The best Latino audiobooks to celebrate Latino & Hispanic Heritage Month

This unmatched social and cultural narrative offers an in-depth look at the relationship between Latin America and colonial forces from the US and Europe. Author Eduardo Galeano takes the listener through centuries of history, focused on the five patterns of exploitation in Latin America: gold and silver; cacao and cotton; rubber and coffee; fruit, hides, and wool; and petroleum, iron, nickel, manganese, copper, aluminum ore, nitrates, and tin. This raw historical account doesn't shy away from ugly truths. Throughout Open Veins of Latin America, scientific analysis fuses with generations of passion from a people taken advantage of. Galeano explores the way in which America and Europe have tried to bleed Latin America dry, and the way Latin America has survived and persisted throughout the years—and has been irrevocably changed.

This powerful debut novel by Xochitl Gonzalez is an intelligent and passionate story of the American dream. It follows a brother and sister pair as they rise to prominence in New York City, only to be forced to confront the complicated—and painful— past. As their mother comes back into their lives, a storm of emotions and triggers are brought with her. And all the while a hurricane is looming ever closer to their Puerto Rican homeland. This triumphant story is a dynamic look at the histories and people that shape us, and how culture can shift and morph through generations. A trio of Puerto Rican narrators—Almarie Guerra, Inés del Castillo, and Armando Riesco—add authenticity and the flare of Puerto Rico to the story.

Follow the story of a lifetime in Isabel Allende's Violeta. The title character was born in 1920, is Latin American, and lives a wondrous life of great pains and tremendous joys, coinciding with critical moments throughout history. From world wars to the Spanish Flu, the Great Depression, and countless political dramas—including the fight for women's rights— Violeta has seen it all. This impressive and exciting tale focuses on the deeply personal aspects of Violeta's life, and expands to show the broader view of both Latino experience and the events that shaped the world over the last century. Allende weaves a beautiful tale with strong characters and an immersive plot for a truly dynamic listen you won't want to miss.

Sonora Reyes's debut novel, The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School is a story full of heart and feeling. Funny, honest, and full of wit, it is a beautiful tale of the ups and downs of a queer Mexican American girl's life in Catholic school. The main character Yami is a strong, fierce, and fiery character that is dynamic to listen to. As she navigates trying to keep her true identity a secret—she's been outed before and can't face her mother's potential retribution—she learns the importance of being true to her authentic self. Powerful, moving, and full of great life lessons, this is a must-listen for queer, Latinx, or YA listeners.

Neruda on the Park comes out swinging. It was labeled as The New York Times Editor's choice, and quickly started popping up on book lists everywhere. This is another powerful debut novel from young immigrant author Cleyvis Natera. The story is one of resilience, fire, determination, what it means to be from the Dominican Republic, and the clash of family, ambition, and love. Natera creates a relatable yet dynamic world full of action, and the many-layered emotions and lives of a bustling community. At its center are two complex and compelling characters: Luz and her mother, Eusebia. Both have such strong passions and drive that you can't help but root for them—even as they take up opposing sides in a battle for their neighborhood. This story will resonate with listeners of Dominican heritage, as well as so many of the Latino community who have experienced gentrification or the searing drive of the American Dream. Imani Russell, Annette Amelia Oliveira, and Alma Cuervo provide an engaging and exciting narration.

Laugh out loud with this hilarious and heartfelt memoir from comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes. The story of her childhood dreams of becoming a chola—or a famous actress—and the many steps along the way is a warm and welcome addition to any listener's library. Johnson-Reyes reads her own deeply personal story and is an impressive narrator, adding all the emotion and her signature comedic timing to each line. Fans of her stand-up and acting will love this deep dive into faith, her past, and how she learned to be her true self while still walking alongside God. Inspiring and humorous all at once, this is a great feel-good listen.

Angie Cruz has another winning story in How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water. This GMA Book Club Pick and Women's Prize Finalist is created with a unique style, told as a series of sessions between main character Cara and her employee counselor. Rather than reviewing her work history, Cara recounts her life—with all its many struggles, hurdles, and setbacks—but uncovers some great joys and triumphs as well. An engaging and persuasive lead, Cara is the heroine we all want to spend time with and root for. She is genuine and remarkably resilient, embodying her Latino roots with pride. This audiobook is a storytelling masterpiece, and the session-style works very well in audio form. Follow along and get swept up in the story of Cara's life. You won't be disappointed.

Solito is a migration story that will strike a chord for many listeners. Javier Zamora tells the unbelievable true story of his journey from his home in El Salvador through Mexico to the United States with vulnerability, vivid and painful details, and striking candor. Moving, touching, harrowing, and shocking, Solito is an emotion-fueled tale of survival and resilience. This memoir tells Javier’s personal story of how a two-week journey alongside strangers became a two-month trek with a makeshift family. Javier uses his voice to recount one story, but in doing so brings light to the stories of so many migrants and refugees who had to brave it all in search of a new life and a new home.

