Asha Thanki reading at the Kundiman Holiday Salon. Photo credit: Shirley Cai.
Over the holidays, Kundiman and Penguin Random House held a literary salon at Liz’s Book Bar in Brooklyn. The evening opened with a reading by Asha Thanki, who shared from her debut novel A Thousand Times Before and a work-in-progress. Afterwards, we mingled and made new friends, shared writing advice, and put together a cento of well wishes to our community as an offering for the new year.
Writing together at the Kundiman Holiday salon.
“Well wishes to Elmhurst. To Uncles
carrying leeks on the Q58 and fresh egg pancakes.
Temples on New Year. Maintaining balance
on the iced over stairs my landlord received
a summons notice about. Holding myself up like so,
another year around the sun.”
—‘May You find Solace in Silence and Let Grace Be Your Guidance,’ A Cento By Attendees at the Kundiman Holiday Salon
A stack of Asha Thanki’s novel A Thousand TImes Before.
Poetry Coalition Fellow Rishona Michael welcoming attendees.
Thank you to our wonderful host Liz’s Book Bar, and to everyone who braved the cold for this heartwarming evening.
If you’re interested in attending more in-person events like this, join our mailing list or find a Kundiman Regional Group near you.