18 Most Anticipated Latinx Books of 2022

January has passed, but there are still 11 months ahead of us in 2022. That means there’s still plenty of time to tackle your playlist for the year (and grow it, too).

If your New Year’s resolution is to read more, consider now is the time to ask yourself some questions about your TBR list. Who are the authors of the books you read? How diverse are the characters within them?

If you’re looking to tap into a new realm of stories and storytelling in 2022, we spoke to a few members of the literary community to highlight their planned Latinx reads for 2022. Their picks cover different age groups, identities, and genres that are often underrepresented in literature.

From romantic reads to books for young readers, here are the 18 most anticipated Latinx books of 2022 (most of which are available for pre-order), according to book lovers and authors.

Most Anticipated Latinx Books for 2022

“High Risk Gay” by Edgar Gomez

“I loved these memoirs so much. Gomez had me crying and laughing while breathing deeply throughout the pages,” said Lupita Aquino, also known as Lupita reads on Instagram, Shop TODAY said via email. “These memoirs about coming of age and about yourself are the queer Latinx/e memoirs I’ve always needed. Gomez’s story makes me feel like my own story deserves to be told. .”

“Sofia Acosta makes a scene”, by Emma Otheguy

Meg Medina, author of the forthcoming book, “Thank you Suárez the cool cheek“, told us by e-mail that she had just finished reading this “delicious” book by Emma Otheguy. It tells the story of a young Sofía Acosta who tries to find a way to fit in. Coming from a family of dancers who immigrated to New York from Cuba, she feels out of place in her new surroundings.Soon, a dance competition forces her to face even more questions about what it really means to belong.

“In the Shadow of the Mountain”, by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado

Once Aquino found out that Selena Gomez will be starring in the memoir biopic, she says she knew she had to read it. It revolves around a story that Aquino says we don’t often read about: a gay Latina mountaineer in the heart of Silicon Valley. Although she has spent time hiding her sexuality from her family, suffering from alcoholism and repressing the abuse she suffered as a child, she moves those mountains by climbing – and is encouraged to tackle the tallest to date: Everest. Her heroic story highlights risk-taking, faith and resilience. The book will be released on February 1, 2022, while there is no scheduled release date for the biopic yet, according to Variety.

“Solimar: The Sword of Monarchs”, by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Margarita Engle, author of the forthcoming book “Rima’s Rebellion“, told us by email that she can’t wait to see “Solimar” hit shelves on February 15, 2022. It tells the story of Solimar, a young girl on the edge of her Quinceañera, who after a magical encounter , discovered that she can predict the near future. Along with her, she was also tasked with protecting the young and weak butterflies. In the end, will she be able to save her family, the butterflies and the entire kingdom, thanks to his gifts?

“Falling Short”, by Ernesto Cisneros

Medina says she’s also looking forward to this release, which hits shelves March 15, 2022. It centers on sixth-graders Isaac and Marco, who already know this college year will be tough. How will this change their life at home? They must team up to find out.

“A Ballad of Love and Glory”, by Reyna Grande

Aquino says she’s “a lifelong fan of Grande’s work” and is intrigued by this novel, which is slated for release March 15, 2022. It’s set in Texas in 1846, during the annexation process. In it, a Mexican army nurse and an Irish soldier must fight not only for their lives but also for their love.

“Part of Your World”, by Abby Jimenez

Abby Jimenez is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Life is too short“, and her next outing is generating just as much buzz. In it, city girl Alexis Montgomery wants to become a doctor and leave her small town, but a relationship with country boy Daniel Grant just might convince her to fall in love. small-town life (and all the little things that go with it). “An age gap, a romance between townspeople and country boys with a goat on the cover? Yes please!” Alana Quintana Albertson, author of forthcoming novel”Ramon and Julieta“, told us by e-mail. “Part of Your World” will be released on April 19, 2022.

“Trust”, by Hernán Diaz

Hernan Diaz first novel came out in 2017, and Aquino says it’s been on his list of authors to read ever since. “It was a no-brainer for me to add ‘Trust’ to his upcoming novel which is already garnering rave reviews from booksellers and early reviewers alike,” she said.

“Trust” is the story of Benjamin and Helen Rask, two wealthy New Yorkers who built a fortune during the Roaring Twenties – but at a cost. Themes of money, power, and perception, among others, shine through as this puzzle of a novel unfolds. It is set to release on May 3, 2022.

