Sandra Cisneros Shares Music That Defines Her

Ever wonder what songs might define Latina literary giant Sandra Cisneros? Now you can find out. The critically acclaimed Chicana author best known for her novel “The House on Mango Street" dropped by NPR’s "Alt Latino" to share some of the songs that most define her for a show broadcast Thursday.

The eclectic choices, ranging from Motown to avant garde tango legend Astor Piazzolla to Chavela Vargas, reflect the multicultural background that’s influenced the author’s work.

I think that Mexican-American kids live in a global world. It’s not even bi-, it’s multi-. You know, for those of us who grew up with different countries on our block, different nationalities, you know, we moved into multiple worlds.

And I grew up listening to the Beatles and being an ardent Beatles fan when I was in third grade all the way to adulthood, and listening to all kinds of music that came to us either at the flea market or in our living rooms or on the Ed Sullivan show -- all these places we were influenced by.

Check out the tracks Cisneros chose and listen to the interview with "Alt Latino" hosts Jasmine Garsd and Felix Contreras.