Former Los Angeles Poet Laureate Luis J. Rodriguez preserves the rich, early literary history of L.A.’s Eastside from 1978 to 1984. Alongside writers such as Helena Maria Viramontes, Mary Helen Ponce, and Manazar Gamboa, among others, he helped build the Chicano/a/Latinx literary community that continues to flourish in Los Ángeles today. Continue reading From the Heart of a Writer to the Heart of the World
Pam Ward remembers Lynn Manning, an artist, poet, playwright and Watts native, who was active in the literary community in 1990s and whose plays have been performed all across Los Ángeles from the Skylight Theatre to the Mark Taper Forum and beyond. Continue reading Two Poets & a Bag of Peaches: My Last Day with Lynn Manning
The fifth installment of Los Angeles Literature’s interview series “The Influencers: Writers Talk About Who Shaped Their Work” features Torrance native, poet, performer, cultural producer and community organizer traci kato-kiriyama. Continue reading The Influencers: Writers Talk About Who Shaped Their Work – traci kato-kiriyama
In Los Angeles Literature’s newest book review, burgeoning Southeast L.Á. writer, Gabriel Lopez, reviews the 2nd edition of “Letters to My City” by MIke Sonksen. “While this collection deepens a person’s knowledge of Los Ángeles history, more importantly it profoundly shifts their understanding and relationship to Local Time and Space..” Continue reading I Am Alive in Los Angeles – Identity and Local Time & Space in Mike Sonksen’s Letters to My City: 2nd Edition
Last week, Los Ángeles chronicler and Marxis Professor MIke Davis, passed at the age of 76. He’s most famous for his book on the social history of Los Ángeles “CIty of Quartz.” Continue reading D.J. Waldie, a Onetime Critic of Mike Davis, Praises His Immense Influence
By CSUDH Campus News Center
FROM: Campus News Center
In her new book, Instruments of Empire: Filipino Musicians, Black Soldiers, and Military Band Music during U.S. Colonization of the Philippines, CSUDH Assistant Professor of Asian-Pacific Studies Mary Talusan Lacanlale doesn’t just reveal the hidden history of the Philippine Constabulary Band—she uncovers some of her own family history, as well.
Continue reading “CSUDH Professor’s New Book Explores a Filipino Military Band’s Connection to U.S. Colonialism and Her Own Family History”
by Mike SonksenFROM: L.A. Taco If COVID-19 was good for anything, it’s for reading. When the March rain and quarantine came, I got the chance to read all the books I wanted. This book list centers around Los Angeles and overlaps with creative nonfiction, poetry, urbanism, California history, music, and cultural studies. Most of these books came out in 2020, but a few came out … Continue reading THE 2020 L.A. TACO BOOK GUIDE: 32 L.A.-CENTERED BOOKS TO READ, GIFT, AND GET INSPIRED ON
In poet Matt Sedillo’s book “Mowing Leaves of Grass” he discusses lived experience, a Chicano growing up in the barrio, all while critiquing American society and history. Continue reading POETRY: Mowing Down Statues and Tipping Sacred Cows
by Nate Rogers
FROM: L.A. Times
Cresting an overlook on the Condor Trail in Griffith Park, Casey Schreiner wants us to stop to listen to the chimpanzees. “They’re a little bit chattier now than they were when I was writing the book,” he says, as the hollering echoes up from the Los Angeles Zoo in the canyon below. “It may be because they haven’t had visitors in a while.”
Continue reading “Griffith Park Finally Gets The Book It Deserves. Take A Hike With Its Author”
By Candice Yacono
FROM: Orange County Register
On any given day, you might find Susan Straight walking along the Santa Ana River or throwing darts at the local Elks lodge.
Continue reading “How Riverside Author Susan Straight Enbraced Family History For Latest Book”
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