Bay Area book tours and launch parties have been canceled due to the coronavirus, so KALW producer Lisa Morehouse brings author readings to you in this socially-distanced book tour.
Maya Ealey writes The Anti-Racist Vocab Guide
Maya Ealey reads from her book "The Anti-Racist Vocab Guide." It's an illustrated visual glossary that provides high level definitions of terms and historical events to aid in understanding race and the black experience in America.
1/30/2024 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Stephanie Wildman writes book for kids
Stephanie Wildman reads from her book "Breath By Breath." It's about an older brother helping his twin siblings fall asleep by taking them on an adventure through their bodies.
1/23/2024 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Lisa Hamilton book profiles Central Valley rice farmer
Lisa Hamilton's reads from her book "The Hungry Season." It is an intimate biography of a remarkable woman named Imua, whose life has been colored by unimaginable loss, but who's met that loss with defiance and resilience.
1/16/2024 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Maxine Rose Schur picture book features worst baker, worst seamstress in the world
San Rafael author Maxine Rose Schur, reads from her book "A Tale of Bread and Thread." It's about the very worst baker in the world, Mr. Bumble Crumb and his wife, who is the very worst seamstress in the world. It came out December 2023.
12/7/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Ilana DeBare novel is set in the Bay Area … and Hell
Oakland author Ilana DeBare reads from her new book, "Shaken Loose." It's about a young Bay Area woman named Annie who dies and goes to hell. It came out in July, 2023.
12/5/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Joanne Greene pens memoir after car accident
Joanne Greene reads from her book "By Accident: A Memoir of Letting Go." It's about resilience, and her journey back to wholeness after being hit by a car as a pedestrian. It came out June 20th, 2023.
11/30/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Roberto Lovato Memoir Explores Love And Terror In The US And El Salvador
San Francisco author Roberto Lovato reads from his memoir "Unforgetting: A Memoir of Family, Migration, Gangs, and Revolution in the Americas." It's about his journey to understand the tenderness that survived the terror of Salvadoran and U.S. history.
11/28/2023 • 2 minutes, 14 seconds
In Katie Flynn's Eerily Timed Novel, A Virus — And Quarantine — Hit San Francisco
San Francisco author Katie Flynn's new novel, "The Companions," which came out in March, is set in the near future, with California under quarantine.
11/28/2023 • 2 minutes, 8 seconds
James Nestor Explores How Humans Lost Their Ability To Breathe
San Francisco author James Nestor reads from his book, "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art." It’s about how humans, as a species, have lost the ability to breathe properly.
11/28/2023 • 2 minutes, 7 seconds
Katherine Seligman Explores The Edge Of The Haight
San Francisco author Katherine Seligman reads from her new novel "At The Edge of the Haight." It’s about a girl who lives in Golden Gate Park.
11/28/2023 • 1 minute, 53 seconds
Zara Stone Book Declares: The Future Of Science Is Female
San Francisco-based author Zara Stone reads from her book, "The Future of Science is Female." It's about projects that women in STEM are working on.
11/28/2023 • 2 minutes, 26 seconds
Heather Young Novel Explores Secrets And Murder In The Desert
Mill Valley author Heather Young reads from her novel "The Distant Dead." It's about a murder in the Nevada desert.
11/28/2023 • 2 minutes, 1 second
Molly Giles novel provides a home for unwed husbands
Molly Giles reads from her book "Home For Unwed Husbands." It's about a grown woman with a good education and a decent job who still feels she has to accommodate all the men in her life. It came out on August 1.
11/28/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Beverly Parayno stories showcase the resilience of Filipinas
Cameron Park author Beverly Parayno reads from her new book, “Wildflowers.” It’s about the strength, the struggles, and the resiliency of Filipinas. It came out on May 27.
11/16/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Creativity Explored celebrates its 40th anniversary with a book
Ann Kappes is the director of art partnerships at Creativity Explored. The organization’s new book, "Art is Art" was published in recognition of 40 years of art making by disabled artists.
11/14/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Luisa Giulianetti’s multi-genre collection explores her Italian-ness
Luisa Giulianetti lives in Kensington. Her book, "Agrodolce" focuses on the many ways she understands and imagines home.
