PROVIDING OBJECTS OF LIBERARATION
(BOOKS!) TO GREATER LOS ANGELES

From: Lit Hub

By Michele Filgate

The Feminist Library On Wheels (aka F.L.O.W.) was started by Jenn Witte and Dawn Finley, with the aim of bringing feminist literature and media to the people of Los Angeles, with a focus on diversity and inclusion. I recently spoke with Finley to find out more.

When did you start the library on wheels? Who is behind it?
F.L.O.W. began in July 2014, when Jenn Witte was thinking about how to make a library for the Women’s Center for Creative Work. She brought that idea to the Feminist Reading Group I helped facilitate for the WCCW, and wondered, “Could it be on my bike?” I had recently become a big cycling enthusiast, and the idea sounded absolutely brilliant. We met to chat about it, and before we knew it we were well on our way. It’s all still run primarily by the two of us, Jenn Witte and Dawn Finley.

Continue reading “THE FEMINIST LIBRARY ON WHEELS: A ROAMING TOOL FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE”

Power of the Pen: Creative Writing Workshops for Teens

Do you have a story to tell? Come enjoy an open space to find your voice as a writer. Explore different types of storytelling, poetry, journalism, and more! Attendance at all six sessions is preferred but not required.

RSVP: Please sign up by calling (818) 886-3640. Teens only!

Where: Northridge Branch Library, LAPL

Date: Monday the 27^th     

Time: 3 pm – 4:30 pm

Address: 9051 Darby Ave., Los Angeles, CA 91325

Website: http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/japanese-culture-culture-taiko-drumming

Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events 6/27/16 – 7/03/16”

By JENNIFER SENIOR

From: The New York Times

With her debut novel, “Grace,” Natashia Deón has announced herself beautifully and distinctively. Her emotional range spans several octaves. She writes with her nerves, generating terrific suspense. And her style is so visual it plays tricks on the imagination — did I just watch that scene? Or did I read it?

Ms. Deón is not merely another new author to watch. She has delivered something whole, and to be reckoned with, right now.

“Grace” starts with a murder on a plantation in Faunsdale, Ala. After years of watching her mother submit to supervised, ritualized rape by a fellow slave — it’s her job to breed boys for future sale — 15-year-old Naomi skewers her master with a fire poker. He’d just come to their cabin to announce that Naomi’s sister, Hazel, would be taking their mother’s place. For too many years, their mother had given birth only to girls.

Continue reading “Review: Natashia Deón’s ‘Grace,’ a Tale of Slavery, Its Ghosts and Legacy”

In the aftermath of the Pulse nightclub massacre, Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016

By Luis J. Rodriguez

From: Los Angeles Public Library Blog

Hate becomes death becomes hate.

The world unravels in fear.

Columbine: 13 students and a teacher gone.

Sandy Hook: 20 children and 6 adults murdered.

Charleston, North Carolina: 9 black churchgoers killed.

San Bernardino: 14 men and women destroyed.

Orlando, Florida: 50 patrons of a LGBTQ nightclub slaughtered.

Continue reading “Poem for a New Dream”

Tune in for a discussion and poetry share featuring three Los Angeles poets–Cynthia Guardado, Amanda Wang and Katie J.–who also participate in Las Lunas poetry collective. They share insight on their process, on writing in a collective and some poetry for us to digest. On Resistance radio is horizontal collective encouraging action to empower a culture of resistance against all forms, behavior(s) and system(s) of … Continue reading On Resistance Radio

The Steamer at Chevalier’s Bookstore

Written by ace reporter and sportswriter Andy Furillo and told from the point of view of his dad, Bud Furillo, the legendary L.A. sports columnist and broadcaster, The Steamer: Bud Furillo and the Golden Age of L.A. Sports, is a sports history about a great period when Koufax starred with the Dodgers, Wooden was winning championships at UCLA, the Rams were fun, and fights were fantastic. Join us for a reading, talk and signing with the author.

Where: Chevalier’s Bookstore

Date: Monday the 13^th     

Time: 7 pm – 9 pm

Address: 126 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004

Website: http://www.chevaliersbooks.com

Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events 6/13/16 – 6/19/16”

Saturday was unusually cold. It was supposed to be in the low to mid ’80s as high in Riverside. Instead when my parents and I arrived at the release party for Riverside City College’s literary magazine Muse, the sky was a blanket of gray and looked of rain.

We had arrived at Back to the Grind on University Avenue in downtown Riverside a few minutes before 11 am. I was there to get my copy of Muse that had published my poem “Not Enough.” I was there to read that poem, talk to whoever was their (Faculty Adviser Jo Scott-Coe, Senior Contributing Editor Maribel Bañuelos) and stare at the publication I held in my hands that had my work between its covers. (My first three publications have all been in online publications) I expected the crowd to be small since the time of the event had been moved up from 2 pm to 11 am.

Continue reading “Launch of Riverside Community College’s Muse Magazine”

A short video about L.A. based Tia Chucha Press and their first anthology of Los Angeles Poets, Coiled Serpent. Continue reading Tia Chucha Press – Coild Serpent