In the past few weeks, AI has thrown the online world into upheaval. People are excited about getting instant products, further allowing them easy gratification. Artists are frustrated at the lack of respect for their art and labor. Debates have run amok, from digital artists all the way to writers. And, recently, AI has started to infiltrate the music scene.
As a writer, it’s disheartening to see people turn toward machines to get a piece of work within minutes. People take years to master their craft—whether that’s learning techniques and styles, learning the rules in order to break them, etc—only for a machine to come and scan all those pieces of work—most without permission from the artist or creator—to continue spitting out different iterations without the proper care and quality that a person brings in.
This is in no way slandering the work that an AI can do. In fact, I find it incredible that a machine can do all of that. The problem comes with the ethics of it all—have these AI companies gotten permission from the artists and creators to scan and duplicate their styles and techniques for further use? What does it mean when it comes to copyright?
When AI was starting out, I was immediately intrigued as any other. I remember an app trending online, and people would make little prompts for you to fill in and see what image the AI could give you. The styles weren’t many, the art wasn’t detailed or all that great, but it was fun to see what this little program could do with a few words.
Then more apps started popping up.
The concept got big. Popular. Photo editors I’ve used for years turned to this new idea, having a shiny new option to use AI for new art, some even having an option to turn existing photos into any art style—portraits, cartoons, and more.
Everything came to a halt when I tried out the AI option on a photo editor and the image came out with a botched signature at the bottom. My heart shriveled up in my chest as I realized that was from an actual artist’s work, taken for this AI to use and distort for their own gain.
I exited out of the app.
Not even a week later, the debates started up online. Artists shouting into the online void for justice and respect for their work. People were stealing their creations, using it to feed the AIs.
You’d think people wouldn’t defend this type of behavior. And yet, some did. They called the AIs innovative, a new age. People that have always wanted to make art could now do so, and felt like artists were taking away their opportunities, their fun.
Then writing AIs started gaining traction. People can now type in a few commands and get mounds of text, copywriting or even creative writing. That photo editor I had stopped using? They also had it.
Not long after, people were using AI to make their favorite singers “sing” other songs. It felt like a slow infiltration into the music industry, though I’m not sure how far they can take it before big artists do something about it.
The technology behind AIs is amazing. No one can deny that. (Disregarding the weird proportions in images and the like…) It’s simply disappointing to see people brush off artists and creators for their hard work and treat them like they’re disposable.
I’m not sure how far this AI business can go. At times I feel like this may overtake all artists and creators until every piece of media we see is AI. Other times, I feel like us creators will fight against this, urging AI to be used in a more ethical way without disrespecting and stealing from artists.
In the end, please support artists and creators any way you can. They can never be replaced by a machine.
It’s a new year (half way through the first month), and there are so many books that are upcoming or have already been released that are set to make waves. I, for one, am excited to see more diverse reads and new exciting adventures for everyone to enjoy. I can only hope that each year we get to see more and more diverse books because they are so needed. But for now here’s an admittedly small list of my most anticipated books from 2023. Buckle up for a lot of fantasy.
Unseelie – Ivelisse Housman
This one is already out! It was released January 3, 2023. Unfortunately, I still don’t have a copy, but I have faith that I’ll get it soon because everything about this story sounds incredible.
Taken from Goodreads*
“Twin sisters, both on the run, but different as day and night. One, a professional rogue, searches for a fabled treasure; the other, a changeling, searches for the truth behind her origins, trying to find a place to fit in with the realm of fae who made her and the humans who shun her.”
Immediate intrigue. Twin sisters on an adventure, changelings, fae, and an autistic main character. I’ve seen so many great reviews surrounding this book, and I just know this will become a favorite for me. I can’t wait to get this book soon!
I learned about this book through social media, and honestly I’m so glad the marketing and outreach worked. Everything about this book sounds like everything I love in a book–magic, monsters, and betrayal. What more can you ask for?
