If you’ve ever wished your favorite book club came with music, dancing, and holiday vibes, Páginas y Parranda delivered exactly that and more. Organized by Kelsey Gordils and Michelle Lorenzi of Paginas y Mas, this joyful celebration brought together literature, Latine culture, and festive energy in a way that felt warm, vibrant, and deeply rooted in community.
From the moment guests walked in, it was clear this was not your average literary event. It was a full-on cultural experience where stories met rhythm and creativity met celebration. The first hour featured an actual parranda, which brought back childhood memories of spending Christmas and Three Kings Day with family in Puerto Rico. Food was provided by ChevereNYC with sangria on tap and coquito samples (with bottles for sale as well) to round out the full navidad experience.
One of the standout moments of the day was a powerhouse author panel featuring Mia Sosa, Alexis Daria, Cleyvis Natera, and Adriana Herrera. The conversation was equal parts insightful and entertaining, touching on storytelling, identity, creativity, and what it means to write stories that center Latine voices with authenticity and heart. The energy in the room felt electric as attendees connected with the authors, laughed along with their anecdotes, and soaked up their wisdom.
It felt like a holiday gathering with friends, where meaningful conversations happened just as naturally as dancing, music, and celebration. The event honored books while embracing the joy and vibrancy that define so much of Latine culture. Between book moments and lively sounds, the event felt like a holiday gathering with friends you hadn’t met yet but somehow already knew.
What made Páginas y Parranda so special was its balance. It celebrated the power of books while embracing the joy, music, and togetherness that define so much of our culture. It reminded us that storytelling doesn’t only live on the page. It lives in our voices, our traditions, and the way we show up for one another.
Páginas y Parranda created space to uplift Latina creatives, spotlight powerful storytelling, and remind us that our stories deserve to be heard, shared, and celebrated loudly.
Events like this matter. They create visibility, uplift our creatives, and turn cultural pride into something you can feel in the room. Páginas y Parranda was a beautiful reminder that our stories deserve celebration and that celebration can be just as meaningful as reflection.
I left inspired, energized, and already looking forward to the next gathering because when we celebrate our stories, we celebrate ourselves.
