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Here I was, a writer/journalist who read the book for the first time at 13 years old (thank you, Mr. Martin’s sophomore AP English class) and then proceeded to read it five more times for the next 50 years—twice more in English and three times in Spanish. If there is one book that made me want to be a writer, it was Cien años. I thought García Márquez was a literary genius, on the same level as any of the greatest writers in world history.
There was no way this Netflix series —nine years in the making— would do the novel any justice, and as the first scene started rolling, I was rolling my eyes. There are no words, just distant chanting and music as we pan across images of an empty and destroyed home, obviously where the Buendía family once resided. We cut to an unidentified body on a bed, their belly covered in blood. Next to the bed is an empty baby crib.
It all feels mysterious and ambiguous. Manufactured magical realism for the masses? No, thank you. This was not the novel I knew, the one that Gabo wrote in 1967 and earned him the 1982 Nobel Prize for Literature after Cien años became a global sensation and made Latin American literature cool.
I was being duped, I thought.
Then, it all started to click.
Soon, we see what can only be the Buendía family tree (how many times I studied it) and hear an omniscient narrator utter the most famous opening line in Spanish-language literature: “Muchos años después, frente al pelotón de fusilamiento, el coronel Aureliano Buendía había de recordar aquella tarde remota en que su padre lo llevó a conocer el hielo.” (Or as acclaimed translator Gregory Rabassa put it in the English-language version of the novel, “Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.”)
I was in.
All the worry had dissipated.
As the first episode progressed, I suddenly felt joy as characters I had known and imagined for years were now visual representations of a Nerlfix series: José Arcadio Buendía, Úrsula Iguarán, Amaranta, Rebeca, Colonel Aureliano Buendía, José Arcadio, Melquíades, etc.
I could go on and share more about these characters and their performances or about how visually beautiful the series looks as we experience the entire story of Macondo being told.
But I won’t.
If you are a superfan of the novel, you will appreciate this series. I want all who love this novel to find joy in this adaptation on their own because you will find it. Countless scenes transport you back to the book. I mean, the trail of blood, Colombia’s political history, Pietro Crespi’s singing voice, the cockfight that started it all, the social critiques, the abuse of power—there are too many to list here and dissect. There were so many moments that after I finished the Season 1 screener, I started reading the novel again. This would be my fourth time in Spanish and seventh overall.
Still, three performances stand out. (And don’t get me wrong: the entire ensemble is great.)
Marlyeda Soto, who played an older Úrsula, had a presence that I am still thinking about days after completing Season 1. Her toughness hides her sadness and realization that all she has in the end is a husband, José Arcadio Buendía, tied to a tree in his old age. Talk about love. Soto is brilliant.
(Pablo Arellano / Netflix ©️2024)
There is Claudio Cataño, who played the older Aureliano as the character goes from adult son to colonel. Cataño gave a masterful performance, bordering on the edge of arrogance and lost purpose. He is living in solitude, and we see it on his face at all times.
(Pablo Arellano /Netflix ©️2024)
Then there is Marco Antonio González as a José Arcadio Buendía who led with ambition and hope. This was before the character goes senile, and González gives depth to the role that speaks to men as providers and dreamers. Those two combinations don’t always mix well and lead to success. I ended up rooting for him, yet feeling hopeless when things turned bleak.
(Mauro González /Netflix ©2024)
A lot more can be said about this series, and Netflix’s marketing machine will make sure we all get to know about it. Issues of representation, who gets to tell the story, how the story was adapted, and whether it will be the streaming giant’s next global hit are all open to discussion and debate. But I will wait a bit more to share those thoughts. In the meantime, for all the skeptics out there, the same Cien años superfans who look at the novel with a sense of reverence like me, I hope you give the series a shot.
For me, it delivered. It will never be the novel (what is?), but it was still an excellent adaptation.
Enjoy it, and then when we are all done watching it, we can all talk about what we loved and what needed improvements, as if we are discovering Gabo for the first time.
I already have my thoughts on how it could have been better, but I will not be the one who ruins anyone’s anticipation for this series.