Taken from Goodreads*
“The first book in an epic fantasy series for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Hafsah Faizal and Elizabeth Lim, set in an Arabian-inspired land. Raised to protect her nation from the monsters lurking in the sands, seventeen-year-old Imani must fight to find her brother whose betrayal is now their greatest threat.”
Releasing January 24, 2023. Keep your eyes peeled for this new exciting fantasy!
“Seventeen-year-old goth Sevim Burgos would love to spend all day watching music videos, but to help support the family she has to scavenge and sell elf corpses to a sketchy university professor. On one of her hunts, Sevim captures the elf prince, Aro, wounded in a Burger King. But it turns out that the elves have been watching Sevim too, and this chance encounter sets their revenge in motion.” […]
Not only do we get a sense that Sevim is one fun character (I’m sensing some snark in there already), but it feels like we’re gonna get fun moments (how does one find an elf prince in a Burger King?) and exciting high stakes! Releasing March 28, 2023.
Ever since I read Flirting With Fate by J. C. Cervantes, I knew I would be reading anything she writes. I’m convinced her words are filled with magic, and it’s light and airy and a breath of fresh air. Of course, I’m expecting to feel that magic touch in this upcoming book.
Taken from Goodreads*
“Best friends and soul mates since they were kids, Hart Augusto and Ruby Armenta were poised to take on senior year together when Hart tragically drowns in a boating accident. Absolutely shattered, Ruby struggles to move on from the person she knows was her forever love. Hart can’t let go of Ruby either…. Due to some divine intervention, he’s offered a second chance. Only it won’t be as simple as bringing him back to life—instead, Hart’s soul is transferred to the body of a local bad boy.” […]
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get my heart shattered by this book. Releasing June 6, 2023.
After reading the These Violent Delights duology, I will now be reading everything Chloe Gong puts out. (I still have to get Foul Lady Fortune and I’m expecting Last Violent Call too, but let’s focus on her adult debut!) Gong just writes exactly what I like: high stakes adventures, relationships you want to cheer for (platonic or romantic), and just ideas and concepts I didn’t know I needed.
Taken from Goodreads*
“#1 New York Times bestselling YA author Chloe Gong’s adult epic fantasy debut, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games. Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches.” […]
After reading this small snippet of the blurb, I already need this book in my life. A retelling, deadly games, and romance. I know this will be the adventure of a lifetime! Releasing July 25, 2023.
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride – Roshani Chokshi
I’ve only had the opportunity to read one of Roshani Chokshi’s works (The Gilded Wolves), but I already know I can trust that any book she writes is going to be incredible. (And yes, I hope to finish The Gilded Wolves trilogy soon…)
Taken from Goodreads*
“A sumptuous, gothic-infused story about a marriage that is unraveled by dark secrets, a friendship cursed to end in tragedy, and the danger of believing in fairy tales–the breathtaking adult debut from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi.”
This sounds like a gothic dark fairy tale, and I cannot wait to read this! Releasing February 14, 2023.
Last year, I had the honor of reading the incredible book The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas, and it was in my top three favorite books of 2022. As you can imagine, I’m obviously going to want to read her newest book about vampires set in 1840s Mexico.
Taken from Goodreads*
“As the daughter of a rancher in 1840s Mexico, Nena knows a thing or two about monsters—her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that drains men of their blood and leaves them for dead. Something that once attacked Nena nine years ago.” […]
There’s so much tension in just the blurb! I’m so excited for this book and crossing my fingers to be able to get it as soon as it comes out. Releasing August 29, 2023.
Yes, I read Babel. Yes, I’ll also read anything R. F. Kuang writes. (I still need to read The Poppy War though…) After I read the blurb for Yellowface though, I knew I had to read it.
Taken from Goodreads*
“What’s the harm in a pseudonym? New York Times bestselling sensation Juniper Song is not who she says she is, she didn’t write the book she claims she wrote, and she is most certainly not Asian American–in this chilling and hilariously cutting novel from R. F. Kuang in the vein of White Ivy and The Other Black Girl.”
