Must-Read Books from Latin American Authors for Young Latinos
In this modern age, reading has become an even more powerful means of expanding one's knowledge and awareness.
Despite this, many youngsters, particularly those in the Latin American region, remain unaware of what is happening around them, including the fact that there are many talented writers from their heritage whose voices should be heard.
From Gabriel García Márquez, to Paulo Coelho, to Kiera Cass and Benjamin Alire Saenz, young Latinos are bound to find an endless collection of worlds that will leave one in a state of awe.
Thanks to a feature from Telegraph and Latina Magazine, we have listed down five most inspiring authors from the Latin America community.
Gabriel García Márquez
This best-selling and award-winning novelist tackles Colombian myths and history in a way that even young adults would appreciate.
In his book "One Hundred Years of Solitude," Márquez explores the multigenerational story of the Buendía family as they live in his version of Colombia, specifically the isolated town called "Macondo."
"More than a century goes by over the course of the book, and so most of the events that García Márquez describes are the major turning points in the lives of the Buendías: births, deaths, marriages, love affairs," a plot overview from Spark Notes reads.
Ernesto Che Guevara
More popularly known as "Che" Guevara, this Argentine Marxist revolutionary and author compiles his adventure after leaving his home town in Argentina in his 1993 book "The Motorcycle Diaries."
Leaving as a boy, Che returns "as a man with a mission," and becomes "increasingly sensitive to the complex indigenous world of Latin America."
Paulo Coelho
Brazilian-born Paulo Coelho currently holds the Guinness World Record for "the most translated book by a living author" for his world-renowned allegorical novel "The Alchemist."
According to Cliff Notes, "The Alchemist" narrates Santiago's journey to Egypt after he dreams a prophetic dream that tells him to find hidden treasure in the Egyptian pyramid. This promotes the idea of pursuing one's dream no matter what.
Benjamin Alire Saenz
Benjamin Alire Saenz is the holder of the American Book Award and PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, who writes based on first-hand information.
Taking inspiration from his experience when coming out as gay in the late 2000s, his novel "Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" covers every significant issue a homosexual encounters in modern society, including LGBT rights and Latino issues.
Kiera Cass
Popular for her "The Selection" book series, which will soon hit the big screen, this Puerto Rican author depicts the typical sugar-coated fairy tale happily-ever-after with the light of a world that is more cruel and harsh.
Thrown into a competition called "The Selection," America Singer is forced to participate in what GoodReads describes as "a nightmare" because it means she have to leave her secret love, Aspen who is classified as a caste below her.