Arts & Culture :: Books

Gender rainbows: Kyle Lukoff and James Sie's trans-themed books

Gender rainbows: Kyle Lukoff and James Sie's trans-themed books

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Jul 13, 2021

Authors Kyle Lukoff and James Sie bring new perspectives to trans teenage lives in their new books.

Post-Pride Poetry

Post-Pride Poetry

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 29, 2021

With so much to be savored in the literary genre right now —and perhaps you're recovering from Pride festivities— look inward with some inspiring poetry by LGBTQ writers.

A Dog's Tale: Dan Perdios' charming story of a disabled gay man and his service dog

A Dog's Tale: Dan Perdios' charming story of a disabled gay man and his service dog

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Jun 28, 2021

In his new book, 'A Golden Retriever and His Two Dads,' author Dan Perdios, a gay man with limited hearing, remembers his late service dog Willy and their adventures together.

'Poetry Rx' celebrates lyric history, with some queer poets past & present

'Poetry Rx' celebrates lyric history, with some queer poets past & present

  • by Mark William Norby
  • Jun 22, 2021

In the newly-released collection 'Poetry Rx' of 50 inspiring poems, compiled with commentary and poetical analyses by psychiatrist Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., more than a third of the poets have either openly identified as queer, or skewed LGBTQ-ward.

Queer tales of brilliance: Brandon Taylor's 'Filthy Animals'

Queer tales of brilliance: Brandon Taylor's 'Filthy Animals'

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Jun 22, 2021

The eleven linked stories contained in Brandon Taylor's second literary foray are, for the most part, dominated by the voice of Lionel, a gay Black graduate student in mathematics.

Playing for laughs and love with author-playwright Paul Rudnick

Playing for laughs and love with author-playwright Paul Rudnick

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 21, 2021

Combining wit and wisdom, writer Paul Rudnick gives us much to think about while we are laughing, including in his new romantic and comic novel, 'Playing The Palace.'

Gender, revealing: Torrey Peters 'Detransition, Baby'

Gender, revealing: Torrey Peters 'Detransition, Baby'

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Jun 20, 2021

Brooklyn-based author Torrey Peters's frothy debut novel, a brilliantly entertaining study in trans feminine culture, chronicles the fiery relationship between a trans woman and her ex-partner.

Best Side Story: an interview with Rita Moreno

Best Side Story: an interview with Rita Moreno

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 15, 2021

An award-winning actress, writer, activist, dancer, mother, singer, feminist, Latina and EGOT, Rita Moreno discusses her recent memoir and the new documentary about her amazing life.

Pride 2021 nonfiction reading list

Pride 2021 nonfiction reading list

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 8, 2021

Pride festivities for 2021 still seem to be up in the air or not taking place. Nevertheless, there are other ways of displaying your pride in being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, including reading a book by a queer writer or ally.

Pride 2021 fiction reading list

Pride 2021 fiction reading list

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 8, 2021

Consider the wide variety of LGBTQ fiction books published this year that showcase our diverse lives, and our diverse forms of storytelling, from mysteries to Young Adult, fantasy and classics rereleased.

Maria Konner tells all: Bay Area musician and host's revealing memoir

Maria Konner tells all: Bay Area musician and host's revealing memoir

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • May 31, 2021

In her new book, 'Girl Shock', Maria Konner lets it all hang out. A TV host, musician, activist and sexual adventurer, Konner has lived a colorful life and has had a great time doing so.

Creepy queers: 'Unburied: A Collection of Queer Dark Fiction'

Creepy queers: 'Unburied: A Collection of Queer Dark Fiction'

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 30, 2021

In 'Unburied: A Collection of Queer Dark Fiction,' Editor Rebecca Rowland has selected a diverse array of spooky stories, from the short and sweet to longer ruminative tales by some accomplished authors.

CA summer reading program to kick off with LGBTQ children's book

CA summer reading program to kick off with LGBTQ children's book

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • May 26, 2021

California first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom will launch her 10-week Summer Book Club early in Pride Month with an LGBTQ children's book.

Linda Simpson's retro drag scrapbook 'Drag Explosion' recalls NYC's nightlife yesteryears

Linda Simpson's retro drag scrapbook 'Drag Explosion' recalls NYC's nightlife yesteryears

  • by Jim Piechota
  • May 25, 2021

Linda Simpson's epic pictorial stroll down Drag Queen Memory Lane captures that golden age of nightclub culture occupying the 1980s and '90s where creativity and fierceness combined in kaleidoscopic ways.