I have the sense that this book is not going to be like Babel and what I’ve heard about The Poppy War in terms of writing style. This feels more like a grim satire. (I could be proven wrong of course, this is just my first impression of the blurb). I’m really excited to see how R. F. Kuang executes this concept. Releasing May 16, 2023.
I’ve yet to read anything by Hannah Whitten (I have the For the Wolf duology in my TBR), but something about this book in particular feels like something I’ll really enjoy!
Taken from Goodreads*
“In this lush, romantic new epic fantasy series from New York Times bestselling author Hannah Whitten, a young woman’s secret power to raise the dead plunges her into the dangerous and glamorous world of the Sainted King’s royal court. When Lore was thirteen, she escaped a cult in the catacombs beneath the city of Dellaire. And in the ten years since, she’s lived by one rule: don’t let them find you. Easier said than done, when her death magic ties her to the city.” […]
Anything that is described as lush or romantic is immediately a book I’ll want to read. Add in a sprinkle of royalty, and this book is everything I love. (…I love a lot of things in books, but can you blame me when all of these concepts sound amazing?) Releasing March 7, 2023.
After curating this small list, I can see clearly how much I love the fantasy genre. I do apologize if fantasy isn’t your thing because this list will not be for you. Regardless, maybe you’ll find something that’ll speak to you! I’m super excited for this year in books and I can’t wait to meet so many new characters and go on new adventures.
I know a lot of people don’t really care for the new year expressions, like “new year, new me” and the like, but I feel like 2023 will be a better year for many of us, a year of transformation and full focus. Ever since I graduated college, I’ve been grasping for stability. The transition from student to…just another person has been brutal. Here’s to hoping 2023 becomes a brighter year for us all.
Last year was quite the hard year. There were many bleak moments that unfortunately trumped over big events in my life—I graduated college, set out to find my footing in life, and more. And yet, I dealt with a lot that threatened to push me into a hole, never to come out. To this day, I still feel like I’m balancing on uneven ground, but I look forward with optimism.
A new year for me feels like a reset, a new opportunity to form new habits and better myself. (Kind of goes hand in hand with resolutions). For this new year, I hope to write more about topics that entice me—lifestyle topics, more books and stories, and more. I want to research more and more about the world around me, and see what pops up. In between it all, I’ll be job hunting, hoping for a good opportunity to come out from hiding.
To anyone who may be reading this, I hope you also have a great year ahead filled with light, love, and incredible opportunities to fulfill your life. May we find our footing in this treacherous path in front of us.
As the summer trickles away and the first cool breeze blows through the trees, it feels like everyone descends into a pumpkin spice craze. Coffee, cereals, candy, donuts, and more fill stores up in the familiar orange packaging. It became a large boom capitalized every fall season.
But what even is pumpkin spice?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, pumpkin spice is “a mixture of usually cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and often allspice that is commonly used in pumpkin pie.” For those who don’t know what allspice is, it’s a dried berry from the Pimenta dioica tree commonly used for fall desserts.
Essentially, pumpkin spice does not have pumpkin. Its name comes from the fact that the blend of spices is used for pumpkin pie.
The Beginning
While anyone would like to dive right into who decided to mix these spices together or who decided to put them on the market, it’s important to know where these spices originated from.
Most of the spices used today to make the pumpkin spice we all know are native to Southeast Asian islands. These islands were referred to as the Spice Islands. Some of these islands are part of Indonesia today. In the early 17th century, the Dutch took control of these islands. Because of this, the blend speculaaskruiden became popular in the Netherlands. It’s quite similar to the pumpkin spice we are used to, but it contains cardamom.
The mix of spices continued getting popularized, even appearing in cookbooks.
Pumpkin spice has been in American recipes for many years. Way before it got popular as a latte. Going back centuries, you can find the particular combination of spices to make pumpkin pie like in Amelia Simmons’ American Cookery cookbook. Though Simmons divided the combination between nutmeg and ginger, and allspice and ginger, it still proves how long this combination has been around. You can follow Simmons’ recipe here!