11/9/2023 • 2 minutes, 14 seconds
Susan Kiyo Ito writes an intimate memoir on adoption
Oakland author Susan Kiyo Ito reads from her new book, "I Would Meet You Anywhere." It's about family identity, adoption, Japanese-American experience and secrets. It came out on November 4, 2023.
11/7/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Terry Tierney novel set in Reagan-era Binghamton, NY
Terry Tierney lives in Oakland. His book, The Bridge on Beer River, is a novel in which the characters struggle for subsistence.
11/2/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Beth Winegarner book tells buried history of SF ’s cemeteries
Beth Winegarner lives in San Francisco. Her book, "San Francisco’s Forgotten Cemeteries" is about the history of the city's graveyards and the many dead secretly still buried here.
10/31/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Susannah Kennedy memoir explores her mother’s diaries after suicide
Marin County author Susannah Kennedy reads from her new book, "Reading Jane." It's about what happened when she explored 45 years of her mother's diaries following her suicide. It came out on September 5, 2023.
10/27/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Paul Flores poetry collection tackles life’s unexpected turns
San Francisco author Paul Flores reads from his new book, "We Still Be.” It’s about how you have to adjust or transform yourself and your identity when life takes a turn you didn't expect.
10/24/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
In this Hilary Zaid novel, the protagonist is an artist at mid-life, up against a social media giant
Hilary Zaid lives in Oakland. Her novel, Forget I Told You This, came out on September 1st, 2023.
10/19/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Japanese izakaya meets California cuisine in Sylvan Mishima Brackett cookbook, Rintaro
Chef Sylvan Mishima Brackett lives in Oakland. His cookbook, Rintaro: Japanese Food From An Izakaya in California explains the thinking that went behind Rintaro's menu.
10/17/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Tess Taylor's collection of poems is about gardening in an era of climate change
Tess Taylor lives in El Cerrito. The book she edited, "Leaning Towards Light: Poems for Gardens and the Hands that Tend Them" is about how to be in touch and in love with the earth around us.
10/12/2023 • 2 minutes, 49 seconds
A new way to look at San Francisco history in Alec Scott book
Alec Scott lives in Oakland. His book, Oldest San Francisco is about the oldest, this, that and the other thing in San Francisco.
10/10/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Ben Schwartz writes novel set at a family farm
Ben Schwartz lives in El Cerrito. His book, The Way It Went. It is a story of how capricious and surprising love can be and how that plays out through three generations of a farm family in the great American heartland.
10/5/2023 • 2 minutes, 15 seconds
Zusha Elinson and Cameron McWhirter write a history of the AR-15 rifle
Zusha Elinson and Cameron-McWhirter co-wrote the book American Gun: The True Story of the AR 15. It's a history of the gun that's often been used in mass shootings, a gun that's become the most popular rifle in America.
10/3/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Jen Lumanlan book describes parenting beyond power
Jen Lumanlanlives in Berkeley. Her book, Parenting Beyond Power is about how we can make parenting easier.
9/28/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Minna Dubin tackles maternal anger in new book
Berkeley author Minna Dubin reads from her new book, "Mom Rage." It's about maternal anger and the ways that society and families neglect mothers. It came out on September 19, 2023.
9/26/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
In Yael Goldstein-Love's novel, new motherhood meets science fiction
Berkeley author Yael Goldstein-Love reads from her new novel, "The Possibilities." It's about the psychological experience of becoming a new mother, told through a multiverse suspense story.
9/21/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Sara Calvosa Olson writes contemporary cookbook of Native Californian foodways
Mill Valley author Sara Calvosa Olson reads from her book, "Chimi Nu’Am: Native Californian Foodways for the Contemporary Kitchen." It's about beginning a journey toward connection and community, good food and the role we all play in healing our world.
9/19/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Jann Eyrich’s new eco-mystery has unlikely hero: a San Francisco building inspector
Jann Eyrich lives in Sonoma County. Her eco-mystery, The Rotting Whale covers the exploits of a San Francisco building inspector.
9/15/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Lea Aschkenas children's book based on a real-life message in a bottle
Novato author Lea Aschkenas reads from her children's book, "Arletis, Abuelo, and the Message in a Bottle." It’s based on the true story of a little girl named Arletis who, on her 8th birthday, finds a message in a bottle on the beach near her home in rural Cuba. It came out on April 25, 2023.
