Día de muertos & book recommendations

    On the first and second day of November, Día de Muertos is celebrated across Latin American culture. Throughout the month of October, people go around seeking candles, pan de muerto, tissue paper to make papel picado (some people are crafty and make their own), calaveritas de azúcar (sugar skulls), and other items that they'd like to include as an ofrenda in the altar de muertos. Families usually work together to make paper flowers or to arrange cempasuchil flowers in colorful displays to help the spirits of their ancestors find their way home. Fresh foods and fruits are placed overnight on the altar for the spirits to enjoy during their return. Then, on November first, the celebrations begin and sometimes end until two or three days later, depending how much a family likes to party and commemorate the people who are no longer with them. 

    Growing up in Mexico, it was one of my favorite times of the year. The air smelled like wax and cempasuchil flowers, and people built their altares de muertos by the entrance of their homes. I remember hearing older neighbors reminisce about their family and friends who had passed, and then smile and talk about the spot they had reserved for them in their altar. It usually included a picture of the person smiling, from a good memory that they had shared together, maybe a birthday or a baptism. That's how we chose to commemorate them: with a picture that reminded us of their happiness. The belief that their departed loved ones return for a night was ever-present, and November's first two days were honored and respected in the community. 

I already have my altar de muertos at home, but decided to make a picture rendition for the blog, too.



    If you like to read books based on the seasons and festivities, I found some book recommendations that align with the Día de los Muertos celebration.

  • Starting off with a cozy mystery we have Bread of the Dead, by Ann Myers. I have not read this book yet but the other books in this series are in my TBR (this one is in it now) and I have enjoyed what I've read by this author so far.


  • Mooncakes, by Wendy Xu and Suzanne Walker. This book has all the cozy vibes that the Dia de Muertos celebrations have; full of friendship and family ties.




  • Fly by Night, by Tara O'Connor. This book had me shook. It deals with grief, mystery, and the fast changes that we face as we are growing up and feel stuck between childhood and adulthood.


  • The Dead Romantics, by Ashley Poston. The protagonist in this book is part of a family of undertakers, and they treat death with honor and care rather than being scared of it. 



  • the hellbound heart, by Clive Barker. A spirit comes back in the house where he died, has an affair with somebody (I won't tell you who), and uses the skin of his brother as a disguise. 



I want to hear from you! Do you have any traditions for Dia de Muertos? 



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