Arts & Culture :: Books

Kraven Comics: Fernando Velez' LGBTQ Superheroes

Kraven Comics: Fernando Velez' LGBTQ Superheroes

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Sep 20, 2022

The pages of Kraven Comics appear on the surface to be like any other superhero comic book. But the brainchild of artist and publisher Fernando Velez is a comic book by and for LGBTQ people, with diverse queer characters.

Fall fiction faves, part 3

Fall fiction faves, part 3

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Sep 20, 2022

Here comes the third installment of our Fall book roundup featuring dynamic fiction from Meg Howrey, Courtney Summers, and RM Vaughan (posthumously). There's a lot to choose from. Keep those pages turning!

Henry Fry's 'First Time for Everything'

Henry Fry's 'First Time for Everything'

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Sep 13, 2022

in his debut novel, author Henry Fry discloses how queer folk pretend to be someone else as survival mechanisms and the search for authenticity can lead down some treacherous paths as they find themselves.

Cary Alan Johnson's 'Desire Lines'

Cary Alan Johnson's 'Desire Lines'

  • by Cornelius Washington
  • Sep 13, 2022

This novel sets one back, not just in time and place, but in its stunning honesty. Cary Alan Johnson's serious and romantic novel tells of life in New York City during the time when HIV/AIDS was ravaging the LGBTQ community.

Get Lit: Fall Arts books, part 2

Get Lit: Fall Arts books, part 2

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Sep 6, 2022

The second part of our Fall books roundup will give you an idea of what is coming to bookstores in the next several months. Highlights include a drag star's memoir, a horror film anthology, and a novel set in ACT UP New York's community.

Word for word: Fall Arts books, part 1

Word for word: Fall Arts books, part 1

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Aug 30, 2022

As the seasons change, new books rush in and readers become enthralled at who's writing, what's new, and which trending (or non-trending) subject matter authors are focusing on.

Unlocked legacy: Jim Van Buskirk reveals family history

Unlocked legacy: Jim Van Buskirk reveals family history

  • by Patrick Hoctel
  • Aug 30, 2022

Author, historian and librarian Jim Van Buskirk presents the unique story of his grandmother's forgotten singing career at the Jewish Community Center.

Black like him: Rasheed Newson's 'My Government Means to Kill Me'

Black like him: Rasheed Newson's 'My Government Means to Kill Me'

  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Aug 23, 2022

Rasheed Newson's debut novel, "My Government Means to Kill Me" is not the only noteworthy gay novel with footnotes, but still, they do make themselves known, and provide background on actual history and real historical people.

Out in the Bay: Author Dwayne Ratleff on 'Dancing to the Lyrics'

Out in the Bay: Author Dwayne Ratleff on 'Dancing to the Lyrics'

  • by Eric Jansen
  • Aug 18, 2022

Longtime San Franciscan Dwayne Ratleff grew up Black, poor, and gay in 1960s Baltimore.

Duane Scott Cerny: midcentury maven

Duane Scott Cerny: midcentury maven

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Aug 16, 2022

Duane Scott Cerny knows enough about buying and selling vintage artifacts to fill a book; actually, a couple of books, including his latest, "Vintage Confidential — Retro Rattled, Tales Tattled: Confessions of the World's Third Oldest Profession."

Kodo Nishimura's 'This Monk Wears Heels'

Kodo Nishimura's 'This Monk Wears Heels'

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Aug 16, 2022

Kodo Nishimura, who describes himself as both ancient and trendy, seems determined to upend any expectations or limits in his mission to promote Buddhist teachings while inspiring people with beauty and fashion.

Rough trade: Kevin Lambert's 'Querelle of Roberval'

Rough trade: Kevin Lambert's 'Querelle of Roberval'

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Aug 9, 2022

Canadian author Kevin Lambert's second novel is a heady affair revolving around issues of domination, labor equality, sexuality, and violent exploitation at the hands of a cocksure sex-god-like man named Querelle.

News Briefs: B.A.R.'s Besties voting is now underway

News Briefs: B.A.R.'s Besties voting is now underway

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Aug 9, 2022

Voting is open for the Bay Area Reporter's readers' poll known as the Besties.

Extra-special: Ryan O'Connell's 'Just By Looking At Him'

Extra-special: Ryan O'Connell's 'Just By Looking At Him'

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Aug 9, 2022

2022 has been a triumphant year for Ryan O'Connell. After the gay writer/actor/director/disability advocate's "Special," he costarred in the new "Queer as Folk." His funny new novel should make some critics' lists of the Top Ten Queer novels of the year.

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