With March comes the welcoming of spring, which is perfect for stepping away from the computer and enjoying a book under the warming sun.
We’ve crafted a list of ten Latino-authored books—plus a bonus children’s picture book—to grab on your next visit to your local bookstore.
1. The Great Divide
By Cristina Henríquez
The Great Divide is a poignant narrative set against the backdrop of the monumental construction of the Panama Canal, delving into the lives of those who contributed to its creation yet remained in the shadows of history. Through the eyes of Francisco, a local fisherman disturbed by the canal’s impact on his homeland, and his son Omar, who seeks belonging in the labor force, Henríquez brings to life the personal cost of progress. Ada Bunting, a determined sixteen-year-old from Barbados, embodies resilience and hope, her path crossing with Omar’s in a moment of compassion, leading to unexpected alliances. As their stories intertwine with that of John Oswald, a scientist fighting malaria in Panama, author Cristina Henríquez crafts a rich tapestry that showcases the power of ambition, loyalty, and sacrifice, spotlighting the diverse community of activists, laborers, and dreamers who shaped one of history’s greatest engineering feats.
2. Anita de Monte Laughs Last
By Xochitl Gonzalez
Anita de Monte Laughs Last is a compelling journey through time, centered around the mysterious 1985 death of Anita de Monte, a promising artist in New York, whose legacy fades into obscurity by 1998. The narrative intertwines Anita’s past with the present of Raquel, an art history student at College Hill, who navigates the complexities of academia and social dynamics as a minority. Raquel’s discovery of Anita’s story, amid her own entanglement with a well-connected peer, prompts a deep reflection on power, love, and the intricacies of the art world. Through the lives of these two women, the novel explores themes of memory, identity, and the struggle for recognition, challenging the norms of who is remembered and who is forgotten.
3. Chicano Frankenstein
By Daniel A. Olivas
A provocative retelling of the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley classic, Chicano Frankenstein is set in a near-future world where the lines between life and death blur through the advancements of science. The narrative follows an unnamed paralegal, resurrected by a contentious reanimation process, as he navigates a society teeming with hostility towards his kind, fueled by a president’s anti-reanimation rhetoric and the greed of pharmaceutical giants. Amidst this turmoil, he finds love with Faustina Godínez, a lawyer whose vibrant community of family and friends introduces him to a world far removed from the isolation of his existence. As he seeks to uncover the memories of his previous life lost to reanimation, Chicano Frankenstein explores deep themes of identity, belonging, assimilation, and the essence of humanity, all while casting a critical eye on contemporary social issues and prejudices.
4. Reinbou
By Pedro Cabiya, Translated by Jessica Powell
Reinbou—written by Puerto Rican Pedro Cabiya and translated by Jessica Powell—is a gripping historical novel set against the tumultuous backdrop of Dominican Republic political strife, particularly highlighting US intervention and its effects on the country. In 1976 Santo Domingo, young Ángel Maceta embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the decade-old murder of his father, Puro Maceta, an inquiry that unravels the intricate and shadowy narratives of the 1965 Civil War and its aftermath. Through the interplay of past and present, Cabiya weaves a compelling tale of resilience, community upheaval, and the quest for justice, all while exploring the broader themes of political corruption, societal change, and the enduring impact of foreign intervention on the Dominican psyche. Reinbou offers a profound reflection on the legacy of conflict and the power of memory, told through the poignant perspective of its child protagonist and the diverse voices of those around him.
5. Fury
By Clyo Mendoza, Translated by Christina Macsweeney
Fury unfolds in a desolate desert landscape scarred by conflict, where the fates of characters on the fringes of society intertwine in a narrative marked by intense emotional and physical experiences. Lázaro and Juan, soldiers from rival factions, desert the battlefield to embark on a forbidden love affair, uncovering a harrowing truth in their escape. Their story intersects with that of Vicente Barrera, a charismatic yet divisive salesman facing his demise in captivity, and Salvador, a morgue worker whose desperation in the desert leads him to a delirious confusion between a cactus and his beloved. Set against a backdrop that both captivates and confines, this debut novel is a profound exploration of the complexities of the human condition, rendered with a sensitivity and eloquence that both disturbs and mesmerizes.
