Literature

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)
William R. Hearst III started Alta in 2017 to meet needs of readers seeking a serious literary magazine with a West Coast focus. (Courtesy photo)

Hearst’s journal Alta celebrates first anniversary

Publishing the debut issue of the Journal of Alta California in October…

William R. Hearst III started Alta in 2017 to meet needs of readers seeking a serious literary magazine with a West Coast focus. (Courtesy photo)
Ingrid Rojas Contreras appears in a couple of Litquake 2018 events. (Courtesy photo)

Hundreds of authors on tap for 19th SF Litquake

There is astounding quality and quantity (including free or $5 and $10…

Ingrid Rojas Contreras appears in a couple of Litquake 2018 events. (Courtesy photo)
Jim Provenzano’s new novel “Now I’m Here” is about a gay teen growing up in rural Ohio in the 1970s. (Courtesy Photos by Dot)

‘Now I’m Here’ a novel inspired by Queen’s music

San Francisco author Jim Provenzano’s new fifth novel “Now I’m Here” was…

Jim Provenzano’s new novel “Now I’m Here” is about a gay teen growing up in rural Ohio in the 1970s. (Courtesy Photos by Dot)
‘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
Gary Gach's new book is "Pause Breathe Smile." (Courtesy photo)

‘Pause Breathe Smile’ a nifty primer on mindfulness

San Francisco author and longtime Zen practitioner Gary Gach had a goal…

Gary Gach's new book is "Pause Breathe Smile." (Courtesy photo)
‘Tables’ tells tales of SF’s historic eateries

‘Tables’ tells tales of SF’s historic eateries

“I was always a big fan of Anthony Bourdain’s storytelling,” says Denise…

‘Tables’ tells tales of SF’s historic eateries
East Bay writer Vanessa Hua is launching her book with appearances across the Bay Area. (Courtesy Andria Lo)

Vanessa Hua tells immigrants’ stories in debut novel

With two pregnant Chinese women on the run as her first novel’s…

East Bay writer Vanessa Hua is launching her book with appearances across the Bay Area. (Courtesy Andria Lo)
Anna Yen's debut novel details her life as a young executive working with Silicon Valley's biggest moguls. (Courtesy photo)

‘Sophia of Silicon Valley’ a young woman’s inside take on high tech

Anna Yen’s debut novel “Sophia of Silicon Valley” tells the insider story…

Anna Yen's debut novel details her life as a young executive working with Silicon Valley's biggest moguls. (Courtesy photo)
Bay Area sports writer Joan Ryan speaks about her recently reissued "Little Girls in Pretty Boxes," which details abuses in elite gymnastics and figure skating. (Courtesy Rob Menschel)

‘Little Girls in Pretty Boxes’ sadly remains relevant

For every elite gymnast or figure skater profiled in sports journalist Joan…

Bay Area sports writer Joan Ryan speaks about her recently reissued "Little Girls in Pretty Boxes," which details abuses in elite gymnastics and figure skating. (Courtesy Rob Menschel)
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)
Samantha Paris, left, works with animator and voice artist Bret Parker. (Courtesy photo)

Samantha Paris reveals tricks of the voice acting trade

Veteran voice-over teacher Samantha Paris is planning an extraordinary promotional event for…

Samantha Paris, left, works with animator and voice artist Bret Parker. (Courtesy photo)
Janelle Hanchett, Renegade Mother blogger, has written a frank memoir about her addiction. (Courtesy Sarah Maren Photography)

Renegade Mother blogger tells all in ‘I’m Just Happy to Be Here’

At 31, Janelle Hanchett found herself pregnant with her third child and…

Janelle Hanchett, Renegade Mother blogger, has written a frank memoir about her addiction. (Courtesy Sarah Maren Photography)
Investigative reporter Ronan Farrow comes to San Francisco to promote his new book about changing U.S. foreign policy. (Courtesy Brigitte Lacombe)

Ronan Farrow talks about ‘War On Peace’

First, he called attention to trans discrimination in his coverage of the…

Investigative reporter Ronan Farrow comes to San Francisco to promote his new book about changing U.S. foreign policy. (Courtesy Brigitte Lacombe)
Anthony Ray Hinton describes what it was like to be on Death Row for decades in "The Sun Does Shine." (Courtesy photo)

Anthony Ray Hinton tells story of 30 years on Death Row

Anthony Ray Hinton, 60, who was exonerated in 2015 after spending three…

Anthony Ray Hinton describes what it was like to be on Death Row for decades in "The Sun Does Shine." (Courtesy photo)
Laura Shaprio's fascinating book "What She Ate" analyzes the lives of six 19th and 20th century women through their connection with food. (Courtesy photo)

Secret lives revealed in delectable ‘What She Ate’

Promotion for Laura Shapiro’s “What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women & The…

Laura Shaprio's fascinating book "What She Ate" analyzes the lives of six 19th and 20th century women through their connection with food. (Courtesy photo)
Julie Lythcott-Haims honestly explores intense personal and political questions about race in her new book. (Courtesy Kristina Vetter)

Lythcott-Haims’ ‘Real American’ an evocative memoir

Julie Lythcott-Haims, born in 1967 to a white woman and black man,…

Julie Lythcott-Haims honestly explores intense personal and political questions about race in her new book. (Courtesy Kristina Vetter)
Karen Chee, winner of the inaugural The Erma Bombeck

SF (and former SF) humor writers win Erma Bombeck honors

As winners of the first “A Hotel Room of One’s Own” contest,…

Karen Chee, winner of the inaugural The Erma Bombeck
Author Kimberley Lovato insists that readers won't find the information in her new book “Unique Eats & Eateries of San Francisco” on Yelp or in any other guidebook.

‘Unique Eats’ tells stories behind SF dining spots

The main point that food and travel writer Kimberley Lovato makes about…

Author Kimberley Lovato insists that readers won't find the information in her new book “Unique Eats & Eateries of San Francisco” on Yelp or in any other guidebook.
Charlie Varon offers hot soup at his one-man show “Storyborscht.” (Courtesy Myra Levy)

Charlie Varon serves up comfort food in ‘Storyborscht’

At the outset of his new storytelling session, with dining, Charlie Varon…

Charlie Varon offers hot soup at his one-man show “Storyborscht.” (Courtesy Myra Levy)