We are about to delve into the Hispanic culture. Top-tier Hispanic books and other literature are not only alive and thriving within this culture, they also contain some of the greatest treasures in the literary world.
but wait, what does “hispanic” mean?
You are reading: Latin american culture books
Is he Hispanic or Latino?
If you’re not familiar with the word Hispanic, the term was first used by the United States government in the 1970s to identify people of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Latin American roots. As of today, the function of the term is to define the ethnicity of people who are descendants of Spanish-speaking populations.
Many people debate whether Hispanic is the same as Latino, but it is not. Latino is geographic: it refers to people from Latin American countries, while Hispano denotes Spanish speakers.
that is, a Brazilian is Latin American, but not Hispanic; while a Spaniard is Hispanic, but not Latin American.
Hispanic literature is essential for humanity
Whether they consider themselves Hispanic or Latino, Spanish-speaking authors continue to make countless contributions to society, honoring the complex past and upheavals of daily life that their nations have overcome throughout history.
As the Hispanic legacy continues to grow, it’s up to us to dig deeper into this legacy to make it more understandable and relatable.
The Hispanic literary world has many masterpieces waiting for you to discover them.
It doesn’t matter if you want to find yourself in a story or learn about vivid traditions, there is magic and an eye-opening world to explore through Hispanic culture books.
Don’t worry, if you don’t know where to start, I’ve put together a list of 11 Hispanic culture books you’ll want to read.
1. how the garcia girls lost their accents (like the garcia sisters lost their accents)
author: julia alvarez
published: 1991
genre: fiction novel
original language: english
hispanic country in the book: dominican republic
available to buy on amazon
It is the 1960s and the Garcia family is part of the upper class society of the Dominican Republic. dr Carlos, his wife Laura and their daughters Carla, Sandra, Yolanda and Sofia enjoy a modest and luxurious life until problems arise. due to dr. Carlos’ participation in an attempted coup against President Rafael Trujillo forces the family to flee the country to save their lives.
The book explores the four sisters’ process of adjusting to American life as they grapple with their identity in the chaos of New York City. While their parents try to maintain their traditional Dominican ways, the girls share the difficulties they face in adapting to American culture, which ultimately leads them to forget their Spanish.
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents is a beautifully written collection of short stories that focuses on each character’s point of view and summarizes the struggle many Hispanic families faced after being affected by the military dictatorship.
I was captivated by the journey that takes each of the characters to a different life in the United States. The sister’s collection of childhood memories in her home country provokes a priceless feeling of Hispanic nostalgia that uncovers the universal impact a new location and culture can have on a person.
2. like water for chocolate (like water for chocolate)
author: Laura Esquivel
published: 1989
genre: romance, magical realism and fiction novel
original language: Spanish
hispanic country in the book: mexico
This magnificent book integrates one of my favorite things about the Hispanic culture: food. Like Water for Chocolate tells the story of Tita de la Garza, the youngest daughter of a family of women living in Mexico, as she searches for her independence from the family and searches for her true love: a local boy named Pedro.
tita’s empowerment story is divided into twelve chapters for each month of the year, and each chapter begins with a recipe from mexico. meanwhile, the preparation of these recipes is seamlessly integrated into the narrative of the story.
as is customary for the youngest daughter, aunt is forbidden to marry and must instead dedicate her life to taking care of her mother. This means that she must abandon her true love. To make matters worse, Pedro still becomes part of her family because of one of her sisters.
This novel shows the traditional way of life that is still exclusive to Hispanic families, as many young women in Hispanic households face scenarios like Tita’s.
I love how food is a big part of the love story, as the smells and flavors of Mexico are delicious and convey many emotions. the book’s magical realism will keep you interested, as will its dark humor and recurring soap opera feel. In short, Like Water for Chocolate is a must on my list of Hispanic culture books to read.
3. the house of the spirits (the house of the spirits)
author: isabel allende
published: 1982
genre: magical realism
original language: Spanish
hispanic country in the book: chile
available for purchase on amazon or free ebook in Spanish
When it comes to books on Hispanic culture, you’ve probably already heard of the house of the spirits because it’s a world-renowned classic. Isabel Allende’s unique style of magical writing and storytelling epitomizes her as one of the best authors in the Spanish-speaking world. This story centers on the powerful Trueba family whose triumphs and misadventures over generations define them.
The family patriarch, Esteban, destroys the family due to his infinite ambition and cruel exploitation of others, while historical events unfold around him that lead to the rise of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.
This absorbing novel was originally written in Spanish and combines witchcraft, politics, a gripping love story and revolution. It also focuses on the social class struggle and the inequality that exists in Latin America between landowners and peasants. This book is hard to put down and I can assure you that it will make you reflect on double standards, the empowerment of women and the family.
