2020 LATINO BOOKS OF THE YEAR

  

LAS COMADRES AND FRIENDS NATIONAL LATINO BOOK CLUB

2020 BOOKS OF THE YEAR

 

Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club is pleased to announce the inauguration of our annual Books of the Year List.  It's an exciting list populated with debut and award winning authors, celebrities, and Poet Laureates. Books come from traditional publishing houses, small presses, university presses and some are independently published. 

For years, Latino voices have struggled to be heard, to be counted.  Well, Las Comadres & Friends book club has listened, and we want to make sure all Latino authors are counted.  It is our goal to produce an annual Books of the Year list with as many books by Latino authors as possible.  Books on this list include those selected as Books of the Month, Conversations with Books (both in italics), and our Summer Reading List selections.  We are also happy to note that many of these books are available in Spanish, and digital and audio formats.

Authors can submit their books for next year’s list by clicking here.  

For more information about Las Comadres & Friends book club, visit us at www.latinolit.com. 

 

2020 BOOKS OF THE YEAR

We have separated the books by genres for reader convenience. 

 

ANTHOLOGIES / SHORT STORIES

And We Came Outside and Saw the Stars Again: Writers from Around the World on the COVID-19 Pandemic, Editor Ilan Stavans, Restless Books  

Cockfight by Maria Fernanda Ampuero, The Feminist Press @ CUNY  

Come On In: 15 Stories About Immigration and Finding Home, edited by Adi Alsaid, various authors, Inkyard Press

LatinNEXT, The Breakbeat Poets, Vol 4, edited by Felicia Rose Chavez, Jose Olivarez and Willie Perdomo, Haymarket Books

Lockdown: Stories of Crime, Terror, and Hope During a Pandemic by various authors, Polis Books

Noiryorican: Short Fiction by Richie Narvaez, Down & Out Books 

The World Doesn't Work That Way, But It Could by Yxta Maya Murray, University of Nevada Press  

Tiny Nightmares: Very Short Stories of Horror, Editors Lincoln Michel & Nadxieli Nieto, Black Balloon Publishing 

Vampires Never Get Old by Zoraida Cordova & Natalie C. Parker, Imprint  

When the Virus Came Calling: COVID-19 Strikes America, edited by Thelma T. Reyna, Golden Foothills Press 

BIOGRAPHIES

Chicana Activists of Colorado: Powerful Women, Paper Dolls and Their Stories by Deborah Martinez Martinez, PhD., Vanishing Horizons LLC

Dwayne Johnson: The Rock: Through the Lens: His Life, His Movies, His World by Hiram Garcia, St. Martin's Press

Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity by Paola Ramos, Vintage Books  

God-Level Knowledge Darts: Life Lessons from the Bronx by Desus Nice & The Kid Mero, Random House

Macho Time: The Meteoric Rise and Tragic Fall of Hector Camacho by Christian Giudice, Hamilcar Publications

Nopales: Journey Through La Frontera by Cesar Cabrera, Independently Published

What Would Frida Do?: A Guide to Living Boldly by Arianna Davis, Seal Press

 

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP / SELF- HELP

Lessons from the Len Master: Business and Life Lessons Learned by a Grateful Son by Ron Zayas, Post Hill Press  

Read This for Inspiration: Simple Sparks to Ignite Your Life by Ashley Perez, Clarkson Potter

Right/Wrong: How Technology Transforms Our Ethics by Juan Enriquez, The MIT Press

The 5 Disciplines of Inclusive Leaders: Unleashing the Power of All of Us by Andes Tapia & Alina Polonskaia, Berrett-Koehler Publishers 

The Actor: How to Live an Authentic Life by Don Miguel Ruiz & Barbara Emrys, Urano

The Real Toltec Prophecies: How the Aztec Calendar Predicted Modern-Day Events and Reveals a Pathway to a New Era of Humankind by Sergio Magana, Hay House UK

When Strong Women Speak, Strong Women Listen: Inspired Words of Wisdom for Women on Life, Love, Happiness and Success by Adriana Fuentes Diaz, Caliente Press

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

13th Street: The Shocking Shark Showdown by David Bowles, Harper Collins 

Arena y Trinos: Abecedario del Rio / Sand and Song: The ABCs of the River by Alma Flor Ada, Piňata Books   

A Girl Named Rosita:  The Story of Rita Moreno: Actor, Singer, Dancer, Trailblazer! by Anika Aldamuy Denise, Harper Collins (also available in Spanish)

A Way with Wild Things by Larissa Theule, Bloomsbury  s

A World Together by Sonia Manzano, National Geographic Kids

Already a Butterfly: A Meditation Story by Julia Alvarez, Henry Holt and Co.