9/14/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Lily Iona MacKenzie poetry collection
Lily Iona MacKenzie lives in Richmond. Her poetry collection, California Dreaming. It's about life and the things she experience in the outer world.
9/7/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
In Moazzam Sheikh novel, characters search for love, acceptance
Moazzam Sheikh lives in San Francisco. His book, A Footbridge to Hell Called Love, is about a person's search for love, dignity and acceptance.
9/5/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Generations hang onto a glimmer of hope in Anita Gail Jones novel
Novato author Anita Gail Jones reads from her new novel, “The Peach Seed.“ It’s about how a glimmer of hope as small as a seed ripples through generations in one family. It came out on August 1, 2023.
8/8/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Clay transforms pain in Vince Montague's book
Cloverdale author Vince Montague reads from his new book, "Cracked Pot." It is about a fragmented experience with trauma and loss and how he turns to clay and making pots to transform my pain into the making of art. It was published in February 2023.
8/3/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Jane Kuo writes about growing up as an undocumented immigrant
Jane Kuo lives in San Carlos. Her book, Land of Broken Promises is about her experience growing up as an undocumented immigrant. It came out on June six, 2023.
8/1/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Latest family mystery from Claudia Hagadus Long
Claudia Hagadus Long lives in Calistoga. Her book, Our Lying Kin, is about stolen artifacts, some insurance fraud, a family scandal, and maybe a murder. It came out on February 28th, 2023.
7/27/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Opposites attract in Cecelia Rabess novel
Cecelia Rabess lives in San Francisco. Her novel Everything's Fine is about a young, progressive black woman who falls for a young conservative white guy. It came out June 6th, 2023.
7/25/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Essential North African dust the topic of Jilanne Hoffmann children’s book
Jilanne Hoffmann lives in San Francisco. Her children's picture book, A River of Dust is about how important North African dust is to the health of our planet.
7/20/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Thought leaders across the African diaspora featured in Sarah Ladipo Manyika's book
Sarah Ladipo Manyika lives in San Francisco. Her book, "Between Starshine and Clay: Conversations from the African Diaspora," is a sharing of intimate conversations with distinguished thinkers of our time. It came out in January 2023.
7/18/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Linda Joy Myers writes historical fiction about the French resistance
Linda Joy Myers lives in Berkeley. Her book, The Forger of Marseille, came out July 11th, 2023.
7/13/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Irena Smith pens memoir about college admissions – from the inside
Irena Smith lives in Palo Alto. Her book, The Golden Ticket: A Life in College Admissions Essays came out on April 18th, 2023.
7/11/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Ann Jacobus tackles mental health, grief, redemption in her novel
Ann Jacobus lives in San Francisco. Her book, The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent, came out on March 7th, 2023.
7/6/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
In her novel, Nina Schuyler’s protagonist brings back voice of her dead husband
Nina Schuyler lives in San Anselmo. Her novel, Afterword, is about a mathematician who uses artificial intelligence to bring back the voice of her dead husband.
6/29/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Andrew Alden explores Oakland’s human and geological histories
Andrew Alden lives in Oakland. His book, "Deep Oakland: How Geology Shaped a City," is about how his city's residents and rich geological history influence each other.
6/27/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Firefighter paramedic Christy Warren writes memoir about recovering from PTSD
Christy Warren lives in Pleasant Hill. Her book Flash Point is about 25-year-career firefighter paramedic that faces her greatest challenge, being diagnosed with PTSD. It came out on June 20th, 2023.
6/22/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Father-daughter story at the heart of Mark Ernest Pothier’s debut novel
Mark Ernest Pothier lives in San Francisco. His debut novel, Outer Sunset. It's about people coming together in the face of unimaginable loss with forgiveness and hope.
6/20/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Historical novel by Ginny Kubitz Moyer set on a Peninsula country estate
Ginny Kubitz Moyer lives on the Peninsula. Her book, The Seeing Garden, is a coming of age story set in 1910 about a 19 year old who comes to Oak View, a country estate in San Francisco.
6/15/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Dominic Lim pens queer Asian romcom
Dominic Lim lives in Oakland. His book, All the Right Notes, came out June 6, 2023.
