Quiara steeps herself in many genres of music. How do these distinct music styles serve different purposes in her life? What different kinds of music do you listen to and what spaces and memories do they conjure?

Music is one of the primary languages explored in the memoir. Quiara steeps herself in many genres—classical, Afro-Caribbean batá, merengue, pop, and hip-hop. How do these distinct music styles serve different purposes in her life? Do you think this changes over time? What different kinds of music do you listen to and what spaces and memories do they conjure?

Quiara uses different music genres for different types of self-expression. I think she’s at her most comfortable and truest to herself when she’s playing Afro-Caribbean music.

I regret that I listen to much less music than I used to and I'm not sure why that is. I certainly have opportunity. This part of the book was just fascinating to me as Quiara goes into great depth discussing her musical development. I confess I didn't always understand everything but found it enthralling nonetheless. As with her verbal language, her music evolved as her talent and knowledge grew but I think that is the case for most artists. As for my musical tastes, I like most genres - have the least patience for opera - and certainly appreciate musicians for sharing their talent with us.

I loved how music played an important role in this book. It was refreshing to read about Quiara's diverse taste and experiences with different genres of music. Music is such a powerful tool of individual expression. I have been told my taste in music is eclectic - I also enjoy many different types of music and have found I gravitate toward certain genres depending upon my mood and/or what's going on in my life and the world. It's remarkable how music can transport me back in time to specific experiences, so much so that it conjures detailed memories almost as if I'm having the same experience again.

Music remains an important part of many lives. We've learned that Alzheimer's patients respond to music and lyrics from their past when they don't respond to other stimuli. For Quiara, the music plays an important role throughout changes in her life--with different genres of music representing different moods and times in her life.