Summer Reads by Latina Authors You Can't Miss

a collage of cover photos for how not to drown in a glass of water by angie cruz, the house in the pines by ana reyes, of women and salt by gabriela garcia, the haunting of alejandra by v. castro and you sound like a white girl by julissa arce

Summer is the perfect time to relax, soak up the sun, and dive into a captivating book. If you're looking for a collection of exciting reads that celebrate Latine voices and explore diverse experiences, we've got you covered.


From thought-provoking memoirs to haunting tales and powerful narratives, these five Latine summer reads will transport you to different worlds and leave a lasting impact. So grab your beach towel, find a cozy spot, and let's embark on a literary journey.

"You Sound Like a White Girl: The Case for Rejecting Assimilation" by Julissa Arce

The cover for "You Sound Like a White Girl: The Case for Rejecting Assimilation" by Julissa Arce

You Sound Like A White Girl is an amazing book where Julissa Arce, a bestselling author, shares her personal journey as an immigrant in America. She debunks the idea that assimilation guarantees happiness and belonging, emphasizing the importance of embracing our uniqueness and heritage. By weaving her own experiences with current events and Latine history, Julissa encourages people of color to recognize their identities as Americans and promotes greater visibility and representation for the Latine community.

Mark your calendars for an Instagram Live session with the inspiring Julissa Arce on our Luz Instagram page on August 16th. Stay connected and make sure you're following Julissa Arce and Luz Media on Instagram for all the latest updates!

You Sound Like a White Girl: The Case for Rejecting Assimilation
$18.99

"The House in the Pines: A Novel" by Ana Reyes

The cover for "The House in the Pines: A Novel" by Ana Reyes

Get ready for a suspenseful and mysterious ride with Ana Reyes' "The House in the Pines." The story revolves around Maya, who is haunted by the mysterious death of her best friend. Determined to uncover the truth, Maya embarks on a journey into her past, unearthing hidden messages and secrets in her hometown. With addiction, lost time, and an eerie presence, Reyes keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. This gripping tale explores the power of confronting our past and finding our way back home.

The House in the Pines: A Novel
$27.00 $22.99

"Of Women and Salt" by Gabriela Garcia

The cover for "Of Women and Salt" by Gabriela Garcia

Join the multi-generational journey through time and borders in Gabriela Garcia's "Of Women and Salt." The story is set in Miami and follows Jeanette, a woman struggling with addiction, as she unravels her family's history. Garcia paints a vivid picture of the choices, betrayals, and legacies that shape the lives of extraordinary women. From displacement trauma to the challenges of motherhood, this powerful book delves into personal and political betrayals and the resilience of those who refuse to be silenced. It beautifully captures the intricate threads of the human experience.

"Of Women and Salt" by Gabriela Garcia
$16.99 $14.49

"The Haunting of Alejandra: A Novel" by V. Castro

The cover for "The Haunting of Alejandra: A Novel" by V. Castro

Brace yourself for a terrifying and captivating read in "The Haunting of Alejandra" by V. Castro. Alejandra becomes the target of La Llorona, a vengeful Mexican folk legend, as she uncovers the dark secrets of her family's past. Castro skillfully combines horror and self-discovery, exploring Alejandra's identity and the inherited courage from her foremothers. This chilling novel delves into themes of loss, strength, and the determination to confront the shadows of the past.

The Haunting of Alejandra: A Novel
$28.00 $25.20

"How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water: A Novel" by Angie Cruz

The cover for "How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water: A Novel" by Angie Cruz

Dive into the emotionally rich narrative of "How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water" by Angie Cruz. The story revolves around Cara Romero, a woman in her mid-50s who unexpectedly finds herself back in the job market after losing her long-time factory job. Through twelve sessions with a job counselor, Cara reflects on her tumultuous love affairs, complex relationships, and encounters with debt and gentrification. As she confronts her darkest secrets and regrets, Cara's resilience shines through, making this a truly compelling read.

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water: A Novel
$27.99 $23.99

So, as you soak up the sun and embark on your summer adventures, remember to pack these five Latine summer reads in your beach bag or load them onto your e-reader. They will transport you to different worlds, introduce you to captivating characters, and offer a deeper understanding of the diverse experiences within the Latine community. Happy reading!

woman surrounded by colorful illustrations
Image by Sayuri Jimenez.

Nathalie Molina Niño has never been one to shy away from breaking barriers, and now, she’s focusing her attention on a new mission: demystifying corporate boardrooms for women, especially Latinas. Molina Niño is the President of Known, an asset management and financial services firm, a veteran tech entrepreneur and builder capitalist, and a board member at the iconic lingerie Brand, Hanky Panky, and others.

Like many corporate boards, Hanky Panky hadn’t publicly disclosed its board composition until recently. After the brand survived the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Molina Niño decided it was time for more women, specifically more Latinas, to know what it means to be on corporate boards.

Coincidentally, the decision to finally be more vocal about this topic aligned with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which served as the perfect kick-off to the work.

"Something that rarely gets talked about and I think almost gets kept opaque by design is boards,” she explains in a recent Instagram announcement. “[This Latinx Heritage Month], that’s what I’ll be talking about.” Her goal? To equip more Latinas with the knowledge they need to navigate onto for-profit boards, where they can thrive and build multi-generational wealth.