Becoming Kid Quixote:  A True Story of Belonging In America by Sarah Sierra, Harper Collins

Bronxshapes by Alex Rivera, Kokila  

Bronxtones by Alex Rivera, Kokila

Digging for Words: Jose Alberto Gutierrez and the Library He Built by Angela Burke Kunkel, Schwartz & Wade

Dreams from Many Rivers: A Hispanic History of the United States Told in Poems by Margarita Engle, Henry Holt & Co.

Eunice and Kate by Mariana Llanos, Penny Candy Books 

Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away by Meg Medina, Candlewick Press

Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns: A Mesoamerican Creation Myth by Duncan Tonatiuh, Abrams Books for Young Readers

Federico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez, Clarion Books 

Find Your Calm: A Mindful Approach To Relieve Anxiety And Grow Your Bravery by Gabi Garcia, Skinned Knee Publishing 

Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela! by Alexandra Alessandri, Albert Whitman & Co.   

Freedom, We Sing by Amyra Leon, Flying Eye Books

How to Fold a Taco by Naibe Reynoso, Con Todo Press  

I Have a Secret/Tengo un Secreto by Maritere Rodriguez Bellas, 1010 Publishing   

La Divina Catrina / Oh, Divine Catrina by Aracely De Alvarado, Piňata Books

Lia & Luis: Who Has More? by Ana Crespo Charlesbridge 

LillyBelle: A Damsel NOT in Distress by Joana Pastro, Boyds Mills Press 

Lord Help Me: Inspiring Prayers for Every Day by Emme Muňiz, Crown Books for Young Readers

Luci Soars by Lulu Delacre, Philomel Books   

Luna Luminosa ¿Donde Estas? / Luminous Moon, Where Are You? by Aracely De Alvarado, Piňata Books    

Me and Mama by Cozbi Cabrera, Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers    

My Big Family by Yanitzia Canetti, Reycraft Books 

On These Magic Shores by Yamile Saied Mendez, Lee & Low / Tu Books

Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio, Dial Books    

Selena, Reina de la Musica Tejana by Silvia Lopez, Little Bee Books    

Sleeping with the Light On by David Unger, Groundwood Books   

Student Ambassador: The Missing Dragon (Student Ambassador (1)) by Ryan Estrada, Iron Circus Comics    

The Day Saida Arrived by Susana Gomez Redondo, Blue Dot Kids Press  

The Friend I Need: Being Kind & Caring to Myself by Gabi Garcia, Skinned Knee Publishing

The Hero of Cinco de Mayo / El Heroe del Cinco de Mayo: Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin by José Angel Gutiérrez, Piňata Books

The Legend of the Coqui by Georgina Lazaro, Reycraft Books 

The Little Box by Judy Goldman, Reycraft Books 

The Shy Kitten's Valentine Day by Andrea Posner-Sanchez, Golden Books   

Tiny Travelers - Puerto Rico by Steven Wolfe Periera & Susie Jaramillo, Encantos     

Todos Al Rodeo!  A Vaquero Alphabet Book by Dr. Ma. Alma González Pérez, Del Alma Publications  

Vincent Ventura and the Diabolical Duendes by Xavier Garza, Piňata Books

Where is Chichen Itza? by Paula K. Manzanero, Penguin Workshop   

 

COOKBOOKS & CRAFTS

Chiquis Keto: The 21-Day Starter Kit for Taco, Tortilla, and Tequila Lovers by Chiquis Rivera with Sarah Koudouzian, Atria Books  

La Vida Verde: Plant-Based Mexican cooking with Authentic Flavor by Jocelyn Ramirez, Page Street Publishing   

Oaxaca, Home Cooking from the Heart of Mexico by Bricia Lopez & Javier Cabral, Harry N. Abrams

The Chilean Kitchen: 75 Seasonal Recipes for Stews, Breads, Salads, Cocktails, Desserts, and More by Pilar Hernandez, Skyhorse   

The Wicked Baker:  Cakes and Treats to Die For by Helena Garcia, Quadrille Publishing  

World Food: Mexico City: Heritage Recipes for Classic Home Cooking by James Oseland, Ten Speed Press  

Mending Life: A Handbook for Repairing Clothes and Hearts by Nina Montenegro and Sonya Montenegro, Sasquatch Books

 

FICTION

A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende, Penguin Random House

Afterlife by Julia Alvarez, Algonquin Books

Aphasia by Mauro Javier Cardenas, Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Cross-Hairs by Catherine Hernandez, Atria Books

