Happy New Year! A lot has changed in the last year, but we’re so happy to have shared it with you. We’re big fans of fresh starts, so we thought we’d begin the year by reintroducing ourselves to old readers and new. Plus, we’ll share our usual monthly favorites to help you start the new year off with some books, music, podcasts, and more.
Ariel K. Moniz
I am a life-long lover of the written word, and I am very grateful to be one of the co-founders and editors of The Hyacinth Review. I have also served on teams of other literary magazines in the past, including Kanilehua Art & Literary Magazine, The Lumiere Review, and Liminal Transit Review. I have been devoted to words since I was a child, and my true dream is to be an author. While I primarily write poetry at this time in my life, I also write prose, and I am currently working on a novel.
My first poetry chapbook, titled Nostos Algos, will be published next year by Ethel Zine and Micro Press. I have earned a degree in English from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo (where Terri and I met and became friends), during and after which I spent years as an English tutor and worked at various bookstores. I was honored with awards for my writing before graduating, and more recently my work was nominated for the Best of the Net. You can find more of my writing and general adventures on my blog kissoftheseventhstar.home.blog.
Some random things about me…
If I could share a meal and a word with any person alive or deceased it would be a toss up between James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Neil Gaiman, and Ray Bradbury.
Beyond writing and reading I am also passionate about travel, social justice, witchcraft, and finding my place in the world. I currently reside between my hometown in Hawai’i and my adopted home in Germany.
My personality can largely be summed up into the fact that I am an INFJ and a Cancer. I spend most of my time staring out to sea, celebrating thunderstorms, and dreaming of my own little cottage in the woods somewhere.
Ariel’s January Favorites
I’d Have To Think About It – Leith Ross
Lieth Ross (they/them) is a singer and songwriter from Canada who creates daydreamy tracks and who will definitely be a favorite with those who love soft indy music. This is one of my favorite songs of theirs, though We’ll Never Have Sex is also eternally on loop in my mind.
A House In Nebraska – Ethel Cain
This is a deeply atmospheric song. It’s ethereal and melancholy, and you’ll feel like it takes you to that house in Nebraska haunted by memory and heartbreak.
Happy To Be Here – Hosted by Vivian Nunez
This is a mental health podcast that might help you feel a little less untethered if you’re going through a difficult time. I particularly enjoyed the most recent episode, “Getting Ready for 30: Books, Challenges, And Things I’m Glad I Didn’t Do”.
Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole –Susan Cain
I feel like I’ve been waiting for this book all my life. As a melancholy introvert who has always been drawn to the intersection of joy and sorrow, I did not fully understand why it was so alluring.
Susan Cain, who also wrote Quiet (which I genuinely deem to be a perfect guide to understanding introversion), delves into the nuances of the melancholy and what difficult emotions can teach us about creativity, compassion, humanity, and love.
Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer’s Guide – Cecily Wong and Dylan Thuras
One of the most meaningful parts of travel to me is engaging in other cultures, and there are few things that speak to the heart of a culture than the food. This book explores obscure foods of the past and present.
I’d highly suggest it for lovers of Atlas Obscura and those who want to learn more about the sometimes unexpected delicacies that the world has to offer.
Terri Pinyerd
I’ve held an interest in the humanities my entire life, so it’s been wonderful to run The Hyacinth Review alongside Ariel. I work as a writer, photographer, and freelance web designer in my everyday, and the work we do at The Hyacinth Review has been a natural extension of that.
I’ve had experience both as a team member and a contributor to literary arts journals and magazines including Kanilehua Art & Literary Magazine, Hohonu, NME, and The Euhemerist. I hold a B.A. in English from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo.
Some random things about me…
I have many hobbies & interests, but they could best be summed up by saying that I love literature, the arts, the natural world, and everything that the humanities encompasses.
If I could share a meal with anyone, living or dead, it would be David Bowie.
I’m originally from Hawai’i, though I currently reside in France. I’m a third generation Mexican- & Greek-American immigrant, so our current open call theme Heritage/Inheritance is something that is very close to my heart.
When I’m not tinkering away at The Hyacinth Review site or writing for my day job I spend my time reading, studying, exploring the city, and restoring vintage toys.
Terri’s January Favorites
The Arrival – Shaun Tan
The Arrival is a beautifully illustrated wordless graphic novel that follows the journey of a man who leaves his homeland & family behind in order to make a start in a better country.
The world is strange and filled with unusual technology, creatures, and customs. This, paired with the lack of any readable dialogue, gives the reader a taste of the confusion, anxiety, and isolation that any immigrant to a strange new world might feel when faced with so many changes. It’s a brief read, but an impactful one.
Hellboy Universe Essentials – Mike Mignola
Hellboy is one of my favorite graphic novel series (tied for first with Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman) and Hellboy Universe Essentials is a wonderful collection of stories handpicked by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola.
Hellboy masterfully blends folklore, mythology, religious iconography, and the paranormal with a hearty dose of comic book action. If you’re new to the story, this is a great way to dip your toe into the Hellboy universe. If you’re already a fan, it’s the perfect collection to return to.
Three Ages (1923) – Buster Keaton
Three Ages is a comedy that spans the Stone Age, Roman Age, and Modern Age (being the 1920’s). In each age the same love story is played out, showing just how little love changes over the years. It’s fun, it’s silly, and Keaton’s stunts are always a treat to watch.
Our Flag Means Death
I’m a fan of What We Do In The Shadows, Taika Waititi’s vampire mockumentary, but for some reason I kept putting off Our Flag Means Death – mainly because I wasn’t sure if it would be as good. Thankfully, I had nothing to worry about! Our Flag Means Death is a comedy/drama/romance/all around good time featuring pirates.
Two Earthlings – John Brosio
Don’t Worry – Mary Oliver
Things take the time they take. Don’t
worry.
How many roads did Saint Augustine follow
before he became Saint Augustine?
Wishing you a wonderful year ahead!
