Martin Espada: Exposing History and Freedom Through Spoken Word

This is the year that squatters evict landlords, gazing like admirals from the rail of the roofdeck or levitating hands in praise of steam in the shower -Excerpt from Imagine the Angels of Bread I first heard the name Martin Espada while searching for new poets and poetry, that’s when I came along the HuffingtonPost, ” 20 …

Arundhati Roy: Words Left Unsaid

  Author Arundhati Roy is one of those writers who can turn a simple tale into a complex story about realism and the meaning of life. She's also an essayist speaking on issues such as the caste system in India, capitalism --includes the reforms to India's economy, issues in the Middle East and the West, India's creation …

David Baldacci: Memories and Thrillers–Work To Explore

My first introduction to David Baldacci was during jury duty.  7 (includes the sub juror) out of 6 of us were fans of his work and 10 out of 3 were familiar with his work. I was one of the three but not for long. If I could describe Baldacci in one word it would be "versatile" …

Kurt Vonnegut: Deep Impact

I missed the "Slaughterhouse Five" train, was late for the Sirens of Titan's bus, was too early to understand the Mother's Night tour, but I was right on time for the "We are what we want to" meeting. Yes, it seems like Vonnegut books have been hunting me for years. Not that I am complaining, …

Celeste Ng: A Familiar Voice

  I first heard the name Celeste Ng through a feminist newsletter someone had forwarded to me part of their " 10 Books By WOC Authors You Must Read" post. I became familiar with Celeste words or voice,  if you will while researching cultural identity, searching for writers who've written on the subject. Celeste Ng is a …

Author’s/People Spotlight: Yuri Kochiyama

So, transform yourself first… Because you are young and have dreams and want to do something meaningful, that in itself makes you our future and our hope. Keep expanding your horizon, decolonize your mind, and cross borders.  This is a beautiful quote from the wonderful Yuri Kochiyama. Welcome to this edition of Author's/People Spotlight, instead …

Author Spotlight: Tupac, The Poet

I like to joke with my Literary friends about how Tupac is the greatest poet who ever lived. Then comes the laughter. I'm half joking, half telling the truth. I don't know if he's the greatest but in my book, he's in the Top percentage. So why is Tupac, a man who rapped about girls …

Author Spotlight: Ruth Wilson Gilmore

The first Author Spotlight of the month goes to Ruth Wilson Gilmore, she's an Author, Activist, Professor, and the Co-founder of many social justice movements. I chose her as the first author spotlight for one reason and one reason only. She is a fighter and seeing that May is the season of fighting for justice and …

Author Spotlight-Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemmingway is our Author Spotlight for this week and also, the first male Author Spotlight. Hemingway is known for books like, Farewell to Arms (American Lit anyone?)  and The Old Man and the Sea. What I like about Hemingway is that he wrote about life's adventures and journeys and his writing always seemed to leap …

Author Spotlight: Amy Tan

 The Joy Luck Club and The Bonesetter's Daughter, are two of my favorite books from Amy Tan's collections. Amy Tan is this month's Author Spotlight, she's a best-selling author and like me, she's a first generation American. I think that's why I could relate to her and her books, also, every time I read one …