Dominicana by Angie Cruz, Flatiron Books

Fiebre Tropical by Juliana Delgado Lopera, Feminist Press @ CUNY

Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor, New Directions

I'm Staying Here by Marco Balzano, Other Press

It's Wood, It's Stone by Gabriella Burnham, One World

Jubilee by Jennifer Givhan, Blackstone Publishing

Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin, Riverhead Books  

LiveWire: Fugitive by Vita Ayala, Valiant Entertainment

Living Color: Angie Rubio Stories by Donna Miscolta, Jaded Ibis Press  

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Vintage

Mala Vida by Marc Fernandez, Arcade Crimewise

Ordesa by Manuel Vilas, Riverhead Books

Prime Deceptions by Valerie Valdes, Harper Voyager

Remember Me:  A Spanish Civil War Model by Mario Escobar, Thomas Nelson  

Remember My Face: A Willie Cuesta Mystery by John Lantigua, Arte Publico Press

River of Love by Aimee Medina Carr, Homebound Publications

The Archer by Paulo Coelho, Knopf

The Dark Library by Cyrille Martinez, Coach House Books

The Daughter’s Tale by Armando Lucas Correa, Simon & Schuster  

The Empress by Laura Martinez-Belli, Amazon Crossing

The Happily Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez, Forever

The Hollow Ones (Blackwood Tapes Book) by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, Grand Central Publishing  

The Last Great Road Bum by Hector Tobar, MCD Illustrated

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton, Berkley 

The Lost Book of Adana Moreau by Michael Zapata, Hanover Square Press

The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia, Amazon Publishing

The Number on My Father's Arm/ El Numero en el Brazo de Papa by Rodolfo Alvarado,  Piňata Books

The Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, Penguin Classics

The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez by Rudy Ruiz , Blackstone Publishing 

The Shape of Courage by John David Ferrer, John David Publishing

The Sacret Roots of Ofelia Rosas by Christina Montoya, Independently Published

The Taste of Sugar by Marisel Vera, Liveright (Imprint of WW Norton & Co.)

The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez, Del Rey 

 Where Light Comes and Goes by Sandra Cavallo Miller, University of Nevada Press

Where We Come From, Oscar Casares, Vintage - Penguin Random House

 

FICTION – MIDDLE GRADE

Beyond the Break by Heather Buchta, Penguin Workshop

Concrete Kids by Amyra Leon, Penguin Workshop

Curse of the Night Witch by Alex Aster, Sourcebook Young Readers  

Diamond City (City of Steel and Diamond) by Francesca Flores, Wednesday Books  

Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya, Penguin Random House Young Readers

Efren Divided by Ernesto Cisneros, Quill Tree Books     

Ghost Squad by,Claribel Ortega, Scholastic Press   

Imaginary Borders by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Penguin Workshop    

Julieta and the Diamond Enigma by Luisana Duarte Armendáriz, Lee & Low / Tu Books   

Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazar, Scholastic Press    

Letters from Cuba by Ruth Behar, Nancy Paulsen Books    

Lupe Wong Won't Dance by Donna Barba Higuera, Levine Querido    

Maňana Land by Pam Munoz Ryan, Scholastic   

Muse Squad:  The Cassandra Curse by Chantel Acevedo, Balzer + Bray    

Paolo Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia, Rick Riordan Presents    

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez, Rick Riordan Presents   

Santiago's Road Home by Alexandra Diaz, Simon & Schuster 

The Dream Weaver by Reina Luz Alegre, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

The Fresh New Face of Griselda by Jeniffer Torres, Little Brown Book for Young Readers    

The Hidden Caverns of Dourados by Maria Cecilia Di Passos , Independently Published   

The Maps of Memory: Return to Butterfly Hill (The Butterfly Hill Series) by Marjorie Agosin, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books    

The Shadow Crosser (A Storm Runner Novel) by J.C. Cervantes, Rick Riordan Presents   

The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adriana Cuevas, Farrar, Straus and Giroux 

The Tower of Nero (Trials of Apollo) by Rick Riordan, Disney Hyperion     

The Unicorn Rescue Society: The Madre de Aguas of Cuba by Emma Otheguy and Adam Gidwitz, Dutton Books for Young Readers   

What Lane? by Torrey Maldonado, Nancy Paulsen Books

Who Was Celia Cruz? by Pam Pollack, Penguin Workshop   

 

