Stories that Shaped Us: The Power of Latine Literature

We had stories before the pen. Our traditions, our recipes, our humor—they’re passed down from one generation to the next, kept alive by our desire to connect to our heritage, yet slowly changed by the passage of time. When someone turns tradition into narrative, recipes into cookbooks, or humor into dialogue, their stories are given legs of their own. Through literature, culture is preserved and celebrated. Through the written word, heritage is given proof. And when we read stories where we see ourselves culturally reflected, we live more authentically, more confidently in the real world.

 

For Latine Heritage Month this year, LatiNation Media has partnered with Penguin Random House to celebrate Latine authors. These stories span genres and styles—and there’s a book for every member of the family.

 

Like Water for Chocolate — by Laura Esquivel

 

Like any good Latino story, Like Water for Chocolate blends history, love, and a sprinkle of magic. This famous novel was first published in 1989 and has captivated readers for decades.

 

The story centers around Tita, the youngest daughter in the De La Garza household, where it is tradition for the last child to remain unmarried to care for their parents in their old age. Tita, who falls in love with Pedro, attempts to break the tradition. Her mother doesn’t stand for that kind of modern nonsense, so Pedro marries Tita’s sister instead. As the story unfolds, so does Tita’s sadness, who finds solace only in the kitchen.

 

Bring this novel home for Abuela, who might just get transported back to her youth. As she pages through Tita’s recipes, the stories of the De La Garza family will come alive. And when Abuela is finished reading, watch the 1992 film as a family; see the drama come alive on screen.

 

Very Dangerous Things — by Lauren Muñoz

 

If you’re back in class this fall and need a suspenseful thriller to make the schooling life more exciting, check out Lauren Muñoz’s newest novel, Very Dangerous Things.

 

This is the set-up. At a prestigious criminology school every year, a group of students participate in a staged murder mystery game as an on-your-feet challenge to test their detective skills. But this year, Xavier Torres is found dead. Not fake dead. Dead dead. The story unfolds from there. Meet Dulce Castillo, determined to win the game and thinks she can. Meet Sierra Fox, Xaiver’s ex-girlfriend, and Dulce’s ex-friend, who becomes the prime murder suspect. Think dark academia meets intersectional mystery. The minute you think you know the culprit, you turn a page and the plot thickens.

 

If there’s a teenager or young adult in the family, consider this fast-paced novel a solid choice. Set on school grounds, it’s a great read for a high-schooler or college student with a bit of adrenaline and a sense of imagination.

 

A Maleta Full of Treasures — by Natalia Sylvester

 

Home is not just a place; it’s a feeling that exists in many places. Juana Medina’s new children’s book captures the essence of familia, even when our loved ones live far away.

 

A Maleta Full of Treasures is a story about Dulce, a young girl anxiously awaiting the arrival of Abuela, who’s on her way to visit her and the family from Peru. As you may guess from the title, when Abuela finally arrives, she brings suitcases full of treasures: alpaca blankets, candy, and storybooks of her own. And as she unpacks each item in the suitcase, Dulce discovers secrets and special stories from her heritage.

 

Intergenerational love is special. If your grandmothers and grandfathers live far away, it can be hard to build connections with them when you’re young. This book sheds light on how to turn those temporary visits into everlasting relationships.

 

A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation – by Pablo Cartaya

 

Part coming-of-age story, part family saga, Pablo Cartaya’s novel, A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation, explores the effects of grief on budding teenagers and the unique comradery of intergenerational relationships.

 

The story zooms in on an artsy, quiet 13-year-old boy named Gonzalo Alberto Sánchez García, who’s recently lost his father. When the school year ends, he is sent to spend the summer with his Cuban grandfather—an eclectic writer known for his long-lasting fantasy series approaching its end. That’s when the adventure begins. This grandfather-grandson duo hit the road, meeting different people along the way while processing their own grief side-by-side.

 

Like the title implies, Cartaya’s story is for our budding heroes. For middle schoolers dealing with loss (or struggling with identity and place in the world), “Gonzalo” might be a character they see themselves in—and may help them think about their own legacy as they grow older and more in touch with their emotions.

 

Middle Spoon – by Alejandro Varela

 

Middle Spoon by Alejandro Varela is comprehensively queer. Intellectual in tone and funny throughout, the unconventional novel explores polyamory and heartbreak, offering cultural commentary on race, class, and identity through changes in plot.

 

Set in Brooklyn, the novel follows an unnamed narrator living with his husband and their two children, one of whom is non-binary. Then there’s the narrator’s younger, hotter boyfriend—Ben—who suddenly ends their relationship, driving the narrator into heartbreak. But where is our narrator to find compassion and empathy for his loss in a world that still doesn’t fully understand or respect polyamorous relationships?

 

Varela is adding a nuanced take on unorthodox love to the library of queer romance. For adults with children, especially those in the queer community, Middle Spoon may keep you entertained and even offer new points of view on love and loss today.

 

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Every year, more and more Latino writers are putting ideas to paper. With each new narrative, new types of Latino characters are born, reshaping representation in literature and adding to an ever-evolving multicultural tapestry.

 

From traditional abuelitas to moody bi-cultural teens, this book list spotlights authentic Latino stories for every generation. And it doesn’t end here. Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, curates books for all readers—and their stock of Latino stories continues to grow.