However, it was in 1933 that Thompson & Taylor released a pumpkin spice pre-blended mix for bakers. The following year, McCormick released their own version, which is the one still most popular and used to this day.
How It Became a Latte
Starbucks was not the first to put pumpkin spice in a hot drink. In fact, records show that in a 1980 nutrition column for The Gazette, Jane Hope and Dr. Elizabeth Bright-See suggested the pumpkin spice blend as a substitute for sugar while still enhancing flavor.
In the 1990s, there were multiple reports of coffee roasters starting to experiment with pumpkin spice for coffee. From Florida all the way to Pennsylvania, pumpkin spice started gaining traction.
Of course, the big boom came from Starbucks when they introduced the PSL (pumpkin spice latte). In 2003, Peter Dukes managed the development of the PSL we now know today. After it hit the market, it blossomed into a big hit that everyone awaits each year when the fall season comes around.
Is it Healthy?
The spice blend on its own: it seems safe.
The PSL? Short answer: no.
After digging into the PSL ingredients, there’s about 39 grams of sugar in one drink, and this depends on the size you get. That’s way more sugar than you’re supposed to ingest for a whole day. The thing is that the PSL has a pumpkin spice sauce, which contains: sugar, condensed milk, and pumpkin puree, and vanilla syrup, which adds even more sugar. Let’s not forget about possibly adding whipped cream on top. It’s a sugar bomb in a cup.
While I understand everyone may want to partake in the fall season fun and drink their favorite PSL, it might be good to try to find other alternatives to get into the fall spirit. Maybe you can try to make it yourself at home! Either way, I’m one who believes in moderation. As long as you don’t opt for a PSL everyday, you should be fine. But it is important to be mindful of what you’re ingesting and what people are selling you.
Pumpkin spice has quite the history. Coming from the Spice Islands to now being all the rage in a latte sure proves how far it has traveled. It’s also interesting all the different ways it has been used. Are you using pumpkin spice this fall season?
In the last few years, self-care has become a big trend. Many people have taken to focusing on themselves to bring out a better, stronger, and–most importantly–healthier self. It’s a great shift to have people start putting priority into their health, especially when life is so stressful on the regular. We all need time to take care of ourselves.
Self-care is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as, “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker.”
This does not mean pampering or being selfish. It simply means taking care of yourself so you lead a healthier life.
Here are 12 simple ways to practice self-care in your day-to-day to help improve your life:
Eat a healthy meal
Sometimes life can get so busy we opt for a quick fix for food, throwing something together or eating out. It can get hard to stand in the middle of your kitchen trying to find the motivation to cook something from scratch. It happens and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, whenever you can, try making something simple or finding a food place that serves healthy options. Remember you are nourishing your body, and whatever you feed yourself can make a difference.
Go for a walk
Whenever I’m at my peak stress, I tend to drop everything and go for a walk. (Yes, this will depend on the kind of weather you have in your little corner of Earth). My favorite time of the year to go for walks is in the summer, fall, or spring. As long as there’s some warmth, it’ll help calm me down as I just stretch and move my body while I take in fresh air. Take five minutes out of your day if you can, walk around the block or your neighborhood, and have those moments to yourself.
Sit in the sunlight
Similarly to taking a walk, sitting outside to get in sunlight can help improve your mood. From past experiences, sitting just a few minutes under the sun (wear your sunscreens please) has helped me feel so much better instantly. Sometimes it feels like I’m a plant finally getting much needed sun rays after being stuck in the shade. Sunlight has many benefits to your wellbeing, such as helping make vitamin D and boosting serotonin.
Take a shower or bath
Hygiene is an important part of self-care, but taking a shower or bath is a great way to relax and relieve stress as well. Make sure your water is lukewarm and not too hot so you don’t damage your skin. Use a brush, scrubs, or aromatherapy to elevate your shower experience. (Personally, I also like using a lavender body wash infused with melatonin that helps promote sleep). And don’t forget to hydrate the skin with lotion once you’re done!
