Honoring different cultures is one important way to ensure we value and understand diverse stories. Hispanic authors often use real life as inspiration for their novels, breathing new life into both notable and unsung narratives. For this week’s Three to Read, we’ve gathered books that showcase Hispanic history in creative and engaging ways. Let’s dive in!
HOT PICK
Salt Bones by Jennifer Givhan
SYNOPSIS:
Malamar Veracruz has lived her entire life in El Valle, trying to build a life while mourning the unsolved disappearance of her sister, Elena. Despite working hard and raising two children, the horrible memory is difficult to shake, especially when another local girl goes missing. With the help of her daughters, Mal goes on a desperate search for the truth, all while following visions of a horse-headed woman, in order to bring answers to her community.
WHY:
Set in the Mexicali borderlands, Salt Bones is a retelling of Persephone and Demeter that merges aspects of Latina and Indigenous culture. Jennifer Givhan presents a mix of magical realism, drama, mythology, mystery, and horror, creating a novel that is rich with poetic language and important commentary on ecological trauma.
COFFEE SHOP READ
My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende, Translated by Frances Riddle
SYNOPSIS:
The product of a whirlwind encounter between an Irish nun and a Chilean aristocrat in 1866, Emilia Del Valle is a passionate but restless writer. Raised by her stepfather, she moves from publishing pulp fiction as a teenager to writing for the San Francisco Examiner. Partnered with a talented reporter named Eric Whelan, Emilia seizes the opportunity to cover a budding civil war in Chile. Before long, she finds herself in danger and unsure what path to take as she discovers the truth about her father and her history.
WHY:
Isabel Allende’s latest historical fiction book features a strong female main character deeply connected to her culture. The Chilean American novelist draws on history to describe the journalism field in the late 1800s and the Chilean Civil War of 1891, describing Emilia’s world in generous detail and illuminating her journey of self-discovery.
DARK HORSE
Malinalli by Veronica Chapa
SYNOPSIS:
By 12 years old, a young girl named Malinalli is kidnapped into slavery and forced to navigate the devastation caused by the Spanish and Moctezuma, an emperor of the Aztec Empire. But with magical powers and the support of priestesses, Malinalli pledges to help defend the legacy of her people.
WHY:
As a real historical figure and Nahua interpreter, Malinalli helped Hernán Cortés communicate with the native people of Mexico. Perceived as one of the most controversial and misunderstood women in Mexico’s history and mythology, Malinalli’s story is retold by Veronica Chapa, who said in an interview that she wanted to broaden the conversations around Malinalli’s identity. If you’re an open-minded reader looking to gain a new perspective on Hispanic history, this one is for you.
That’s it for this week’s Three to Read. Thanks for tuning in to read about these profound and adventurous books on Hispanic history and culture! Don’t forget to join us next week for more curated recommendations.
To read more about books with Hispanic representation, click here!
Browse these books and more reads handpicked by the Bookstr team on our Three to Read bookshelf on Bookshop!
