“Duran comes to terms with dealing with generational trauma, a culture that has ill-defined her identity, and a desire to understand who she is after she has lost a daughter.” Continue reading And So The Wind Was Born by Gina Duran (Flowersong Press)
By Brian Dunlap
Flower Song Press has infiltrated Southern California. It began with publishing El Sereno native Matt Sedillo, in late 2018. His poetry collection Mowing Leaves of Grass, was a critical success, critiquing the American history we’re taught in school to render it in full, speaking truth to the struggle, tragedy, anger, joy, despair, possibility and faith in the struggles of working class people, specifically Chicanx, to overcome the forces of capitalism and racism that keep them marginalized.
Continue reading “Flower Song Press in Southern California”
“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”
“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
Many/Most Events Are Online/Virtual DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS
Tween Book Club & Escape from Mr. Lemoncillo’s Library via Palms-Rancho Park Branch Library, LAPL – Online Kids Event
Join the Tween Book Club for kids ages 9-12 to meet monthly and discuss and share books you’ve read and recommend. The titles are all available through Libby/Overdrive, or check out a copy from your local branch.
Our selection for January 10th is titled Escape from Mr. Lemoncillo’s Library, by Chris Grabenstein. This book asks the question:Can 12 twelve-year-olds escape form the most ridiculously brilliant library ever created?
NOTE: Contact Jennifer Murphy at jmurphy@lapl.org for Zoom link and event details.
Where: Palms-Rancho Park Branch Library, LAPL – Zoom online
Date: Monday the 10th
Time: 4 pm
Address: LAPL – Online event
Website: https://lapl.org/whats-on/events/tween-book-club-0
Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 01/10/22 – 01/16/22”
“South Central Los Angeles has long had a vibrant poetry” and now “a dedicated venue to write, read, and listen to the work of poets” opened this past summer. Continue reading A Place Built by Poets for Poets
Many/Most Events Are Online/Virtual DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS
Tween Book Club & Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library via Palms-Rancho Park Branch Library, LAPL – Online Kids Event
Please join our Adult Book Club to read and discuss author Chris Grabenstein’s book, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.
This story is about twelve 12-year-olds who escape into a futuristic brilliant library after a night of nonstop fun.
NOTE: See site for book event details. Contact Jennifer Murphy at jmurphy@lapl.org to join via link.
Where: Palms Rancho Park Branch Library, LAPL – Online Event
Date: Monday the 13th
Time: 4 pm – 5 pm
Address: Online Event (see site)
Website: https://lapl.org/whats-on/events/tween-book-club-0
Continue reading “Los Angeles Literature Events: 12/13/21 – 12/19/21”
Listen to political poet Matt Sedillo talk about politics and his poetry, the origins of his poetry career and everything in-between. Continue reading Step Off: Mowing Leaves of Grass – The Matt Sedillo Episode
An interview with poet, L.Á. native, tour guide, journalist and professor, Mike Sonksen. Continue reading Interlitq’s Californian Poets Interview Series: Mike Sonksen, Poet, Performer, Journalist, and LA Tour Guide, interviewed by David Garyan
Los Angeles Literature 