I want you all to feel the same way I did when I watched it. Get excited for it.
It’s definitely worth it.
Season 1 of Cien años de soledad premieres on Netflix on December 11.
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“Solis” by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher
Image Credit: Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher.
This is the only book on the list that isn’t out yet, but you won’t have to wait long to get your hands on it. “Solis” by Colombian Paola Mendoza, writer, award-winning film director, activist, and co-founder of the Women’s March, and Abby Sher, writer and performer, is a dystopian young adult sci-fi novel that explores the sacrifices of standing up and fighting for freedom.
Set in a near-future America where undocumented immigrants are trapped in labor camps, forced to dig for a mineral that could change the world, and experimented on, our heroine, Rania, is ready to start a revolution. This Lebanese teenager and 3 brave fellow prisoners are set to fight against the corrupt, xenophobic government keeping its boot on their necks. Will they succeed, or is it too late for change? “Solis” feels more current than ever and it provides important, empowering social commentary wrapped in an action-packed story that will keep you turning the pages.
“Solis” will be out on October 8, 2024. Pre-order it here.“Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America” by Paola Ramos
Image Credit: Paola Ramos.
Paola Ramos, of Cuban and Mexican descent, is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and a political force to be reckoned with. As a contributor for Telemundo News and MSNBC, and a former correspondent for Vice News, Ramos knows her stuff. She’s worked on campaigns for both President Obama and Hillary Clinton and is also the author of “Finding Latin-X,” making her one of the most important voices in contemporary Latino issues.
In her latest nonfiction book, “Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America,” Ramos dives into the rise of far-right sentiment among Latinos and provides insightful political analysis. This book also explores Latino identity and how it intersects with politics today, making it an essential read to understand how race and identity shape American politics—and how Latinos, one of the most misunderstood electorates, could help reshape the future.
“Burnt Out to Lit Up: How to Reignite the Joy of Leading People” by Daisy Auger-Domínguez
Image Credit: Daisy Auger-Domínguez.
Feeling burnt out from work is something most people are very familiar with. Especially if they’re in leadership positions, where so much is riding on their shoulders. If you can relate to that, “Burnt Out to Lit Up: How to Reignite the Joy of Leading People,” by Daisy Auger-Domínguez can help rekindle your leadership fire and find joy in your work again. Whether you’re managing a small team or an entire organization, this book offers practical tools to overcome burnout and inspire your employees.
Using her own personal stories, research, and actionable strategies, Dominican-Puerto Rican Aguer-Domínguez offers an invaluable guide to lead with passion, even when you feel like you’re being tested on all fronts. As a global leader and expert on the future of work, inclusion, and leadership burnout, Auger-Domínguez is one of the most qualified Latinas to offer this guidance. With experience at global giants like Google, Disney, and Vice Media, she knows how to create thriving work cultures, and isn’t gatekeeping her secrets.
“Thank You, Gracias” by Susie Jaramillos
Image Credit: Susie Jaramillo.
If you’re sharing your love of reading with little ones, whether that’s your own children, younger siblings, nieces and nephews, etc., “Thank You, Gracias,” is a lovely book to introduce them to. Venezuelan-American Susie Jaramillo is an Emmy-nominated creator and you might already know her as the creator of the successful bilingual preschool brand, Canticos. Her award-winning work has helped millions of kids around the world embrace bilingual education through songs, books, and apps, and she’s known for her creativity, which expands from storytelling to entrepreneurship.
Jaramillo’s “Thank You, Gracias” is a lift-the-flap board book full of playful rhymes in English and Spanish, and cheerful illustrations. It’s a charming read that will help children learn about giving thanks while having fun and interacting with a beautiful book. It’s an essential one if you’re raising bilingual kids or want to introduce children to a new language in a way that makes it truly interesting and engaging for them.
“The Daggers of Ire” by J.C. Cervantes
Image Credit: J.C. Cervantes.
