Arts & Culture :: Books

André Leon Talley's 'The Chiffon Trenches: a Memoir' shares the fashion guru's life by design

André Leon Talley's 'The Chiffon Trenches: a Memoir' shares the fashion guru's life by design

  • by Cornelius Washington
  • Jun 16, 2020

On the heels of his record-breaking documentary, The Gospel According to Andre, André Leon Talley has published the tome, The Chiffon Trenches: a Memoir, a brave, stylish, naked look at the life and career of the grand, gluttonous eunuch of fashion.

How to be an Anti-Racist: some readings

How to be an Anti-Racist: some readings

  • by Victoria A. Brownworth
  • Jun 9, 2020

There are many books to be read on race, many primers on how to be anti-racist. Here are just a few. think of it as a starter kit.

Author talk with Alvin Orloff, Beth Lisick and K.M. Soehnlein

Author talk with Alvin Orloff, Beth Lisick and K.M. Soehnlein

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 9, 2020

The San Francisco Public Library's 'On the Same Page' series presents author Alvin Orloff in a June 10 online conversation with authors Beth Lisick and K.M. Soehnlein, who'll discuss the wild Bay Area '80s and '90s and literary topics.

The heart of a hustler: David P. Wichman's 'Every Grain of Sand'

The heart of a hustler: David P. Wichman's 'Every Grain of Sand'

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Jun 9, 2020

Author, sexual healer, and entrepreneur David Wichman has come a long way. His new memoir, a book humming with confidence, pride, and self-reflective wisdom, describes the lengthy road into and out of years of abuse, addiction, and rehabilitation.

Life with Leon Acord: new book chronicles the life of a gay actor

Life with Leon Acord: new book chronicles the life of a gay actor

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Jun 2, 2020

In his new book 'Sub-Lebrity: The Queer Life of a Show-Biz Footnote,' actor and former San Franciscan Leon Acord, now a resident of Hollywood, chronicles his life as an openly gay theater actor and a performer in low budget independent film.

Sporting lives: Mark Brown's 'Gay Games I: The True Story: The Forgotten Man'

Sporting lives: Mark Brown's 'Gay Games I: The True Story: The Forgotten Man'

  • by Roger Brigham
  • Jun 2, 2020

Thirty-eight years ago, Mark Brown, an early organizer in local LGBT softball and bowling leagues, left the organizing group of the inaugural Gay Games. Now he has published a book that shares his perspective on his 'forgotten' involvement.

Online Extra (update): Lambda Literary Award winners announced

Online Extra (update): Lambda Literary Award winners announced

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 1, 2020

Considered the Oscars of queer publishing, the annual Lambda Literary Awards were not held in person this year, but announced on June 1.

Online Extra: 'Allen Ginsberg and Beat Poetry' at CJM May 31

Online Extra: 'Allen Ginsberg and Beat Poetry' at CJM May 31

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 29, 2020

The Contemporary Jewish Museum presents an online panel talk about the gay poet who helped shape the Beat poet movement.

Interrelated fates: sexuality in 'Enter the Aardvark,' 'The Wanting Life'

Interrelated fates: sexuality in 'Enter the Aardvark,' 'The Wanting Life'

  • by Tim Pfaff
  • May 26, 2020

It's both amazing and somehow gratifying that the literary genre of the closet novel still has any juice left. Two just hit the market: Mark Rader's debut novel, 'The Wanting Life' and Jessica Anthony's 'Enter the Aardvark.'

Online Extra: Bay Area Book Festival's online author events

Online Extra: Bay Area Book Festival's online author events

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 19, 2020

With the cancellation of in-person events for the popular annual Bay Area Book Festival, online events continue through May and June, including a talk with acclaimed gay author Garth Greenwell.

Brando laid bare: William J. Mann's 'The Contender: The Story of Marlon Brando'

Brando laid bare: William J. Mann's 'The Contender: The Story of Marlon Brando'

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • May 12, 2020

There's little left out of William J. Mann's superb biography of Marlon Brando. In The Contender: The Story of Marlon Brando, Mann gets into the psyche of the late screen icon and lets readers know what made Brando tick.

Coming out through the years: Abigail C. Saguy explores LGBTQ and others' 'closets' conquered

Coming out through the years: Abigail C. Saguy explores LGBTQ and others' 'closets' conquered

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • May 12, 2020

In her new book, the Professor of Sociology and Gender Studies at UCLA compares LGBTQ 'coming out' with other subcultures.

Online extra: Northwest Press' queer comics postcard project

Online extra: Northwest Press' queer comics postcard project

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 8, 2020

Northwest Press, the Seattle-based publisher of dozens of artist's vibrant comics and graphic novels, has started a Kickstarter project with LGBTQ-themed postcards featuring artwork by five artists.

Thanks to matching offer from anonymous donor, Bay Area Reporter extends fundraising appeal

Thanks to matching offer from anonymous donor, Bay Area Reporter extends fundraising appeal

  • by Michael Yamashita
  • May 1, 2020

Thank you very much, it has been both humbling and encouraging receiving your generous support when so many are also in need of help. So far, we have raised just over $25,000 and are just 15% away from reaching our goal of $30,000.