It often seems like we have a thousand things to do during the holiday season. Between work, visiting our families, and buying Christmas presents, the days go by so fast. But with the current pandemic situation, we will have more time to be at home and take a break which creates the perfect opportunity to catch up on all the reading you have pending.
While it’s all well and good to have the classics of literature on your bookshelves, always make room for the contemporary and fascinating new stories, especially those told by Latina authors.
If you don’t know where to start, rest assured we’ve got you covered. All you need to do is make room for your new books and make a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate to accompany your reading.
“Infinite Country” by Patricia Engel
Patrica Engel brings us her new novel “Infinite Country,” where she tells the story of a Colombian family that goes to the United States with their daughter Karina in search of a better future. When the father is deported the family faces the difficulties of separation and dealing with the immigrant life. This brilliant novel reflects the reality of many families in the United States and how they survive in a society that refuses to help them. The author herself is the daughter of Colombian parents and suffered the consequences of being the child of immigrants. She is now a successful writer and multiple award-winning author. She is also an associate professor of creative writing at the University of Miami.
“The Mirror Season” by Anna-Marie McLemore
The Mirror Season, the newest from Mexican-American author Anna-Marie McLemore, tells the story of two young teens, Graciela and Lock, and the friendship they slowly forge after a sexual abuse trauma they both suffered at the same party. Graciela has a gift for making magical sweet bread in her family’s magical bakery and tries to help Lock as she comes to terms with what happened. This beautiful story has a touch of McLemore’s trademark magic and fantasy and touches on the very important issue of sexual abuse and overcoming trauma. Anna-Marie McLemore’s novels have been nominated for and won literature awards such as the James Tiptree Jr.
“Of Women and Salt” by Gabriela Garcia
Gabriela Garcia’s debut novel tells the story of Carmen and her daughter Jeanette and how they both try to deal with traumas in their lives, Carmen with being an immigrant and Jeanette with being the daughter of an immigrant trying to connect to her roots and heritage. Garcia takes us on a journey from Cuba to Miami, from the 19th century to the present day, and vividly explores their struggle with their own ghosts and memories. The daughter of a Cuban mother and Mexican father raised in Miami, Garcia has won awards and recognition for her poetry.