For-profit corporate boards often feel like an exclusive club. And in many ways, they are, especially for Latinas, who hold the smallest percentage of board seats in Fortune 500 companies compared to other racial groups. According to the latest report from Latino Board Monitor, while Latinos hold 4.1% of these board seats (compared to 82.5% held by white people), only 1% go to Latinas. Molina Niño, a first-generation American of Ecuadorian and Colombian descent, is part of this boardroom minority.

When asked about her experience as a Latina board member during a recent Zoom interview, she said, “It’s been lonely. There’s not a lot of Latinas on boards.” She went on to explain that even serving on boards of Latina-founded businesses gets lonely because, “A lot of the times, people who serve on their boards represent their investors and, as a result, [...] you still don’t see a lot of Latinas on those boards.”

This lack of representation drives Molina Niño’s determination to increase Latina presence in corporate boardrooms. By sharing her insights, she hopes to give Latinas a roadmap to claim their seats at the table. “If you don’t know where to go, it’s impossible to figure out how to get there,” she says.

The Road to the Boardroom

Getting onto a for-profit corporate board isn’t an overnight achievement, but it’s not an unattainable dream either. People often think you need to be a CEO or have a certain type of background, but that’s one of the biggest myths about boards in Molina Niño’s experience. What they’re really looking for is expertise — whether that’s in finance, marketing, sustainability, or even technology. If you have that expertise, you’re already an asset. It’s simply a matter of which road you should take.

Understanding what boards are and how they operate is key to unlocking opportunities. For-profit boards serve as the governing body for companies, overseeing direction and financial stability, and guiding CEOs and executives in decision-making. But Molina Niño emphasizes that not all for-profit boards are created equal.

“There are two kinds [of for-profit boards] [...]. There’s the publicly traded business board and then, on the privately held side, there are, I would argue, two types of boards [...] the traditional business board and the venture-backed business board,” explains Molina Niño. Traditional businesses are often family-owned or long-established and may only form boards to meet requirements, like securing financing or transitioning through an ESOP. Venture-backed boards, on the other hand, are typically filled by investors who hold major stakes in the company.

According to Molina Niño, understanding the difference between them is how you can create a successful strategy. With publicly traded business boards, the whole world is privy to them, so, “The way that you get in there is a little bit more transparent. Sometimes those publicly traded companies will hire a recruiter to help them find new board members,” explains Molina Niño. For private companies, on the other hand, there’s no legal requirement to make announcements. As a result, most people don’t know anything about them or their inner workings.

“Usually what happens in traditional businesses that don’t have venture-capital investments is that the Founders, Executives, or the board members, if one existed already, they usually go to their friends,” and people they deem experienced to fill board seats. In other words, it’s the founder’s decision, and that’s an entirely different approach than hiring recruiters. When it comes to venture-backed business boards, the seats on the board are filled by whichever investor writes the biggest check.

This is why an understanding of the different types of boards and acknowledgment of their own strengths is what will help Latinas define a sound strategy. Whether that’s working with a recruiter, networking and connecting with founders to build trust, or making the biggest investment.

The Path for Latinas

For Molina Niño, the key to getting more Latinas into corporate boardrooms is education. Knowing what a board looks like and how it functions is how you can position yourself to get on it. In openly talking about this, without the mystique it’s usually shrouded in, Molina Niño is providing women, especially Latinas, with invaluable insights. “If we had Latinas understanding what are the three types of for-profit boards I think that, on their own, they would be able to figure out what their best chance is and adjust their careers to make themselves more competitive,” states Molina Niño.

When asked about the impact of increased Latina representation in boardrooms, Molina Niño flips the narrative. “Boards don’t help Latinas by offering them seats; Latinas help businesses thrive by being on their boards,” she says. “The whole point of sitting on a board is that you have experience and expertise, and as Latinas, you also have some cultural experience that everyone wants. [...] At the end of the day, we [Latinas] have to realize that we have a ton to offer and we have to be selective about where we put that expertise,” she explains.

As demand for access to the Latina consumer rises, Molina Niño predicts that more Latinas will find themselves recruited into boardrooms. But she’s not content to sit back and wait for that moment. By openly sharing her journey and insights, she’s making sure other Latinas know their worth and have the tools to claim their place at the table. “I realized that quietly being on boards that helped me personally is not helping other Latinas. [...] I was lucky enough to have friends who could advise me and share their experiences, so that’s why I’m doing this,” she stated.

With Hispanic Heritage Month as the backdrop, Nathalie Molina Niño’s mission is clear: “My goal is just to give Latinas enough information so they can make a plan for how to eventually get on a board that they’re paid to be on and that will eventually help them build generational wealth.”

flags of latin american countries fly behind performers wearing culturally traditional clothing

Ever noticed how September in Latin America is just one big celebration? As we wave goodbye to summer and avoid winter as long as we can, the streets come alive with parades, music, and festivities. Many Latin American countries celebrate their freedom this month, commemorating their hard-fought battles for independence from colonial domination. Let’s dive into these significant days and understand what makes each unique.

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