Author: Kelsey Liebenson-Morse

Feature Story

Twisters: What Modern Movies Can Tell Us About Our Waning Attention Span, by Kelsey Sobel

Traveling out to Salt Lake City earlier this summer for my sister’s wedding, my family found themselves exhausted, overheated and irritable the Sunday after all the festivities had wrapped up. When it’s one hundred degrees, a simple task such as crossing the street becomes a daunting prospect.  Why not go to the movies? Summer time movies have a long and […]

Books

In The Dream House

Carmen Maria Machado is a queer writer who gained a widespread following from her experimental collection of eight short stories: Her Body & Other Parties; (2017) a finalist for the National Book Award. Machado’s debut is dark, playful and experimental. In “Especially Heinous,” Machado rewrites 300 episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and in “The Husband Stitch,” Machado […]

Sunset Park

The “gamification” of rehab

On a Friday afternoon at Rusk Rehabilitation Brooklyn at Sunset Park Family Health Center, 96-year-old Mable Henry determinedly steps up and down a set of stairs, working to relearn balance and coordination. The Rusk Rehabilitation center, located at 150 55th Street in Brooklyn, is part of NYU Langone Health, and home to a clinic that’s exploring new treatment options through […]

Books

A debut novelist’s cliché take on Ireland 

“The House Children,” (April 2019) author Heidi Daniele’s debut novel, tells the story of the unlucky and illegitimate child, Mary Margaret, renamed Peg by the stern but not unkind nuns of the industrial school where she is sent.   This is Ireland, and the year is 1937. As we hear, again and again, there was no choice for Mary Margaret’s mother, Norah Hanley, to give […]

Real Estate, Red Hook Stories

Space

I live in a 1,200 square foot apartment with three other adults. I share a room with my boyfriend, Eli, and we live with his sister, Tara, and her boyfriend, Andrew. This familial setup can be difficult to describe in casual conversation, “My boyfriend’s sister’s boyfriend is also my roommate…” I enjoy our family arrangement and I like to imagine […]

I wrote: “Empathy” on the board in big letters.
Red Hook Stories

Skin deep

In my experience, middle schoolers are often pragmatic, logical beings. Each Friday, I teach current events to my sixth graders. This leads to fascinating discussions as I get to see the cogs turning inside each young brain, unencumbered by the desire to look or sound smart. Middle schoolers might not have a large repository of information to draw from, but […]

Arts, Books, Pioneer Books

What to check out this weekend at Pioneer Books

Of the very few bookstores in Red Hook, Pioneer Books stands out for its smart curation and clear visibility along Van Brunt. Here are a few titles currently stocked at the humble storefront that we couldn’t help reviewing. Pioneer Books hosts regular events and book clubs. Check out their website, swing by 289 Van Brunt St, or call (718) 596-3001 […]

Red Hook Stories, Van Brunt Street

Leftovers  

 (Art by  Jane Wingfield, olysketcher.com) A recent Sunday in Red Hook begins with a trip to Baked. Overheard conversations include thoughts on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (it’s excellent) and compliments to the manager, Frank, on his impressive display of the day’s baked goods. “I spent some time,” he admitted proudly in response to the continued praise from a trio of three I […]

Blackboard with the pullquote, "The teacher side of me wants to share with my students as I am learning."
Red Hook Stories, Trump

Teaching Feminism at Yeshiva

My Mom, born in 1959, speaks passionately about the feminist movement. Prior to Trump’s election, my sister and I rolled our eyes when Mom proudly recalled her days as a “women’s libber.” Mom’s generation had done the hard work. I was smug in my privilege. I had rights. I didn’t feel like opportunities had been denied to me based on […]