4. weaving the mist (weaving the mist)
author: claudia d. hernandez
published: 2019
See Also: The 5 Most Popular Book Genres Right Now | The Urban Writers
genre: autobiography and poetry
original language: english
hispanic country in the book: guatemala
available to buy on amazon
Weaving the fog touched a weak spot for me because I’m Guatemalan and I’ve witnessed stories similar to that of claudia, the protagonist. One day, seven-year-old Claudia wakes up to discover that her mother, a victim of domestic abuse, has gone to the United States in search of a better life. claudia feels abandoned at first and struggles to stay strong for her two sisters as they go back and forth between her aunt’s and her grandmother’s houses. Claudia’s mother eventually returns to Guatemala and they start the journey north, placing the family’s trust in the coyotes (smugglers) for the following months until they reach California.
The author highlights the intense conditions faced by Central American immigrants on their journey to the United States. he shows the danger of death that some families go to in order to protect their loved ones and provide them with a better life.
For me, this book sparked empathy and admiration for the millions of Hispanics whose courage was enough to make this journey, even when it meant leaving loved ones behind.
Reading this book provides a greater understanding of the resilience and strength of many Hispanics as they endured terrifyingly harsh conditions to reach the United States.
5. twenty love poems and a desperate song (twenty love poems and a desperate song)
author: Pablo Neruda
published: 1924
genre: poetry
original language: Spanish
hispanic country in the book: chile
available for purchase on amazon or free ebook in Spanish
One of the most romantic and beautiful collections of poetry ever written, Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair is the most famous work of Chilean author Pablo Neruda. Written at a young age, the book is inspired by some of the author’s own experiences with various love interests.
While love is a universal language, Spanish is a language of romance. The complexity of her words and descriptions are visible throughout Neruda’s work, while her poems exemplify how emotions such as love and nostalgia can be interpreted at different levels in Hispanic culture. For me this is a book that just doesn’t go out of style, I am a hopeless romantic and, in my opinion, it is one of the most charming Hispanic literary works on this list.
6.the house on mango street (the house on mango street)
author: sandra cisneros
published: 1983
genre: fiction novel
original language: english
hispanic country in the book: mexico
available to buy on amazon or free ebook
the house on mango street covers a year in the life of a twelve year old girl named
hope as she moves into a small house with her mexican-american family in mango
street, chicago. this is the first house owned by the struggling family, and although it is a
Dramatic improvement from her previous residence, Esperanza is ashamed of it. her
He considers his neighborhood to be poor and vows to get out of it one day. this is her
coming-of-age story that also focuses on the neighbors and friends who are a part of it.
This compelling vignette narrative explores Esperanza’s journey to accept her Hispanic heritage and find herself. Throughout the story, she recalls her parents’ struggle with not being able to speak English when they came to the United States and her personal desire to change her name so that it would be more easily pronounced in English.
This is one of those Hispanic culture books that values the importance of identity and addresses the cultural bias faced by young Hispanics in foreign countries. don’t miss this entertaining book!
7. next year in havana (next year in havana)
author: channel cleeton
Published: 2018
genre: historical fiction
original language: english
hispanic country in the book: cuba
available to buy on amazon
next year in havana was written by cuban-american author, channel cleeton. she grew up
in florida fueled by the stories of her family’s exodus from cuba in the wake of the revolution.
the book alternates between 2017 and the late 1950s and is inspired by his family
experiences.
The main character is Cuban-American author Marisol Ferrera, who has a mission to accomplish
See Also: How to Self-publish Your Own Book in 8 Steps (2022)
the last wish of his grandmother elisa to scatter his ashes in his homeland. when arriving at
cuba, discovers her family’s history while being overwhelmed by the contrast in
Cuba’s beautiful tropical landscape and its terrifyingly dangerous political climate. marisol soon
He learns that his grandmother was the daughter of a sugar tycoon who belonged to upper Cuba
society. her grandmother was banished from this society when she had an affair with a
passionate revolutionary.
I like this book for its exploration of courage and its lovable characters. I enjoy how the author immerses himself in the complex history of Cuba, including the ongoing battles in the region. he takes you along the Hispanic journey by getting in touch with your roots and heritage. While this book has some elements of romance, thrills, and suspense, it also explores politics in an educational and insightful way.
8. mexican gothic (mexican gothic)
author: silvia moreno-garcia
published: 2020
genre: horror fiction
original language: english
hispanic country in the book: mexico
available to buy on amazon
Set in the 1950s, Noemí Taboada, a socialite from Mexico City, arrives at High Place, an old house in the Mexican countryside, to help her cousin, Catalina, who recently married a mysterious Englishman. . Before embarking on her trip, she finds out in a letter that something is not right at her cousin’s residence, her constant fear of her alarms Naomi, because her cousin is sure that the new her husband is poisoning her. The story takes place in a town colonized by the British family of Catherine’s mysterious husband.
