25 Best Latinx Books for Hispanic Heritage Month 2021
What Would Frida Do?: A Guide to Living Boldly by Arianna Davis
This contemporary guide to living life boldly was inspired by the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The feminist icon remains a symbol for the intersection of creativity and bold political views. Each chapter focuses on an intimate story from Frida’s life and encourages readers to live fearlessly and overcome obstacles.
The Mexican Home Kitchen: Traditional Home-Style Recipes That Capture the Flavors and Memories of Mexico by Mely Martínez
This cookbook guides readers through the preparation of traditional home-style Mexican dishes. Martínez shares delicious recipes to preserve Mexican gastronomic traditions, including meals from Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Veracruz, Puebla, Estado de México, and Yucatán.
Prime Deceptions by ValerieValdes
The latest novel from Valdes is the sequel to her 2019 novel, Chilling Effect. The science-fiction series takes place in space and features psychic cats. Captain Eva Innocente and the crew of La Sirena Negra must confront past failures and face new threats as they complete their space mission.
Language in the Trump Era: Scandals and Emergencies by Norma Mendoza-Denton
The professor of anthropology at UCLA has compiled a scientific analysis of then-President Donald Trump’s language behavior, with a collection of language scholars analyzing his self-presentation, gender, conflict and power among politicians.
Living Color: Angie Rubio Stories by Donna Miscolta
Miscolta’s series of stories follow Angie from kindergarten to high school as she navigates life as a Mexican-American during the Cold War, Civil Rights movement, the Cuban missile crisis, Beatlemania, and more. Angie often feels invisible in the white-dominated society of the U.S.
Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher
The co-founder of the Women’s March makes her young adult debut in this near-future dystopian novel. It’s 2023 and Vali and her brother are undocumented immigrants in the United States, where citizens are chipped and tracked by the xenophobic government. Their mother is detained and they must make the journey to the sanctuary state of California where their aunt Luna lives.
Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez
Protagonist Camila Hassan lives a double life in Argentina. She’s a star on the soccer field, but at home, she faces domestic abuse from her father. When her soccer team qualifies for a South American tournament, Camila must depend on secrets, courage, and love to achieve her dreams.
FINDING LATINX: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity by Paola Ramos
Activist and journalist Ramos takes readers on an across-country travelogue in search of communities of people with Latin American heritage to learn how they define the controversial term, “Latinx.”
Each of Us a Desert by Mark Oshiro
A queer coming-of-age fantasy novel follows Xochitl as she wanders alone in the desert. She recalls stories from home to the wind and befriends the stars and sand dunes in hopes she’ll meet another soul. She finds love when she meets Emilia and the two embark on a magical trek across the desert.
A Practical Way to Get Rich… and Die Trying by John Roa
Entrepreneur Roa’s memoir provides a rude awakening to the realities of the difficult aspects of pursuing the entrepreneurial dream. He’s transparent about his struggles, anxiety, and unhealthy coping mechanisms in hopes that others can learn from his mistakes and lessons.
Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova
This is the final book in the Brooklyn Brujas fantasy trilogy following the story of Rose Mortiz, a girl with special powers. In the final installment of the series, Rose yearns to understand her unique capabilities, family issues, and a magical ambush.
Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore
The Miss Meteor beauty pageant crowns beauty queens who possess the beauty standards deemed to be ideal by society. Lita Perez and Chicky Quintanilla shake up the competition when they dare to contest and prove their worth beyond their physical appearance.
Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America by Maria Hinojosa
Emmy Award-winning journalist Hinojasa’s first memoir covers the history of US immigration policy, women’s history, and civil rights along with her personal story.
Here the Whole Time by Vitor Martins
This queer coming of age tale is a love story between two boys. Felipe’s mom invites their neighbor kid Caio to spend the 15-day school break with them. The visit helps Felipe to embrace his body and confront his crush on Caio.
Eartheater by Dolores Reyes
This feminist story portrays a woman living in a slum in Argentina who is compelled to eat dirt. She has visions of murdered and missing people when she eats the Earth—including the truth about her mother’s death.
The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez by Rudy Ruiz
This magical realism novel is based in the border town of La Frontera in the 1950s. Star-crossed lovers Fulgencio Ramirez, the son of impoverished immigrants, and Carolina Mendelssohn, the local pharmacist’s daughter, can’t be together. Thirty years later, the husband of Carolina Mendelssohn has died—and Ramirez sets off to win back his love.
Rise of the Halfling King (Tales of the Feathered Serpent #1) by David Bowles
This graphic novel follows the adventures of Sayam, a magical boy. This is the first of a series based on ancient Maya myths and Mesoamerican legends. Sayam and his best friend, a monkey, use ancient magic to save a city being terrorized by an enormous snake.
Know YOUR Norms by Rico Torres
The actor’s self-published book shares the inside story of his remarkable journey to Hollywood. Torres aims to inspire other young people to relentlessly chase their dreams regardless of society’s apparent limitations.
How to Fold a Taco by NaibeReynoso
Reynoso is known for penning books that honor Latinx culture. This title is an imaginative and whimsical children’s book that explores the many different ways to fold a taco with a helpful hand from an odd crew of characters, including a dragon and a wrestler.
Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela! by Alexandra Alessandri
This children’s picture book follows a shy young girl who is visiting her extended family in Colombia for New Year’s Eve. She’s introduced to family traditions and finds her place among her people.
For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts: A Love Letter to Women of Color by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez
The author shares her moving personal stories of liberation as an offering to other Latina women of color. She discusses her experiences with imposter syndrome, colorism, machismo, and more.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
The Mexican novelist, known for Velvet Was the Night, Gods of Jade and Shadow, and Untamed Shore, tells the story of Noemí Taboada. The heroine responds to a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin who in her note begs her to save her from the High Place. Taboada ventures to the remote home in the Mexican countryside and unearths horrifying incidents of violence.
The Soul of a Woman by Isabel Allende
The prolific Chilean author and novelist stepped away from her usual medium of realistic mysticism to lend her voice to analyzing a topic near and dear to the life-long feminists’ heart—what it means to be a woman. The 78-year-old doesn’t call her book a feminist manifesto or a memoir but a meditation on the experiences she’s had as a woman and how much has changed for women during her life.
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez
This profound novel is all-too-familiar for daughters of Latinx immigrants in the United States and discusses the expectations and realities of being first generation. Julia, the book’s protagonist, dedicates her time to learning about her sister Olga who tragically died young. Through her obsession, Julia discovers that her sister was not the perfect Mexican daughter she appeared to be.
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
The Cuban-American author’s heartfelt novel of what it’s like for American-born Cubans to return to the Island after their grandparents were exiled perfectly captures the confusion and pride of being first generation in the U.S. The book intertwines stories of Marisol Ferrera’s modern-day trip to Cuba with tales of her grandmother and great aunt’s youth on the island to weave together the truth about a family mystery. Next, NBC’s Tom Llamas on Hispanic Heritage Month, Covering White Lotus And How His Streaming News Show Will Be Like Your Favorite Playlist
