Forget about Julia Alvarez, House on Mango Street and Love in the Time of Cholera! It’s time for new classics.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I’m showcasing books by Latinx authors that are an instant must for your bookshelves—familial strife, feminine power, psychological horror, immigrants searching for that American dream, and much more! These are the books my co-worker and I have curated for a display at work.
These are the books on my bookstore’s Hispanic Heritage Month display this year:
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
“Earthy and otherworldly, antic and sexy, queer and caustic, comic and deadly serious, Her Body and Other Parties swings from horrific violence to the most exquisite sentiment. In their explosive originality, these stories enlarge the possibilities of contemporary fiction.”
Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine
“A haunting debut story collection on friendship, mothers and daughters, and the deep-rooted truths of our homelands, centered on Latinas of indigenous ancestry that shines a new light on the American West.”
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez
“Written against the backdrop of contemporary Argentina, and with a resounding tenderness toward those in pain, in fear, and in limbo, The Dangers of Smoking in Bed is Mariana Enriquez at her most sophisticated, and most chilling. It’s populated by unruly teenagers, crooked witches, homeless ghosts, and hungry women, they walk the uneasy line between urban realism and horror.”
“Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca in this debut supernatural suspense novel, set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, about a remote house, a sinister haunting, and the woman pulled into their clutches…”
The Last Adventure of Constance Verity by A. Lee Martinez
“Constance Verity has been saving the world since she was seven, and she’s sick of it. She sets off on one last adventure to reset her destiny and become the one thing she’s never been: ordinary.”
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez
“Set against the backdrop of New York City in the months surrounding the most devastating hurricane in Puerto Rico’s history, Olga Dies Dreaming is a story that examines political corruption, familial strife and the very notion of the American dream–all while asking what it really means to weather a storm.”
The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez
“A dazzling, heartbreaking page-turner destined for breakout status: a novel that gives voice to millions of Americans as it tells the story of the love between a Panamanian boy and a Mexican girl: teenagers living in an apartment block of immigrant families like their own.”
“In bright, musical prose that reflects the energy of New York City, Angie Cruz’s Dominicana is a vital portrait of the immigrant experience and the timeless coming-of-age story of a young woman finding her voice in the world.”
Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
“In the vein of Isabel Allende and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a mesmerizing debut set against the backdrop of the devastating violence of 1990’s Colombia about a sheltered young girl and a teenage maid who strike an unlikely friendship that threatens to undo them both.”
“Shedding profound natural light on the inner lives of migrant workers, Jaime Cortez’s debut collection ushers in a new era of American literature that gives voice to a marginalized generation of migrant workers in the West.”
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
“Working at the local processing plant, Marcos is in the business of slaughtering humans —though no one calls them that anymore.”
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin
“Fever Dream is a nightmare come to life, a ghost story for the real world, a love story and a cautionary tale.”
The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina by Zoraida Cordova
“Perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman, Isabel Allende, and Sarah Addison Allen, a family searches for the truth hidden in their family past.”
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
“The Mayan god of death sends a young woman on a harrowing, life-changing journey in this dark, one-of-a-kind fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore.”
Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes
“A hilarious, offbeat debut space opera that skewers everything from pop culture to video games and features an irresistible foul-mouthed captain and her motley crew, strange life forms, exciting twists, and a galaxy full of fun and adventure.”
Like A Love Song by Gabriela Martins
“This debut paperback original romance follows a Latina teen pop star whose image takes a dive after a messy public breakup, until she’s set up with a swoon-worthy fake boyfriend.”
After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez
“Opposites attract in this rivals-to-lovers romance between a professor and a businesswoman intent to make her grandmother’s bar into a viable business.”
A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria
“A seductive second-chance romance about a commitment-phobic Latina and her childhood best friend who has finally returned home.”
A Proposal They Can’t Refuse by Natalie Cana
“Natalie Caña turns up the heat, humor and heart in this debut rom-com about a Puerto Rican chef and an Irish American whiskey distiller forced into a fake engagement by their scheming octogenarian grandfathers.”
The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa
“Mia Sosa is back with another hilarious rom-com about two strangers who get trapped in a lie and have to fake date their way out of it…”
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