Mamá Didn’t Raise a Pendeja by Carolina Acosta and Aralis Mejia
Image Credit: Aralis Mehia and Carolina Acosta
We all need some no-nonsense advice to close out your year with confidence. “Mamá Didn’t Raise a Pendeja” is the blunt, funny, and refreshingly real self-help book you didn’t know you needed. First-gen Latinas Carolina Acosta and Aralis Mejia have channeled the wisdom of abuelitas everywhere into this collection of “anti-affirmations.” This isn’t about fluffy mantras—it’s real talk for real challenges. From relationship drama to career hurdles, every page is packed with sharp humor, tough love, and cultural pride. Whether you need a reminder to stay grounded or a push to tackle life head-on, this book can be your personal pep talk.
The Volcano Daughters by Isabel Cañas
Image Credit: Gina Maria Balibrera
This book will transport you to 1920s El Salvador, where beauty and devastation mark Graciela and Consuelo’s lives. When nine-year-old Graciela is taken from her volcano-side home to serve as an oracle for a rising dictator, her world is forever changed. Years later, as genocide threatens their homeland, the sisters are forced to flee, carrying their traumas and secrets with them. In “The Volcano Daughters,” Salvadoran-American Gina María Balibrera creates a heart-wrenching story that combines history, mythology, and survival. It’s the perfect book if you love stories of resilience, sisterhood, and the fight for justice.
Isabel and the Rogue by Liana De la Rosa
Image Credit: Liana De la Rosa
Isabel Luna Valdés is the wallflower-turned-secret-agent we didn’t know we needed. Using her connections in London’s high society, Isabel gathers intelligence to support Mexico during the French Occupation. But when her covert missions put her in the path of Sirius Dawson, a charming but infuriating British spy, sparks—and secrets—fly. “Isabel and the Rogue” is a historical romance full of political intrigue and fun banter that will have you kicking your feet. Of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, Liana De la Rosa wrote a page-turner that will take you to another era. If you’re in the mood for romance with high stakes, this one is for you.
Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed edited by Saraciea Fennell
Image Credit: Saraciea Fennell
This anthology of 15 voices from the Latinx diaspora is, simply put, impactful. From Elizabeth Acevedo to Ibi Zoboi, the contributors tackle topics like identity, anti-Blackness, and the complexities of love and family. The stories, essays, and poems are as diverse as the authors themselves, offering a good mix of emotions and unflinching truth. Whether you’re in the mood for a ghost story or a heartfelt reflection, this collection has something for everyone. “Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed” is a great option if you want to read outside of your usual genre, but don’t know where to start. So put this celebration of Latine voices on your holiday reading list.
Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia
Image Credit: Gabriela Garcia
This haunting multigenerational novel takes you from 19th-century Cuba to present-day Miami, following the lives of extraordinary women bound by love, trauma, and resilience. Jeanette, battling addiction, is looking for answers about her family’s past, while her mother, Carmen, wrestles with the pain of displacement. Of Cuban and Mexican descent, Gabriela Garcia explores themes like immigration, betrayal, and survival through poetic writing. “Of Women and Salt” is a meditation on the legacies we carry and the strength it takes to confront them. Thought-provoking and perfect for a quiet night in.
The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
Image Credit: Mia Sosa
Imagine being left at the altar and then having to work with the very man who encouraged your ex to do it. That’s Lina’s reality in this hilarious enemies-to-lovers romance by Puerto Rican-Brazilian author Mia Sosa. Sparks fly as Lina, a whip-smart Brazilian wedding planner, and Max, her ex’s brother, are forced to collaborate on a big project. “The Worst Best Man” is a rom-com that will get you laughing and swooning. Rivals-to-lovers is always a fun trope and this story will be an effective antidote to holiday stress. Plus, you’ll learn about Brazilian culture in a very refreshing way.
Self-Care for Latinas by Raquel Reichard
Image Credit: Raquel Reichard
This debut by Puerto Rican author Raquel Reichard is exactly what you’re looking for if you need a little help staying grounded this time of year. We all know how hectic and overwhelming the holidays can be, so this could be a lifesaver. “Self-Care for Latinas” is a guide that offers over 100 practical exercises to help you recharge, reset, and reclaim your joy. Reichard is a mental health advocate and she addresses the unique challenges Latinas face while offering actionable steps to navigate them healthily. From quick pick-me-ups to deeper self-reflection, this book is a must-have for starting the new year with a renewed sense of purpose.
We Need No Wings by Ann Dávila Cardinal
Image Credit: Ann Davila Cardinal
After the sudden death of her husband, Teresa Sanchez is consumed by grief—until she starts levitating. That surreal experience leads Teresa on a trip to Spain, where she uncovers her family’s mystical connection to Saint Teresa of Ávila. Puerto Rican-American Ann Dávila Cardinal wrote a beautiful story of healing, faith, and self-discovery in “We Need No Wings.” She leaned on her Puerto Rican heritage to deliver a book that feels deeply personal and universally relatable at the same time, and the magical realism elements make it very dynamic. Be ready to go on an emotional and spiritual journey with Teresa!
Every single one of these stories offers a different window into the Latine experience and opens the door to themes we can all relate to, from resilience and love to identity and self-care. Whenever you feel the need to disconnect from what’s happening around you and connect with yourself or just have a good time, any of these books will serve as a vehicle. Get yourself a cafecito, curl up on the couch, and happy reading!
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