National Hispanic Heritage Month: Recommended Reading

A powerful novel about the construction of the Panama Canal, casting light on the unsung people who lived, loved, and labored there.

A sweeping, masterful debut about a daughter's fateful choice, a mother motivated by her own past, and a family legacy that begins in Cuba before either of them were born.

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez is a landmark novel in magical realism that traces the rise and fall of the Buendía family over seven generations in the fictional town of Macondo. The story weaves together themes of love, power, memory, and fate, capturing the cyclical nature of history and human experience. With its richly imaginative narrative, the novel explores the blurred boundaries between reality and myth in a way that reflects the complexities of Latin American culture and history.

An isolated mansion. A chillingly charismatic aristocrat. And a brave socialite drawn to expose their treacherous secrets.

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas is a gothic horror novel set in post-independence Mexico, where Beatriz, newly married and seeking security, moves to her husband's remote estate, Hacienda San Isidro. However, she quickly discovers that the hacienda is haunted by dark forces, and, with the help of a local priest, Andrés, she confronts the malevolent presence threatening her sanity and life. Blending supernatural elements with themes of colonial history and class struggle, the novel delivers a chilling tale of survival and resilience.

A woman is haunted by the Mexican folk demon La Llorona in this utterly terrifying and wholly immersive story about generational trauma, colonization, systemic oppression, and the horror at the heart of motherhood.

This sweeping novel tells the epic story of Violeta Del Valle, a woman whose life spans one hundred years and bears witness to the greatest upheavals of the twentieth century.

Sabrina and Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine is a collection of short stories centered on the lives of Latina women in the American West, grappling with themes of heritage, loss, and resilience. The stories explore the deep connections between family and community, highlighting the strength and beauty of women whose voices are often overlooked.

Tracks four generations of the del Pino family against the tumultuous backdrops of Cuba, the U.S., Germany, and Russia in the new millennium

Chilean Poet by Alejandro Zambra is a novel that follows the intertwined lives of two aspiring poets, Gonzalo and Vicente, as they navigate love, family, and the literary world in contemporary Chile. Through humor and tenderness, the story explores the complexities of relationships, fatherhood, and the longing for artistic recognition. Zambra’s narrative reflects on the role of poetry in shaping personal and cultural identity, offering a poignant and witty meditation on what it means to be a poet in today's world.

*The Taste of Sugar* by Marisel Vera is a sweeping historical novel that follows a Puerto Rican couple, Valentina and Vicente, as they navigate love, hardship, and displacement during the late 19th-century economic and political turmoil. Set against the backdrop of Puerto Rico's struggles under Spanish and American rule, the story explores themes of resilience, family, and survival.

Malinche por Laura Esquivel es una novela que reimagina la vida de Malinalli, la intérprete y consejera indígena de Hernán Cortés, explorando su papel crucial en la conquista de México. A través de una narrativa que combina historia y ficción, la novela aborda temas de identidad, traición, y el choque de culturas, destacando la complejidad de la figura de Malinche.

Así Es Como la Pierdes por Junot Díaz es una colección de relatos que sigue a Yunior, un joven dominicano-estadounidense, mientras enfrenta las consecuencias de sus infidelidades y la fragilidad de sus relaciones amorosas. Con un estilo franco y emotivo, Díaz explora temas de amor, arrepentimiento, y la lucha por la redención en un mundo marcado por el desarraigo cultural y personal.

El Amor en los Tiempos del Cólera por Gabriel García Márquez es una novela que narra la historia de amor entre Fermina Daza y Florentino Ariza, quienes esperan más de cincuenta años para poder estar juntos. A través de una narrativa rica en realismo mágico, la novela explora el poder del amor eterno, el paso del tiempo y la resistencia frente a las adversidades.

La Casa de los Espíritus por Isabel Allende es una novela que sigue la saga de la familia Trueba a lo largo de varias generaciones, entrelazando realismo mágico con la historia política y social de Chile. A través de una narrativa rica en simbolismo y emoción, Allende explora temas de amor, poder, y la lucha por la justicia, mientras los personajes enfrentan tanto las fuerzas sobrenaturales como las realidades de su tiempo.

Como Agua para Chocolate por Laura Esquivel es una novela ambientada en la México revolucionaria que entrelaza el realismo mágico con el arte culinario para contar la historia de Tita, una joven que expresa sus emociones a través de su cocina. La narrativa sigue las luchas de Tita contra las tradiciones familiares y las expectativas sociales mientras anhela a su verdadero amor, en un mundo donde la comida y la magia están profundamente conectadas.

Yo No Soy Tu Perfecta Hija Mexicana por Erika Sánchez es una novela que sigue a Erika, una adolescente de origen mexicano que enfrenta las expectativas culturales y familiares mientras lidia con sus propias inseguridades y aspiraciones. La historia explora temas de identidad, presión familiar y el desafío de encontrar su propia voz en medio de las dificultades de ser una joven bicultural.

"La Sombra del Viento" es una novela por Carlos Ruiz Zafón que cuenta la historia de Daniel Sempere, un joven en la Barcelona de la posguerra que descubre un misterioso libro en el Cementerio de los Libros Olvidados. Mientras intenta desentrañar los secretos que rodean al autor Julián Carax, Daniel se ve envuelto en una trama llena de amor, intriga, y oscuros secretos.

"Don Quijote de la Mancha" es una novela escrita por Miguel de Cervantes que narra las aventuras de un hidalgo manchego que, obsesionado con los libros de caballerías, decide convertirse en caballero andante. Acompañado por su fiel escudero Sancho Panza, Don Quijote se embarca en una serie de aventuras absurdas y cómicas, persiguiendo sus ideales de justicia y honor.

A sweeping history of the Latino experience in the United States. The first new edition in ten years of this important study of Latinos in U.S. history, Harvest of Empire spans five centuries--from the European colonization of the Americas to through the 2020 election.

Every nation needs a creation myth, and Texas's myths bite deep. In the past forty-some years, waves of revisionists have come at this topic, and at times have made real progress toward a more nuanced and inclusive story that doesn't alienate anyone. The fight over the Alamo's meaning has become more pitched than ever in the past few years, even violent, as Texas's future begins to look more and more different from its past. It's the perfect time for a wise and generous-spirited book that shines the bright light of the truth into a place that's gotten awfully dark.

Finding Latinx by Paola Ramos is an exploration of the diverse identities and experiences within the Latinx community across the United States. Through personal stories and interviews, Ramos highlights the vibrant and varied cultures that shape what it means to be Latinx today.

LatinoLand by Marie Arana delves into the profound influence of Latinos in the United States, examining their cultural, social, and political impact throughout history. Arana weaves together narratives of resilience, creativity, and transformation, showcasing the vital role Latinos play in shaping the American story.

Latinísimo by Sandra A. Gutierrez is a vibrant cookbook that celebrates the rich culinary diversity of Latin America, featuring 300 recipes from across 21 countries. Through authentic dishes and personal anecdotes, Gutierrez offers a flavorful journey into the traditions, ingredients, and techniques that define Latin American cuisine.

A young poet tells the inspiring story of his migration from El Salvador to the United States at the age of nine in this gripping memoir of bravery, hope, and finding family.

Rojas Contreras reacquaints herself with her family's past, weaving their stories with personal narrative, unraveling legacies of violence, machismo and colonialism... In the process, she has written a spellbinding and genre-defying ancestral history.

The son of working-class Mexican immigrants flees a life of labor in fruit-packing plants to run in a Native American marathon from Canada to Guatemala in this "stunning memoir that moves to the rhythm of feet, labor, and the many landscapes of the Americas".