6/13/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Alix Christie writes historical novel about 19th century Northwest fur trade
Alix Christie lives in San Francisco. Her book, The Shining Mountains, came out April 1st, 2023.
6/8/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Rita Chang-Eppig Novel features a legendary Chinese pirate queen
Rita Chang-Eppig lives in Oakland. Her book, Deep as the Sky Red as the Sea came out May 30th, 2023
6/6/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
David Brehmer's poems explore life after a tragic drunk driving collision
David Brehmer lives in Richmond. His poetry collection, Life, Death, Love and Babies is a collection of poems delving into moments large and small from roughly ten years of his life published March 10th, 2023.
6/1/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Eirinie Carson writes memoir about Black love, and loss
Eirinie Carson lives in Petaluma. Her book, The Dead Are Gods it is a love letter and a time capsule about a sudden death. It came out on April 11th, 2023.
5/30/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Judy Wells pens new collection of travel poems
Judy Wells lives in Berkeley. Her book, Night at the Musee d'Orsay, is a memoir of travel poems — both serious and humorous — that center on her appreciation of great art in European cities. It came out in January, 2023.
5/25/2023 • 2 minutes, 34 seconds
Dean Rader’s poems respond to Cy Twombly artwork
Dean Rader lives in San Francisco. His new poetry collection, Before the Borderless: Dialogs with The Art of Cy Twombly, is a collection of poems that enter into conversation with the artwork of the great American artist.
5/23/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Robert Cherny biography chronicles labor leader Harry Bridges
Robert Cherny lives in San Francisco. His book Harry Bridges: Labor Radical, Labor Legend is about the longtime and often controversial president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. It came out in January, 2023.
5/18/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Heather Bourbeau explores overlooked or forgotten histories
Heather Bourbeau lives in Berkeley. Her book, called Monarch, takes place in the American West. It came out on March 9th, 2023.
5/16/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Lauren Schiller and Hadley Dynak write a guidebook for a feminist future
Lauren Schiller lives in the East Bay. You may know her as the host of KALW’s Inflection Point. Her book, It's A Good Day to Change the World, is a guidebook for a feminist future. It was written with Hadley Dynak and it came out on February 28th, 2023.
5/11/2023 • 2 minutes
New book by activist Alice Wong an impressionistic memoir
Alice Wong lives in San Francisco. Her book, Year of the Tiger, came out in September of 2022. Alice reads a letter that she wishes was sent to her when she was younger. Alice recorded her reading using a text-to-speech app.
5/9/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Reyna Grande's historical novel, set during the Mexican-American war
Reyna Grande lives in Woodland. Her book, A Ballad of Love and Glory came out on March 15, 2022. It follows John Riley, the leader of the St Patrick's Battalion and Ximena Salomé, a nurse in the Mexican army.
4/24/2023 • 2 minutes, 24 seconds
Lynne Twist book encourages lives of meaning, purpose
Lynne Twist lives in San Francisco. Her book, "Living a Committed Life" is about living a life of meaning and purpose and putting the petty thoughts that we have behind us. It came out on November 29th, 2022.
4/18/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Berkeley’s David Fenton reflects on a life in activism in his book
David Fenton lives in Berkeley. His book, The Activist’s Media Handbook: Lessons from 50 Years as a Progressive Agitator, came out on November 1, 2022. It's about how to be a better activist communicator.
4/11/2023 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Novel by Ellen Barker explores race and redlining
Ellen Barker lives in Los Altos. Her book, "East of Troost," is about a house in a black neighborhood and a white woman who moves there. The book came out on September 6th, 2022.
4/4/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
New Rue Mapp Book celebrates black joy in nature
Rue Mapp lives in Vallejo. Her book, "Nature Swagger", is about black joy in the outdoors and highlighting images and visions of black people outside as strong, beautiful and free.
3/28/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Louise Nayer reflects on the impacts of a childhood accident
Louise Nayer lives in San Francisco. Her book, "Narrow Escapes," is about recognizing the deep effects of a haunting childhood accident.
3/21/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Improving communication skills is at the heart of book by Dan Clurman and Mudita Nisker
Dan Clurman and Mudita Nisker live in Oakland. Their book, "Let’s Talk," is about how to improve and expand your interpersonal communication skills.
