Bay Area Reporter :: Books News

Tough 'Choice' - Neel Mukherjee's rich new novel

June 4, 2024 | by Tim Pfaff

The opening pages of Neel Mukherjee's novels have a singular staying power. Mukherjee's new three-part novel, "Choice" (Norton), has three you won't be forgetting anytime soon.

'DC Pride' annual comics issue: Queer superheroes spark the imaginations of both young and old

by Gary L. Day
Jun 4, 2024

Just in time for June's rainbow celebrations, DC released "DC Pride 2024," a collection of slice-of-life stories featuring many of the LGBTQ characters the company has developed over the last several years.

Pride Booksapalooza 2024, part 1: LGBTQ stories in fiction & poetry

by Jim Piechota
Jun 2, 2024

Happy Pride Month! In between the film festival offerings, the parties, the marches, the performances, and the sheer joy of celebrating our unity, inclusion, and diversity, enjoy your downtime with a new book or two.

'Fellow Travelers' — Opera adaptation of Thomas Mallon novel at Presidio Theatre

by Philip Campbell
Jun 1, 2024

In acknowledgment of Pride Month, Opera Parallèle and the Presidio Theatre present the West Coast premiere of "Fellow Travelers" by composer Gregory Spears and librettist Greg Pierce for three performances June 21—23 at the historic Presidio Theatre.

'God Made My Face' - James Baldwin tribute book honors the writer in essays and art

by Cornelius Washington
May 27, 2024

"God Made My Face: A Collective Portrait of James Baldwin" is a delicious assemblage of interviews, essays and works of art by talented and learned intellectuals and artists.

Words: writer meets publisher: Elisabeth Nonas on meeting Nancy Bereano

by Michele Karlsberg
May 26, 2024

Elisabeth Nonas is an accomplished author whose path crossed with Nancy Bereano, a noted publisher. Although Nancy Bereano did not publish Elisabeth Nonas' works, their professional connection blossomed into a significant personal relationship.

Kevin Winkler's 'On Bette Midler' — Author on his entertaining biography of the singer-actress

by Gregg Shapiro
May 21, 2024

With his new book "On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide," gay writer Kevin Winkler has taken on the task of not only tracing Midler's personal chronology, but also taking an in-depth look into her performing life.

Patrick Horrigan's 'American Scholar' — A painful past, present opportunity, and an uncertain future

by Brian Bromberger
May 21, 2024

In the afterword to his novel, "American Scholar," author Patrick Horrigan notes that it was a historical coincidence that inspired him to write his book, and how his own life affair paralleled his scholarly subject.

Bringing Bacon Home: collection of Francis Bacon letters shows the painter in a new light

by Robert Brokl
May 14, 2024

Edited by critic/curator Michael Peppiatt, with a forward by novelist Colm Toibin, "Francis Bacon: A Self-Portrait in Words" arrives at a propitious moment. Bacon's paintings have set world record-breaking prices at auction.

LZ Love's 'From The Rooter to The Tooter' - a transgender life of love & music

by Cornelius Washington
May 13, 2024

"From The Rooter to The Tooter" explores the amazing life of LZ Love, her trials, tribulations, toils and snares of being a Black child raised in the 1960s and '70s in The Bay Area.

Caitlin Breedlove's 'All In: Cancer, Near Death, New Life'

by Laura Moreno
May 7, 2024

Author Caitlin Breedlove's debut book, "All In: Cancer, Near Death, New Life" is the fascinating queer feminist memoir of a cancer survivor and single parent of a small child. But it is equally a memoir of grief, addiction, and spirituality.

A.E. Hines' 'Adam in the Garden' - poetic fluidity

by Mark William Norby
May 7, 2024

A.E. Hines' poetry is the opposite of labeling himself or others. His work is a true breath of fresh air in our universality. Not just our sameness but our kinship with human life, our beingness, our essence. In this, we share authentic power.

'Martyr!' - Kaveh Akbar's poetic meltdown saga

by Brian Bromberger
May 6, 2024

Perhaps the only way one can find purpose in life and avoid meaninglessness is to author one's own story, or so asserts Iranian-American poet Kaveh Akbar in his wondrous, incandescent new novel "Martyr!"

'With Love, Mommie Dearest' - new book examines the cultural phenomenon of the classic film

by David-Elijah Nahmod
Apr 30, 2024

"With Love, Mommie Dearest: The Making of an Unintentional Camp Classic," tells the story of the making of, and the aftermath of the now legendary biopic in which movie queen Faye Dunaway played movie queen Joan Crawford.

Words: savoring Saints & Sinners: Gerard Cabrera on the LGBTQ literary festival

by Michele Karlsberg
Apr 28, 2024

At the 2024 Saints & Sinners Literary Festival in New Orleans, writer Gerard Cabrera had the opportunity to immerse himself in a vibrant and diverse community of writers and readers.

Arts & Culture :: Books

Tough 'Choice' - Neel Mukherjee's rich new novel

'DC Pride' annual comics issue: Queer superheroes spark the imaginations of both young and old

Pride Booksapalooza 2024, part 1: LGBTQ stories in fiction & poetry

'Fellow Travelers' — Opera adaptation of Thomas Mallon novel at Presidio Theatre

'God Made My Face' - James Baldwin tribute book honors the writer in essays and art

Words: writer meets publisher: Elisabeth Nonas on meeting Nancy Bereano

Kevin Winkler's 'On Bette Midler' — Author on his entertaining biography of the singer-actress

Patrick Horrigan's 'American Scholar' — A painful past, present opportunity, and an uncertain future

Bringing Bacon Home: collection of Francis Bacon letters shows the painter in a new light

LZ Love's 'From The Rooter to The Tooter' - a transgender life of love & music

Caitlin Breedlove's 'All In: Cancer, Near Death, New Life'

A.E. Hines' 'Adam in the Garden' - poetic fluidity

'Martyr!' - Kaveh Akbar's poetic meltdown saga

'With Love, Mommie Dearest' - new book examines the cultural phenomenon of the classic film

Words: savoring Saints & Sinners: Gerard Cabrera on the LGBTQ literary festival

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Pride Booksapalooza 2024, part 1: LGBTQ stories in fiction & poetry

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