FICTION – ROMANCE

A Taste of Sage by Yaffa S. Santos, Harper Paperbacks

Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera, Carina Press

Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras, Zebra

Holiday Home Run by Priscilla Oliveras, Zebra Books

Never A Bride by Caridad Pineiro, Independently Published

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa, Avon

The Wrong Mr. Darcy by Evelyn Lozada with Holly Lorincz, St. Martin's Press

You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria, Avon

 

FICTION – THRILLER

A Spy in the Struggle: A Riveting Must-Read Novel of Suspense by Aya de Leon, Dafina

Category Five (Five Midnights) by Ann Davila Cardinal, Tor Teen  

Death of a Telenovela Star by Teresa Dovelpage, Soho Crime

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia, Del Rey

Rag and Bone (The Henry Rios Mysteries) by Michael Nava, Persigo Press

Strike Me Down by Mindy Mejia, Atria Books  

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Mazterrica, Scribner

The Cipher (Nina Guerrera Book 1) by Isabella Maldonado, Thomas & Mercer

The Cowboy, Manuel A. Melendez, Independently Published

The Low Low Woods (Hill House Comics) by Carmen Maria Machado, DC Comics

Trust Me by Richard Z. Santos, Arte Publico Press

 

FICTION – YOUNG ADULT

A Breath Too Late by Rocky Callen, Henry Holt & Co

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey, Atheneum Books for Young Readers 

All These Monsters by Amy Tintera, HMH Books for Young Readers

Blazewrath Games by Amparo Ortiz, Page Street Kids

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo, Harper Teen

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas, Swoon Reads

Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore, Feiwel & Friends

Don't Ask Me Where I'm From by Jennifer De Leon, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books 

Each of Us a Desert by Mark Oshiro, Tor Teen

Eartheater by Dolores Reyes, HarperVia 

Flamer by Mike Curato, Henry Holt & Co. BYR

Furia by Yamile Saied Mendez, Algonquin Young Readers

Here the Whole Time by Vitor Martins, Scholastic Press  

Historically Inaccurate by Shay Bravo, Wattpad Books

Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco by Richie Narvaez, Piňata Books 

Illegal: A Disappeared Novel by Francisco Stork, Scholastic Press

Incendiary (Hollow Crown) by Zoraida Cordova, Disney Hyperion   

Infinity Son (Infinity Cycle) by Adam Silvera, Harper Teen 

Lobizona (Wolves of No World) by Romina Garber, Wednesday Books

Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia & Anna Marie Mclemore, Harper Teen   

Never Look Back by Lilliam River, Bloomsbury YA

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzalez, Wednesday Books 

Quiet No More by Nikki Barthelmess, North Star Editions

Running by Natalia Sylvester, Clarion/ HMH Books for Young Readers

Salty, Bitter, Sweet by Mayra Cuevas, Blink

Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza & Abby Sher, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers   

Shadowshaper Legacy (The Shadowshaper Cypher) by Daniel Jose Older, Scholastic   

Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, Simon Pulse

Soaring Earth: A Companion Memoir to Enchanted Air by Margarita Engle, Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Someone Like Me: How One Undocumented Girl Fought for Her American Dream by Julissa Arce, Little Brown Book for Young Readers   

Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers by Celia Perez, Puffin Books   

Suncatcher by Jose Pimienta, Random House Graphic

The Cycle of the Red Moon: The Harvest of Samhein by José Antonio Cotrina, Dark Horse Books

The Everything I Have Lost by Sylvia Zeleny, Cinco Puntos Press

The First 7 (The Last 8) by Laura Pohl, Sourcebooks Fire

The New David Espinoza by Fred Aceves, Harper Collins    

The Unleased (The Haunted) by Danielle Vega, Razorbill/ Penguin Random House

This Is How We Fly by Anna Meriano, Philomel Books    

This Train is Being Held by Ismee Williams, ABRAMS Books/Amulet Books  

Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry, Algonquin Young Readers

You Brought Me the Ocean by Alex Sanchez, DC Graphic Novel 

Until We're Fish by Susannah R. Drissi, Propertius Press

Wayward Witch (Brooklyn Brujas Book 3) by Zoraida Cordova, Sourcebooks Fire

We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez, Philomel Books

We Didn't Ask for This by Adi Alsaid, Inkyard Press

We Unleash the Merciless Storm (We Set the Dark on Fire) by Tehlor Kay Mejia, Katherine Tegen Books

Wishbone by Anna Garcia Schaper, Piňata Books

Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibaňez, Page Street Kids

Where We Go From Here by Lucas Rocha, PUSH/ Scholastic    

White Fox by Sara Faring, Imprint  

 

