Marisa Neyenhuis

1 week ago | ravallirepublic.com | Marisa Neyenhuis

As we head towards the Summer Solstice, there’s no better time to highlight some escapist reads for these long summer days. Whether you’re heading out of town for vacation or just stealing some moments during your regular week, these books are sure to transport you somewhere new. First up is my favorite read of 2023, "Chain Gang All-Stars" by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. This book absolutely gutted me, but I still want everyone to read it.

1 month ago | ravallirepublic.com | Marisa Neyenhuis

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI), and I am thrilled to share some of my favorite titles by AANHPI identified authors. Works by authors of the AANHPI diaspora and their descendants give an important look at the immigrant experience in this country, life in other countries and the experience of colonized folks in their homelands. "Goodbye, Vitamin" by Rachel Khong is a beautiful meditation on returning home and caring for an aging parent.

2 months ago | ravallirepublic.com | Marisa Neyenhuis

Happy National Poetry Month everyone! I love poetry and for the last several years have taken it upon myself to post a poem a day for the month of April on my various social media channels, including in the store’s Instagram stories @chapter1bookstore. It’s a great excuse to dig out poetry collections I haven’t spent time with in a while, as well as discover new poets and new favorite poems. When the world can feel like too much, poetry is something I can turn to, to make sense of it all.

Feb 20, 2025 | ravallirepublic.com | Marisa Neyenhuis

Wow, what an eternity this past month has been. It feels like a new horror awaits us every single day, with no end in sight. Folks who voted for the current administration to ‘shake up the status quo’ are certainly getting what they asked for. The rest of us are just along for this nightmare of a ride.