Novels by Mexican Authors
14 Novels Written by Mexican Authors to Add to Your Must-Read List
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Every year, we make a conscious effort to read at least a few books written by Latinx authors. Sometimes it takes a bit of digging to unearth the gems, since books by Latinx authors aren't often publicized widely. But fortunately, things are starting to change with more well-known and renowned Latinx authors being acknowledged in the literary world. In an effort to highlight and celebrate Latinx authors, we've been rounding up books by some of our favorites. In this particular installment, we've curated a collection of powerful, entertaining, and thought-provoking novels by Mexican authors, specifically. From classics by literary icon Sandra Cisneros to the debut novel of up-and-comer Gabriela Garcia, check them all out here.
Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia
Of Women and Salt ($27) is the debut novel by Mexican and Cuban writer Gabriela Garcia. Released in 2021, the book explores the intertwined story of a few different women and their journeys to understand their histories, overcome their traumas, and understand their relationships as they face various personal and political stumbling blocks.
Thirty Talks Weird Love by Alessandra Narváez Varela
The concept of Thirty Talks Weird Love ($19), a young adult novel in verse by Alessandra Narváez Varela, is utterly intriguing. In this story, a 13-year-old girl growing up in Ciudad Juarez is visited by her future 30-year-old self. But the guarded girl isn't buying it and struggles to believe that the woman is who she says she is and questions why she would want to visit her when she's doing fine all on her own.
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez
Released in 2019, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter ($12) by Erika L. Sánchez is a New York Times bestseller and YA novel. It tells the story of a girl whose sister tragically dies, leaving her to fill the void for her traditional Mexican family. Readers follow along in this often hilarious read as she struggles against expectations, stereotypes, and the demands of her family.
Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor
Hurricane Season ($17) by Mexican author Fernanda Melchor is the perfect read for horror fans. It's about a village that is thrown into turmoil when it discovers the town witch is dead. Told from different perspectives, each narrator uncovers new and often disturbing details related to the mystery of her death, leaving readers both enlightened and terrified.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Cemetery Boys ($18) is a book that needed to be written, and author Aiden Thomas was just the person to do it. Aiden's debut novel is about a trans, Latinx boy who summons a ghost in an attempt to prove his true gender to his traditional family. The only problem is, the ghost doesn't want to leave!
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Another New York Times bestseller, Mexican Gothic ($17) by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a gorgeous mystery novel about a glamorous woman from Mexico who travels to see her cousin after she finds out she's in danger. With a healthy dose of courage and quite a bit of determination, she sets about discovering the secrets that threaten to harm her prima.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The House on Mango Street ($12) by Sandra Cisneros is practically required reading for Latinx people, so if you haven't read it, there's no better time than now. It's the coming-of-age story of a Latinx girl growing up in Chicago, whom readers follow along as her experiences shape who she will become as she grows into young adulthood.
Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros
Caramelo ($24) by Sandra Cisneros is the beautiful story of a multigenerational Mexican American family, and it quite insightfully illustrates the intricate dynamics of many Latinx families living in America. During an annual family road trip to Mexico City, the story's main character gets to experience the vivid history of her family throughout many generations.
Faces in the Crowd by Valeria Luiselli
Faces in the Crowd ($17) by Valeria Luiselli is a novel told from the perspectives of three individuals working in the literary world. One is an author who is also a young mom living in Mexico City, another is a translator in Harlem, and the other is a Mexican poet living in Philadelphia. It's a story of disappearance, time and identity, and how they affect the lives and perspectives of the characters.
Leaving Tabasco by Carmen Boullosa
Leaving Tabasco ($16) by Carmen Boullosa is the story of a woman who grew up in the Mexican province Tabasco, where superstitions, magic, and miracles are alive and well. Anything can happen and often does. The main character finds herself faced with leaving her hometown and embarking on an adventure when she sets about finding her missing father.
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
Known to be one of the bestselling Chicano novels of all time, Bless Me, Ultima ($8) by Rudolfo Anaya is another coming-of-age tale. Published in 1994, it's an exploration of faith from the perspective of a young boy, who comes to discover his family's pagan roots when a curandera (healer) comes to live with them.
The Mixquiahuala Letters by Ana Castillo
The Mixquiahuala Letters ($15) by Ana Castillo was published back in 1992, but it's still just as riveting today as it was back then. Written in the form of an exchange of letters between two women, it explores love, gender, relationships, and female friendship specifically from a distinctly Latinx perspective.
How to Be a Chicana Role Model by Michelle Serros
The classic novel by author Michelle Serros, How to Be a Chicana Role Model ($21), is the comedic story of a young Chicana writer grappling with her identity as she attempts to meld her two cultures and discover her true self.
The Taiga Syndrome by Cristina Rivera Garza
Described as being part fairy tale, part detective novel, The Taiga Syndrome ($16) by Mexican author Cristina Rivera Garza is about a woman ex-detective who is hired to track down a couple who are believed to have fled to some far-off place. Along the way, she encounters frights and disturbances straight out of fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding and ultimately comes to learn more about love than she ever could have anticipated.
