Today marks the start to Latinx Heritage Month (It runs from September 15th to October 15th). If you’ve been following my blog you probably know that I am Puerto Rican. I moved to the US to go to college, went back home for a year and have been in Atlanta for 7 years now (time flies!). I feature quite a bit of Latinx books already on this blog but I am happy that this month we’ll be seeing even more everywhere. You can expect even more Latinx books for the next 30 days.
Books I’ve read and Loved
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
Country – Cuba
Genre – Historical Fiction
I love everything Chanel Cleeton writes. I read this book even before I started getting more into reading because it was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick. This book is about a a Cuban-American woman who travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity–and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution.
Dominicana by Angie Cruz
Country – Dominican Republic
Genre – Historical Fiction
It was one of the best books I read in 2019. Ana’s story is heartbreaking, the writing is beautiful and it covers very important topics. I encourage everyone to read this book; it’s an important one, especially in these times. Stories like these don’t get told often and I think we need more. Check out my full review here.
The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
Country – Mexico
Genre – Non-Fiction
This book is about the author’s journey to different parts of the US and her documentation of the people she met as well as part of her family’s story. Some of the events covered are The World Trade Center at 9/11, the Flint water crisis, Hurricane Sandy and how these events impacted the lives of undocumented immigrants. These are the stories we don’t see in the news. This is another important book that I encourage everyone to read. Check out my full review here.
The Book of Rosy by Rosayra Pablo Curz and Julie Schwietert Collazo
Country – Guatemala
Genre – Non-Fiction
This was my book club’s pick a few months ago and we had a great discussion. We were lucky to have the opportunity to virtually chat with the authors. We discussed their writing process, what they are up to now, and the work of Immigrant families together. I’m grateful for Rosayra and Julie for sharing their story with the world. Check out my full review here.
Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Diaz
Country – Puerto Rico
Genre – Non-Fiction
Orginary Girls is a memoir from a debut author who grew up in the housing projects in Puerto Rico and Miami beach. It takes a lot of courage to tell a story like this. She wrote her coming of age story mirrored with Puerto Rico’s own changes, challenges for recognition and struggles to be seen. I am deeply in awe at Jaquira’s strength and resilience. I am looking forward to reading more from her!
Running by Natalia Sylvester
Country – Cuba
Genre – Young Adult
I adored this book! This is a coming of age story centered around having an opinion and politics. It is a very timely depiction of our current political climate in America and the role social media and journalism play in elections. It is an empowering and powerful story about having a voice and realizing that not having a vote is not equivalent to being helpless. Check out my full review here.
Clap when you land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Country – Dominican Republic
Genre – Young Adult
This is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year! The book is set part in the Dominican Republic and part in NYC. I loved experiencing the Dominican culture both at the Dominican Republic and NYC. It is very similar to Puerto Rican culture so it always takes me home when I read books set there. As a Latinx it reminded me that home is with me no matter where I go and it made me nostalgic. Check out my full review here.
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
Country – Dominican Republic
Genre – Young Adult
Another amazing Elizabeth Acevedo book! This is a story that is easy to connect and you find yourself rooting for the main character Emoni. Overall this book is about family, generational trauma, the love of a mother and love for food. Check out my full review here.
Books on my To Be Read pile
The following books come highly recommended and I am hoping to read over the next few months:
- How the Garcia girls lost their accents by Julia Alvarez
- You had me at Hola by Alexis Daria
- When I was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago
- Furia by Yamile Saied Mendez
- Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras
- The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
- A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
- Children of the Land by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo
I hope this list helps you find some books written by Latinx authors to read during Latinx Heritage month and all year. I’ve linked each book to Bookshop.org (check out the full list here) but please consider ordering them from a Latinx owned bookstore. Here is a list of bookstores to choose from. If you have read and loved other books written by Latinx authors let me know in the comments!
