uncovered theme was chosen to spotlight recently published books by authors whose stories explore identity, culture, family, history, and community in thoughtful and engaging ways. By featuring new works, Uncovered invites viewers to connect with storytellers and join the conversations that are shaping our understanding of the world today.

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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 Tampa Bay with her family. BODEGA STORIES is her debut.

Heather-Marie Montilla, a dynamic integrative leader, is an educator and nonprofit manager. She has worked in the nonprofit sector and libraries for over two decades, making a positive impact in arts, cultural, educational, and community-building arenas.

Having joined the PBS Books team as their Library Bureau Chief in Fall 2018, Montilla is now the National Director of PBS Books and has interviewed more than 150 writers. In addition, she is a faculty member at Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University for their Arts and Cultural/Entertainment Management Programs. Having been an Executive Director for 8 years, Heather has a wide range of experience in management, finance, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Heather holds a MPA From Columbia University, a MLIS from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s from Duke University. She lives in Chicagoland, and is married with four children, a dog, and a bird.