Celebrate Black History Month and Afro-Latinx voices with this list of audiobooks. From young adult books to award-winning fiction, best sellers, to hidden gems and debut novels, this list celebrates Afro-Latino and Afro-Latina authors and their stories. These audiobooks are stunning examples of the strength and power of women of color, the diversity of Black Latinx literature, and the many voices of African American storytellers you may not have heard yet.
This list covers a variety of genres, styles, and stories, and celebrates voices from all walks of life. There is something for every listener to enjoy, from established favorites to up-and-coming new voices. Afro-latin literature has so much to offer, and we want to celebrate these incredible stories and their authors. Check out some of our favorite Latinx authors and find some new stories to add to your listener library.
Dive into this powerful and dynamic slam-poetry-style audiobook The Poet X and experience an amazing story - and amazing telling - of a girl from Harlem learning to speak her truth. In this astonishing work from Elizabeth Acevedo, Xiomara’s world is brought to life with stunning color and noise. Xiomara will not be silenced anymore. This story is one of identity, resistance, family ties, and above all, being true to your inner self.
In a neighborhood and world where Xiomara feels both invisible and all-to seen by her male counterparts, she has to learn to navigate not only her Mami’s expectations, society’s assumptions, but her own inner thoughts and feelings. Through slam poetry, she, like the author, learns to let go of the constrictions that bind her and be her authentic self, letting her voice shine.
Elizabeth Acevedo has won a number of awards for this stunning work, including the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature and an Odyssey Honor and AudioFile Earphones Award for her powerful and engaging narration. She brings all the layers and energy of slam poetry into the reading of this equally dynamic book for a story that demands to be heard.
Anyone familiar with the Greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice may find some similarities in Never Look Back. This modern tale draws upon the mythical story - even naming its main characters Eury and Pheus - but adds a distinct Afro-Latinx flare. Lilliam Rivera tells the story of Eury, born in Puerto Rico but forced to relocate after the devastating hurricane Maria. Eury finds herself in New York, where she has to readjust to a new way of life, and try and find her footing in a distinctly different cultural setting. It isn’t until she meets the handsome and dreamy Pheus that she starts to set aside her troubled past and focus on something good.
Never Look Back is a modern romance novel with aspects of magical realism and myth. Author Lilliam Rivera is a Bronx native, who channels Latina vibes into her work with a powerful distinction. She weaves a tale that is the perfect combination of ancient myth and modern love, for an engaging tale that has grabbed listeners and instantly won them over. Unpausable, full of character, and passionate, this is a story that you won’t want to end.
Almarie Guerra and Samuel Maria Gomez narrate the audiobook adaptation, voicing the characters of Eury and Pheus. They add an authenticity to the story, bringing latinx heritage and voices to the forefront of this story. Moving, magical, and dynamic, this is a story that should not be missed.
Wild Tongues Can’t be Tamed is an audiobook like no other. It is a coming together of a number of well-known and award-winning Latinx, black and Afro-Caribbean authors and speakers to discuss, reminisce, tell stories, analyze Latinx diaspora, and above all celebrate their diverse culture. This audio experience is less a story and more of an open communication between the narrators and the listener.
This title is an anthology of 15 stories, and 15 voices, which highlight the joys, sorrows, struggles and triumphs of their own lives or of Latinx culture more generally. Narrators and storytellers include Elizabeth Acevedo, Cristina Arreola, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Naima Coster, Natasha Diaz, Saraciea J. Fennell, Kahlil Haywood, Zakiya Jamal, Janel Martinez, Jasminne Mendez, Meg Medina, Mark Oshiro, Julian Randall, Lilliam Rivera, and Ibi Zoboi.
Though each expresses a different story, they blend wonderfully together to create a dynamic and captivating tapestry of voices and tales, together showing the many sides of Afro-Latinx and Hispanic identity. Wild Tongues Can’t be Tamed does not shy away from the tough questions, and hard truths, but rather throws everything out in the open to be discussed and addressed, from the ugly to the beautiful. The result is an inspiring and empowering listen that is a must-add to any library.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz is a humorous self-deprecating story of Oscar, an overweight, nerdy, Dominican American who dreams of being the next great writer. Oscar longs for love but is constantly in fear of the family curse that has doomed generations with various misfortunes, but mainly cursed their love, resulting in a string of disastrous love stories.
