30 Latinx Recs You Can Read Today + 5 Upcoming Releases

Hi friends!

Since today is the last day of Latinx Heritage Month I wanted to put this rec list together as a reminder that LHM ending doesn’t mean we’re done reading Latinx stories. I hope everyone is reading diversely year round (because you should be) and that this list gives you some more books for your TBR!

We’re also not done engaging with and supporting Latinx content creators so let me direct your attention to the following:

• Penguin Teen put together this list of Latinx Bookish Creators You Need to Follow that’s a great mix of Booktubers and Bookstagrammers (quite a few of them have book blogs as well that you can find linked in their bios!)
• Buzzfeed also posted a list of 28 Bookstagrammers You Should Be Following!
• The Quiet Pond has been hosting a series of interviews with Latinx authors and bookish content creators as part of their Our Friend is Here series. All the interviews are amazing and it’s a great way to find new authors and creators to follow as well as learning more about long time faves!

If you’re a Latinx content creator (especially a book blogger) please don’t hesitate to drop your links and self-promote in my comments! I love to boost when I can and I’m always looking for more blogs to follow (especially since I’m new to the platform)!

This list is by no means comprehensive (if you want even more recs check out Sofia @ Aelin’s Kingdom‘s list of 270 Latinx Book Recommendations) but I hope it can serve as a starting point for someone looking to diversify their reading or for someone simply looking for more recs! These are all books by Latinx authors that are either Latinx-inspired and/or have Latinx MCs AND are mostly 2020 releases but a few of my faves/high recs from past years are also included. Make sure to check out these authors other works!

As always if you’re able please consider buying from your local indie bookstore, finding indies that you’d like to support if you don’t have a local option, or an organization like Bookshop that supports indies!

Disclaimer: In general, if you have any corrections to make, please let me know so I can fix it asap! I tried to include recs from across genres (which I also tried to group together), but this list was pulled from my own reading list so there’s going to be a lot of contemporary and fantasy. Also, while I’ve read some of these books, most are from my TBR so if you’ve read any of these and think something should be removed (for problematic rep/content specifically) please let me know. I also tried to include the type of Latinx rep and other rep in the main characters specifically but if you find any mistakes (or know the rep of a book that isn’t marked) please let me know!!

Let’s Get to the Recs!

Note: the title link leads to Goodreads so you can read the full description (the description here is a pared down version) and add it to your TBR!

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Mexican-Cuban MC | Colombian MC | Queer Rep (Gay MC) | Trans rep

Yadriel is determined to prove himself a real brujo by summoning his cousin’s spirit. When Julian, the local bad boy, appears instead, Yadriel finds himself dragged into Julian’s unfinished business while trying to hide his mistake from his family.

Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson

Mexican rep

When Mila Flores’ best friend Riley dies under suspicious circumstances she refuses to believe that it was part of a suicide pact and sets out to uncover the truth. First step: bringing Riley and the two mean girls who died with her back to life.

Lobizona by Romina Garber

Argentinian rep

Manuela Azul is just trying to hide from her father’s Argentinian crime-family, but when everything she’s ever known is threatened she decides to finally look into her past and discovers a world of brujas and werewolves.

Brooklyn Brujas (Labyrinth Lost, Bruja Born, and Wayward Witch) by Zoraida Córdova

A trilogy that follows three sisters (and witches) through developing their powers, magical battles, and worlds beyond their own. Labyrinth Lost follows Alex as she tries to rescue her family from Los Lagos. Bruja Born follows Lula as she tries to bring her boyfriend back from the dead. Wayward Witch follows Rose through the return of their father and a terrifying adventure in a fairy realm.

Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova

Renata’s ability to steal memories was used by the royal court to kill thousands of her own people. Now, she is a rebel spy working against the crown to save the remaining magical Moria. When a rescue attempt goes awry, Renata has no choice but to return to the palace undercover to complete the mission.

