Here at Ooligan, we love to celebrate diverse authors and stories. As a Latinx reader, I enjoy reading novels that speak about my culture and celebrate the rich history of the island I grew up on. However, I also love reading stories from other Latinx cultures whose stories and experiences resonate with me. In this list, you will find a little bit of everything. We have put together a short list of books written by Latinx authors that you will surely enjoy!
The Storyteller’s Death by Ann Dávila Cardinal
First on our list is Ann Dávila Cardinal. Cardinal is known for celebrating her heritage through her writing in her novels. Her newest title, The Storyteller’s Death, follows the story of Isla as she discovers family secrets. Forced to spend her summers in Puerto Rico, Isla develops a strong bond with her great-grandmother. After her death, Isla discovers she has a magical gift passed down through her family. This incredible story incorporates beautiful storytelling with a hint of magic. The Storyteller’s Death is Cardinal’s first adult novel. If you are looking for a young adult novel, you can check out her other books like Breakup From Hell and Five Midnights.
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Next up, we have Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo. This story, told in the form of a poem, follows the lives of two sisters, Camino and Yahaira Rios, after the sudden death of their father. However, Camino and Yahaira were unaware of each other’s existence. They must work through their grief while coming to terms with their father’s double life. Acevedo’s writing is truly captivating. Other well-known books by Acevedo are The Poet X and With the Fire on High.
Blazewrath Games by Amparo Ortiz
This fantasy novel follows the story of Lana Torres who loves dragons and longs to play for the Puerto Rican team in the Blazewrath World Cup, a tournament where dragons and humans come together to compete. This is such a fun, innovative, and action-packed read. I had never read a fantasy novel incorporating Puerto Rican characters and found this book to be a treat! I highly recommend it, and if you want to read more books by Ortiz, you can check out Dragonblood Ring and Last Sunrise in Eterna.
Our Shadows Have Claws: 15 Latin American Monster Stories
Last but not least, we have Our Shadows Have Claws: 15 Latin American Monster Stories, which is a collection of short stories written by many authors, two of whom, Amparo Ortiz and Ann Dávila Cardinal, have been featured on this list. This collection of Latinx horror stories is a great way to get insight into different cultures since many of these stories are inspired by specific lore. Some of my favorite stories include “The Boy From Hell” and “La Madrina.”
These are just a few fantastic Latinx authors I have recently enjoyed reading. I would have loved having more stories like Ortiz’s Blazewrath Games when I was growing up, but I am glad I have these stories now and that younger readers will have access to books like these.
Support diversity in publishing by reading Latinx authors. Feel free to let us know what authors you loved from this list and share other Latinx authors you love reading!