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By Michael Lopez

As 2010 nears to an end, we'd like to take a moment to reflect on some of the amazing individuals who passed away this year. These folks left an indelible mark on us and we will not soon forget them.

José Saramago: In September, we told you about Saramago's Nobel-Prize winning approach to literature. Sadly, his death in June prevented him from seeing the massive success that his final book achieved.  Elephant’s Journey proved to be a fantastic footnote to his 60-year writing career, but by no means the defining moment. For that, we recommend reading his controversial book, Gospel According to Jesus Christ.

Greg Giraldo: The 44-year-old comedian died in September from an accidental drug overdose. A Harvard law school grad who gave it all up for a standup career, Giraldo’s wit and “roasting” abilities were unparalleled. Mainstream America would probably recognize him most for his stint on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, but if you want a taste of the real Greg, we definitely suggest watching one of his uncensored comedy specials.

Jamie Escalante: Who can forget the landmark 1988 film Stand and Deliver? Actor Edward James Olmos earned an Oscar nomination for his memorable portrayal of Bolivian-born calculus teacher Jaime Escalante. Of course, there is no way a two-hour movie could encapsulate the 25 years Jaime dedicated to changing lives in East Los Angeles. His unique teaching methods empowered thousands of students to further their educations and earned him countless awards, including the Presidential Medal for Excellence in Education. Sadly, Escalante passed away in March at age 79.

Sandro: Considered to be one of the greatest Latino pop singers of all time, Sandro had a huge following in Argentina and Europe during the 1960s. Known for his hip-shaking dance moves, vocal range and larger-than-life stage presence, he even earned the nickname “Argentine Elvis.” You trivia buffs may find it interesting to note that in 1970, he was the first Latino to sell out Madison Square Garden. Sadly, a lifetime of cigarette smoking led to health complications, which ultimately took his life in January.

José Lima: A true free spirit in the world of professional baseball, Dominican-born José Lima had a full career in the major leagues. During his 13 seasons, he pitched for both the Dodgers and the Mets. His flamboyant field presence (which included dancing, waving and singing to the crowd) led to the creation of “Lima Time,” which fans would shout whenever he took the mound. José’s unexpected death from a heart attack shocked the sports world and set off multiple tributes from the all-star slugger community.

Did you lose any loved ones in 2010? Comment below or @MTV3.

Tags Celebrities, Cultura, Deep Thoughts, Greg Giraldo, Jamie Escalante, Jose Lima, Jose Saramago, RIP, Sandro

By Michael Lopez

There’s nothing like picking up a new release from a Nobel-Prize winning Latino novelist.  Sure, legendary writer José Saramago passed away this past summer, but that doesn’t mean his latest book, 'Elephant’s Journey,' will be any less appealing to die-hard fans and new readers alike.

Reported to be structured with long blocks of texts, no paragraph breaks, and zero quotations, “Elephant’s Journey” may require plenty of iPad juice before you’re ever able to turn a page. But Saramago fans (and there are tons out there) are still buzzing about what’s inside.

With a plot that concerns a 16th century elephant named Solomon, it’s supposed to be a fairly accurate representation of European life in the 1550’s. How is that possible? Because Solomon travels from Portugal, to Spain, through the Alps, and into Austria. Think of it like a VERY old school road trip.

For those not up-to-speed on the history of Jose Saramago, a final book about elephants is a far cry from what he’s most famous for. In the ’90’s he set off a religious firestorm for his fictional work, “The Gospel According To Jesus Christ.” Just hearing that title alone, you can imagine what kind of controversy it could stir.

Despite protests from the Catholic Church, Saramago built a strong fan-base for his bold views. And readers and scholars went on to build tons of online fan clubs for their rebellious literary hero. His other wide range of works covered topics like medieval history, immigration, the Spanish Civil War, and more.

So why not wrap it all up with an engaging tale about Solomon the elephant? Though Saramago has always approached his writing style with a fact-heavy, modernist view, it’s nice that he was still able to touch on lighter topics like animals and nature. We say, if you’re looking for an interesting Autumn read…keep your e-reader plug handy, set aside some hours, and give Saramago’s “Elephant’s Journey” a shot.

Source: [Yahoo]

What books are at the top of your fall reading list? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Books, Elephant's Journey, iPad, Jose Saramago, Literature, Nobel Peace Prize, Reading