Graphic reading Hispanic Heritage Month: Septmeber 15 to October 15 (Graphic created by Tamala Malerk)
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15. This year, bookworms can celebrate the month by reading books written by Hispanic authors. From memoirs to mysteries, we’ve got a book on this list for every reader.
My Broken Language by Quiara Alegría Hudes (2021) (Memoir)
Hudes, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, penned this memoir about herself and her Puerto Rican family in a Philadelphia barrio. She was both “awed” and “haunted” by her inspirational family which had its share of secrets.
Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas (2023) (Horror) (Fiction)
Set in 1840s Mexico, this story tells the story of a rancher’s daughter, Nena, and vaquero, Néstor, as they deal with the horrors of the day and night. Anglo settlers in the north threaten and eventually invade Mexico and in the night, mysterious creatures are draining men of their blood.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez (1967) (Classics) (Fiction)
Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, this book tells the story of the mythical town of Macondo through the town’s founders, the Buendiá family, throughout seven generations. Macondo was established to exist outside of the rest of society but through elections, railroads and more, it is slowly exposed to the outside world.
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez (2017) (Young Adult) (Fiction)
Julia is not the perfect daughter; that role is reserved for her perfect older sister, Olga. Well, was reserved. Olga is killed in a tragic bus accident and Julia is left picking up the pieces of her shattered family and self, despite only being a child herself. In the aftermath, Julia finds that her sister may not have been as perfect as everyone thought as she attempts to live up to her perfection.
For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts: A Love Letter to Women of Color by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez (2021) (Non-Fiction)
This book is brought to you by the founder of Latina Rebels and one of “Teen Vogue’s” “Latinx Activists You Should Know.” She tackles tough subjects such as racism, colorism, sexism, imposter syndrome and more.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2022) (Science Fiction)
Author of the immensely popular, “Mexican Gothic,” reenters the realm of historical fiction and horror with this reimagining of the classic story now set in 19th-century Mexico. Moreau’s funding for his experiments dwindles over the years and he hopes that his daughter, Carlota, will marry his patron’s son so that he can continue his human/animal hybrid experimentations. Carlota has other plans.
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle (2015) (Children’s Book) (Biography)
Girls can be drummers too, even in a world that tells them they cannot. Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl broke Cuba’s taboo against female drummers and inspired female drummers across the country and the world. She is also the inspiration behind this book that the entire family can enjoy.
Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig (1976) (LGTBQ+) (Fiction)
Two men, sharing cell seven, one a political prisoner, entertain each other as they serve their sentences and an intimate relationship forms. Due to the subject matter and content, this book was initially only published in Spain. However, the book went on to have international renown, eventually being translated into different languages and inspiring film and Broadway adaptations.
Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter (2015) (Non-Fiction)
Even my husband who hates musicals knows what “Hamilton” is and that it had a major impact on American society and culture. “Hamilton” fused hip-hop, R&B, rap and American history, bringing people of color to the forefront of the story through their portrayal of the founding fathers. This behind-the-scenes tome features pictures, stories, interviews, footnotes and more.
River Woman, River Demon by Jennifer Givhan (2022) (Mystery) (Fiction)
Eva Santos Moon’s beloved husband is arrested for the murder of their friend. Moon, who practices the ancient, spiritual ways of brujería and curanderisma, must tap into her magick to figure out the mystery behind the murder. Unfortunately, her magick has been unreliable and she has been suffering blackouts. Did her husband have something to do with the murder? Did she?