Diaz, who himself is from the Dominican Republic, captures the voice of Oscar brilliantly, weaving the angst and insecurity of a shy obese college-aged boy with the pressure and chaos of a loud, dominant, opinionated Dominican-American family. He blends humor with heart, and infuses everything with a strong energy and spirit. Though at times it addresses some very difficult topics and themes, Diaz balances this with levity, resulting in a truly authentic and very real feeling tale.
Jonathan Davis and Staci Snell narrate, in a beautiful reading of this story. Praised by critics and listeners alike, reviews rave about the wondrous performance of the narrators and the brilliance of the story itself. Described by listeners as ‘fantastic’, ‘excellent’, ‘near perfect’ and a ‘masterpiece,’ this modern tale is an absolute must-listen experience.
Halsey Street is the debut novel by Naima Coster. A story of sacrifice, familial ties, and obligations, it is deeply rooted in identity, as well as Hispanic (and Dominican) culture. The main character Penelope is forced with the all-too-familiar story of returning home to Brooklyn to take care of her aging father. Leaving her old life behind, she returns to the streets of her youth only to find the world she once knew and belonged to has been completely overhauled through gentrification.
Coster expertly describes the unsettling and disconnected feeling of returning home to a place lost to time. While Penelope struggles to find her place in a neighborhood she once knew, she is shaken again by her mother’s attempts to reconnect - a mother that long ago left to reclaim her roots in the Dominican Republic. Halsey Street tackles these big issues of heritage, ties, family, and immigration in the face of cultural white-washing, forced assimilation, and American identity. It is a powerful critique of culture and family bonds, woven beautifully into a deep and moving story.
This audiobook adaptation is narrated by prominent black stage and screen actor Bahni Turpin, who delivers an impressive performance full of soul and passion. Her narration has been praised by critics and listeners for its depth, feeling, and heartfelt voice.
American Dreamer is a beautiful modern romance novel that follows the story of Afro-Caribbean food truck owner Nesto Vasquez as he moves from the hustle and bustle of New York City to the quieter upstate life. When he meets Jude Fuller, he is forced to think about something other than just his business and consider the possibility of love.
Adriana Herrera offers this classic romance story with a Spanish, Dominican twist.
Herrera offers characters and storylines not as often seen in contemporary literature, without delivering an agenda or forcing the issue. Many DR and Afro-Caribbean listeners have connected with the story and characters, which offer a type of representation not always seen in romance novels, to great success. Sean Crisden provides an entertaining and engaging performance, narrating the story with ease.
Edwidge Danticat is a Hattian author who has gained praise and a strong following for her beautifully written and often heartbreaking stories. Krik Krak is a compilation of short stories highlighting strength and resilience with aspects of Hattian folklore and history. Danticat has a powerful way with words and delivers meaningful tales and lessons with elegance and style.
These stories are raw, captivating, and above all deeply real. They provide visibility, education, and a celebration of Haiti through a variety of tales and voices. Danticat's poetic style translates wonderfully into audiobook form, and the narrations from Miles Graham bring her words to life with ease.
Another powerful Haitian story comes in the form of Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite. The story follows spunky, outgoing and outspoken Alaine Beauparlant on her trip to Haiti, the country of her mother and Tati. In this coming-of-age tale, the quirky Alaine finds her own voice while experiencing the culture, family ties, and complicated history of Haiti. Having grown up with her father, she is now able to begin to connect, or reconnect, with her mother, and feel the strong pride of being a Hattian woman.
Fun, energetic, but rooted in deep truths, Dear Haiti is a great listen for both young adult and adult listeners alike. It is at once a story of family resilience and family secrets, history - both culturally and personally - and the tale of a young woman finding her own way and her own voice.
This title is also narrated by Bahni Turpin, whose seasoned professionalism shines through in this reading. She brings depth and warmth to the story that matches extremely well with the tone of voice of the story, and of Alaine. The result is a captivating story and a wonderful listening experience.
From USA Today best-selling author Mia Sosa comes the sassy, fiery, and hot rom-com story Sun of a Beach. Naomi Reyes is an executive at a major magazine, thrown together with the typically egotistical, good looking, and generally insufferable Creative Director Donovan. What starts as frustration, though, and a play for a promotion, starts to take a turn as the story veers into romance.