Silvia Vasquez-Lavado's complex and beautiful memoir is a true masterpiece. In The Shadow of the Mountain, the author shares her remarkable story of strength, determination, and history-making heroism, tracing her daunting yet triumphant ascent of Mount Everest. She weaves a compelling story of how her pains, traumas, and mental health were holding her back. Yet through climbing, she began to overcome these issues. The result is a nail-biting memoir that interweaves an epic adventure with a profoundly personal journey of discovery and self-understanding. Vasquez-Lavado narrates the tale herself, adding a depth that is moving and strong. From the moments of fear and vulnerability to shining times of triumph and healing, The Shadow of the Mountain will hit close to home for many and resonate with survivors, migrants, climbers and young professionals alike.

Discover this dynamic YA fantasy novel by new author Lizz Huerta. She paints a detailed and beautiful picture of a world of dreamers, seers, ancient magic, and corrupt patriarchal power. It is a fantastic story of supernatural elements and a poignant and timely tale of women's power and strength in the face of male-dominant government and rule. Huerta writes a compelling story with wonderful and relatable characters—strong, dynamic, and nuanced—in a work that is part science fiction and part the story of human life. This fast-paced listen will hook you in and fill you with the fire and drive of the engaging women and young girls who are discovering themselves, their strengths, and their purpose in life. A wonderful debut novel, The Lost Dreamer is the perfect addition to any listener's wishlist and a great example of a new Hispanic literary voice.

Reclaim the Stars is a short story compilation that celebrates the many voices of Latin America. Stories include fantasy tales, ancient myths, and powerful stories of history and individuality. While each story brings something new, together they paint a picture of what it means to be Hispanic, while also affirming the universal nature of humans. Both personal and highly relatable, there is something in this collection for everyone to enjoy and connect to. Almarie Guerra and Zoraida Córdova narrate the stories with dynamic, engaging voices, further amplifying these excellent tales which stem from a wide variety of established and up-and-coming Latino authors and poets from across Latin America.

Border Hacker is an adventure thriller like no other. Axel Kirchner is deported from the US back to his birth country, Guatemala, where he has not lived since infancy. Despite this, he is determined to find his way back to his family no matter what it takes. What follows is an epic tale of a desperate man with hidden talents. Axel is, after all, a hacker, and he uses this power to help him play a system built to keep him out. Striking, dark, and filled with uncertainties, Border Hacker has the elements of a thriller. Who is Axel, really? Where did he learn these skills? How do those in power corrupt his talents? At the same time, it's a familiar tale of migrancy. Both twisting and touching, it is a compelling story that parallels those of so many - and shines a light on the corruption and systemic issues in North American immigration systems today.

Big Chica’s Don’t Cry is, at its heart, a story of family. It tells the tale of four cousins—once inseparably close—who drifted apart over the years and have started to lose themselves as well. Family ties, bonds, traditions, and above all else, love, will pull them together again. This incredible story highlights all the varying aspects of Latino family ties and struggles—from being too ‘mixed’ to fit in to upholding good Catholic beliefs or finding the American dream. Each cousin reveals a part of the events, and together they tell a story of strength, love, and the bonds of family. A heartfelt and honest look at families, this is an engaging listen.

The 1920s are a bustling, glamorous, and dramatic time. So many people are rising to riches, but at what cost? Trust tells the story of a famous New York City tale from four very different perspectives. Each shows the biases, favoritism, and prejudices of the individual’s life, and adjusts the ‘facts’ accordingly. This multi-perspective view works as a mirror for New York society in the 1900s, and highlights how capitalism and consumerism rose with such speed and vehemence. Each point of view is told by an incredible narrator, further adding to the listening experience. Edoardo Ballerini, Jonathan Davis, Mozhan Marnò, and Orlagh Cassidy each read one section, adding their own spin and personality to the tale, for four differing perspectives on one incredible story.

YA fantasy meets mythical monsters in the collection of short stories from some of Latin America's best authors. Enjoy stories of brujas, shape-shifters, ghosts, and mythical creatures. Some are scary and filled with warnings, while others are uplifting tales of familial protection and love. Each shows a different part of Latino culture—from the magical to the real—and covers a range of Latino cultures from the Caribbean to Cuban. Whether you love a good fantasy story or you are looking to learn a little bit more about the many sides of Latino culture, these stories will amaze, delight, spook, and instruct from the opening line right through to the end. Frankie Corzo and Marisa Blake narrate, bringing Our Shadows Have Claws to life with enthusiasm and feeling.