3/14/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
In homage to 'Ivanhoe,' Esther Erman book centers a Jewish woman physician
Esther Erman reads from her new book, "Rebecca of Salerno." It's about rogue crusaders a Jewish female physician, and a murder.
3/7/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Mylo Schaff poems explore the path from deep grief
Marin County author Mylo Schaff reads from her new book "Blown into Now." It's about finding your way back from deep grief. It came out on July 16, 2022.
2/28/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Thomas McKenna book chronicles a little-known resistance movement of WWII
San Francisco author Thomas McKenna reads from his new book "Moro Warrior." It's the true story of Muhammad Adeel, an extraordinary young Philippine Muslim, who became a guerrilla officer in one of the most remarkable and least known resistance movements of World War Two.
2/21/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Children’s picture book by Monica Wesolowska celebrates being yourself
Monica Wesolowska lives in Berkeley. Her children's picture book, Elbert in the Air, came out on February 21, 2023.
2/14/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Two poets hold conversation across continents during lockdown
Heather Bourbeau lives in Berkeley. Her co-author Anne Casey is from Ireland but lives in Sydney, Australia. Their book of poems, "Some Days the Bird," came out in December, 2022.
2/7/2023 • 4 minutes, 34 seconds
Multi-generational Iranian-American family at the heart of Susanne Pari novel
Susanne Pari lives in Atherton. Her book, "In the Time of Our History," came out January 3, 2023.
1/31/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Leticia Del Toro collection explores motherhood and family expectations
Leticia Del Toro lives in Lafayette. Her book, "All We Are Told Not To Touch," came out in January, 2023.
1/24/2023 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Writing guide penned by the prolific Susan Griffin
Susan Griffin is a prolific and award-winning author who lives in Berkeley. Her new book, Out of Silence, Sound. Out of Nothing, Something came out on January 17, 2023.
1/17/2023 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Melanie Abrams and Larry Smith write about the joy of cannabis
Melanie Abrams lives in Oakland, and Larry Smith lives in Berkeley. Their book, The Joy of Cannabis, came out on January 10, 2023.
1/10/2023 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
George McCalman book honors Black pioneers in portrait
George McCalman lives in San Francisco. His book, "Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen," came out on September 27, 2022.
12/16/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
A chronicle of Linda Ronstadt’s deep roots in Southern Arizona, Northern Mexico
Linda Ronstadt lives in San Francisco. She and Lawrence Downes co-wrote the book, “Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands,” which came out on October 4, 2022. Downes will do the reading.
12/16/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Ajuan Mance book is a response to the criminalization of Black people’s daily lives
Ajuan Mance lives in Oakland. Her book, "Living While Black," came out on October 25, 2022.
12/13/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Children take a treasure hunt in Stephanie Wildman book
Stephanie Wildman lives in San Francisco. Her book, Treasure Hunt was illustrated by Estefania Razo, and translated into Spanish by Cecilia Populus-Eudave. It came out on November 1, 2022.
12/8/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Edward Gunawan reconciles past traumas in poetry and prose
Today, we’ll hear from Edward Gunawan. His book, The Way Back, came out in November of 2022
12/6/2022 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Paola Gianturco, Avery Sangster profile women combating climate change
Paola Gianturco lives in Mill Valley. Her book, created with Avery Sangster, is called COOL, Women Leaders Reversing Global Warming. It came out in September of 2022.
12/1/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Gus D’Angelo’s children's book celebrates National Parks
Gus D’Angelo lives in San Francisco. His illustrated children's book, National Parks A to Z, came out on August 1, 2022.
11/29/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Hunters Point meets Trieste in Tania Romanov’s pilgrimage in San Francisco
Tania Romanov lives in San Francisco. Her book, San Francisco Pilgrimage, came out on June 6, 2022.
11/28/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Jose Antonio Villaran writes poems about mining, natural resource extraction
Jose Antonio Villaran lives in San Francisco and Davis. His book, Open Pit, came out in May, 2022.
11/22/2022 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Family and work-place drama in new Toby Brookes novel
Toby Brookes lives in Palo Alto. His book, All That She Brings, was published in April, 2022.
11/17/2022 • 2 minutes
Tanya Holland cookbook reveals California’s influence on the chef
Oakland author Tanya Holland reads from her new book, "California Soul." It’s about how California influenced her culinary journey. It came out on October 25, 2022.