Nocturna by Maya Motayne

A Latinx-inspired world filled with magic, princes, mobsters, treasure, and ancient powers that threaten to destroy everything.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Mexican rep

Set in 1950s Mexico, Noemí Taboada is summoned by her newlywed cousin to High Place, a mysterious mansion filled with secrets and nightmares.

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

Cuban rep

When Gabi figures out Sal’s magic is more than just sleight of hand and doesn’t bat an eye, Sal knows they can be a great team. But their plans and manipulation of time might just put the entire universe at risk.

Blazewrath Games by Amparo Ortiz

Puerto Rican rep

Lana Torres has dreamed of representing Puerto Rico in the Blazewrath World Cup, a dragon tournament. But when she gets her chance the last thing she expects is to land in the middle of a deadly international conspiracy.

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Queer rep | W/W pairing

The Medio School for Girls trains young women to either run the household or raise the children all in the lap of luxury. But when Daniela Vargas’ position is threatened she must do whatever it takes to make her parents sacrifices worthwhile.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Dominican rep |Queer rep | W/W pairing

A story told in verse about two sisters who discover the truth about each other and their families when their father dies in a place crash.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Aceveo

Puerto Rican rep

Emoni doesn’t have time for her high school’s new culinary arts class (or the cute new boy) or the money to pay for the class’s trip to Spain. Her talent with food and her dreams of becoming a chef come second to caring for her daughter. But maybe there’s a way she can have both.

The Education of Margot Sánchez by Lilliam Rivera

Puerto Rican rep

When Margot “borrows” her father’s credit card to buy a new, more stylish wardrobe, she winds up caught and ordered to work at her family’s grocery store to repay the money. But Margot is willing to do anything to get out of trouble and save her reputation.

Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno

Cuban American rep

Rosa Santos is sea-cursed. Or so they say. Dating her is bad news, especially if you’re a boy with a boat.

This Train is Being Held by Ismée Amiel Williams

Dominican American rep

A story of chance subway encounters told over three years about two students struggling with their family expectations and opening up to each other in unexpected ways.

We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez

Guatemalan rep

A story of family and community and the circumstances that drive three teens to flee Guatemala through Mexico to the US border.

Sia Martinez & the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Mexican American rep

A genre-bending novel about a Mexican American teen three years after the disappearance of Sia mom. Sia Martinez knows her mom is dead, or at least she did until one night a spacecraft crashes carrying her mom who is very much alive.

Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros

Mexican rep

Efrén Nava’s worst fear is realized when one day his Amá is deported across the border to Mexico leaving Efrén to try and find a way to reunite his family.

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

In this portrait, Cornejo Villavicencio explores the lives of the undocumented–and the mysteries of her own life. She combines sensitive reporting and powerful personal narratives to bring to light remarkable stories of resilience and what it truly means to be an American.

Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From by Jennifer De Leon

Guatemalan and Salvadorian rep

Everything is fine for fifteen-year-old Liliana. Even when she’s accepted into a school desegregation program called METCO at a predominately white school where she feels the pressure to fit in even if it means changing who she is and denying her culture. Until she finds out her father has been deported and everything is far from fine.

Charming as a Verb by Ben Phillipe

First-generation Haitian rep

Henri is known for his charm. He is popular, a star debater, and a trusted dogwalker in his wealthy New York City neighborhood, but his charms don’t seem to work on Corinne who blackmails him into changing her image at school.

Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore

Queer rep

The Miss Meteor beauty pageant has never had a winner who looks like Lita or Chicky, but that’s not the only reason they want to win. But the secrets that pulled them apart are still there and winning means taking on white supremacy and the patriarchy to imagine a future where girls like them are more than enough—they are everything.

Furia by Yamile Saied Mendez

Argentinian rep

In Rosario, Argentina, Camila Hassan lives a double life. At home she lives within her parents limited expectations, but on the fútbol field she is La Furia. Camila has too much to lose to be distracted by the boy she once loved, but as things grow complicated Camila is forced to face secrets and make choices in a world with no place for a girl like her.

