by Monica Vilpors

For years, our iPub Picks shelf has celebrated the stories that move us, challenge us, and reflect the diverse world we live in. Now, we’re bringing that tradition online with a new blog series written by our very own team members. Each week, one staffer will share three books—one children’s, one nonfiction, and one fiction—that embody iPub’s mission to amplify underrepresented voices and celebrate powerful storytelling.

We invite you to follow along, discover something new, and maybe even find your next favorite read!

This week’s iPub Picks are provided by Monica Vilpors, iPub’s Translation Manager.

Monica Vilpors leads the Translation Department at iPub Cloud International, bringing more than 20 years of professional experience as a Spanish translator. A seasoned expert known for her accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and meticulous attention to detail, Monica has provided high-quality translations for a wide range of clients—including governmental agencies—ensuring clear, seamless communication across languages and industries.

Monica grew up in Chile during the politically turbulent 1970s and ’80s, a time when quietly reading a book felt like both refuge and luxury. That early bond with literature shaped her worldview and continues to inspire her work today.

At iPub, Monica is dedicated to helping stories cross borders with integrity, clarity, and heart.

These are three of her favorite books:

Children’s Book: Cuentos de la Selva by Horacio Quiroga

Cuentos de la selva (Jungle Tales) by Horacio Quiroga (1878 – 1937) – These tales are about animals, danger, and how life in the jungle can teach children about their own world. Quiroga’s life held a lot of grief, and very sensitive readers – those who can read between the lines – may sense a certain darkness beneath the stories. Quiroga’s writing allows children to explore difficult emotions in a safe, imaginative way.

Fiction: Como Aqua Sobre la Arena by Kamala Markandaya

Como agua sobre la arena (Nectar in a Sieve) — Kamala Markandaya (1924 – 2004) I read this book in high school, and it was compelling! I read it in Spanish, and it can be found in English as well, with the title: Nectar in a Sieve. It is a deeply human portrait of rural life in India, seen through a woman’s perspective. It is considered part of postcolonial literature and social-realist fiction because it shows the struggles of the marginalized communities with a huge emotional depth.

Fiction: Crónica de una muerte anunciada by Gabriel García Márquez

Crónica de una muerte anunciada (Chronicle of a Death Foretold) (1981) by Gabriel García Márquez (1927 – 2014). This Colombian writer describes Santiago Nasar’s final day at the hands of the Vicario brothers, as the town slowly builds toward an (in)evitable tragedy. The collective silence and the way García Márquez writes this novela costumbrista make it a must-read (though a small warning: it may not be ideal for readers with high anxiety).