In “The Daggers of Ire,” Esmerelda Santos, a rare bruja with Chaos magic, faces the biggest challenge of her life. After a mysterious curse wipes out all the magic in her town, Esme and her best friend Tiago must go on a dangerous journey to save their families. With a witch hunter hot on their trail, they race against time to unlock the secrets of an ancient legend. This middle-grade Latine fantasy is full of magic, humor, and heart, exploring courage and sisterhood in a heartwarming adventure.
J.C. Cervantes, of Mexican and Anglo descent, is a New York Times bestselling author known for blending Latino culture with fantasy elements to create vibrant worlds for children, young adults, and adults. She’s known for her “Storm Runner” series, which is a worldwide success, and her books have earned her multiple awards, including the New Mexico Book Award. She’s all about finding magic in everyday life, and this latest book from her offers exactly that.
With these recent releases, Latina authors are bringing powerful, diverse, and educational stories to the forefront. Whether you’re in the mood for fiction or nonfiction, these books should have a spot on your to-be-read list. Happy reading!
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Isabel Allende
Photo by allendeisabel on Instragram
Starting her career in 1967, Isabel Allende is one of the most prolific Latina authors out there. This Chilean writer is known for her fiction novels and the way she blends magical realism into her stories. Some of her most well-known novels include “The House of the Spirits,” “City of the Beasts,” and “Evaluna,” though there are many other titles to explore.
Allende continues writing to this day, at 81 years old, and her stories resonate with people of all ages. Some of her most recent work includes “The Wind Knows My Name,” a historical and contemporary fiction story that focuses on love, sacrifice, loss, and self-discovery, and “Perla the Mighty Dog,” Allende’s very first children’s book with illustrations by the talented Chicana artist Sandy Rodríguez.
In “Perla the Mighty Dog,” Allende explores the unbreakable bond between a child and their pet. The story follows Nico Rico and his dog Perla. Like many kids unfortunately experience, Nico is being bullied at school. But Perla isn’t standing by and letting it happen. No, no! She will use her superpowers of making people love her and roaring like a lion to help Nico find his own superpowers and stand up for himself.
What we love about this story is that it’s heartwarming, charming, and poignant, with vibrant and whimsical illustrations. It can be the perfect read for kids, but it’s also easy for adults to enjoy the message of kindness at the core of this story.
Tehlor Kay Mejia
Photo by tehlorkay on Instagram
When it comes to middle-grade and young adult fiction, Tehlor Kay Mejia is one of the Latine names that stand out. They’re a third-generation Mexican-American, transgender, bestselling, and award-winning author who came out of the gate swinging. Their debut novel, “We Set the Dark on Fire,” received the Oregon Spirit Book Award for debut fiction, the Neukom Institute Literary Arts Award runner-up honor for debut speculative fiction, and it was featured in several best book lists in 2019. Including Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, and O, the Oprah Magazine.
Then, their debut middle-grade novel, “Paola Santiago and the River of Tears,” found similar success. It was one of Amazon’s best books of 2020 in the 9-12 age range and a TV adaptation has been in development since 2022 on Disney, produced by Eva Longoria. Themes like community, radical inclusion, and abolitionist values can be found in Mejia’s stories, no matter what the intended audience is, and it’s part of what makes their books so compelling.
Mejia’s latest works include the contemporary LGBT romance “Sammy Espinoza's Last Review,” Mejia’s adult debut, and the YA LGBT fantasy duology “Lucha of the Night Forest,” which are both great options. You should go with “Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review” if you want a swoon-worthy romance with delicious banter surrounded by music and family issues. If you love fantasy, “Lucha of the Night Forest” offers a story full of adventure, sapphic love, strong and nuanced characters, and beautiful prose. The best part is that you won’t have to wait terribly long for the conclusion of this duology since “Lucha of the Forgotten Spring” will hit the shelves in 2025.
Matt de la Peña
Image Credit: Matt de la Peña
Matt de la Peña is a Newbery Medal-winning author of Mexican descent and he specializes in children’s books and YA novels, some of which you’ve definitely heard of before. De la Peña started his career in 2005 with his debut novel, “Ball Don’t Lie,” which was named ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Adults and later adapted into a movie in 2011.