Running by Natalia Sylvester

Cuban-American rep

Mariana Ruiz has always supported her father, but when he decides to run for president, bringing a whole new level of scrutiny to their life, she begins to see him with new eyes. As tensions rise over fake photos and tabloid scandals, Mari learns the details of his political positions and realizes he might not be her hero anymore.

Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera

Puerto Rican rep | Queer rep

Juliet is a self-proclaimed closeted Puerto Rican baby dyke from the Bronx. But then she comes out to her family the night before flying to Portland for an internship. It doesn’t go well, but Juliet is sure that Harlowe Brisbane, the feminist writer she’s interning for, can help her figure it out. In a summer of change and exploration of race and identity, Juliet learns what it truly means to come out and be herself.

You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

Puerto Rican rep

Soap opera darling Jasmine Lin Rodriguez has a plan to recover from her messy public break up But when she returns to NYC to film a rom-com and discovers her new co-star is none other than telenovela hunk Ashton Suárez her plan might be harder to follow.

Wait for It by Mariana Zapata

Mexican American rep

Diana Casillas was thrown into the deep waters of adulthood when she gained custody of her two nephews in the aftermath of a tragedy. So when she meets Dallas she makes it clear she wants nothing but friendship. But the heart doesn’t always listen to reason.

Note: Mariana is the queen of slow burn (in my opinion) so I recommend checking out all of her backlist.

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa

Brazilian rep

Lina just wants to forget all about her ex-fiancé Andrew and his brother Max who she blames for the break-up. Unfortunately, she finds herself facing them again at a job interview years later. And she has to work with Max if she has any hopes of saving her wedding planning business and landing this dream role.

A Taste of Sage by Yaffa S. Santos

Dominican rep

Lumi Santana can tell someone’s emotions through their cooking. When her attempts to open a fusion restaurant inspired by her Dominican roots fails she has no choice but to take a position at a restaurant run by Julien Dax despite his reputation. Lumi vows never to taste his cooking, but when she eventually gives in she finds herself overwhelmed and struggling to follow through with her plan to leave.

American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera

Afro-Caribbean rep

Nesto Vasquez takes a big risk moving his Afro-Caribbean food truck from NYC to upstate. The last thing he needs is a distraction like Jude Fuller. Jude is proud of his life, but when he tries the new lunch spot and works up the courage to flirt with Nesto he learns that there might have been something missing.

Upcoming Releases

Pre-orders are more important than ever so please consider pre-ordering a copy from your local indie bookseller!! The title link will take you to Goodreads and then I’ll include a link to preorder with the release date – none of these are affiliates or sponsored or whatnot, just some books/authors I want to boost!

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• A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey (Nov. 10 – preorder campaign) // I am a sucker for stories with baking/cooking and then add in the fact that this takes place in England and is set up to make me cry and I just can’t wait!
• Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado (February 2 – publisher preorder link) // First of all, this cover is amazing! Second, I am so intrigued by the premise because idk what I would do if the guy I like asked me out and then I found out he asked out my best friend first so I’m curious to see how it plays out.
• Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira (March 2 – publisher preorder link) // I was sold as soon as I saw “Jenny Han meets ‘Jane the Virgin'” and then I read the premise of a summer in Miami, a “regrettable ex,” and a cousin’s quinceañera and immediately added it to my TBR for next year.
• Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet by Laekan Zea Kemp (April 6 – preorder campaign) // Once again, I love baking stories (we can probs blame hallmark and the like) and throw in found family, first loves, and the growing pains of navigating family expectations and your own dreams and I can’t wait for this book!
• Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee (May 4 – publisher preorder link) // I can’t even put into words how excited I am for this book because it sounds so fun and cute and 🥺 and I’m a sucker for a good fake dating trope and this sounds *chef’s kiss* and then the cover is just perfect (I have to say I’m a big fan of this style where it shows multiple scenes from the story)!

Once again, I hope everyone continues to read diversely year round and that some books on this list caught your attention!!

💫Have you read any of these titles/authors? Did you find any new books to add to your TBR?

✨What Latinx books/authors would you recommend? What other Latinx content creators or posts would you like to signal boost?