11/16/2022 • 2 minutes
Lyzette Wanzer explores the policing of Afro-Latina and African-American women's natural hair
Bay Area author Lyzette Wanzer reads from her book, "Trauma Tresses and Truth." It's a collection of personal essays and poetry examining a perception, policing and the persecution of Afro-Latina and African-American women's natural hair in American society. It came out on November 8, 2022.
11/10/2022 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Leslie Absher writes about growing up with a CIA dad
Oakland author Leslie Absher reads from her new book, "Spy Daughter, Queer Girl." It's about what it was like to grow up with the CIA dad in a house of secrets. It came out on October 11, 2022.
11/9/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Tang dynasty poet inspires Patrick James Dunagan’s new book
Patrick James Dunagan lives in San Francisco. His poetry book, "After the Banished," came out on May 1st, 2022.
11/1/2022 • 2 minutes
Caroline M. Mar poems explore her relationship with railroad laborer ancestors
San Francisco poet Caroline M. Mar reads from her new book "Dream of the Lake." It’s about the landscape of Lake Tahoe and Mar's experiences and ancestral connections there. It came out on May 31, 2022.
10/20/2022 • 2 minutes
Ian Mitroff book challenges COVID-19 anti-vaxxers
Berkeley author Ian Mitroff reads from his new book "The Socially Responsible Organization." It's about the dire threat that the fallacious arguments for not getting vaccinated pose to our collective health. It came out on May 25, 2022.
10/19/2022 • 1 minute, 49 seconds
K.M. Soehnlein novel centers 1980s AIDS activism
San Francisco author K.M. Soehnlein reads from his new book "Army of Lovers." It's about a young queer man who moves to New York City in the late eighties and joins the AIDS activist group Act Up. It came out on October 11, 2022.
10/18/2022 • 2 minutes, 13 seconds
Scott Badler book features JFK as a teen
Richmond author Scott Badler reads from his new book, "JFK and the Muckers of Choate." It's about John F Kennedy as a rebellious teenager at boarding school. It came out on May 29, 2022.
10/14/2022 • 1 minute, 52 seconds
Patrick James Dunagan edits previously unpublished work by late poet David Meltzer
Patrick James Dunagan reads from a book by San Francisco poet David Meltzer. It's a previously unpublished text written in 1966 called "Rock Tao." It came out on March 21, 2022.
10/6/2022 • 2 minutes, 6 seconds
Julia Scheeres writes biography of America’s most-read woman
Albany author Julia Scheeres reads from her new book, "Listen, World." It's about Elsie Robinson, a columnist who was a household name in the early 20th century. It came out on September 27, 2022.
10/4/2022 • 2 minutes, 15 seconds
Jack Gedney helps us pay attention to common birds
Novato author Jack Gedney reads from his new book, "The Private Lives of Public Birds." It's about how paying attention to the common birds around our homes and neighborhoods can make our everyday lives richer. It came out on May 17, 2022.
9/29/2022 • 2 minutes, 2 seconds
Kimberly Kralowec writes collection of love poems
San Francisco author Kim Kralowec reads from her new book, "We Retreat into the Stillness of Our Own Bones." It's a collection of love poems dedicated to her husband. It came out on May 17, 2022.
9/27/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Jon and Destry Jarvis say national parks threatened by political sabotage
Jon Jarvis lives in Pinole. He was the 18th director of the National Parks Service, and his brother Destry is a conservationist. Together, they wrote the book National Parks Forever, which came out in May, 2022.
9/26/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Shelley Wong champions play, praise, escape, and transformation
San Francisco author Shelley Wong reads from her new book, "As She Appears." It came out on May 10, 2022.
9/22/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Jonathan Howland novel set in California’s Eastern Sierra
San Francisco author Jonathan Howland reads from his new book, "Native Air." It's about friendship, obsession and grief, set mostly in California's Eastern Sierra. It came out on April 21, 2022.
9/16/2022 • 2 minutes, 3 seconds
Reem Assil cookbook details how food brought her back to her roots
Oakland chef Reem Assil reads from her new book, "Arabiyya." It's about her journey, as an Arab in America, to find her voice and purpose, and about how food brought her back to her roots. It came out on April 19, 2022.
