Angels Flight Reading

“Meaningful relationships bring meaning to life.”

It’s nice to live in a city pulsing with culture. Once in a while, I’ll pop by a reading. Sometimes they’re held in cool places like Clifton’s Republic, complete with stuffed animals. (Clifton’s is a rebooted historical cafeteria that features woodland decor.)

taxidermy

My impetus to go was my friend Siel Ju‘s newest book, CAKE TIME. Winner of the 2015 Red Hen Press Fiction Award, it officially launches April 6th, but I got a freshly minted copy–hurrah! Set in LA, it’s a raw, gritty novel-in-series that follows the ups and downs of a female protagonist across the years.

The other debut novelist in the spotlight was Lilliam Rivera. I’m all for YA lit and diverse characters, so I was excited to learn about THE EDUCATION OF MARGOT SANCHEZ. The book explores the teen years of a Puerto Rican girl growing up in the Bronx.

lilliam rivera siel ju

The sponsor of the night, Angels Flight Literary West, has a mission to explore the “uncharted stories of Los Angeles and beyond.” Contributors to the magazine ( Chris Daley, CLS Ferguson, Tod Goldberg, Patrick O’Neil, and Stephanie Zhong) also read pieces for the night. My favorites ones were from: Stephanie Zhong, who paralleled her trip to Manzanar with today’s political climate; and Tod Goldberg, who explored the bittersweet memories that rose up after the passing of his mom.

Sometimes it’s nice to breathe in the literary air. I continue to feel inspired by all the writers creating around me.

 

Foodie Friday: DIY Boba
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Comments

  1. I remember Clifton’s! Glad to see it’s still around and they are using it as a place for literary readings. I’m currently reading, The Education of Margot Sanchez. The book also involves community activism and gentrification.

    • Jennifer Chow says

      Ooh, tell me what you think of when you’re done. So glad that we have more diverse literature for younger people!

  2. So great to see you there, Jennifer!

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