Sosa writes with a flirty, fun, and light-hearted style - with an edge of sexy sass - that makes her stories such easy listening experiences. Audiences completely consume her content, with its binge-worthy stories and style. Sun of a Beach is narrated by Valentina Ortiz and Sean Crisden. Crisden, a staple in the Afro-Latinx audiobook world, has narrated hundreds of titles for audible and has won multiple AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award and been nominated for the coveted Audie Award for excellence in narration. He and Ortiz bring a level of depth and authenticity to this story that translates the fire and passion while delivering a must-listen performance.
Another hot and sizzling addition to our list is Uptown Thief by Los Angeles native and Afro-Puerto Rican author, poet, and hip-hop artist Aya de Leon. This title is the first in the series Justice Hustlers, a modern-day women's rights activist Robin Hood story. The main character Marisol does whatever it takes to protect the women of the disadvantaged women's shelter, including stealing from the rich.
de Leon brings the spicy heat of Puerto Rico to the tough street of New York City with this dangerous and dramatic story of high stakes and seduction. She perfectly marries the classic caper style with elements of women's rights, social justice, and empowerment for a truly gripping story you can't miss.
Seasoned actor Patricia R. Floyd narrates this story wonderfully, offering an impressive and engaging performance, which she continues in Book 2 of the Justice Hustlers series. This story (and series) make a great addition to your listening library.
Brother, Sister, Mother, Explorer is a beautiful story of resilience, family, and Mexican heritage from author Jamie Figueroa. It is at once a beautiful and haunting story of familial and generational traumas, heartbreak, depression, fear and resilient strength. Figueroa delivers a story that is at once easy to connect to and rooted in Mexican culture. From curses to ghosts, to prejudice and cultural stigmas, the story blends these with a tale of a sister's love for her brother, and her desperate attempts to save him. This makes the story so relatable while maintaining an authenticity and a Spanish feel that is very personal to the author.
Joana Garcia narrates this audiobook adaptation, and brings the story to life in a heart-felt, powerful performance. Garcia carries all the weight of this emotional tale, resulting in a moving, impactful performance and listen. Brother, Sister, Mother, Explorer is a must-add to your listener library and is a shining addition to Latinx literature.
From Sofia Quintero comes the latest Black Artemis novel: Explicit Content. This hot, hard-hitting story follows an ambitious singer Cassie Rivers, and the dark secrets of G - of gangster Rap label Explicit Content. It is a twisting tale of lies, seduction, secrets which takes Cassie on a winding path deeper into the scandals of G's past.
Quintero showcases a strong, independent, and ambitious black female lead, who knows what she wants and fights for it. Cassie Rivers is a relatable, yet distinct, towing the line between someone listeners can get invested in, and someone who is unique. The result is a dynamic story that is engaging and exciting.
Cassie dives deeper into dark secrets and danger, with the listeners hanging on behind her. Fast-paced and enticing, it is an exciting listen narrated by Honey Jones.
San Juan Noir is an anthology collection of Puerto Rican authors who have all contributed to this collection with their distinct voices, points of view, and stories. The anthology covers a wide range of topics related to San Juan and Puerto Rico, from 15 different authors including Wilfredo J. Burgos Matos, Ernesto Quiñonez, Mayra Santos-Febres, José Rabelo, Luis Negrón, Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro, Ana María Fuster Lavín, Janette Becerra, Manolo Núñez Negrón, Tere Dávila, Edmaris Carazo, Alejandro Álvarez Nieves, Charlie Vázquez, and Manuel A. Meléndez.
This Only form Audible content has been translated from Spanish and narrated in English by various Puerto Rican voices such as Raul Reyes, Antonio Fornaris, Maritza Martinez, and Yaisa Figueroa. The result is a mixture of voices, experiences, and sounds that all come together to celebrate Latinx and Puerto Rican culture.
Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa's A Woman of Endurance rounds out our list of Afro-Latinx stories with this tale of a 19th-century Puerto Rican plantation. Compared to both Toni Morrison and Phillippa Gregory Llanos-Figueroa has received high praise for this story steeped in strong Latina roots and culture. It is both a dark and violent story, and a strong beautifully written one of resilience and strength, a continued theme through many of these Latin tales.
Tracey Leigh brings the main character Pola's story to life, narrating with care, sentiment, and - when appropriate - unabashed strength. The performance is a moving and powerful one, and it will capture listeners' hearts. An absolutely stunning must listen, A Woman of Endurance is a triumphant tale of overcoming, and enduring, despite all odds. Impactful, moving, and haunting, this story will stay with you and change you.