Take a break
Sometimes you just need to step back from whatever you’re doing. Maybe you have a big project, or perhaps you’re dealing with a work issue, or your family is having a little crisis. Allow yourself to step back, even if for a few moments, to recenter yourself and come back better.
Listen to music
Grab your headphones or blast out your favorite song. Sing out loud. Hum the tune. Mumble the lyrics. Tap your feet to the beat. Feel the music and let yourself be swept away by it. Actively listening to songs you have positive associations to can help improve your mood and relieve stress, so take advantage of that. Go ahead and play your favorite playlist!
Read a book
While reading has many benefits, it has been proven in a 2009 study from the University of Sussex that reading reduces stress by 68%. I know most of us live a life that requires constant reading–your phone, traffic signs, work-related documents, etc., but reading for pleasure is a different ballgame. Pick up a book or a magazine. Borrow from your local library or buy a book from your nearest bookstore (support indie bookstores!). Find something that you like and sit down and read away.
Reflect on what you’re grateful for
Life can get so hectic at times that we forget what we have around us. Taking some time to be grateful for what we have is a nice way to remind ourselves that hope is not lost and despite our stress and our constant situations and problems, at least we have many things to be grateful for. It’s important to not forget all the good in our lives. Take a moment to think about what you’re grateful for.
Pray
This really depends on what you believe or not believe in because everyone comes from different backgrounds. However, in the realm of spiritual self-care, prayer is great. Taking a few minutes every day to pray can reduce stress and help you face the rest of your day.
Get in touch with a friend
Socialization is important. Whether you’re able to go out and meet up with someone or pick up the phone and call a friend, try to connect with people in your circle. We need socialization. That may look different on every person, some need more than others, but it’s important to connect. So go call that friend to catch up or go out for a bit.
Meditate
Meditation helps bring out inner peace and reduce stress. To someone who has no idea how to start, the concept of meditation can be daunting. Many sources say that meditation is about forgetting all the jumbled thoughts going through your head and bringing in peace. Like I said, daunting. It certainly requires practice. But there are many types out there for you to choose from, like: guided meditation, mantra meditation, mindfulness meditation, just to name a few. Carve out some time to sit and meditate, and reduce all that pent-up stress.
Self-reflect
Self-reflection is a great way to get to know yourself. It’s a process of understanding who you are and how you feel or act, among other things. This is a great way to be more conscious of yourself, which can lead to making easier changes to improve yourself and your life. Before you start to self-reflect, make sure you’re in a calm mood. Prior meditation can help get you to this state. Once you’re ready, self-reflect however you see fit for yourself. Some people opt for writing, answering questions like: what happened, what does it make you feel and think, etc. Others get a self-reflection workbook with predetermined questions. Either way, finding a way to be true to yourself and reflect on your feelings, thoughts, and actions can help you focus on what you need to improve on or just simply understand yourself.
Practicing self-care has shown to have incredible benefits, like reducing anxiety, depression, and stress, and improving happiness and energy. It’s important to prioritize our health. Go try it out and take care of yourself.
September 15 marked the first day of Latinx Heritage Month, and of course everyone is celebrating all these histories and heritages! As a bookworm, I focused a lot of my attention towards books written by incredible Latinx authors this month, so I decided to compile a small list of the books I’m most excited to read in the next few days, weeks, and months. (Because obviously, Latinx books don’t disappear after October 15).
Here are a few books I can’t wait to read, and hopefully you feel the same way.
Big Chicas Don’t Cry – Annette Chavez Macias
“Four cousins navigate love, loss, and the meaning of family over the course of one memorable year in this heartfelt family drama.”
This adult contemporary novel feels like it’ll break my heart and mend it at the same time. The concept of following the lives of these four cousins and their family crises is enough for me to be on board, but to know that they used to be inseparable, got separated for fifteen years, only to come back into each other’s lives as everything unravels promises to be a heart-wrenching read of family and love.
