Latin culture has made an impact far beyond its geographical boundaries. The rich traditions and vibrant lifestyles have had a tremendous influence on the worlds of music, literature, art, and more.
Look no further than music to understand the mark Latin artists have made around the globe: In the last decade, the number of worldwide Latin music listeners on Spotify has skyrocketed by 986%.
September 15 through October 15 marks Latin Heritage Month, a time to highlight the diverse cultural landscape of these communities and to celebrate the widespread impact they’ve had on the U.S. On Spotify, we are recognizing Latin creators and their far-reaching contributions in the music, podcast, and audiobook spaces.
Our audiobooks spotlight is new this year, and we are excited to feature some of the many Latin authors who have captivated the world with their powerful words. We are highlighting the legacy of Latin storytelling and storytellers in our Audiobooks hub in a section called Celebrate Latin Heritage Month. Listeners can also browse through Spotify’s “This Is” playlists, which feature bestselling and beloved Latin authors including Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende, and Paulo Coelho. They can also find their next pick in our curated themed playlists like Latine Magic and Legends Past and Present.
Don’t know where to start? From fantastical tales to community-driven storytelling, we rounded up five audiobooks from Latin authors that made it onto our must-listen-to list.
The Alchemist
Written by Paulo Coelho
Narrated by Jeremy Irons
Author Paulo Coelho combines magic, mysticism, wisdom, and wonder in his inspiring tale of self-discovery. The masterpiece tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined.
How We Named the Stars
Written by Andrés N. Ordorica
Narrated by Christian Barillas
Andrés N. Ordorica’s How We Named the Stars is a debut novel of love, heartache, redemption, and learning to honor the dead. When Daniel de La Luna arrives as a scholarship student at an elite East Coast university, his roommate, Sam, changes everything. As their relationship evolves from brotherly banter to something more intimate, Daniel soon finds himself in love. But then Daniel experiences a brutal turn of events that changes his life forever.
Tías and Primas
Written and narrated by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez
Author Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez was born into a large, close-knit family in Nicaragua and grew up surrounded by strong, kind, funny, sensitive, resilient, judgmental, messy, beautiful women. Whether blood relatives or chosen family, these tías and primas fundamentally shaped her view of the world. In her new book, Prisca explores these archetypes.
Her Body and Other Parties
Written by Carmen Maria Machado
Narrated by Amy Landon
In Her Body and Other Parties, Carmen Maria Machado blithely demolishes the arbitrary borders between psychological realism and science fiction, comedy and horror, fantasy and fabulism. From a wife refusing her husband’s entreaties to remove the green ribbon from around her neck to a sales clerk making a horrifying discovery within the seams of the store’s prom dresses, this book features a collection of short stories that maps the realities of women’s lives and the violence visited upon their bodies.
The Book of Jose: A Memoir
Written by Fat Joe and Shaheem Reid
Narrated by Fat Joe
Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum-selling artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Fat Joe pulls back the curtain on his larger-than-life persona in this gritty, intimate memoir about growing up in the South Bronx and finding his voice through music. The memoir reveals how he navigated that traumatizing landscape until he found—through art, friendship, luck, and will—a rocky path to a different life.
Looking for more? Check out our Latin Heritage Month audiobooks selection, and be sure and tune in to top music picks from the Our Voice playlist found on the Latin hub, all on Spotify.
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