Hispanic Heritage Month: Recommended Reading for Latinx Authors
Latinx and Hispanic Reading Recommendations
Check out our list of books including speculative fiction, magical realism, fantasy, scifi, and horror by Latinx, Latin American, Indigenous, and Hispanic Authors.
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
A collection of short stories featuring sci-fi, horror, and dark fantasy tales focusing on tough topics such as relationships, domestic violence, sexual assault as well as feminist issues, queer topics, body horror, and more. Features a very challenging and interesting piece of Bizarro fiction centering around episodes of a popular television series, and some good old-fashioned ghostly tales, too.
Ambassador by William Alexander
A sci-fi adventure tale centering on a young pre-teen boy as he navigates the complexities of being from a Latinx family with undocumented parents. Layers difficult topics of immigration and deportation, undocumented residents in a thoughtful story with a clever combination of “illegal aliens” and real-life aliens from space. Perfect for Middle Grade readers, but enjoyable for YA and Adult audiences as well, and especially timely for 2020’s turbulent political climate.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Flipping back to the core content of our blog is this gothic horror ghost story set in Mexico during the 1950s. Echoing the romantic, gothic vibes of stories such as “Jane Eyre” and “Wuthering Heights”, this story follows the mysterious family of Noemi Taboada as she returns to High Place and a world of patriarchy as well as the supernatural. (Read it before it becomes a Hulu series, because you just know the books are always better lol!)
An older entry to the list and perhaps on the fringes of what we normally cover, this installment is classed as Magical Realism. A story focusing on family, life, emotions, and the human condition through the eyes of Tita, and her journey of self-discovery through the art of cooking. Mysterious things begin to happen to her dinner guests as Tita experiences life, love, and loss. A perfect novel for late High School through adulthood.
Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
A fantasy novel set against the tumultuous backdrop of Bolivia and tackling some impressive elements of political activism as well as political history. Lead characters Catalina and Ximena must work together to save the Illustrian people from a tyrannical new leader, Atoc, using elements of light, positive magic. A story about finding yourself, learning how to navigate the truths of the world and modern-day issues in an imaginative romance/fantasy package.
We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia
A fantasy novel tackling issues such as immigration, government, and politics packaged between intricate mythologies, adventures, and plenty of magic. Dani has accomplished a fair amount of milestones for her family: first generation in a new country, first to attend a prestigious school, as well as first to challenge the status quo of society. Dani must find a balance of where she fits amidst the growing tensions of political unrest in her city, as well as finding her footing in personal identity. It’s a modern-day work of political fiction with plenty of fantasy, sensual romance, tension and adventure! Plus, it’s got plenty of Queer Latinx representation, which is an all-too-limited PoV in fiction, much less fantasy (although it is increasing!)
Yadriel is part of a Latinx community wherein everyone is able to see spirits and possesses a special set of powers: women are able to heal people in body and soul; men can release spirits from their physical form and send them to the afterlife. Unfortunately, Yadriel has never quite fit in; as a trans boy, he is in fact a brujo, able to release spirits to the next life. After the tragic loss of a family member, Yadriel teams up with Maritza to free the spirit of his deceased cousin through ritual magic. Things go awry, and set Yadriel off on a spooky, fantastical journey to the truth in just about every way one can define it. Great option for Latinx Queer/Trans representation and gender non-conforming fiction via Own Voices writing from a Latinx Trans author.
Spanish Language Text: Demonia by Bernardo Esquinca
A collection of nine short stories in dark fiction, dark scifi, horror, and speculative fiction centering around the setting of Mexico City. From mutant and malicious flies to an ancient curse, to the mysterious kidnappings of children and a copycat killer, to stories of possession, ghosts and more - this collection has a little bit of everything! This terrifying novel of nightmares is currently only available in Spanish language editions, but if you’re a non-native Spanish speaker, you can read a short story translated into English here.
Spanish Language Text: El Libro De Los Seres Imaginarios by Jorge Luis Borges
This collection of stories by Argentinian author Jorge Luis Borges draws inspiration from various religious and mythological creatures, ghoul, and beasts. Borges reimagines classic literary tales featuring everything from golems to ghosts, to gnomes and fairies, and reinterprets them in a new light. He breathes a new spirit into these strange creatures throughout the ages, reminding us that what we fear and what we desire may be one in the same, and that perhaps monsters are not far from humans after all.
Looking for even more great Latinx reads?
Check out these books by our good buddies V. Castro, Cina Pelayo, and Gabino Iglesias. But don’t just take our word for it, do your own research into diverse voices and Latinx rep as well!
Did we leave one of your faves off the list?
Got another pick that fits with these recommendations?
Feel free to drop your fave Latinx picks in the comments so others can learn about them, too.
