Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the contributions and impact to American culture made by the Latinx community. Here at the library we have compiled a list of examples of Hispanic excellence in our collection for you to enjoy and celebrate with us.
Adult Fiction/Libros de ficción
Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine
Eleven stories about Latinas of indigenous descent living in the American West. Focusing on the relationships between mothers and daughters, our friends, and the memories of their homelands.
Native Country of the Heart by Cherríe Moraga
A memoir of a fierce survivor mother from Tijuana written from the perspective of her Latina queer daughter, this exploration of their close but contentious relationship will resonate with many readers.
The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vásquez
Antonio Yammara reads a newspaper article that transports him back to his home country of Colombia, where he once watched a friend’s murder. This horrible event makes him examine his life and trace the ways in which it has been shaped by his past.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
Oscar is a sweet but terribly overweight ghetto nerd who dreams of becoming the Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien but blames the fukú or generational curse placed on his family back in Santo Domingo for his shortcomings.
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez
Julia struggles with the death of her perfectly Mexican sister Olga on the streets of Chicago with a mother who is more concerned with pointing out Julia’s faults than helping her deal with her grief. After discovering that Olga may not have been as perfect as she let on, Julia becomes determined to find out the truth.
Adult Nonfiction/ Libros de no ficción
An African American and Latinx History of the United States by Paul Oritz
UF History professor Paul Oritz explores the history of the United States from the perspective of the Black and Latinx communities that helped shape the world we live in.
Inventing Latinos: A New Story of American Racism by Laura Gómez
This fascinating book examines race-making, unmaking and remaking of the Latin identity that has spanned centuries‚ leaving a permanent imprint on how race operates in the United States today.
Barrio America: How Latino Immigrants Saved the American City by A.K. Sandoval-Strausz
An exploration of two neighborhoods in America that show the ways in which the Latinx community has revitalized areas that had been left behind by the flight from cities by the so-called creative class.
Oye What I’m Gonna Tell You by Cecilia Rodríguez Milanés
Asking the question of what to take from the culture of your homeland when you have been displaced, Milanés chronicles the lives of Cuban Americans from WWII to today as they reflect on what it is like growing up in the traditional Cuban home in America.
Cookbooks/Libros de cocina
From the famed chef Isabel Cruz, this book takes an innovative and healthy twist on Latin favorites, with simple, easy to make recipes that will be a joy to replicate at home.
Southern Heat: New Southern Cooking Latin Style by Anthony Lamas and Gwen Pratesi
Chef Anthony Lamas takes his Mexican and Puerto Rican roots and explores the cuisines of Argentina, Peru, Cuba, and beyond. One of the first to emphasize the importance of the farm to table movement, this cookbook is for those who love to bring the heat.
Trejo's Tacos: Recipes and Stories from L.A.: A Cookbook by Danny Trejo
75 recipes from Hollywood star Danny Trejo, who has translated his Hollywood fame into running a successful taqueiria, with carnitas, cauliflower and his to die for cinnamon-sugar lowrider donuts.
A Taste of Latin America: Culinary Traditions and Classic Recipes by Patricia Cartin
Traditional recipes from Latin America, including spicy and citrusy ceviche and Colombian seafood stews. For those looking for an exploration of many cultures, this is the book for you.
Through its in-depth look at drinking culture throughout Latin America, this gorgeous book offers a rich cultural and historical context for understanding Latin spirits.