ESCONDIDO - The nine members of the Rincon Literario, or literary corner, book club who gathered Monday at the Escondido public library had mixed reactions to a historical novel they had read about the only woman to accompany the Spanish conquistadors to the New World.

Some loved the main character's tenacity and strength, and others said the book, "Ines del Alma Mia," or "Ines of My Soul," simply wasn't author Isabel Allende's best work.

But no matter what book they read and discuss each month, all of the club members said they get something unique out of the library's monthly, bilingual book club.

"I love reading," said 27-year-old Mario Castillo of Escondido. "It's my passion and my therapy."

The library established Rincon Literario in January as part of the Escondido Reads One Book program in which everyone in the city of 141,000 is encouraged to read the same book. This year the book was by Latina author Sandra Cisneros, so a bilingual book club made sense, Deputy City Librarian Cynthia Smith said.

The library has since continued the group under the leadership of Miriam Ruvinskis, the manager of Crown Books in the Signature Pavilion on West Valley Parkway. Before moving to Escondido in 2002, Ruvinskis ran a similar book club at the San Francisco Public Library.

As Ruvinskis led the group of mixed ethnicities, she exuded passion for literature as she talked about "Ines del Alma Mia," easily translating between Spanish and English to ensure that everyone was included in the discussion.

The novel by Allende, a Peruvian-born author who grew up in Chile and now lives in San Rafael, is based on the true story of Ines Suarez, who left Spain for South America in the 1500s to find her missing husband but became the mistress of the conqueror of Chile and helped establish the city of Santiago.

Ruvinskis said she chose the book because of its unique historic account and to showcase an important female writer.

"So many women (authors) were in the drawer for so many centuries," Ruvinskis said. "I like to rescue them."

Smith said Ruvinskis gives insight to the book club's discussions.

"She can contrast the themes and the plots and the styles," Smith said. "She's just a wealth of knowledge."

Before the meeting began, Ruvinskis said the book club benefits Spanish speakers who want to study literature in their language or want to practice English.

Non-Latinos also attend the book club to expand their knowledge.

"For them it's a good chance to practice their Spanish and learn a little bit about Latin American culture," Ruvinskis said.

One such person was Rancho Bernardo's Jan Nordby, who said she didn't particularly enjoy the book but that she relishes having the opportunity to practice her Spanish in both reading and speaking.

"It's not very deep," the 80-year-old said about the book. "I read it all, but I didn't love it."

Blanca Lecca, a 52-year-old Escondido resident originally from Peru, said she enjoyed the book for the protagonist's strength but also because the story reminded her of home.

Ines is "a woman that rebels before her time," Lecca said. "She breaks barriers.

"Above all, I loved it because it took place in parts of my country."

Rincon Literario now is reading "Bless Me Ultima," by Rudolfo Anaya. The book club will next meet July 30 at 7 p.m. at the library, 239 S. Kalmia St.

- Contact staff writer Paul Eakins at (760) 740-5420 or peakins@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.

Bilingual Book Club

• Rincon Literario, or literary corner, meets monthly at the Escondido Public Library, 239 S. Kalmia St.

• The club next will meet at 7 p.m. July 30 to discuss "Bless Me Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya.