Mexico: The Reader's Guide

This 9-part essay by Nobel laureate and former diplomat Octavio Paz is renowned for being a profound illustration of the Mexican identity and psyche. Though he was not without controversy due to his political ideology — including his criticism of Latin American guerilla movements — Paz was largely viewed as a kind of political hero, and this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of Mexican culture and history and the spirit of the Mexican revolution.

Spanning two decades and crossing continents, this dazzling adventure tells the story of the search for a 1920s Mexican poet, Cesárea Tinajero, by two 1970s poets, the Chilean Arturo Belano and the Mexican Ulises Lima. Bolaño's originality is hard to capture but the publisher calls him "a polymathic descendant of Borges and Pynchon" who "traces the hidden connection between literature and violence in a world where national boundaries are fluid and death lurks in the shadow of the avant-garde."

From National Book Critics Circle Award finalist and MacArthur Genius Cristina Rivera Garza, this genre-defying, darkly poetic "fairy-tale gone amok" captures the intrigue, mystique, and mourning of modern Mexico in the form of a detective story. Considered one of the greatest Mexican authors writing today, Rivera Garza weaves together her own unique style of both prose and poetry with the literary conventions of her predecessors to create contemporary magic-realist fable.

Written by one of the country's most respected public intellectuals, this comprehensive history of Mexico covers the pre-Columbian era to the 90s. It provides a detailed account of the country’s political, social, and cultural evolution, and how it has shaped the modern Mexican state. A great primer for anyone interested in understanding Mexico’s complex history.

The greatest novel of the Mexican Revolution follows the life of a young doctor, Demetrio Macías, who becomes a revolutionary leader. It explores themes of social injustice, political upheaval, and the struggles of the underprivileged during one of the most pivotal periods in Mexican history.

This classic novel offers a haunting portrayal of rural Mexico and the enduring impact of its history. A quick read to toss in your suitcase, this literary classic tells the story of Juan Preciado, who travels to the town of Comala to find his father, Pedro Páramo. As he explores the town, he discovers the dark secrets of his family’s past.

CDMX is a Mexican chef's celebration of the the food that chilangos (residents of Mexico City) enjoy at home, on the streets, in markets, and in cafes and bars. The perfect book to get before you leave (for recommendations on bars, restuarants, street eats and markets) and to enjoy when you return from your trip and crave the goods you enjoyed in Mexico.

This brand-new update to the Lonely Planet travel guide is a comprehensive companion if you'll be traveling to a few different destinations in Mexico.

This historical fiction is about a young woman who becomes the interpreter and mistress of Hernán Cortés during the Spanish conquest of Mexico. It explores the complex relationship between the Spanish and the indigenous peoples of Mexico, and how it shaped the nation’s history. To this day, the figure of La Malinche is synonymous with deceit and betrayal.

Fuentes was a central figure in the lit boom of the 60s and 70s alongside Gabriel García Márquez and Julio Cortázar. This masterpiece, thought to be a criticism of the post-revolutionary political class, follows Artemio Cruz, a powerful politician on his deathbed reflecting on the corruption and violence that have defined his career. While Fuentes can be intimidating reading for some, this historical novel is a fairly accesible read for context on the modern political landscape of Mexico.