This one is easily one of my most anticipated reads from this list.
“Set in the wake of Hurricane Maria, Xavier Navarro Aquino’s unforgettable debut novel follows a remarkable group of survivors searching for hope on an island torn apart by both natural disaster and human violence.”
When I learned that this book existed, I knew I had to keep an eye out for it. I did not go through Hurricane Maria, I escaped it by a month because I moved away for college, but I have a feeling that this book will help me further understand what my family and the rest of Puerto Rico went through in 2017 while also providing gritty, horror vibes from a religious cult situation. Reading the blurb makes me think of complete disaster and how far chaos can go, so I’m excited to read this one soon enough.
Ballad & Dagger (Outlaw Saints, #1) – Daniel José Older
“Best-selling author Rick Riordan Presents Daniel Jose Older’s extraordinary YA urban fantasy about two teens who discover each other while fighting for their diaspora community.”
Ever since the news about this book came out, I’ve been waiting to get my hands on it. (Spoiler alert: I already have a copy. I just need to read it). Who doesn’t love a good magical fantasy story with islands, oceans, and evil? The adventure starts when the evil that sank San Madrigal to the bottom of the ocean comes back for the survivors that settled in New York. Those immediate high stakes and the promise of lots of magic have me excited to crack open this book. (Plus, that map is to die for).
“A fantasy, set in an alternate contemporary world, in which dragons and their riders compete in an international sports tournament.”
I found out about this book through a tweet, and I’ve never been more in love with an idea since. The fact that it’s dragon riding and Puerto Rico mixed together had me jumping for excitement. However, dragon riding isn’t just it. There’s also an international conspiracy surrounding this dragon riding tournament, and it might just be jeopardizing the whole thing. It sounds like a fun ride with Puerto Rican representation. I know this book will be a great one.
A retelling of the Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus.
This is another book that features the effects of Hurricane Maria on the main character, but with the added element of fantasy and magical realism. The fact that the main character is haunted by both Hurricane Maria and an evil spirit is enough to throw me for a loop. Add in that this is a romance and a retelling already makes me feel like this book is going to be a favorite read of mine.
Dear Haiti, Love Alaine – Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite
“Co-written by sisters Maika and Maritza Moulite, and told in epistolary style through letters, articles, emails, and diary entries, this exceptional debut novel captures a sparkling new voice and irrepressible heroine in a celebration of storytelling sure to thrill fans of Nicola Yoon, Ibi Zoboi and Jenna Evans Welch!”
It’s so cool when a book is told through different means and not just the usual prose, so when I heard about this particular story, I was so intrigued. Not only that, but the concept screams so much heart, soul, and drama. I can tell this is a book of discovering one’s roots with a family curse twist weaved into it. You can imagine I’m excited to read this one.
“An #ownvoices contemporary YA set in Argentina, about a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line—even her blooming love story—to follow her dreams.”
I don’t know why I haven’t read this one yet when it sounds so good and so heart-wrenching. This is a young adult contemporary novel that centers around feminism, soccer, and romance. Reading the blurb gets me all worked up because I can tell it’s also going to be frustrating for the main character. A lot of the conflict seems to come through the fact that she’s a girl, and a girl shouldn’t do certain things according to her family, so already there’s a lot of tension.
“Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca in this debut supernatural suspense novel, set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, about a remote house, a sinister haunting, and the woman pulled into their clutches…”
This one I just know will also be a favorite. A mix of horror, suspense, and paranormal, this story really looks like it’ll pack a punch. This is the kind of book I’ll want to read this October. It sounds so chilling and dark, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
And there you have it! This is a tiny glimpse at my Latinx book TBR list. As of right now, there are 125 titles on the list, and it’ll only keep growing. I’m so excited to discover more amazing Latinx authors and their wonderful Latinx books, and hopefully you are too.
A's Corner 