GOVERNMENT / POLITICS / HISTORY

A Silent Fury: The El Bordo Mine Fire by Yuri Herrera, And Other Stories

American Tacos: A History and Guide by Jose R. Ralat, University of Texas Press  

Grieving: Dispatches from a Wounded Country by Cristina Rivera Garza, The Feminist Press @ CUNY

Let’s Talk About Your Wall : Mexican Writers Respond to the Immigration Crisis edited by Carmen Boullosa and Alberto Quintero,The New Press

Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future by Pope Francis & Austen Ivereigh, Simon & Schuster

More Than Ready: Be Strong and Be You ... and Other Lessons for Women of Color on the Rise by Cecilia Muňoz, Seal Press

Pleas and Petitions: Hispano Culture and Legislative Conflict in Territorial Colorado by Virginia Sánchez, University Press of Colorado

Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico: Portraits of Soldaderas, Saints, and Subversives edited by Kathy Sosa, Ellen Riojas Clark & Jennifer Speed, Maverick Books 

The Hidden Life of Ice: Dispatches from a Disappearing World by Marco Tedesco & Alberto Flores D’Arcais, The Experiment 

The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart by Alicia Garza, One World

What Were We Thinking: A Brief Intellectual History of the Trump Era by Carlos Lozada, Simon & Schuster

 

MEMOIRS

Children of the Land by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, Harper

Cuban Son Rising by Charles Gomez, KoehlerBooks   

Flying Free: My Victory over Fear to Become the First Latina Pilot on the US Aerobatic Team by Cecilia Aragon, Blackstone Publishing 

I Am These Truths: A Memoir of Identity, Justice, and Living Between Worlds by Sunny Hostin & Ms. Charisse Jones, HarperOne

L.A.’s Last Street Cop: Surviving Hollywood Freaks, the Aryan Brotherhood, and the L.A.P.D.'s Homicidal Vendetta Against Me by Al Moreno, Highpoint Literature 

My Time to Speak: Reclaiming Ancestry and Confronting Race by Ilia Calderon, Atria Books  

Once I was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America by Maria Hinojosa, Atria Books 

Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Diaz, Algonquin Books

Particulate Matter by Felicia Luna Lemus, Akashic Books

Plantains and the Seven Plagues: A Memoir: Half-Dominican, Half-Cuban, and Full Life by Paz Ellis, Independently Published   

Spirit Run: A 6,000 Mile Marathon through North America's Stolen Land by Noe Alvarez, Catapult      

The Girl with Self-Esteem Issues by Rosie Mercardo, Harper One   

The Undocumented Americans, Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, One World     

Unforgetting: A Memoir of Family, Migration, Gangs and Revolution in the Americas by Roberto Lovato, Harper Collins

 

NON FICTION

A and B and Also Nothing by Chris Campanioni, Otis Books/ Seismicity Editions

Apples of Gold: Timely Advice When the World Doesn't Seem Lovely by Jo Elizabeth Pinto, Independently Published

Plant Witchery:   Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants by Juliet Diaz, Hay House Inc

Magnetized: Conversations with a Serial Killer by Carlos Busqued, Catapult  

Reynaldo Rivera: Provisional Notes for a Disappeared City by Reynaldo Rivera, Semiotext(e)

 

POETRY

A Grave is Given Supper by Mike Soto, Deep Vellum Publishing 

An Incomplete List of Names (National Poetry) by Michael Torres, Beacon Press 

Corta La Piel / It Pierces the Skin by Xánath Caraza, Flower Song Books 

Eighteen Inches by Mirtha Michelle Castro Marmol, Andrews McMeel Publishing 

Every Day We Get More Illegal by Juan Felipe Herrera, City Lights Publishers 

Fractures (Wisconsin Poetry Series) by Carlos Andres Gomez, Univ. of Wisconsin Press 

Grabbed: Poets & Writers on Sexual Assault, Empowerment & Healing edited by Richard Blanco, Beacon Press 

Guillotine: Poems by Eduardo Corral, Graywolf Press 

Habitat Threshold by Craig Santos Perez, Omnidawn  

How to Love A Country by Richard Blanco, Beacon Press

Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz, Graywolf Press

Resistencia: Poems of Protest and Revolution edited by Mark Eisner & Tina Escada, Tin House Books 

Somos 4 Life by Nancy León & Celia León, Balboa Press 

Tertulia by Vincent Toro, Penguin Books   

Thresholes by Lara Mimosa Montes, Coffee House Press

Year of the Dog (American Poets Continuum, 178) by Deborah Paredez, BOA Editions Ltd.

 

#READLATINOLIT

 

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