Despite a surge of negative comments from Donald Trump regarding immigrants, he surprisingly garnered more support among Latino voters in the 2024 election, with 54% of Latino men and 38% of Latina women choosing him over Vice President Kamala Harris.

This marks a historic high for a Republican candidate, according to exit poll data from Reuters.

Since Trump declared his candidacy in 2015, he has made numerous disparaging remarks about immigrants, including labeling Mexican immigrants as “rapists” and denigrating those from Haiti and El Salvador as coming from “shithole countries.” Recently, a comedian who supports Trump referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” drawing sharp criticism from figures like Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin.

So, what’s prompting some Latinos to align with a movement that appears to oppose their interests? Journalist Paola Ramos, who recently published the book “Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America,” believes the situation is nuanced.

“Ultimately, it’s fascinating to realize that this is more about individual experiences and their search for belonging in America than political affiliations,” explains Ramos. “For many, this search for acceptance is leading them toward Trumpism.”

As Latinos are often viewed as a single voting bloc, authors like Ramos, political strategist Mike Madrid, and journalist Maria Hinojosa are working to dispel this myth. Writers such as Karla Cornejo Villavicencio and Héctor Tobar also share narratives that illuminate the experiences of undocumented immigrants and highlight their contributions to American society.

Here are 13 books that can deepen our understanding of the Latino community, their political influence, and their diverse identities.

“The Latino Century” by Mike Madrid

Mike Madrid, an expert on Latino voting and co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, presents “The Latino Century: How America’s Largest Minority Is Transforming Democracy” to address why both Democrats and Republicans have struggled to connect with Latino voters and the significance of this disconnect.

With over 30 years of research and campaign experience, Madrid emphasizes that Latinos represent the fastest-growing demographic in key swing states and challenge traditional notions of race, religion, economic achievement, and the American Dream.

“Defectors” by Paola Ramos

Ramos dives into how race, identity, and political trauma have led to the emergence of far-right sentiments among some Latinos and their impact on American politics.

To gather insights for her book, the Telemundo News and MSNBC contributor interviewed various individuals, including Gabriel Garcia, a Cuban American and former Proud Boys member, as well as a Latino border vigilante from El Paso, members of the conservative Moms for Liberty group, and evangelical leaders.

“Inventing Latinos” by Laura E. Gómez

In her book, Laura E. Gómez, a professor at UCLA, examines the position of Latinos in the U.S. racial hierarchy and explores the development of Latinx identity as a distinct racial category.

According to Gómez’s website, “Latinos have significantly influenced electoral politics and popular culture, yet many still view them primarily as newcomers rather than a longstanding racial group.”

“The Undocumented Americans” by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

In her first book, Ecuadorian American author Karla Cornejo Villavicencio shares the genuine and unfiltered experiences of immigrants. She takes us to New York, where undocumented workers contributed to recovery efforts at Ground Zero post-9/11. In Miami, she highlights those without healthcare options, turning to botánicas for help. In Connecticut, Villavicencio uncovers the stories of undocumented men seeking refuge and grapples with the pain of family separation.

The Harvard-educated writer poignantly remarks, “The twisted inversion that many children of immigrants know is that, at some point your parents become your children, and your own personal American dream becomes making sure they age and die with dignity in a country that has never wanted them.”

“Soldiers and Kings” by Jason de León

Anthropologist Jason de León offers a more compassionate view of human smugglers—commonly known as coyotes—who guide migrants from South America through Mexico with hopes of reaching the U.S.

For this book, de León dedicated seven years to following migrants, particularly from Honduras, alongside their smugglers. He seeks to unravel the motivations behind smugglers’ choices and their accountability towards the migrants they lead toward an uncertain future.

“LatinoLand” by Marie Arana

In her compelling work, Peruvian author and journalist Marie Arana asserts that Latinos, as demonstrated by current elections, do not form a single, unified group.

Through “LatinoLand,” Arana reflects on her own upbringing in a mixed-status family—her mother from Kansas and her father, a civil engineer from Peru—to delve into the complexities of America’s rapidly growing Latino community.

“Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here” by Jonathan Blitzer

Jonathan Blitzer, a writer for The New Yorker, explores forty years of immigration policies and their political consequences in his book.

“My hope is that readers will be able to connect the real people behind the often abstract narratives, slogans, and clichés surrounding immigration,” Blitzer shared in a recent interview. “I believe that when faced with genuine human stories, it’s possible to move beyond indifference. Nowadays, there seems to be a misguided notion that the way to resolve complex policy issues is to become emotionally detached from those who suffer—and I find that to be a misinterpretation. It reverses the logical perspective on policy.”

“Our Migrant Souls” by Héctor Tobar

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Héctor Tobar embarks on a profound personal analysis of what it signifies to be Latino within the United States.

The journalist, who also teaches English and Chicano/Latino Studies, dives deep into the topics of race and identity, exploring the narratives and myths that shape Latino experiences in America.

The influence of colonialism, governmental policies, immigration patterns, media, and popular culture has significantly shaped the interpretation of “Latino” as a racial and ethnic identity.

“Tell Me How It Ends” by Valeria Luiselli

In “Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay in Forty Questions,” Mexican author Valeria Luiselli draws upon her experiences as an interpreter for Central American minors who are making perilous journeys to the U.S. seeking safety and a better life.

The book is framed around the forty essential questions she poses to these undocumented children, aged between 6 and their teenage years, who are confronting the threat of deportation.

“Once I Was You” by Maria Hinojosa

In her book, “Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate In A Torn America,” Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa reflects on the anti-immigrant sentiments prevalent during the 2020 presidential election. She asserts that this rhetoric is not new; it has originated from a long-standing historical cycle.

According to Hinojosa, “Anti-immigration sentiment is a recurring phenomenon in America. It transcends party lines; it’s an American issue unless we choose to change it,” she writes.

“An African American and Latinx History of the United States” by Paul Ortiz

Historian Paul Ortiz explores over two centuries of shared struggles between African Americans and Latinx communities in his book.

“I penned this book to ensure that future generations of Latinx and Black children can take pride in their identities and heritage,” Ortiz states in the introduction.

“Harvest of Empire” by Juan González

“Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America,” authored by Puerto Rican journalist Juan González, was initially released in 2000 and saw its first updated edition in 2022. This comprehensive work covers five centuries, detailing the impacts from European colonization to the events surrounding the 2020 election.

“The Devil’s Highway” by Luis Alberto Urrea

“The Devil’s Highway,” written by Luis Alberto Urrea, a poet and novelist of Mexican descent, recounts the harrowing true story of 26 men and boys who attempted to cross into the U.S. through the treacherous desert of southern Arizona in 2001. Tragically, only 12 made it through the journey alive.