The word essay derives from the French infinitive “essayer” which means “to try” or “to attempt.” An essay is the attempt to answer a question. In a recent Behind the Book interview, Cinelle Barnes shares her reason for writing is not because she knows, but because she wants to know. The art of writing is [...]
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(Re)view: The World is Moving Around Me
As a member of the MUSA Reading and Writing Book Club, I am exposed to a diverse spectrum of authors and literature. I have learned that stories, as much as we wish they would, do not always translate well from their native language. This was NOT the case with Dany Laferrière's "The World is Moving [...]
Healing like Rain Without Water
Soundtrack: Algo Está Cambiando - Bomba Estéreo Quote: “Two or three things I know for sure, and one of them is that when change comes, it cracks everything open.” - Dorothy Allison Mood: Cloudy, with a chance of rain. There were many reasons not to go. It was a long, holiday weekend. There were obligations to [...]
(RE)VIEW: BLUE NIGHTS
I first heard of Joan Didion while excitedly discussing literature with an old colleague and friend. We were stumbling through authors and titles like two toddlers rushing to run before mastering walking. There was an air of joy and enthusiasm as we exchanged stories. Literature that had shifted something inside of us enough to warrant [...]
(RE)VIEW: The Map of Salt and Stars
“Stories are powerful, but gather too many of the words of others in your heart, and they will drown out your own. Remember that.” We are first introduced to Nour, a Syrian-American girl, who is mourning the loss of her father and simultaneously trying to acclimate to her new life in Homs. Although her two [...]
How “Children of Blood and Bone” Snatched My Edges
My friend, the same one who surprise purchased me “Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha)” called me to check in on me after I texted her saying I finished. I was at a loss for words. No exaggeration. Forming full sentences was too difficult a task for my brain to effectively manage. I. [...]
The Secret to How I Read So Many Books
I’ve probably been asked this question a dozen times in the last two weeks. “How do you find time to read so many books? Where/when are you reading?” My answer is pretty straightforward. You ready? I read. That’s it. There is no magic pill that increases my reading speed to superhuman tempo. I don’t sprinkle [...]
Turnin’ All My L’s Into Lessons
In case you were concerned, I'm still writing but not publishing or submitting as much. My therapist says I may be experiencing something reminiscent to Picasso's blue period. I'm giving myself time to explore that in my writing without worrying about how it will be perceived. More on that later. I have also been reading [...]
Dominicana Soy
I was the first-born of two girls, so when I came into the world by way of Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, NY there was only Spanish. Mami and Papi hadn’t become fully proficient in English yet and I had no older siblings or cousins to teach me the language. My first language was Spanish straight [...]
Turmeric Wellness Shots
I've had a lot of people reaching out to me and asking about the turmeric shots I sometimes post pictures of. I take a single shot in the morning on an empty stomach 2-3 times a week. I've read that you can take them daily if you feel so inclined. These wellness shots are great for [...]