It's Latinx Heritage Month! Latinx Heritage Month is from September 15th through October 15th. It is also known as National Hispanic Heritage Month 2021. I'm here to bring you three non fiction food books that I would highly recommend you read!
But before we jump into the books...
What is Latinx Heritage Month?
"Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
Now onto the books! Please note that the links before are affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my link I will receive a small commission AND 10% of your purchase supports independent bookstores in the United States.
by Elizabeth Acevedo
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Publish Date: May 07, 2019
Pages: 400
From the New York Times bestselling author of the National Book Award-winning title The Poet X comes a dazzling novel in prose about a girl with talent, pride, and a drive to feed the soul that keeps her fire burning bright.
I have to say this first, Listen to the audiobook. The audiobook is phenomenal because Acevedo narrates it herself! Her delivery is beautiful and I love that this story is told in prose.
Emoni Santiago got pregnant freshman year of high school but she has never given up on her future or her baby girl's future. She's trying to understand custody with her ex-boyfriend, decide on college (maybe?), and work on her relationships with her abuela and father. For a high schooler, Emoni certainly has a lot to deal with, but Acevedo paints a beautiful story.
Emoni's magical power creates powerful visuals in the reader's mind. She just seems to know what to add to a recipe to make things better. It was wonderful to read. I also found it powerful for Emoni to have role models that were both adult males and females. The adults did not judge her for her daughter and I loved that Emoni always defended her baby.
This is a wonderful book and PLEASE listen to the audiobook version.
by Yaffa Santos
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Publish Date: May 19, 2020
Pages: 320
From talented new writer, Yaffa S. Santos, comes this unforgettable, heartwarming, and hilarious rom-com about chefs, cooking, love, and self-discovery that is a cross between The Hating Game and Sweetbitter.
Now for this book, I have to say, DO NOT LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK, or at least the version narrated through Audible. I had a horrible experience listening to this book because a female voice actor narrates both the male and female voices, including during the sexy times, and it was just a bit... weird. Because of this, Julien, the love interest, had the personality of a piece of plywood. It was so bad.
The STORY however, is quite interesting. Lumi Santana is a chef with the gift of synesthesia--she can perceive a person's emotions just by tasting their cooking. This plays a really interesting role in her life as she tries to pick herself up after her Dominican fusion restaurant fails. She takes a job working under Julien, a hot shot celebrity type of chef. She cannot stand him and promises to never try his food.
But this is a romantic comedy, we know how this is going to end. Bon Appetit!
by Maya Cuevas
Publisher: Blink
Publish Date: March 03, 2020
Pages: 320
A slow-burn romance in a cutthroat kitchen There's more to becoming a top chef for 17-year-old Isabella Fields than just not getting chopped ... especially when the chances of things heating up with an intriguing boy and becoming a food star in the kitchen are both on the chopping block.
Isa is trying to start her life over and is spending the summer living with her dad and new step mother. But Isa has a lot of trauma to work through, a lot of grief after losing her abuela. She feels like an outsider in her own life.
To cope, she's going to win this cooking competition and that's all she wants to care about. But of course, Isa is 17, and she does learn to make friends, have fights and misunderstandings, and also falls for a boy.
This book is a dash of high school drama and a pinch of Chopped Champions. Unlike Emoni and Lumi, Isa has no special powers. She does, however, have a lot of possibilities and opportunities, if she can decide what she really wants.
Do you have any other foodie fiction books you would recommend for Latinx History Month?
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