Literature

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)
Frederick Wiseman’s latest extraordinary documentary is “Ex Libris: The New York Public Library.” (Courtesy Zipporah Films)

‘Ex Libris’ a mesmerizing tour of NY libraries

Since the 1960s, Frederick Wiseman has been taking his camera into the…

Frederick Wiseman’s latest extraordinary documentary is “Ex Libris: The New York Public Library.” (Courtesy Zipporah Films)
Terry Jastrow is coming to the Bay Area to promote his new political novel. (Courtesy photo)

Terry Jastrow novel imagines Bush facing war crimes trial

Terry Jastrow, an Emmy Award winning producer (“ABC’s Wide World of Sports,”…

Terry Jastrow is coming to the Bay Area to promote his new political novel. (Courtesy photo)
Meg Gardiner talks about “UNSUB,” her new novel which follows a serial killer not unlike the Zodiac, at Bookshop West Portal. (Courtesy photo)

Zodiac Killer spurs thriller writer Meg Gardiner

For her 13th book, Edgar Award-winner Meg Gardiner decided to take on…

Meg Gardiner talks about “UNSUB,” her new novel which follows a serial killer not unlike the Zodiac, at Bookshop West Portal. (Courtesy photo)
Carlyn Montes De Oca’s new book shows how animals can improve people’s health, and vice versa. (Courtesy photo)

Holistic practitioner’s book touts animal human health connection

Marin-based wellness coach Carlyn Montes De Oca invites folks to take a…

Carlyn Montes De Oca’s new book shows how animals can improve people’s health, and vice versa. (Courtesy photo)
San Francisco poet erica lewis’ new collection “mary wants to be a superwoman” is the second in a trilogy. (Courtesy erica lewis)

SF poet erica lewis takes cue from Stevie Wonder songs

San Francisco poet erica lewis isn’t promoting her new collection “mary wants…

San Francisco poet erica lewis’ new collection “mary wants to be a superwoman” is the second in a trilogy. (Courtesy erica lewis)
In his soulful and fun memoir, John Oates details his personal evolution and his ongoing focus on continuing a career in music. (Courtesy Matt Christine Photography)

John Oates has a melody for a memory

John Oates purposely left out the stuff about sex and affairs and…

In his soulful and fun memoir, John Oates details his personal evolution and his ongoing focus on continuing a career in music. (Courtesy Matt Christine Photography)
From left, Woody Harrelson, Daniel Clowes and Craig Johnson work on the set of “Wilson.” (Courtesy Wilson Webb/20th Century Fox)

Daniel Clowes adapts personal ‘Wilson’ for the big screen

The new movie “Wilson” feels effortless, but it could have been an…

From left, Woody Harrelson, Daniel Clowes and Craig Johnson work on the set of “Wilson.” (Courtesy Wilson Webb/20th Century Fox)
East Bay poet, writer, teacher and playwright Judy Juanita discusses her new book "DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland" at the San Francisco Public Library at 6 p.m. Jan. 3. (Courtesy photo)

Judy Juanita details ‘DeFacto Feminism’ in ‘Essays Straight Outta Oakland’

East Bay writer, teacher, poet, playwright, historian and standup comedian Judy Juanita…

East Bay poet, writer, teacher and playwright Judy Juanita discusses her new book "DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland" at the San Francisco Public Library at 6 p.m. Jan. 3. (Courtesy photo)
British writer Ruth Whippman has hit upon a hot topic in her book "America the Anxious." (Courtesy photo)

Ruth Whippman speaks on ‘America the Anxious’

Ruth Whipmann, a London filmmaker and writer now living in California, wrote…

British writer Ruth Whippman has hit upon a hot topic in her book "America the Anxious." (Courtesy photo)