Debora's first book has been featured in the November 2009 issue of Albuquerque the Magazine's Shelf Life section. It has also been mentioned in Weird NJ Magazine Issue #33 and was on the front page of the New Jersey local newspaper the Home News Community Tribune of July 2, 2009.
Reviews and Articles
Reader reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with many claiming to have laughed out loud whilst reading the chapters.
The New Jersey Home News Tribune local edition did a feature article in July of 2009 and Weird NJ magazine #33 gave the book a nice blurb.
Except from "Shelf Life" Q&A in Albuquerque the Magazine November 2009 issue:
ABQ Mag: You've been in Albuquerque, for about six years now, do you still consider yourself to be a "transplanted Easterner"?
Debora: I suppose so... It took quite some time for it to sink in that this was my new home and that I wasn't just on vacation somewhere strange and exotic. Over time I have grown accustomed to the odd landscape and I love
the friendly nature of the people and the beautifully mild weather, but there are still enough mind-boggling things that remind me I'm still an 'outsider' yet. When I can go through a whole week or so and not find or see anything that makes me shake my head or goggle in jaw-dropping wonderment, that will be the day I know I've finally become a totally acclimated New Mexican.
ABQ Mag: The title is hilarious, and certainly encompasses the context of the book. How did you come up with it?
Debora: That was easy to come up with as it was based on the remarks and reactions of my friends back east when I first informed them I was going to move to New Mexico. Questions like "Did you get your passport yet?", "Will you need a work visa to get a job there?" or "Are you going to have dual citizenship?" made me realize just how much of a 'forgotten' state New Mexico really is. Now I know why the state has to put New Mexico USA on its license plates!
ABQ Mag: Red or Green? (NOTE: The ‘official’ state question of New Mexico, referring to the color/type of chile one prefers)
Debora: Blue! *chuckles* As in Blue Cross/Blue Shield... which is how I'd be paying my hospital bill if I ever ate either red or green chile! Unfortunately I have a twitchy gallbladder and acid reflux... both of which act up at the slightest hint of anything hot n' spicy. I can't even use black pepper as seasoning. I guess I'll never be considered a true New Mexican if I can't eat chile!