9/13/2022 • 2 minutes, 2 seconds
Obi Kauffman releases a California Coasts Field Atlas
Bay Area author Obi Kauffman reads from his book, "The Coasts of California." It's the latest in his Field Atlas series. It came out in April, 2022.
9/8/2022 • 2 minutes, 11 seconds
Greg Sarris essay collection is about what it means to be connected to one's home
Sonoma County author and Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Greg Sarris, reads from his book "Becoming Story: A Journey Among Seasons, Places, Trees and Ancestors." It's several autobiographical essays in a dialog with the place he calls home. It came out on April 5, 2022.
9/6/2022 • 2 minutes, 10 seconds
Joshua Peralta’s debut is a coming-of-age story in poetry and prose
Oakland author Joshua Peralta reads from his new book "3rd and Orange." The book's a belated coming-of-age story about a young writer. It came out in April, 2022.
9/1/2022 • 2 minutes, 17 seconds
David Parker writes about being a San Francisco conservative
San Francisco author David Parker reads from his new book "A San Francisco Conservative." It came out in April, 2022.
8/30/2022 • 2 minutes, 3 seconds
Sandy Miranda book describes a life in radio
Bay Area author Sandy Miranda reads from her new book, "Tuning In." It’s about overcoming life’s challenges through the power of connection, creativity, and music. It came out on March 19, 2022.
8/25/2022 • 2 minutes, 19 seconds
Mike Trigg novel turns on fraud at a tech startup
Menlo Park author Mike Trigg reads from his new book, "Bit Flip." It's about a middle aged tech startup executive who inadvertently discovers fraud within the company and his ensuing moral dilemma about what to do about it. It came out on August 16, 2022.
8/23/2022 • 2 minutes, 3 seconds
Margo Candela novel explores relationships between three sisters from East LA
San Francisco author Margo Candela reads from her new book, "The Neapolitan Sisters." It's about three sisters from East L.A. who find themselves sharing their childhood bedroom in the weeks leading up to their youngest sister's wedding. It came out on August 9, 2022.
8/18/2022 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Meleah Ekstrand writes how-to on swaddling babies
San Rafael author Meleah Ekstrand reads from her new book, "Swaddle Me Up." It's a how-to on swaddling babies and wearing babies in carriers with parenting tips and humor mixed in. It came out on August 9, 2022.
8/16/2022 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Monica Wesolowska book for young readers inspired by the Fibonacci sequence
8/11/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Rob Volpe publishes a collection of conversations that encourage empathy
San Francisco author Rob Volpe reads from his new book, "Tell Me More About That." It's about the steps to follow to be empathetic in the moment of conversation with other people, told through my own personal stories. It came out on February 22, 2022.
8/9/2022 • 2 minutes, 8 seconds
Vivian Pisano memoir reflects on love and loss in a life between Chile and the US
Berkeley author Vivian Pisano reads from her new memoir, "Living in Two Worlds." It’s about displacement, grief, and the search for identity and belonging. It came out in February, 2022.
8/4/2022 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Joanna Ho children’s book counters microaggressions with family, history
Palo Alto author Joanna Ho reads from her new book, "Eyes That Speak to the Stars." It’s about a young Taiwanese boy who experiences some racial microaggressions at school about his eyes, but he comes to recognize the beauty and power, not just in his eyes but in his family, history, and culture. It came out on February 15th, 2022.
8/3/2022 • 2 minutes
Nina G. and O.J. Patterson chronicle the history of stand-up in the Bay Area
Oakland author Nina G. reads from her new book "Bay Area Stand-Up Comedy," which she co-wrote with co-author OJ Patterson. It came out on February 14, 2022. This passage is about the time in October of 1961 when Lenny Bruce was arrested on obscenity charges after a show in North Beach.
7/28/2022 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Ingrid Rojas Contreras writes a memoir of her curandero grandfather
San Francisco author Ingrid Rojas Contreras reads from her new book, "The Man Who Could Move Clouds." It's about memory and amnesia and about her grandfather, who people said could move clouds. It came out on July 12, 2022.
7/26/2022 • 2 minutes
Kimberly Unger book is a virtual reality thriller
San Francisco author Kimberly Unger reads from her new book "The Extractionist." It's a story about the person whose job it is to pull you out of virtual reality when you really don't want to leave. It came out on July 12, 2022.
