“In Threnody: Poems, her new collection of 62 poems, Hilbert continues that tradition of lament, demonstrating that the modern lament is as contemporary as its older and ancient predecessors.” Continue reading Donna Hilbert Finds Love in the Poetry of Lament
Wajahat Ali & Guests & Go Back to Where You Came From via Skylight Bookstore & Writers Bloc – Online Event
Wajahat Ali will present and discuss his book, Go Back to Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American, with his special guests:
Maz Jobrani is a comedian/actor/author and is noted for his book I’m Not a Terrorist But I’ve Played One on TV.
Rabia Chaudry is an attorney, advocate, and author of The New York Times bestseller Adnan’s Story, about the wrongful conviction of Adnan Sayed.
Tonya Mosley, moderator, is an NPR journalist.
“Go back to where you came from, you terrorist!”
This is just one of the many warm, lovely, and helpful tips that Wajahat Ali and other children of immigrants receive on a daily basis. Go back where, exactly? Fremont, California, where he grew up, but is now an unaffordable place to live? Or Pakistan, the country his parents left behind a half-century ago?
Growing up living the suburban American dream, young Wajahat devoured comic books (devoid of brown superheroes) and fielded well-intentioned advice from uncles and aunties. (“Become a doctor!”) He had turmeric stains under his fingernails, was accident-prone, suffered from OCD, and wore Husky pants, but he was as American as his neighbors, with roots all over the world. Then, while Ali was studying at University of California, Berkeley, 9/11 happened. Muslims replaced communists as America’s enemy #1, and he became an accidental spokesman and ambassador of all ordinary, unthreatening things Muslim-y.
Now a middle-aged dad, Ali has become one of the foremost and funniest public intellectuals in America. In Go Back to Where You Came From, he tackles the dangers of Islamophobia, white supremacy, and chocolate hummus, peppering personal stories with astute insights into national security, immigration, and pop culture. In this refreshingly bold, hopeful, and uproarious memoir, Ali offers indispensable lessons for cultivating a more compassionate, inclusive, and delicious America.
Expect a lively discussion of racism, xenophobia, white supremacy, and good food.
NOTE: See Site for RSVP, book purchase, and event details.
Where: Skylight Bookstore & Writers Bloc – Online Event
Date: Monday the 31st
Time: 6 pm
Address: Skylight – Online Event (see site)
Website: https://www.skylightbooks.com/event/skylight-books-and-writers-bloc-present-go-back-where-you-came-evening-wajahat-ali-and-others or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/go-back-to-where-you-came-from-an-evening-with-wajahat-ali-and-others-tickets-22559844000
Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 01/31/22 – 02/06/22”
By Lisa Morton
FROM: Iliad Bookshop
The Iliad’s longtime employee Bob Johnson passed away on January 24, 2022, of a massive heart attack. Bob was much loved for his sense of humor and his kindness; mention to him a favorite show or artist, and he’d probably come back in a few days with a DVD or tape for you. Bob loved (in no particular order) H. L. Mencken, the Boston Celtics, fried clam strips, cats, conspiracy theories surrounding Kennedy’s assassination, Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda, old t.v. detective series, Edward Gorey, Broadway musicals, and pizza (preferably with sausage). Before working at the Iliad, Bob had been a musical theater actor, a joke writer, and a seedy movie theater projectionist.
Continue reading “Remembering Bob Johnson”
“Deon’s immortal, Lou, is unusual. She’s young, Black, somewhat naive, and utterly brilliant.” Continue reading Caren Gussoff Sumption Reviews The Perishing by Natashia Deón
“In two of twelve sections, they touched on not having children, cancer, and the loss of a grandparent who was a familial pillar from an Asian American lens.” Continue reading Mapping the Unfamliar: A Review of Navigating With(out) Instruments by traci kato-kiriyama
But first, seeing just what you can pick up curbside at the local library.
By Erik Pedersen
FROM: OC Register
Now that our local library has gone back to curbside pickups, I walked the dog to our branch to collect some things I’d requested. (Yes, I have books everywhere at home and towers of things to read for work – not to mention audio and e-books on my phone and Kindle – but there’s always a need, or a desire, for more.)
Continue reading “Book Pages: Natashia Deón picks 3 great books, the Beatles’ top 100 and more”
Many/Most Events Are Online/Virtual DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS
Jami Attenberg, with Patricia Lockwood, & I Came All This Way to Meet You via Skylight Bookstore – Online Event
Jami Attenberg, in conversation with Patricia Lockwood (No One Is Talking About This), will present and discuss her new book, I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home.
From New York Times bestselling author of urban culture Jami Attenberg (All This Could Be Yours, The Middlesteins) comes a dazzling memoir about unlocking and embracing her creativity—and how it saved her life. Always drawn to a life on the road, and often writing about her travels, the author began to reflect on her youthful experiences—the trauma, challenges, and risks taken. Throughout her journeys she refined her craft and learned to trust her gut and, ultimately, herself.
Exploring themes of friendship, independence, class, and drive, this book is a story of finding one’s way home—emotionally, artistically, and physically—and an examination of art and individuality that will resonate with anyone determined to listen to their creativity.
NOTE: See Site for RSVP, book purchase, and event details.
Where: Skylight Bookstore – Online Event
Date: Monday the 24th
Time: 6:30 pm
Address: Skylight – Online Crowdcast event (see site)
Website: https://www.skylightbooks.com/event/live-crowdcast-jami-attenberg-conversation-patricia-lockwood
Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 01/24/22 – 01/30/22”
By Gabriel San Román
FROM: TimesOC
For naysayers, Orange County’s literary scene is as barren as the citrus orchards that once dominated its landscape but have long since been bulldozed to make way for suburban blandness. O.C. supposedly traded its tart to be trite.
Continue reading “New ‘Citric Acid’ quarterly journal gives O.C. some literary tart”
Last Saturday the 4th Annual LibroMobile Literary Arts Festival was a day to celebrate literature and community. Continue reading 4th Annual LibroMobile Literary Arts Festival
By Sandra Sanchez
FROM: Sims Library of Poetry
Sandra: Thank you for agreeing to this interview. If you could tell me a little bit about yourself, where did you grow up, what do you currently do, and how do you spend your time?
Continue reading “Interview with Brenda Vaca”
Los Angeles Literature 