Lizandra Vega

While iPads, smartphones, and e-readers may be all the rage, books remain a more affordable--and intimate--present. Check out the Latinidad List below for gift ideas. Double your deposits in the karma bank by doing your holiday shopping at La Casa Azul Bookstore, http://www.lacasaazulbookstore.com/; with every book you purchase, you'll not only be supporting authors, you'll also be supporting Latina entrepreneurship.

The Latinidad List

Best Debut – Drowning Tucson by Aaron Michael Morales
Writing so breathtakingly brutal, you feel as if you've been stabbed.

Poetry – Up Jump the Boogie by John Murillo
R&B licks meet hip-hop beats in this soulful collection.

Chick Lit – Nancy's Theory of Style by Grace Coopersmith (a.k.a. Marta Acosta)
Frothy perfection for readers who appreciate both substance and style.

Mystery – Blackout in Precinct Puerto Rico, Book Five by Steven Torres
Beautifully detailed depiction of big crimes in a small town.

Thriller – Freedom by Daniel Suarez
Scarily plausible story inspired by our growing dependence on technology.

Memoir – The Bread of Angels by Stephanie Saldana
Elegant and earnest, Saldana's journey is equal parts prayer, poem, and parable.

Self-Help – The Image of Success by Lizandra Vega
Essential reading for anyone seeking a job or a promotion.

Cookbook – Daisy's Holiday Cooking by Daisy Martinez with Chris Styler
A godsend for hosts and hostesses who want to entertain with a Latin flair.

Young Adult – The Sweetness of Salt by Cecilia Galante
Quietly devastating tale of an overachiever and her troubled sister.

Children's Picture Book – The Best Family in the World by Susana Lopez, illustrated by Ulises Wensell
Imaginative and heartwarming celebration of adoption.