7 Books to Add to Your TBR for Hispanic American Heritage Month
September 15th through October 15th marks Hispanic American Heritage Month, an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the generations of Hispanic Americans who have enriched and shaped the culture and society of the U.S. If you’re interested in expanding your TBR, consider these great reads from Hispanic American authors!
The Death of Artemio Cruz
Carlos Fuentes
Author Carlos Fuentes tells the powerful story of Artemio Cruz, a newspaper magnate recalling pivotal moments of his life during the Mexican Revolution and his climb from poverty to wealth. Mildred Adams, writer for The New York Times Book Review calls this novel “remarkable, in the scope of the human drama it pictures, the corrosive satire and sharp dialogue.”
The Gods of Jade and Sorrow - Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Bustle magazine calls Silvia Morena-Garcia’s book “a spellbinding fairy tale rooted in Mexican mythology… a magical fairy tale about identity, freedom, and love, and it’s like nothing you’ve read before.”
Set during The Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties, readers follow Casiopea Tun’s journey as she dreams of a life away from her dusty small town in southern Mexico. After accidentally freeing the spirit of the Mayan god of death, Casiopea ends up with more than she bargained for and she must use her wits and grit to survive a journey through Mexico City and deep into the darkness of the Mayan underworld.
Loteria
Karla Arenas Valenti
A fantastic option for young readers, Loteria follows the journey of Clara, a young girl caught in a game played by Life and Death in Oaxaca City. Every card brings a new journey and twist in Clara’s story as she fights to beat the game set before her and choose a path of her own.
The Name-Bearer: Flowers of Prophecy Book 1 by Natalia Hernandez
A story of warrior women, family, love, and embracing your destiny written by Indigenous, Latinx, and queer author Natalia Hernandez. The Name-Bearer is the story of a girl whose sole purpose has been to receive and deliver the names of the future monarchy from the Flowers of Prophecy. After failing in her duties, the Name-Bearer is considered a traitor to the crown and must go into hiding to escape her fate and bring peace to her realm.
American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures edited by America Ferrera
Actor America Ferrera compiles this beautiful group of reflective essays on what it’s like “living between cultures” including with a Latinx identity. The collection of essays are heartwarming, profound, charming, and funny as people across the United States share their stories of adapting and resilience in a changing country.
North From Mexico: The Spanish Speaking People of the United States
Carey McWilliams
A survey of Chicano history, North From Mexico was first published in 1949 as a way to cover and highlight the cultural, political, and economic issues of Chicanos in the United States. The foundational history of the Southwest United States would not be complete without a look into this population’s history and contributions.
In the Dream House: A Memoir by Carmen Maria Machado
Author Carmen Maria Machado eloquently shares her story of escaping an abusive same-sex relationship in her memoir published in 2019. Machado tackles this tough subject matter in a candid and inquisitive way, bringing readers into this dark and difficult subject without leaving them feeling helpless. Although a tough read, it’s an important story that weaves in narrative tropes like classic horror themes to create a unique memoir unlike any other.
