It is pretty much a must-do in the publishing world to put together a summer reading list. This is not a list of what we think you should read, but rather what we are reading. When I reached out to our contributing writers to see what folks had on their lists for the summer, I was so impressed with the variety (and the commonality) of subject matter. And spoiler alert, it is not all agave spirit books…
Felisa Rogers
Mesquite Pods to Mezcal: 10,000 years of Oaxacan Cuisines Edited by Verónica Pérez Rodríguez, Shanti Morell-Hart, and Stacie M. King
This is a bit dense for a summer read, but it should balance out all the mysteries and other genre fiction I will no doubt devour alongside the frivolous riverside conversations over cocktails. Here prominent scholars in Oaxacan archeology and related fields offer chapters document their findings. For example, the second chapter is titled, “Food from the Barranca: A 13,000-Year Perspective from the Yuzanú Drainage to the Mixteca Alta.” Why do I want to read this book? Nerdy? Check. Mexico? Check. History? Check. Food? Check. Mezcal? Check. Full review to follow.
Substance & Seduction: Ingested Commodities in Early Modern Mesoamerica Edited by Stacey Schwartzkopf and Kathryn E. Sampeck
I know, I know…This isn’t exactly light reading either. But at least “Substance & Seduction” sounds sexy? Plus, it’s about hallucinogens, chocolate, and alcohol! Sample chapter title: “Alcohol and Commodity Succession in Colonial Maya Guatemala: From Mead to Aguardiente.” Why do I want to read this book? First of all, I didn’t even know mead was a thing in Guatemala, and I have a long history there! And who can resist subheadings like “Temporal Changes in Chocolate Tastes”?
Anna Bruce
The Inner Circuit: A Mexico City Chronicle by Francisco Goldman
At a personal level, the book delves into Goldman’s experience of losing his wife and remaining in Mexico City after this trauma. He takes up driving lessons to relearn the city and find a fresh sense of autonomy. The book is also focused on the capital city’s relationship with the country as a whole. The heart of political and economic power and home to a sixth of the country’s population, for generations the capital seemed to be protected from many of the issues that impact the rest of the country, in particular cartel violence. Goldman describes this supposed reality as living: “adentro de una burbuja – inside a bubble.” However, since the early 2000s, this bubble has been under increasing pressure. Focusing on some key instances that have brought scrutiny on the government, Goldman shares his concerns about the city he has made home. Described as a crónica (a journalistic genre in the Spanish-speaking world that includes reportage, commentary, and analysis), Goldman weaves his way through the narrative with some charming personal anecdotes, intertwined with journalistic scrutiny of recent events.
Sweet Caress by William Boyd
I recently finished Sweet Caress. It was a gift from a friend, probably because the lead character is a photojournalist who even spends some time exploring Mexico. I’m sure my friend saw the parallels with some of my life choices. I was a little put off by the title, but in fact it is a great read, and I raced through it during a recent vacation. Written in autobiographical style, it follows the life of fictional photographer Amory Clay (born 1908). Boyd captures Clay’s career, spanning work in London, Scotland, France, Germany, the United States, Mexico, and Vietnam. As per usual, Boyd has amazing characterization and thought-through, well-researched histories, which bring Clay and her world to life. There are also over 70 found photos collected by Boyd, which he attributes to Clay. Compared to Interior Circuit, this is light, but still thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable.
And, shameless self promotion! If anyone feels like a refresher on agave spirits, needs some cocktail inspiration, or would just enjoy seeing some photos of Mexico and the mezcal process, check out my book – Tequila, Mezcal and More. Out August 21, published by Hachette.
Read Spear
Scaramouche, A Romance of the French Revolution by Rafael Sabatinu.
I happen to be finishing up Sabatini’s Scaramouche right now (love it), and honestly I went into it just because I enjoyed The Count of Monte Cristo so much—but it is a book that our politicians need to read (as if they read at all!) so they can be reminded of what happens when the Third Estate gets pushed too far!
Next up, Labyrinth of Solitude by Octavio Paz. From there, we will see where I go. Possibilities include Pedro Párama by Juan Rulfo and The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene.
Joahna Hernandez
Liliana’s Invincible Summer: A Sister’s Search for Justice by Cristina Rivera Garza
This won the Pulitzer Prize last year. I know this is not a light read since the author tells the story of her sister’s murder (femicidio). She also has a new novel titled Terrestre which has been described as a wild mix of travel stories and speculative writing, full of freedom and imagination, but it won’t be released till August 19th.
Eating to Extinction: The World’s Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them by Dan Saladino
This book dives deep into the foods that are vanishing—and what that means for humanity. I am all about food, politics, and how Indigenous knowledge from the Global South is a reference for survival to our climate crisis.
Omar Muñoz
On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee
McGee beautifully explains the science behind food, which always deepens my appreciation for it.
Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter
Because he captures how this world, and our lives, are cyclical in the most fascinating ways.
Cartas a Clara by Juan Rulfo
Rulfo also captures how our lives are cyclical and also full of love.
Khrys Maxwell
Tequila Wars: José Cuervo and the Bloody Struggle for the Spirit of Mexico by Ted Genoways
How can I not read this book as a die hard tequila fan. Tequila Wars dives into the life of Jose Cuervo and the history of the tequila industry around the years of the Mexican Revolution. It is high drama and the perfect telenovela in the form of a book.
And finally, my list for the summer.
Against the American Grain: A Borderlands History of Resistence by Gary Nabhan
I have loved reading Gary Nabhan ever since I read Where Our Food Comes From and fell in love with his lyrical writing style. I am a sucker for history books that pull the curtain aside and feature people who operated at the “margins” and ignored in the telling of history. This is the retelling I feel like we need now.
Spirits Distilled: A Guide to Ingredients Behind a Better Bottle by Nat Harry
This was gifted to me by the author, though it has been on my list to read since it came out at the end of last year. I love the story behind the story kind of books, and any opportunity to bone up and expand my knowledge about spirits beyond agave is greatly appreciated!
The Moor’s Account by Laila Lalami
A historical novel about a Spanish conquest expedition that goes very wrong and upends what we think about power dynamics, redemption and survival? Yes please! This was part of a three book gift package to entertain me while I recovered from surgery this past winter. Alas, the arrival of a kitten in the household sidetracked me from reading it then! I can’t wait to dive in.
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