“The Hacienda”, by Isabel Cañas

“I can’t wait to read this book about a sexy priest and a haunted hacienda,” Albertson said. The novel centers on a desperate Beatriz, who lost her father and her home when the Mexican government was overthrown. In an attempt to secure her own home, she further enters a relationship with Don Rodolfo Solórzano, unaware of the rumors surrounding the death of his first wife. But will the home she desires really keep her safe? “The Hacienda” is set to be released on May 3, 2022.

“Breathe and Count Down from Ten”, by Natalia Sylvester

Aquino says she was first introduced to Natalia Sylvester through her release”Functioningand was not disappointed. “I’m even more excited to read this YA novel that centers a Latinx teenager with hip dysplasia,” she added. In the story, protagonist Verónica auditions for become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park (much to the dismay of her conservative Peruvian parents) while juggling her own disability and her desire for a real relationship.This pick will be available May 10, 2022.

“Neruda in the Park”, by Cleyvis Natera

Aquino says she looks forward to the release of this novel on May 17, 2022.

“I have a soft spot for newbie authors and every year I keep an extra eye on their titles,” she told us. “So when Naima Coster shared her excitement for Neruda in the park, I immediately added it to my TRB.” Aquino added that this novel covers themes of family, friendship, and cultura (culture), which are “everything I like in a novel.”

“The Catholic School’s Lesbian Guide”, by Sonora Reyes

Aquino is also excited to read this book by Sonora Reyes. It centers on 16-year-old Yamilet Flores, one of the only Mexican children at her new, mostly white Catholic school. At her new school, her sexuality is a secret, but her crush on the only openly queer girl, Bo, makes it hard to keep a secret. She will ultimately have to decide how to move forward without facing something far worse than rejection. This book will be released on May 17, 2022.

“Our Last Days in Barcelona”, by Chanel Cleeton

As the cover might suggest, Albertson says this book is “perfect” beach reading. “I loved Chanel Cleeton’s other books and how she blends historical fiction with a touch of romance,” she added. From the author of “Next year in Havana“, this book centers on Isabel Perez, who was exiled from Cuba after the revolution. She travels to Barcelona in search of her missing sister – but discovers more about her family life and the dangerous world of espionage. of his sister, thanks to an unlikely ally.

“Our Last Days in Barcelona” will be released on May 24, 2022.

“Brown Neon: Essays,” by Raquel Gutierrez

“Latinx queer narratives are hard to track down, so I’m incredibly grateful to have friends who work in bookish spaces and keep an eye out for me,” Aquino tells us.

Described by the author as “Part butch memoir, part ekphrastic travel diary, and part queer family tree,” this collection of essays by Raquel Gutierrez is set for release on June 7, 2022.

“Woman of Light”, by Kali Fajardo-Anstine

That novel won’t be released until June 7, 2022, but Aquino couldn’t be more excited. ‘I read first’Sabrina and Corina‘ (a collection of short stories) by this author almost a year before it came out because I was so inspired and intrigued by someone writing about native Chicano families in the American West,” she told us. about Fajardo-Anstine. start again with this novel which gives us a multitude of characters who remain with us long after the end of the book. Characters who tackle a story of racism and xenophobia that we have always known existed but which until now were reflected so well in the pages of this fictional kingdom full of life, love and light.

“The Man Who Could Move the Clouds” by Ingrid Rojas Contreras

Magic works in the family of Ingrid Rojas Contreras. So when a head injury in her twenties leaves her with amnesia and the ability to see ghosts, her family doesn’t think much of it. When she embarks on a journey to relearn her family’s history with her mother as her guide, Contreras has a lot to count on, and we are left with a demonstration of how storytelling is not just an art but also a healing process.

“To say that I am delighted to read his memoirs would not cover everything! Aquino spoke about “The Man Who Could Move the Clouds,” which will be released on July 12, 2022.

“The Neapolitan Sisters”, by Margo Candela

“I love immersive reads about families and I’m super excited for this one about the Suarez sisters living in East LA,” Albertson told us. The sisters, Dulcina, Claudia and Maritza, all had to find their own ways to deal with the consequences of having an alcoholic father and a passive-aggressive mother. They’ve all left home at some point, but they find themselves coming back, eventually discovering that despite the differences in the lives they’ve lived, there’s still one thing they all share: brotherhood. “The Napolitan Sisters” will be released on August 9, 2022.

“How not to drown in a glass of water”, by Angie Cruz

Aquino is also a fan of Angie Cruz, author of the award-winning film “Dominican, ” and said she “immediately jumped out of my chair and did a dance!” when she found out Cruz was working on a novel. It’s slated for release September 13, 2022.

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