Kelsey Gordils and Michelle Lorenzi first met nearly 20 years ago while attending middle school. While they were childhood friends, the two women rekindled their friendship over Kindle as adults, bonding over a shared love of reading. This love of books not only reignited a friendship but sparked a mission that would find the two embarking on a journey to create a safe space where underrepresented voices could feel seen, heard, and valued.
Seeing a lack of representation in book events within the Latine and BIPOC community, they realized they needed to fill a void and create a much-needed space that celebrates our stories and our culture. Thus, Páginas y Más was born.
This summer, the best friends turned business partners set about putting together their first event, Páginas y Perreo. In just two months, the book besties managed to execute a successful event that celebrated Latine culture within the booklover community, putting together a panel of established Latina authors including Zoraida Córdova, R.C. Luna, and Priscilla Oliveras. The event, which took place in New York City’s Lower East Side, featured a chat with Latina authors, authentic Puerto Rican food, and the opportunity for Latinas to come together and form community over shared interests. Tickets sold out, and the duo quickly established themselves among the publishing and booklover community.
“What makes our events special is the love and support we receive from our attendees. After Páginas y Perreo, we saw firsthand how deeply our event resonated with people — it sparked beautiful friendships and proved that Latinas do read! Inclusivity is something we both value deeply; we want everyone who attends our events to leave feeling inspired and empowered, knowing there’s nothing they can’t accomplish.”
The positive feedback Gordils and Lorenzi have received has been overwhelming. From the authors themselves to the attendees, the experience all around has proven memorable and unlike anything else. To attend their events is essentially to be welcomed into the family.
“People often tell us that our events feel like a family party, which is exactly the atmosphere we strive to create. Somos familia — that’s the heart of what makes every Páginas y Más event so special to not only us but our attendees and vendors.”
A 2021 report by the Government Accountability Office found that 8% of people in publishing were Latine. While we make up 20% of the U.S. population, we still struggle to be represented in the publishing industry. Representation in literature goes far beyond visibility; readers deserve to see themselves reflected in the stories they consume and have those stories told by authors who actually represent the community.
It’s as Gordils and Lorenzi explain,
“When us readers see ourselves reflected in stories we read, it validates our experiences and reminds us that our voices hold power. When we created Páginas y Más, we wanted to build a space where everyone felt proud of who they are, inspired to tell their own stories, and connect with other people in our communities who share that same love for books and our Latinidad.”
Using Páginas y Perreo as a launchpad, the two now have their sights set on their second event, Páginas y Parranda, which will see them taking over NYC once again on December 13th. The holiday-themed event is billed as “a festive day of bookish vibes, live music, holiday cultura, and of course – coquito, comida y comunidad.”
Páginas y Parranda will feature yet another impressive lineup of Latine talent, with Alexis Daria, Adriana Herrera, Cleyvis Natera, and Mia Sosa serving as the event’s panelists. As if having four iconic authors joining the event wasn’t enough, the event will also feature music, holiday cuisine staples, local vendors, goody bags, and the opportunity to give back to the community via a book drive.
For the holiday season, Páginas y Parranda is teaming up with Alex’s Bookstore for a book drive benefiting Mt. Sinai’s Children’s Hospital. Event attendees will have the ability to purchase a children’s or YA book directly from Alex’s Bookstore, and it will be donated directly to the hospital’s young readers.
Lorenzi explained why it was so important to give back to the local children’s hospital during the upcoming season of giving.
“We both love kids and believe children are the foundations of our communities and legacies. Kelsey and I both have backgrounds in working with kids in our everyday lives. I’m a mom of two young children, and Kelsey is an early childhood educator. We know although the holidays are intended to be a time of joy, many are still experiencing hardships. Many readers (including ourselves) use books as a form of escapism and happiness, so we wanted to provide that same experience to kids who could use uplifting this season.”
Tickets to Páginas y Parranda are available now.
