Arts & Culture :: Books

Victor Heringer's 'The Love of Singular Men'

Victor Heringer's 'The Love of Singular Men'

  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Jan 23, 2024

You'll know before the first sentence has run its course whether Victor Heringer's final novel, "The Love of Singular Men" (New Directions), is for you. It opens with a creation story, unless, that is, it's a desecration story.

Author Michael Cunningham sees the light of 'Day'

Author Michael Cunningham sees the light of 'Day'

  • by Brian Brmberger
  • Jan 16, 2024

Michael Cunningham figures out the pandemic's implications for our lives in his new book, "Day: A Novel," his first since "The Snow Queen" (2014). It's his best work since his now classic novel, "The Hours" (1998).

Swan songs: The Lavender Tube on Capote's crash, Golden Globes gaffes & more

Swan songs: The Lavender Tube on Capote's crash, Golden Globes gaffes & more

  • by Victoria A. Brownworth
  • Jan 9, 2024

The latest in Ryan Murphy's 'Feud" series dives into Truman Capote's scandalous exposé of New York's society women, and how their revenge led to his downfall; plus, abortion nightmares and insurrection terrors.

'American Fiction' — Cord Jefferson's performative racial hijinks

'American Fiction' — Cord Jefferson's performative racial hijinks

  • by Brian Brmberger
  • Jan 9, 2024

In Cord Jefferson's debut film "American Fiction," a Black professional is forced to reexamine his integrity as he concocts a fictional book about racial stereotypes. Is he a sellout or mocking the shibboleths that surround the politics of race?

K. Allison Hammer's 'Masculinity in Transition'

K. Allison Hammer's 'Masculinity in Transition'

  • by Laura Moreno
  • Jan 9, 2024

In this current moment in history, K. Allison Hammer's new academic tome "Masculinity in Transition" provides, a "vision of gender justice in a time of selective care and empathy."

Martin Duberman on drawing 'The Line of Dissent'

Martin Duberman on drawing 'The Line of Dissent'

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jan 9, 2024

Gay writer and historian Martin Duberman is the very definition of a living legend. His latest book, "The Line of Dissent: Gay Outsiders and the Shaping of History," out this month, compiles a dozen essays with prominent and lesser-known LGBTQ people.

Finding David Bowie's queer roots

Finding David Bowie's queer roots

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Jan 8, 2024

David Bowie introduced alternative sexuality and caught people's attention before many knew about Stonewall. But where and when did his exposure to queer culture happen? Two recent books explore the gay London music scene of the 1960s and '70s.

Words: Emanuel Xavier and Cheryl Boyce Taylor: two poets in conversation

Words: Emanuel Xavier and Cheryl Boyce Taylor: two poets in conversation

  • by Michele Karlsberg
  • Jan 2, 2024

Our new literary columnist shares a conversation between acclaimed poets Emanuel Xavier ("Love(ly) Child") and Cheryl Boyce Taylor ("The Limitless Heart: New and Selected Poems 1997-2022").

Andrew Holleran on 'Dancer From the Dance' reissue

Andrew Holleran on 'Dancer From the Dance' reissue

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jan 2, 2024

In late 2023, following the 2022 publication of "The Kingdom of Sand," Andrew Holleran's fifth work of fiction, his classic novel "Dancer From The Dance" was reissued in a new paperback edition.

Original cover art for Le Guin sci-fi novel goes on sale

Original cover art for Le Guin sci-fi novel goes on sale

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Dec 27, 2023

The cover art for the late Ursula K. Le Guin sci-fi classic, "The Left Hand of Darkness" will go on sale in San Francisco in February.

Year-end honorable mentions in books

Year-end honorable mentions in books

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Dec 26, 2023

As 2023 wraps up, there are a few notable books publishing at the tail end of the year, and a few more emerging just as the rainbow wrapping on 2024 is ripped away.

Last-minute gift guide: local specialties and queer creations

Last-minute gift guide: local specialties and queer creations

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Dec 19, 2023

It's not too late to go to a local small business or jump online and order presents that will arrive in time for Christmas. Here's a selection of unique gifts that will provide memorable experiences at the table, on the town and even on your television.

'Material Wealth: Mining the Personal Archive of Allen Ginsberg'

'Material Wealth: Mining the Personal Archive of Allen Ginsberg'

  • by Mark William Norby
  • Dec 19, 2023

Personal photos, clippings, ephemera and anecdotes from notable friends fill the expansive "Material Wealth: Mining the Personal Archive of Allen Ginsberg," compiled by Pat Thomas.

'Movies That Made Me Gay' — Larry Duplechan's cinematic memoir

'Movies That Made Me Gay' — Larry Duplechan's cinematic memoir

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Dec 16, 2023

In his new book, "Movies That Made Me Gay," award-winning author Larry Duplechan writes about the movies he loves, and about a few that he didn't, combined with related life stories.