We believe that the stories we read shape our reality. Representation in the media is a powerful conduit of self-discovery, and one of the most nourishing ways to explore the expansiveness of our Latinidad is through reading. Take a look at the Latine authors that made the New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2022, and celebrate our comunidad’s talent and stock our bookshelves with new readings for 2023.
The Hurting Kind by Ada Limón
U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón’s astonishing poetry collection is a testament to the power of profound sensitivity often overlooked in our worlds. Limón is fond of watching the world; although she notes its imperfections, she also loves living in it. The award-winning poet’s sixth and latest collection touches on the interconnectedness between humans, nature, and our ancestors. It’s no wonder her prose has made it to the NY Times of notable books for this year.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Don’t miss out on this lavish historical drama reimagining the classic 1896 The Island of Doctor Moreau set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Mexico. In the remote area in the Yucatan Peninsula, we find Carlota Moreau, the young dutiful daughter of the doctor, who spends his time creating animal-human hybrids to further his scientific pursuits.
Under the Skin by Linda Villarosa
From an award-winning writer at the New York Times Magazine, the notable landmark book tells the whole story of racial health disparities in America, revealing the toll racism takes on individuals and our nation’s health.
How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz
In her mid-50s, Cara Romero loses her job in the Great Recession and is forced back into the job market for the first time in decades. Set up with a job counselor, Cara instead begins to narrate the story of her life. As Cara confronts her darkest secrets and regrets, we see a woman buffeted by life but still full of fight.
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez
In this debut novel, the daughter of a revolutionary becomes a wedding planner. It’s the tale that unpacks the nuances of the American dream, a status-driven wedding planner grappling with her social ambitions, absent mother, and Puerto Rican roots―all in the wake of Hurricane Maria. We are proud to have had this as our March Book of the Month in AMIGAS!
Trust by Hernan Diaz
At once an immersive story and a brilliant literary puzzle, TRUST engages the reader in a quest for the truth while confronting the deceptions that often live at the heart of personal relationships, the reality-warping force of capital, and the ease with which power can manipulate facts.
Solito by Javier Zamora
This gripping memoir recounts poet Javier Zamora’s experience traveling from El Salvador to the United States by himself at the age of nine. It provides an intimate account of a near-impossible journey and the miraculous kindness and love delivered at the most unexpected moments.
Join the Latinas & Libros AMIGAS Book Club to read stories from Latina authors in community and see yourself reflected in the pages of these notable books and many others. In partnership with Latina-owned Fabian Flores Publishing, the Latinas & Libros AMIGAS Book Club is designed as a safe space for book lovers to reflect juntas.
About the Author
Chantelle Bacigalupo
Chantelle Bacigalupo is #WeAllGrow Latina’s Editorial Staff Writer. She is a Bolivian-American photographer, multimedia journalist, and activist based in Brooklyn, NY. Her work focuses on issues ranging across immigration, social & environmental justice, preserving Indigenous cultures, and reproductive justice. You can read more of her pieces here.
