Arts & Culture :: Books

Words: Elizabeth Costello's novel, 'The Good War'

Words: Elizabeth Costello's novel, 'The Good War'

  • by Michele Karlsberg
  • Jan 25, 2025

Elizabeth Costello's debut novel "The Good War" masterfully weaves two intertwining stories, capturing the complexities of two women's lives, with lyrical prose that resonates deeply.

'Christopher Isherwood: Inside Out'  New expansive biography shares the author's full life

'Christopher Isherwood: Inside Out' New expansive biography shares the author's full life

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jan 25, 2025

The acclaimed gay author of "Goodbye Berlin," the basis for the musical "Cabaret," and other books, is the subject of the new magisterial biography, "Christopher Isherwood: Inside Out," written by novelist Katherine Bucknell.

'Mothers and Sons' - Adam Haslett's disturbing new novel

'Mothers and Sons' - Adam Haslett's disturbing new novel

  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Jan 19, 2025

For those of us who consider the appearance of a new novel by Adam Haslett the equivalent of getting a new gospel, the authorial voice in "Mothers and Sons" is both familiar and strange.

'Black Box: A Photographic Memoir' Dona Ann McAdams' intimate collection of stories and images

'Black Box: A Photographic Memoir' Dona Ann McAdams' intimate collection of stories and images

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jan 18, 2025

From urban protests to plaintive animal farm imagery, Dona Ann McAdams collection of photos and brief essays in "Black Box: A Photographic Memoir" offer a view into the artist's life and work, their parallels, as well as her artistry.

'Hockney's Pictures' - More work by the master in a new book

'Hockney's Pictures' - More work by the master in a new book

  • by Robert Brokl
  • Jan 13, 2025

"Hockney's Pictures" is an updated and expanded version of the volume from 2004, edited and with a minimum of texts by Andrew Brown, and packed with 522 illustrations. Artist David Hockney's droll wit is also on display.

Pedro Almodóvar's 'The Last Dream' - a wild ride into the recesses of his mind

Pedro Almodóvar's 'The Last Dream' - a wild ride into the recesses of his mind

  • by Laura Moreno
  • Jan 13, 2025

"The Last Dream" by Pedro Almodóvar is a collection of 12 short stories, considered a "fragmentary autobiography" that shares the acclaimed gay film director's literary prowess.

Ajuan Mance's 'Gender Studies: True Confessions of an Accidental Outlaw'

Ajuan Mance's 'Gender Studies: True Confessions of an Accidental Outlaw'

  • by Laura Moreno
  • Jan 11, 2025

Talented local artist and cartoonist Ajuan Mance recently published "Gender Studies: True Confessions of an Accidental Outlaw," a graphic memoir that gives plenty of food for thought.

In through the out door with David Bowie - Sexuality and sexual culture from "Hunky Dory" to "Let's Dance"

In through the out door with David Bowie - Sexuality and sexual culture from "Hunky Dory" to "Let's Dance"

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Dec 30, 2024

David Bowie exploded on the scene in 1972 and it caught the world off guard. But his glam rock influences can be traced to multiple artists including Jayne County, Tony Zanetta, Leee Black Childers and Cherry Vanilla. His 'gay' affairs soonmade headlines.

Poetry reading list for the new year

Poetry reading list for the new year

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Dec 29, 2024

The winsome truths of lyrical poetry may guide us into the future. Among recent releases are the groundbreaking anthology, "Latino Poetry: The Library of America Anthology," Julie R. Enszer's "The Pinko Commie Dyke" and Margaret Atwood's collected poems.

Words: Ben Fink's 'Noble Deeds' - photo book of 'Mythic Portraits of the Imperial Court'

Words: Ben Fink's 'Noble Deeds' - photo book of 'Mythic Portraits of the Imperial Court'

  • by Michele Karlsberg
  • Dec 29, 2024

In 2017, veteran photographer Ben Fink embarked on a journey to illuminate the legacy of the Imperial Court. The award-winning artist captured scores of iconic personalities in dreamlike and distinctive tableaus.

Rick Barot's 'Moving the Bones' - lyrical, compassionate, patient poetry

Rick Barot's 'Moving the Bones' - lyrical, compassionate, patient poetry

  • by Mark William Norby
  • Dec 23, 2024

Combining melodic rhythms and personal reflections, Rick Barot's "Moving the Bones" triumphantly penetrates the heart with such gentle consideration that readers will be left with new understanding of what it means to be alive at this moment in time.

Playgirl's pages - 'Official History of a Cult Magazine' bares (almost) all

Playgirl's pages - 'Official History of a Cult Magazine' bares (almost) all

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Dec 16, 2024

For gay and bisexual men of a certain age, Playgirl provided the first in-hand periodical that featured full-frontal male nudity. This 50th anniversary book celebrates the magazine's revolutionary eras since the 1970s.

The gift of books - Diverse reading for the winter holidays

The gift of books - Diverse reading for the winter holidays

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Dec 15, 2024

There's no question that books are the kinds of gifts that keep on giving. These titles by queer (and queer-friendly) authors featuring queer lives belong on your 2024 holiday gift list.

Mala Kumar's 'What It Meant to Survive' - Grappling with survivor's guilt & finding love

Mala Kumar's 'What It Meant to Survive' - Grappling with survivor's guilt & finding love

  • by Laura Moreno
  • Dec 14, 2024

"What it Meant to Survive" by Mala Kumar is an insightful novel that transcends class, race, religion, language, and nationality to find love and healing. It's also a must-read for people overcoming post-traumatic stress and survivor's guilt.