Havana Times created a new section dedicated to books and authors in March 2026, prioritizing Latin American and Caribbean authors. The idea gained momentum after contact from Selena Mercuri, a Cuban-Italian book editor based in Toronto.
Havana Times, a daily publication with over 17 years of history, announced the creation of a new section dedicated to books and authors. The idea had come up several times in the publication's early years but stayed on the back burner until book editor, reviewer, and author interviewer Selena Mercuri, a Cuban-Italian based in Toronto, enthusiastically provided the impetus to launch it. The new section aims to create an accessible and diverse space for recommendations, reviews, and conversations about books from various perspectives—especially those not always highly visible—to encourage reading, discover new voices, and build a literary community. As a bilingual publication, it will prioritize Latin American and Caribbean authors whose works are published in English and Spanish. The first post was an interview with Martha Batiz, author of “A Daughters Place”, the story of Miguel de Cervantes' “illegitimate” daughter. Havana Times is open to readers' suggestions for books to feature.
