Katherine Read

  • 17 Stories | 
  • Page 1 of 1
Carol Edgarian’s “Vera” vividly details life in San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. (Courtesy Lucy Jenks)

To find out what life in SF was like after the 1906 quake, read ‘Vera’

Carol Edgarian’s novel is an ode to the resiliency of SF and its people

Carol Edgarian’s “Vera” vividly details life in San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. (Courtesy Lucy Jenks)
Paula McLain’s “When the Stars Go Dark” is a tragic thriller written with grace and hope. (Author photo courtesy Melanie Acevedo)

SFPD detective at center of sensitive novel ‘When the Stars Go Dark’

Paula McLain’s latest is an astute thriller

Paula McLain’s “When the Stars Go Dark” is a tragic thriller written with grace and hope. (Author photo courtesy Melanie Acevedo)
The involving historical novel “The Bohemians” imagines photographer Dorothea Lange’s life in San Francisco. (Courtesy photo)

‘Bohemians’ explores life of legendary photographer Dorothea Lange

Artist’s talent, compassion revealed in Jasmin Darznik’s historical novel

The involving historical novel “The Bohemians” imagines photographer Dorothea Lange’s life in San Francisco. (Courtesy photo)
Katherine Seligman’s “At the Edge of the Haight” tells the story of a homeless woman who lives in Golden Gate Park. (Courtesy Algonquin Books)

Novel insightfully looks at the lives of homeless people

Katherine Seligman offers empathy in the ‘At the Edge of the Haight’

Katherine Seligman’s “At the Edge of the Haight” tells the story of a homeless woman who lives in Golden Gate Park. (Courtesy Algonquin Books)
Yaa Gyasi has followed her acclaimed novel “Homegoing” with “Transcendent Kingdom,” about the experiences of a family from Ghana living in America. (Courtesy Peter Hurley/Vilcek Foundation) .

Yaa Gyasi’s ‘Transcendent Kingdom’ is masterful

Sweeping novel addresses hopes, tragedies of Ghanaian family in U.S.

Yaa Gyasi has followed her acclaimed novel “Homegoing” with “Transcendent Kingdom,” about the experiences of a family from Ghana living in America. (Courtesy Peter Hurley/Vilcek Foundation) .
Colum McCann appears in two Bay Area events to promote his novel “Apeirogon.” (Author photo courtesy Elizabeth Eagle)

‘Apeirogon’ looks at Middle East with empathy

Colum McCann’s novel explores loss, friendship between rivals

Colum McCann appears in two Bay Area events to promote his novel “Apeirogon.” (Author photo courtesy Elizabeth Eagle)
Isabel Allende speaks about her latest historical novel on Feb. 3 in San Rafael. (Courtesy Lori Barra)

Allende masterfully illuminates refugee experience

‘Long Petal’ reveals shattering effects of Spanish Civil War

Isabel Allende speaks about her latest historical novel on Feb. 3 in San Rafael. (Courtesy Lori Barra)
Best-selling author Ann Patchett is making several Bay Area appearances to launch her new novel. (Courtesy photo)

‘Dutch House’ a powerful drama about family and memory

Ann Patchett excavates emotional ruin in gripping new novel

Best-selling author Ann Patchett is making several Bay Area appearances to launch her new novel. (Courtesy photo)
Meg Waite Clayton launches her new historical novel at various events across the Bay Area. (Courtesy Adrienne Defendi)

Dutch heroine saves Jewish children in ‘Last Train’

Meg Waite Clayton’s Holocaust-set novel inspires

Meg Waite Clayton launches her new historical novel at various events across the Bay Area. (Courtesy Adrienne Defendi)
R.O. Kwon makes two Bay Area appearances to speak about her acclaimed novel.

‘Incendaries’ a gripping tale of young, lost souls

R.O. Kwon’s debut novel explores how faith leads to violence

R.O. Kwon makes two Bay Area appearances to speak about her acclaimed novel.
Julia Phillips speaks about her novel in three Bay Area appearances this week. (Courtesy Nina Subin)

‘Disappearing Earth’ reveals life in Russia’s remote East

Julia Phillips’ novel a haunting, intense debut

Julia Phillips speaks about her novel in three Bay Area appearances this week. (Courtesy Nina Subin)
David Vann, a former Bay Area resident, speaks about his new novel at Book Passage in The City this week. (Courtesy photo)

‘Halibut on the Moon’ evocatively details one man’s descent

David Vann’s fictionalized account of father’s road to suicide is heartbreaking

David Vann, a former Bay Area resident, speaks about his new novel at Book Passage in The City this week. (Courtesy photo)
Dani Shapiro is appearing locally to promote her memoir "Inheritance." (Courtesy Michael Maren)

‘Inheritance’ a gripping memoir about family, love, identity

In her thoughtful and gripping new memoir, “Inheritance,” Dani Shapiro recounts the…

Dani Shapiro is appearing locally to promote her memoir "Inheritance." (Courtesy Michael Maren)
‘Golden State’ an evocative story about a mother in crisis

‘Golden State’ an evocative story about a mother in crisis

“The Golden State,” an impressive and insightful debut novel by San Francisco…

‘Golden State’ an evocative story about a mother in crisis
Tommy Orange's powerful novel "There There" is set in Oakland. (Courtesy Elena Seibert)

Oakland’s urban Indians come to life in exquisite ‘There There’

Tommy Orange’s “There There” is a Bay Area bestseller for a reason.…

Tommy Orange's powerful novel "There There" is set in Oakland. (Courtesy Elena Seibert)
‘Drunken Tree’ a powerful novel about growing up in violent Bogotá

‘Drunken Tree’ a powerful novel about growing up in violent Bogotá

“Fruit of the Drunken Tree,” a riveting new novel by talented Bay…

‘Drunken Tree’ a powerful novel about growing up in violent Bogotá
Andrew Sean Greer’s “Story of a Marriage” is as appealing as his Pulitzer Prize winning “Less.” (Courtesy Kaliel Roberts)

‘Story of a Marriage’ complex, layered, satisfying

Many book lovers will have read San Francisco-based writer Andrew Sean Greer’s…

Andrew Sean Greer’s “Story of a Marriage” is as appealing as his Pulitzer Prize winning “Less.” (Courtesy Kaliel Roberts)