AltWeeklies Wire
The New Gay Romance, By and For Straight Womennew
One evening, a small crowd gathers at the Hustler Hollywood store on Sunset Boulevard for a reading of James Buchanan’s new romance novel, Personal Demons. In the book, a gay FBI agent is about to make love to his boyfriend, an LAPD officer.
L.A. Weekly |
Gendy Alimurung |
12-18-2009 |
Books
The Midwest's First Celebration of all Things Yaoi: Where the Screaming Never Stopsnew
Yaoi (pronounced "yowee") is stories of beautiful, deeply emotional boys who are desperately in love with each other. One can find these erotic tales in Japanese comic books or watch the animated versions on DVDs that are sold at mainstream bookstores.
Riverfront Times |
Aimee Levitt |
12-11-2009 |
Books
'Sisters in War': A Vermont Journalist Recounts the Stories of Women in War-Torn Baghdadnew
In 2004, as Baghdad became increasingly dangerous for journalists, Christina Asquith took refuge in the apartment of two sisters. Now she tells their story in Sisters in War: A Story of Love, Family, and Survival in the New Iraq, which was published by Random House in September.
Seven Days |
Margot Harrison |
12-09-2009 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Madison Smartt Bell Brings the Civil War to Your Doorstepnew
Devil's Dream's frontispiece includes a photograph of the small-eyed, dark-bearded Civil War general Nathan Forrest. Prepare to flip back to that single photograph over and over again as you read.
Baltimore City Paper |
John Barry |
12-08-2009 |
Fiction
Book Quarterly: J.M. Coetzee, Zadie Smith, Stephen King, Nabokovnew
The discerning critics of Philadelphia City Paper review this season's most notable tomes: Summertime by J.M. Coetzee, Changing My Mind by Zadie Smith, Under the Dome by Stephen King and The Original of Laura by Vladimir Nabokov.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Katherine Hill, K. Ross Hoffman, Justin Bauer, Lauren F. Friedman |
12-08-2009 |
Fiction
Miss O'Dell Dishes on Music Legendsnew
A new book by tour manager Chris O'Dell tells behind-the-scenes details of the '60s/'70s music world.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
12-02-2009 |
Nonfiction
Lincoln Brought Politics into the War? Really?new
Poor Abraham Lincoln. Even in his 200th birthday year, the guy is still being sliced and diced, his every action scrutinized in an estimated 100 new books that have hit the shelves since the Lincoln Bicentennial festivities kicked off two years ago.
Illinois Times |
Julie Cellini |
12-01-2009 |
Books
Revisiting W. Eugene Smith's Obsessive Archives from a Swinging Placenew
In the late '50s, world-famous (and drug-addicted) photographer W. Eugene Smith retreats to a Manhattan building at the artsy intersection of high-life and low-life, a building of artists' and musicians' lofts. Over eight years he shoots something like 1,500 rolls of film and records 1,700 reels of tape. A fascinating sampling of photos and tape transcripts is now available.
Metro Times |
W. Kim Heron |
11-25-2009 |
Books
Jazz Writer Ted Gioia Bites Off More Than He Can Chew in 'The Birth (and Death) of the Cool'new
Gioia presents convincing evidence that people trust brand names less than they did for many years. But he spends endless energy hard-selling the idea that brand-name obeisance has, or has ever had, anything to do with "cool."
Baltimore City Paper |
Michaelangelo Matos |
11-24-2009 |
Nonfiction
John Freeman Explores Email's Dark Side ... in an Email Interviewnew
Freeman has been busy lately, both as the new editor of the lit mag Granta and with the writing of The Tyranny of E-Mail, the subject of, LOL, this email interview.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Scott Dickensheets |
11-20-2009 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Gift Guide: Consider Placing Some Great Indie Books Underneath the Treenew
Unemployment is still too high, which means many people are struggling -- so why not buy your friends and loved ones books for the holidays? After all, books are cheap, and if things get desperate, they make great kindling once the power gets turned off!
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
11-18-2009 |
Books
Tags: Books, Gift Guide
Stephen Elliott's Lacerating, All-Over-the-Place Memoir Pulls No Punchesnew
Whenever I read or hear "meta" or "postmodern" or "fiercely honest," I usually head for a lowbrow potboiler. But I'm not sure how else to describe The Adderall Diaries, a fiercely honest, postmodern work that's also more compulsively readable than the most pulpish thrillers.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Steve Friedman |
11-13-2009 |
Nonfiction
Barbara Kingsolver Makes a Misstep as She Tries to Make Her Point in 'The Lacuna'new
Kingsolver has created a reserved, unassuming character in Harrison Shepherd. He's so unassuming, in fact, that he becomes a cipher. Kingsolver's trademark nuanced characterization is not well-served by this collaged point of view.
Tucson Weekly |
Christine Wald-Hopkins |
11-11-2009 |
Fiction
Margaret Atwood Renders Today's Troubles into Absorbing Dystopian Tomorrowsnew
Atwood discusses her new novel, The Year of the Flood, today's environmental movement, and why no one can predict the future.
Santa Fe Reporter |
Julia Goldberg |
11-11-2009 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Augusten Burroughs Gets Personal with Santa in 'You Better Not Cry'new
While discussing Christmas (his favorite holiday), Burroughs says he sees one common thread throughout his memories, "Each one has been horrible, worse than the last." He's recounted those laughably miserable memories in his latest book, a loose collection of Christmas stories spanning from his youth until just a few years ago.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Wyatt Williams |
11-10-2009 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
