Created by Sayuri Jimenez - Luz Media.
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!
December 12th is a significant religious and cultural celebration in Mexico, which marks the culmination of events told in the famous story of the Virgin Mary appearing to Juan Diego, a peasant, in Mexico City as a dark-skinned woman who spoke to Diego in his native tongue, Náhuatl. The day is recognized as the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the date it is observed with pilgrimages, processions, Masses, and various festivities.
Why did the Virgin Mary Appear before Juan Diego?
According to the well-told story, Juan Diego, a peasant in Mexico, claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary on the Hill of Tepeyac. She told Juan Diego to instruct the local bishop to build a church in her honor on that site, but when Juan Diego delivered the message to the bishop, he didn't believe Juan Diego, who after all was just a lowly peasant.
Undeterred, the Virgin appeared to Juan Diego again, and this time, she told Juan Diego to gather roses, which were out of season, and present them to the bishop. Juan Diego complied and when he opened his cloak to reveal the roses, an image of the Virgin Mary miraculously appeared on the fabric. This image is now venerated as the Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Photo by Emmanuel Acua on Unsplash
The Site of the Virgin Mary Appearance
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe as seen from the top of the hill of Tepeyac.
The Streets are Filled with Processions
Many Mexican and other Latin-American households pay homage to the Virgin by hanging photos or building altars of all sizes year-round. During the day of the Virgin, the streets are filled with people vibrating with love for Nuestra Señora Salvadora. The streets are filled with resounding conversations and colorful flowers, and as people find Guadalupe, they walk the streets and honor her presence. In Mexico City, people march the entire street to the Basílica de Guadalupe, singing, surrounded by food stands, and people swelling with love, devotion, and pride of the Virgen de Guadalupe.
The march can be so deeply meaningful to some people that they march on their knees.
miguel.cardenas, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
It's a Celebration and a Family Affair
Figures of la Virgen, dancing to the rhythm of the drums, incienso, fireworks, and food can be found in cities throughout Mexico. It's a joyous moment for many families because it’s finally the day to celebrate and thank her for her blessings. You can find la Virgen de Guadalupe paintings on random walls that often get serenaded with rancheras and baladas.
The vibe is a community celebration. Children run around dressed as little Dieguitos, with their painted bigotes, sandalias, and sombreros. In churches, you can see people recreating the tale, putting on a big scene of how it all happened: the manto, the flowers, and the mysticality of it all.
Photo by Juan Manuel Montejano Lopez
La Virgen de Guadalupe: Symbol of Hope
People vibrate with pride and love, while many others publicly declare how their lives were changed by miracles la Virgen de Guadalupe created for them.
La Virgen de Guadalupe is now a beacon of hope and light for millions of Mexicans but she's also turned into a cultural icon for many others. Understanding the origin story of the Virgin helps explain why the day is so sacred, but it also helps explain why she's such a staple to Mexican culture, even for the non-religious.
Photo by Friar Sergio Serrano, OP
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What is self-intimacy?
Normally when we think of intimacy, we think of relationships with partners or sex. Self-intimacy can take the form of many things, but we’re viewing it as a form of radical self-care to reflect on your inner thoughts and emotions regarding who you are and the joy you feel about where you are in life.
Self-intimacy can be painful, as it requires taking the time to become more aware of your feelings and taking part in acts of service to care about those feelings. It’s not easy because it requires you to face your demons and challenge the unhealthy behaviors you might use as a coping mechanism for the things that don’t bring you joy in life.
Investing in self-intimacy is important to be able to understand your relationship with yourself and also with the people and things around you. It’s an important part of being a partner since it helps you learn more about yourself and express your findings with your loved ones.
Becoming comfortable with feeling how you feel enables you to tap into those reservoirs of self-love you might not even be aware you’re capable of having. No, this doesn’t mean becoming obsessed with yourself (although, why not?), but rather being able to recognize your own emotions and act in service of those emotions to make yourself happy. This includes taking a step back to assess a situation and your feelings towards it before reacting, enabling you to do better and be better in relation to yourself as well as others.
Mila Kunis GIF - Find & Share on GIPHYGiphyIt also means recognizing toxic patterns of behavior and implementing acts to break them, as well as setting boundaries within relationships. Ask yourself questions such as “Do I enjoy being with these people?” and “Am I allowing myself to really connect with others to be treated the way I’d like to be treated?” These might be hard to confront but ultimately result in your understanding of the love you deserve and accept into your life. Knowing you’re worthy of quality love enables you to attract it in all aspects.
Being vulnerable with yourself allows you to be more vulnerable with others. Being honest with yourself will allow you to be more honest with others. Meditate on questions centered around your solitude – do you like being alone? Are you comfortable with it? Are you empowered by your own presence? If not, you could be having issues spending time with yourself, which is always a no-go. Feeling comfortable alone without feeling lonely is an empowering emotion that only enables you to value the company of others even more.
Self-intimacy also allows you to learn more about what empowers you and makes you feel like a confident, sexy person. Sexy meaning being someone that excites you and arouses all the right parts of you – you really can do all bad by yourself, we promise! Confidence like this will allow you to discover your true sexual energy and what you like.
In short, self-intimacy is sitting with yourself to know more about who you are. Understanding that you’re worthy of love, worthy of knowing yourself to be better, feeling confident, and discovering your sexual energy are all worth looking into! You got this, mija!
Treat Yourself Donna Meagle GIF by Parks and Recreation - Find & Share on GIPHYGiphyHow can I practice self-intimacy in my day-to-day?
Ready to nurture and pamper your inner self every day? Here's your essential checklist to keep handy:
- Redefine Intimacy: Think beyond romance. Picture self-intimacy as a transformative journey of self-discovery, shedding light on your inner world.
- Embrace the Emotional Workout: Like spring cleaning for the soul, sort through your feelings. Keep the joy, toss the junk.
- Invest in Your Inner World: It’s emotional homework that pays off big time. The better you know yourself, the richer your connections with others become.
- Own Your Emotions: Understand and navigate life from a space of clarity. Pause, reflect, and act with intention.
- Break Self-Sabotage: Identify patterns that hold you back. Do you vibe with your circle? Are you settling for less than you deserve?
- Ask the Tough Questions: Dive deep. Ponder about solitude – is it comforting or unnerving? Find peace in your own company to deepen connections with others.
- Raw & Real = Golden: Honesty with yourself is a direct path to forming genuine connections with others.
- Find Your Sexy: No, not just that kind. The confidence, the energy, the magnetic pull that says you’re the lead in your life’s story.
- Discover the Joy of Solitude: Recognize the beauty of being content in your own company. That peace makes shared moments even more special.
- Celebrate Yourself: At the end of the day, self-intimacy is about realizing you’re kind of a big deal. Dive in, and discover the magic that’s uniquely you. Cheers to the journey!
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