Best Mexican Books

Step into the eerie world of glamorous 1950s Mexico, where a socialite receives a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin, begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom. Against all odds, the courageous Noemí Taboada ventures to High Place, an isolated mansion in the Mexican countryside, to uncover the family's treacherous secrets. But as she delves deeper, she unearths stories of violence and madness, and finds herself mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place. Will she ever be able to leave this mysterious house behind?

Explore the history of the Zapatistas through "The Fire and the Word," an illustrated book based on interviews with the movement's original organizers. This updated edition includes a new epilogue outlining developments from 2003 to present day. Considered by Subcomandante Marcos as the "most complete version" of the public history of the Zapatistas, this book provides a unique perspective on a fascinating movement. Written by Gloria Muñoz Ramírez, a distinguished journalist who has lived and worked extensively in Chiapas, Mexico.

Follow the coming-of-age journey of young Latina Esperanza Cordero in this acclaimed and beloved book. Set in Chicago, the story is told through a series of vignettes, depicting both heartbreak and joy as Esperanza invents her own path and identity. A timeless coming-of-age story that has touched the hearts of readers worldwide.

Immigration, hope, and reading are at the heart of this picture book that tells the author's own inspiring story. Yuyi Morales left Mexico in 1994 with her infant son and few belongings, but she carried with her a determination to succeed and a love of stories. Through her powerful illustrations and moving words, Morales celebrates the strength of immigrants and the importance of literature.

This captivating debut novel follows Beatriz, who seeks refuge in the countryside after the overthrow of the Mexican government leads to her father's execution and her home's destruction. Despite rumors about the mysterious death of her husband's first wife, Beatriz accepts his proposal for the security it provides. However, Hacienda San Isidro proves to be full of sinister hauntings and strange occurrences. With no one to turn to for help, Beatriz clings to a young priest who must rely on his witchcraft to fight off the malevolent presence plaguing the hacienda. This supernatural suspense novel is perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic and Rebecca.

Sea Monsters is a mesmerizing coming-of-age novel set in Mexico during the late 1980s, with a pulsing soundtrack of Joy Division, Nick Cave, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Seventeen-year-old Luisa longs for adventure and impulsively runs away to the Pacific coast with Tomas, a boy she barely knows. Along the way, they search for a traveling troupe of Ukrainian dwarfs and end up in a bohemian beach community. As Luisa disappears into the lives of strangers, her father sets out on a mission to find her. This brilliantly playful novel explores the moments and mysteries that shape us.

In this astonishing novel set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution, a mysterious child with the power to see the future changes the fate of one family forever. Adopted by landowners Francisco and Beatriz Morales, little Simonopio is a cause of wonder to his family because of his uncanny gift. Followed by a protective swarm of bees, he uses his abilities to protect his adoptive family from both human and natural threats. With themes of love, faith, and destiny, this book captures the fate of a country in flux and one family striving for the unbelievable.

"Experience the epic and mystical drama of a young woman's sudden sainthood in 19th-century Mexico. Follow sixteen-year-old Teresita, the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy rancher, on her journey of faith as she awakens from a dream with the power to heal the sick. But as civil war brews and trials await, Teresita must use all her strength and resilience to endure. This award-winning book by Luis Alberto Urrea is a masterpiece of love, loss, joy, and pain, twenty years in the making."

Explore the dangers of crossing the Mexican border into the US in this gripping investigative report. Follow the journey of 26 men who attempted the trek, but only 12 emerged from the harsh southern Arizona desert.

This Mexican classic takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through a haunted village, where time shifts between dreams and memories. Dominated by the enigmatic figure of Pedro Páramo - a lover, overlord, and murderer - the novel explores violent passions and unfathomable mysteries through a mix of sensory images. A profound influence on Latin American literature, this book remains as overwhelming today as it did upon its 1955 publication.