6. Belonging: A Daughter’s Search for Identity Through Loss and Love
By Michelle Miller
Belonging: A Daughter’s Search for Identity Through Loss and Love is an intimate exploration of identity, race, and family secrets through the lens of acclaimed journalist Michelle Miller’s personal journey. Her quest for understanding begins with her father’s dying wish to reconnect with her birth mother, leading her to uncover the complex relationship between her Chicana mother and African American father against the backdrop of 1960s segregated Los Angeles. This deeply personal narrative not only traces Miller’s relentless search for her mother and her own identity but also discusses her professional life, covering significant racial injustices in America. Belonging weaves together the threads of Miller’s mixed-race heritage, her challenges in predominantly white spaces, and her struggle to embrace her Blackness, offering a poignant reflection on the secrets that define us and the universal quest for connection.
7. Mother Island: A Daughter Claims Puerto Rico
By Jamie Figueroa
Mother Island is an evocative memoir that delves into Jamie Figueroa’s quest for identity, set against the backdrop of her upbringing in the Midwest by a Puerto Rican mother who chose assimilation over cultural connection. Figueroa’s narrative weaves through her early experiences of feeling invisible within her family dynamics to a youthful marriage that mirrored her search for belonging, before showcasing her eventual path to healing and self-discovery through work and motherhood. Using lyrical and vivid prose, she recounts her transformative journey to Puerto Rico and the exploration of her ancestral roots, using writing as a tool to reinterpret her origin story and the concept of mothering. Mother Island is a poignant exploration of identity, home, and lineage, offering a rich tapestry of personal and cultural rediscovery that questions and redefines the essence of selfhood and belonging.
8. The Waves Take You Home
By María Alejandra Barrios Vélez
The Waves Take You Home tells the poignant tale of Violeta Sanoguera, who is drawn back to her Colombian roots after years of self-imposed exile in New York City following her grandmother’s death. Always compliant, Violeta left behind her old love at her family’s behest, forging a new path filled with education and art and establishing a life that felt authentically hers. However, her grandmother’s passing and the spectral guidance she provides from beyond the grave compel Violeta to confront her past and the crumbling family restaurant she inherits. Through reconnecting with her roots, Violeta learns that the key to her future and her true self may just lie in the very places and relationships she thought she had to leave behind.
9. Like Happiness
By Ursula Villarreal-Moura
Like Happiness is a gripping debut from Ursula Villarreal-Moura that delves into the turbulent dynamics of gender, power, and fame through the story of Tatum Vega, a young woman entangled in a complex relationship with a celebrated writer, M. Domínguez. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Chile, where Tatum has built a new life with her partner Vera, the narrative is upended by a phone call from a reporter investigating Domínguez for assault. This call forces Tatum to confront her past in New York City, where her life was inextricably linked with Domínguez’s orbit, blurring the lines between admiration and exploitation. Through a compelling dual narrative that includes Tatum’s present reflections and a letter to Domínguez, Like Happiness meticulously unpacks the layers of their relationship, prompting a profound exploration of identity, the lasting impact of personal relationships on our lives, and the power imbalances that often define them.
10. Simpatía
By Rodrigo Blanco Calderón, Translated by Noel Hernández González and Daniel Hahn
Simpatía is a riveting narrative set against the backdrop of Venezuela’s socio-political turmoil and the collapse of Chavismo under Nicolas Maduro. The story follows Ulises Kan, a film enthusiast whose life takes a series of unexpected turns following his wife Paulina’s decision to leave him and the country. Simpatía delves into the irony of its title—a word that signifies both sympathy and charm—to critique the charismatic yet destructive leadership from Simón Bolívar to Hugo Chávez. Calderón’s novel stands out as a profound meditation on the personal and collective search for meaning in a “post-love era,” marked by its suspenseful storytelling and critical insight into Venezuelan despair.
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Looking for a children’s book?
La Mala Suerte Is Following Me
By Ana Siqueira, Illustrated by Carlo Vélez Aguilera
La Mala Suerte Is Following Me is a delightful and whimsical picture book that dives into the world of superstitions through the eyes of Miguel. After neglecting his abuelita’s warning and accidentally inviting La Mala Suerte (Mrs. Bad Luck) into his life by opening an umbrella indoors, Miguel finds himself in a streak of unfortunate events. This story, sprinkled with integrated Spanish words and playful language, explores the theme of superstitions in a light-hearted manner, while also touching on the idea of making one’s own luck.
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For more book recommendations, check out our list of twenty-four books to read in 2024 and February releases.
This was written with the assistance of AI.