In 2008, de la Peña published his second novel, “Mexican WhiteBoy,” combining his passion for sport and Mexican heritage into an engaging story of friendship, coming of age, acceptance, and identity. It was one of the top 10 picks for the ALA-YALSA Best Books for Young Adults and it was named a Notable Book for a Global Society in 2009, to mention a few achievements.
De la Peña’s latest work is the children’s picture book “The Perfect Place,” and it’s the uplifting story of young Lucas, a boy with perfect grades but a not-so-perfect home life. His dad is always dealing with his broken-down truck, his mom works long hours, and he shares a small room with his baby sister. One night, a strange light wakes him and guides him to a place where perfect people love.
The longer Lucas spends in that place, the more he wonders if he really knows what perfection means and what’s so great about it. It’s a wonderful picture book about learning to feel at home with yourself, a message children can definitely connect with (and adults too)!
Angie Cruz
Image Credit: Angie Cruz
Dominican award-winning author Angie Cruz is known for her fiction work, which explores themes of gender, race, displacement, home, and the working-class experience. Her career started in 2001 with the publication of her first novel, “Soledad,” which tells the journey of a young Latina woman confronting her and her mother’s past as they try to save their relationship.
One of Cruz’s most well-known works is “How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water,” published in 2022. This book won the Gold Medal of the Latino Book Award/The Isabel Allende Most Inspirational Book Award and is a finalist for the 2024 Neustadt International Prize for Literature.
The novel is ambitious in its concept and very moving in its execution. It follows Cara Romero, a Dominican woman living in NYC who’s going through a rough patch due to the 2008 recession. She goes through an agency in hopes of finding a job after getting fired from her old one, and the agency interview turns into a therapy session. Cruz creates characters readers can root for and enjoy getting to know, this is no exception.
More recently, Cruz published a children’s book in 2024, “Angélica and la Güira,” and it’s the story about a Dominican girl who learns to harness the power of music to bridge the gap between Washington Heights, where she lives, and the Dominican Republic. It explores themes like community while capturing the spirit of these locations. It’s a fun tribute to music, home, and Dominican culture!
Lilliam Rivera
Image Credit: Lilliam Rivera
Lilliam Rivera is a versatile award-winning author of Puerto Rican descent who has dabbled in middle-grade, young adult, and a graphic novel for DC comics. She will also be adding horror to her list of genres with the forthcoming novel, “Tiny Threads.” Her books have received a Pura Belpré Honor and they have been featured in many “best of” lists, including publications like NY Times, Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, and NPR. Her personal essays have also been published in The New York Times, Buzzfeed Books, and The Washington Post, to name a few.
Rivera debuted in 2016 with the YA, contemporary novel “The Education of Margot Sánchez,” a coming-of-age story exploring dysfunctional families, identity, finding yourself, and the difference between making good and bad choices. Other YA novels include the graphic novel “Unearthed: A Jessica Cruz Story,” a reimagining of DC’s Jessica Cruz, one of the greatest Green Lanterns.
Her middle-grade work includes titles like “Goldie Vance: The Hotel Whodunit” and “Goldie Vance: The Hocus-Pocus Hoax,” and her most recent book, “Barely Floating,” which tells the story of twelve-year-old Nat, who fell in love with synchronized swimming. The issue is that her activist parents don’t think it’s a worthwhile sport, with its emphasis on looks, but Nat knows what she wants and is willing to fight for it. It’s a story with a lot of heart, focused on building community and what it means to be resilient.
If you’re a Latino, you will find yourself in these works, and if you’re not, you’ll be exposed to nuanced and fascinating perspectives. Isn’t that what reading is all about; learning, connecting, and broadening our minds?
As an added bonus, Penguin Random House is making it extremely easy for readers to snag amazing books by Latine authors with their summer sweepstakes. Register for a chance to snag a grand prize of 10 summer reads, $1,000 to organize a poolside retreat, and a dual chaise pool float, or to become one of fifty winners to get a 3-book bundle of must-reads. Enter the Meet Us Poolside sweepstakes for a chance to win!
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