AltWeeklies Wire
Populist Carolyn Chute Disbands the 2nd Maine Militia, Turns to Revising Her Book Seriesnew
Militant populist author Carolyn Chute has disbanded the 2nd Maine Militia, which she has led for many years, to focus on revising the book series that began with School last year. After that five-volume work is complete, though, she hints that she may retire.
Portland Phoenix |
Rick Wormwood |
10-29-2009 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Samantha Hunt Weaves Historical Fiction From Nikola Tesla's Biographynew
Despite being overstuffed with tangential subplots, too-convenient characters, and predictable plot mechanics, The Invention of Everything Else brims with Tesla's prescient ideas about energy.
Portland Phoenix |
Christopher Gray |
03-12-2009 |
Fiction
Personally Speaking: 'Abortion and Life' Tells Whole Truthsnew
Part of the lingering stigma attached to abortion is based on anti-choice rhetoric and scare tactics. But just as insidious is the pro-choice movement's reluctance to delve into the emotional nuance that comes with terminating an unplanned pregnancy. Baumgardner's book is one step toward shifting that paradigm.
Portland Phoenix |
Deirdre Fulton |
09-25-2008 |
Nonfiction
Who Reads Short Shorts?new
A Peculiar Feeling Of Restlessness: Four Chapbooks of Short Short Fiction by Four Women does not fit in my pocket (although it is rather small), nor is it a flimsy bit of folded paper, as chapbooks used to be. But it provides everything else that chapbooks did -- bite-sized, accessible, entertaining stories -- as well as what they do today -- focused, challenging, experimental work.
Portland Phoenix |
Deirdre Fulton |
06-12-2008 |
Fiction
The Power of Lovenew
Music writer Carl Wilson tries to define the difference between "us" -- the music writers and hipsters who enjoy challenging music that's interesting to think about -- and "them," those who unironically embrace Celine Dion's naked, overpowering sentimentality.
Portland Phoenix |
Christopher Gray |
03-19-2008 |
Nonfiction
Dancing About Architecturenew
If writing about music is like dancing about architecture, as the famous saying suggests, then Alex Ross is the Lord of the Dance.
Portland Phoenix |
Emily Parkhurst |
12-20-2007 |
Nonfiction
Environmentally Yoursnew
Eco-authors Ted Nordhaus and Bjorn Lomborg advocate a paradigm shift that emphasizes big, international thinking in their books Breaking Through and Cool It.
Portland Phoenix |
Deirdre Fulton |
09-27-2007 |
Nonfiction
Tags: Nonfiction Reviews
'God is Dead' Explores the Potential Aftershocks of God's Deathnew
Throughout this surprising, funny, and often provocative book, Currie imbues his characters with a sobriety that allows his audacious concepts to take root.
Portland Phoenix |
Christopher Gray |
09-13-2007 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Tags: God is Dead, Ron Currie Jr
How Big is Harry Potter?new
Considering all the hype surrounding the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series, you would think that the July 21 release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is one of the most anticipated events in human history. Well, almost.
Portland Phoenix |
Joel C. Theriault |
07-03-2007 |
Books
Out With the Book Tour?new
Powell's Books is trying out an alternative to the traditional author's book-reading event to promote a new release.
Portland Phoenix |
Christopher Gray |
06-08-2007 |
Books
Tags: Ian McEwan, On Chesil Beach
Bankruptcy Won't Hurt Eggers's Fundraisingnew
Scores of independent publishing houses have been hurt by the bankruptcy of the corporation that owns Publishers Group West, including McSweeney's, which publishes Eggers's new book, the proceeds from which are to go to charity.
Portland Phoenix |
Christopher Gray |
03-02-2007 |
Books
Tags: Dave Eggers, What is the What
King's Tower Spawns Anothernew
For a lot of Stephen King fans, the Dark Tower series is the Holy Grail of his writing, but the series -- through a new, graphic-novel, chapter in its long history -- is gunning for some new fans.
Portland Phoenix |
Michelle Souliere |
01-31-2007 |
Books
Our Real Founding Father?new
It's too bad John Cooke is not around anymore -- the 17th-century English lawyer who turned the divine right of kings to rule unquestioned into a crime punishable by death would be welcome here in our waning democracy.
Portland Phoenix |
Jeff Inglis |
11-22-2006 |
Nonfiction
Inside the Boxnew
Author Stacy Mitchell tackles America's chain retailers and the grassroots efforts to fight them.
Portland Phoenix |
Sara Donnelly |
11-09-2006 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Big-Box Swindle, Stacy Mitchell
Stealing Your Heartnew
Journalist Julian Rubinstein’s action-packed, absurd, and totally true tale of a Hungarian everyman who becomes a famous criminal gives new meaning to the old adage that truth is stranger than fiction.
Portland Phoenix |
Sara Donnelly |
05-27-2005 |
Nonfiction
