Stories of Cubans and Cuban Americans

In this historical fiction novel, the women are the real heroines of the story. Based on a true story, an American reporter finds herself in a jail in Havana in the late 1890s. Another woman, who was raised with privilege, now lives in a reconcentration camp with her daughter and mother in-law. These women overcome their circumstances as they all end up intertwining at some point to get their freedom.

A 17-year-old Cuban-American who wants to become a chef finds herself mourning her Cuban grandmother after her death. Now, Isabella Field finds herself living with her father in France. While her relationship with her dad is not the best, she does love the fact she lives close to a prestigious chef that an apprenticeship open. Isabella tries to balance mourning her grandmother, her shaky relationship with her dad, and her new life in France.

If Latin jazz were put into words, it would be this book. The three tigers are the descriptions of a photographer, musician, and writer who are all bar hopping in Havana. The fluidity of language which is a mix of slang, Spanish, and English will make your eyes dance as you may have no idea what the book is about. But you will know how the this novel will make you feel.

A family torn over politics is a story that many of us can relate to right now. Each family member has a different understand and opinion on Cuban culture. The four family members include the grandmother, her two daughters as well as her granddaughter. The grandmother believes in the revolution and one of her daughters practices the Santería religion. Her other daughter and granddaughter are more interested in living in New York and adapting to a new culture. Their differences and goals are a constant battle and are tested throughout the years.

Rosa is an overachiever. She is also a good friend, loves her family, and is overall happy with the direction her life is going in. She can’t wait to go to college. However, Rosa has always understood that the women in her family are cursed by the sea and any man she loves is doomed. The curse was placed upon her family when her grandparents left Cuba by boat and only her grandmother survived. Rosa meets a boy and she wants to understand the curse that continues to plague her family. Her eyes are on Cuba where she believes all her answers are.

Who wouldn’t want to explore a Cuban family ghost story that is part magical and part musical? This lively novel explores a young man name Ramón who works as a security guard in a hospital. When he isn’t at work, he is working as a DJ at night. However, he is being haunted by an aunt he has never met before. Now Ramón seeks to uncover the events leading up to his aunt’s death which involves his own mother.

Sometimes, being Cuban means loving your country in all of its beauty but having a disdain for your government. As Nadia Guerra continues to deal with the trauma of her mother abandoning her in Cuba with her father. Nadia acknowledges the sacrifices her family has made for her and as she travels Europe, she sets to find her mother. The book reimagines Cuba without a Fidel Castro.

Lila Reyes is experiencing a rough patch in life. First, her grandmother dies, then her boyfriend breakups with her. To make matters worse, Lila and her best friend suddenly have a big falling out and now she’s depressed because her world seems to be out of control. Her family notices her gloomy behavior and sends her to England for the summer. While there, she meets a cute English boy and what starts off as a nice friendship over tea blossoms into something more.