Bay Area Reporter :: Books News

'God Made My Face' - James Baldwin tribute book honors the writer in essays and art

May 27, 2024 | by Cornelius Washington

"God Made My Face: A Collective Portrait of James Baldwin" is a delicious assemblage of interviews, essays and works of art by talented and learned intellectuals and artists.

Words: writer meets publisher: Elisabeth Nonas on meeting Nancy Bereano

by Michele Karlsberg
May 26, 2024

Elisabeth Nonas is an accomplished author whose path crossed with Nancy Bereano, a noted publisher. Although Nancy Bereano did not publish Elisabeth Nonas' works, their professional connection blossomed into a significant personal relationship.

Kevin Winkler's 'On Bette Midler' — Author on his entertaining biography of the singer-actress

by Gregg Shapiro
May 21, 2024

With his new book "On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide," gay writer Kevin Winkler has taken on the task of not only tracing Midler's personal chronology, but also taking an in-depth look into her performing life.

Patrick Horrigan's 'American Scholar' — A painful past, present opportunity, and an uncertain future

by Brian Bromberger
May 21, 2024

In the afterword to his novel, "American Scholar," author Patrick Horrigan notes that it was a historical coincidence that inspired him to write his book, and how his own life affair paralleled his scholarly subject.

Bringing Bacon Home: collection of Francis Bacon letters shows the painter in a new light

by Robert Brokl
May 14, 2024

Edited by critic/curator Michael Peppiatt, with a forward by novelist Colm Toibin, "Francis Bacon: A Self-Portrait in Words" arrives at a propitious moment. Bacon's paintings have set world record-breaking prices at auction.

LZ Love's 'From The Rooter to The Tooter' - a transgender life of love & music

by Cornelius Washington
May 13, 2024

"From The Rooter to The Tooter" explores the amazing life of LZ Love, her trials, tribulations, toils and snares of being a Black child raised in the 1960s and '70s in The Bay Area.

Caitlin Breedlove's 'All In: Cancer, Near Death, New Life'

by Laura Moreno
May 7, 2024

Author Caitlin Breedlove's debut book, "All In: Cancer, Near Death, New Life" is the fascinating queer feminist memoir of a cancer survivor and single parent of a small child. But it is equally a memoir of grief, addiction, and spirituality.

A.E. Hines' 'Adam in the Garden' - poetic fluidity

by Mark William Norby
May 7, 2024

A.E. Hines' poetry is the opposite of labeling himself or others. His work is a true breath of fresh air in our universality. Not just our sameness but our kinship with human life, our beingness, our essence. In this, we share authentic power.

'Martyr!' - Kaveh Akbar's poetic meltdown saga

by Brian Bromberger
May 6, 2024

Perhaps the only way one can find purpose in life and avoid meaninglessness is to author one's own story, or so asserts Iranian-American poet Kaveh Akbar in his wondrous, incandescent new novel "Martyr!"

'With Love, Mommie Dearest' - new book examines the cultural phenomenon of the classic film

by David-Elijah Nahmod
Apr 30, 2024

"With Love, Mommie Dearest: The Making of an Unintentional Camp Classic," tells the story of the making of, and the aftermath of the now legendary biopic in which movie queen Faye Dunaway played movie queen Joan Crawford.

Words: savoring Saints & Sinners: Gerard Cabrera on the LGBTQ literary festival

by Michele Karlsberg
Apr 28, 2024

At the 2024 Saints & Sinners Literary Festival in New Orleans, writer Gerard Cabrera had the opportunity to immerse himself in a vibrant and diverse community of writers and readers.

'Liar, Alleged' - author David Vass tells all

by David-Elijah Nahmod
Apr 20, 2024

David Vass has lived a colorful life. Now in his 70s, he has seen and done it all. In his new memoir, "Liar, Alleged: A Tell-all: Celebrities, Sex, and all the Rest," Vass recalls his life behind the scenes in show business & growing up gay in the 1950s.

Cynthia Carr's 'Candy Darling: Dreamer, Icon, Superstar'

by Mark William Norby
Apr 16, 2024

Cynthia Carr's biography "Candy Darling: Dreamer, Icon, Superstar" astonishing at every turn, deeply excavates the Darling archive in order to bring a pioneering trans woman into the spotlight of 1970s New York.

National Poetry Month LGBTQ reading list

by Gregg Shapiro
Apr 16, 2024

To paraphrase T.S. Eliot, April (aka National Poetry Month), is the queerest month. There are so many books from which to choose before April's end, here are nine selections, including books by Richard Blanco, Kim Roberts and Emanuel Xavier.

'Ahead of the Curve' - inspiring tribute to Franco Stevens and Curve Magazine

by Laura Moreno
Apr 13, 2024

The documentary film "Ahead of the Curve," directed by Jen Rainin and Rivkah Beth Medow, tells the long-awaited real-life story of Franco Stevens and her groundbreaking career as founding publisher of Curve Magazine.

Arts & Culture :: Books