Literature

H.P. Mendoza’s San Francisco-set “Fruit Fly” closes CAAMFest Online: Heritage at Home on May 22. (Courtesy CAAMFest)

Jam-packed Asian Pacific American Heritage Month goes online

Share culture in books, food, films, fine art, music, panels

H.P. Mendoza’s San Francisco-set “Fruit Fly” closes CAAMFest Online: Heritage at Home on May 22. (Courtesy CAAMFest)
“Heaven,” Emerson Whitney’s poetic memoir, is the topic of a City Lights Booksellers online talk on May 6. (Courtesy McSweeney’s)

City Lights virtual book talks continue in May

Authors, editors, translators discuss new titles

“Heaven,” Emerson Whitney’s poetic memoir, is the topic of a City Lights Booksellers online talk on May 6. (Courtesy McSweeney’s)
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)
Dan Pfeiffer manages to be funny and positive about U.S. politics in his new book.(Courtesy photo)

‘Un-Trumping America’ a riveting call to arms

Dan Pfeiffer’s funny book will inspire readers to vote

  • Feb 23, 2020
Dan Pfeiffer manages to be funny and positive about U.S. politics in his new book.(Courtesy photo)
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)
Public speaker, advocate, counselor and standup comedian Nina G is promoting her memoir “Stutterer Interrupted.” (Courtesy photo)

For Nina G, stuttering brings laughter

Comedian, disability rights advocate pens amusing memoir

Public speaker, advocate, counselor and standup comedian Nina G is promoting her memoir “Stutterer Interrupted.” (Courtesy photo)
David Talbot launches his new book at several events in San Francisco. (Author photo courtesy Sue Peri)

David Talbot survives stroke with humor

Editor’s journalistic memoir a quick, heartfelt read

  • Jan 4, 2020
David Talbot launches his new book at several events in San Francisco. (Author photo courtesy Sue Peri)
San Francisco resident Sieu Sean Do’s new memoir describes his life as a youngster in Cambodia. (Courtesy photo)

Cambodian survivor tells dramatic story of ‘Good Fortune’

Sieu Sean Do recalls life before, during reign of terror

San Francisco resident Sieu Sean Do’s new memoir describes his life as a youngster in Cambodia. (Courtesy photo)
Robyn Crawford remembers Whitney Houston as a teen in her new memoir. (Author photo courtesy Marc Hom)

Robyn Crawford tells all about Whitney Houston

Memoir reveals many sides of groundbreaking pop singer

Robyn Crawford remembers Whitney Houston as a teen in her new memoir. (Author photo courtesy Marc Hom)
John Fluevog, known for his whimsical shoe designs, will be at his Haight Street store on Friday touting his coffee table book “Fluevog: 50 Years of Unique Soles for Unique Souls.” (Courtesy photo)

Shoe guru John Fluevog celebrates 50 years

Designer’s new book is ‘Unique Soles for Unique Souls’

John Fluevog, known for his whimsical shoe designs, will be at his Haight Street store on Friday touting his coffee table book “Fluevog: 50 Years of Unique Soles for Unique Souls.” (Courtesy photo)
Michael Koppy appears at Book Passage in San Francisco’s Ferry Building on Dec. 14 to discuss his 2019 manifesto “Words and Music — Into the Future.” (Courtesy photo)

Michael Koppy sounds out on bad songwriting

‘Words and Music’ a vigorous critique of the sorry state of pop offerings

Michael Koppy appears at Book Passage in San Francisco’s Ferry Building on Dec. 14 to discuss his 2019 manifesto “Words and Music — Into the Future.” (Courtesy photo)
Flea faces father complex in new memoir

Flea faces father complex in new memoir

‘Acid for the Children’ details Red Hot Chili Peppers’ star’s parent issues

Flea faces father complex in new memoir
Versatile John Lithgow speaks about his new political satire in two Bay Area appearances. (Author photo courtesy Robert Zuckerman)

Rhyming John Lithgow takes on Trump

Author-illustrator’s new satire is ‘Dumpty’

Versatile John Lithgow speaks about his new political satire in two Bay Area appearances. (Author photo courtesy Robert Zuckerman)
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)
Jeanette Winterson speaks about “Frankissstein” on Oct. 15 at the San Francisco Jewish Community Center. (Courtesy photo)

Bay Area’s 10-day Litquake turns 20

More than 860 authors appear at some 200 events, and most are free

Jeanette Winterson speaks about “Frankissstein” on Oct. 15 at the San Francisco Jewish Community Center. (Courtesy photo)
Palo Alto native Raphael Bob-Waksberg speaks about his new book of short stories on Oct. 16. (Courtesy photo)

Litquake hosts ‘BoJack Horseman’ creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg

Creator of surreal TV show focuses on love, compromise in new short story collection

Palo Alto native Raphael Bob-Waksberg speaks about his new book of short stories on Oct. 16. (Courtesy photo)
Award-winning poet Kate Tempest’s new album is “The Book of Traps and Lessons.” (Courtesy Julian Broad)

Kate Tempest an eclectic, evocative poet and more

English spoken-word artist defies classification

Award-winning poet Kate Tempest’s new album is “The Book of Traps and Lessons.” (Courtesy Julian Broad)
John Lithgow’s satirical illustrated poetry book about Donald Trump’s presidency leads Chronicle Prism’s fall 2019 list. (Courtesy photo)

Chronicle Books launches narrative non-fiction imprint

Longtime design-centric SF publisher expands focus

John Lithgow’s satirical illustrated poetry book about Donald Trump’s presidency leads Chronicle Prism’s fall 2019 list. (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.