Throughout the story, Noemí faces sinister individuals, violence and madness along with colonialism and racism as she devises a plan of escape. the main advantage of him against the antagonist is that he can’t understand Spanish, which I find absolutely powerful and heroic. His Hispanic heritage and culture become his strength and allow him to protect himself before it’s too late.
This thriller will keep you on your toes and curious as it touches on an often-overlooked topic in Mexican history: the presence of English-speaking settlers in Mexico. Thanks to the non-stop excitement and unexpected twists and turns of this exceptional story, readers like me couldn’t get enough and inspired Hulu to create a new series based on the book.
9. The North: The Epic and Forgotten History of Hispanic North America (The North: The Epic and Forgotten History of Hispanic North America)
author: carrie gibson
published: 2019
genre: story
original language: english
hispanic country in the book: mexico, spain, puerto rico, cuba, central america and united states
available to buy on amazon
While the United States acknowledges its Anglo-Saxon heritage above all others, this book explains in great depth the nation’s much older Spanish roots. El Norte tells the dramatic story of North America from the early 15th century to the present. It delves into the arrival of the first Spanish conquistadors in Florida, Spanish-controlled Louisiana, and the war between Mexico and the United States in the late 19th century. The narrative also includes more recent events such as the United States’ relationship with Puerto Rico and the complex border situation with Mexico.
This book is a must-have for your Hispanic culture book collection, even if the United States is not considered 100% Hispanic. However, at the time of writing this article, the United States is the second country in the world with the largest Spanish-speaking population.
the author of el norte has done some impressive research that makes it easy for readers to cover a lot of material without leaving you feeling disoriented or overwhelmed by the information. Above all, this book gives you a stronger perspective on how the past influences the present.
10. open veins of latin america (the open veins of latin america)
author: Eduardo Galeano
published: 1971
genre: essay
original language: Spanish
Hispanic country in the book: most Hispanic countries in Latin America
available to buy on amazon
when it comes to books on hispanic culture, i had to mention the work of eduardo galeano: open veins of latin america. Unfortunately, this is not a light-hearted book, as it offers an analysis of the history of slavery and imperialism from the earliest European settlers to contemporary times in Central and South America.
The exploitation of natural resources such as wood, coffee, silver, oil and gold brought important consequences for the Hispanic population of Latin America, which ultimately caused high percentages of poverty, corruption, migration, crime and inequality. this is one of the most politically and socially important hispanic culture books available and is a great representation of resistance through literature. it has also inspired multiple works of art and musical compositions.
11. one hundred years of solitude (one hundred years of solitude)
author: gabriel garcia marquez
published: 1967
genre: magical realism
original language: Spanish
Hispanic country in the book: Colombia
available for purchase on amazon or free ebook in Spanish
This is one of the most influential Hispanic culture books on this list and of our time. I read it in high school for homework and have reread it twice since then. One Hundred Years of Solitude tells the story of the isolated town of Macondo and the Buendía family through seven generations. The Buendía family are the founders of the town and their history combines miracles, tragedies, obsessions, incest, adultery and the struggle between old and new ways of life.
This book takes you into a world that defies logic and realism as you experience the birth, rise, and fall of the characters and town of Macondo. García Márquez’s contribution to the world has been translated into 46 languages and sold 50 million copies worldwide, making him a powerful representative of Hispanic heritage and legacy in literature.
Reading about Hispanic culture is motivating!
How many of these masterpieces are already in your library? What other great books of Hispanic culture would you include on the list? I hope you will join me in celebrating Hispanic culture throughout the year! If you don’t know where to start, I highly recommend signing up for a free trial class at the Homeschool Spanish Academy with our native Spanish speaking teachers from Guatemala and before you know it, you’ll be talking about the Hispanic culture in Spanish.
See Also: Nicholas Sparks – Audio Books, Best Sellers, Author Bio | Audible.com
Ready to learn more about Hispanic and Latin American culture? check it out!
- 6 sample homeschool lesson plans for you to steal
- 10 homeschool blogs that will make your life easier
- 8 Websites With Amazing Math Helps For Homeschooling
- Top 5 Kindergarten Curriculum Choices For Homeschooling
- 6 Best Gadgets For Successful Homeschooling
- Latin American countries and capitals for kids (Spanish and English)
- 8 essential apps for busy homeschooling moms
- 14 homeschooling apps that your middle or high school student may enjoy