ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - The Ector County Library kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a book signing and presentation from a local author.

Blanca Perez is the local author of "The Life I Almost Didn't Live: From Surviving to Thriving." She is the first author featured in the "Latinos y Libros" series for Hispanic Heritage Month, which highlights Latino voices and stories.

Carol Uranga, executive director of Hispanic Heritage Odessa, said this year members wanted to emphasize Hispanic literature, art and culture."So, our first author, came from a world that we all know, and she lived through a lot of traditions, but she struggled with it and she wrote her book. And the theme for this month, for this Hispanic Heritage Month is 'Everybody has a Story,' so let's start talking, let's start saying our stories, because that's what makes us who we are," Uranga said.