7/21/2022 • 2 minutes
Shelley Blanton-Stroud mystery's heroine is a 1939 gossip columnist
Sacramento author Shelley Blanton-Stroud reads from her new book, "Tomboy." It's a coming-of-age story set in 1939 about this ambitious Okie girl who does what she has to do to turn herself into a San Francisco gossip columnist. It came out on June 28, 2022. (And, just a note, this reading includes a descriptive sex scene.)
7/19/2022 • 2 minutes, 10 seconds
Short story collection by Meron Hadero centers immigrants and refugees
Oakland author Meron Hadero reads from her new book, "A Downhome Meal For These Difficult Times." It’s a short story collection focusing on the experiences of immigrants and refugees and those on the verge of displacement. It came out on June 28, 2022.
7/14/2022 • 2 minutes
Judith Berlowitz writes fictional diary set in Spanish Civil War
San Francisco author Judith Berlowitz reads from her new book, "Home So Far Away." It’s a fictional diary of her distant relative from Germany who volunteered in the Spanish Civil War. It came out on June 21, 2022.
7/12/2022 • 2 minutes, 12 seconds
Barbara Graham novel is a psychological thriller about mothers and sons
Marin author Barbara Graham reads from her book, "What Jonah Knew." It’s a psychological thriller about the unbreakable bonds between mothers and sons, even when it seems that all is lost, and the bond is severed beyond repair.
7/7/2022 • 2 minutes
Kirstin Chen pens con-artist caper that shatters the model minority myth
San Francisco author Kirstin Chen reads from her new book "Counterfeit." It's about two women who band together to grow a counterfeit handbag scheme into a global enterprise, shattering the model minority myth along the way. It came out on June 7, 2022.
7/6/2022 • 1 minute, 57 seconds
Alec Scott’s first novel a vibrant coming-of-age story
Oakland author Alec Scott reads from his debut novel, "Until It Shimmers." It’s about a young Canadian who moves from Toronto to London for some jobs that’ll help him figure out what he wants to do with his life. It came out on June 24, 2022.
6/30/2022 • 2 minutes, 20 seconds
Masha Rumer book delves into being an immigrant parent
Masha Rumer lives in San Jose. Her book, Parenting With An Accent, came out in November of 2021.
6/16/2022 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Jodi Klein writes about first dates in a new collection of essays
San Francisco author Jodi Klein reads from her new book "First Date Stories." It’s a collection of true and memorable tales of debut dates from women in their late 30s, 40s, and 50s.
6/15/2022 • 2 minutes
Loren Rhoads book a memoir about life in San Francisco
Loren Rhoads lives in San Francisco. Her book, This Morbid Life, came out in August of 2021.
6/9/2022 • 2 minutes
Evelyn LaTorre memoir reflects on cross-cultural love, marriage, and parenting
Fremont author Evelyn LaTorre reads from her book, "Love in Any Language." It’s about the joys and challenges of loving and parenting and living with a man who she met when she was in the Peace Corps.
6/7/2022 • 2 minutes
Butterflies, grandmothers, samosas, and grassroots rebellion in new Shanthi Sekaran middle-grades book
Shanthi Sekaran lives in Berkeley. Her book for juvenile readers, The Samosa Rebellion, came out in September of 2021.
6/3/2022 • 2 minutes, 25 seconds
Doctor Anna Lembke's book explains how our primitive wiring is mismatched for modern world
Dr. Anna Lembke lives in Palo Alto. Her book, Dopamine Nation, came out in August of 2021.
5/31/2022 • 2 minutes
Author Rachel Michelberg reads from her book 'Crash'
Rachel Michelberg lives in Los Altos Hills. Her book, Crash: How I Became a Reluctant Caregiver, came out in April 2021.
5/26/2022 • 2 minutes
Beth Winegarner zine explores gender in glam metal
San Francisco author Beth Winegarner reads from her new zine, "A Riff of One’s Own." It's about gender, queerness, and hysteria in glam metal. It came out in April 2021.
5/25/2022 • 2 minutes
In her new book, Virgie Tovar combines essays, stickers, and journal prompts to promote body positivity
It’s about the extraordinary power that just a little journaling and some very cute stickers can have on how you feel about your body. There are also short essays that are sort of a mix between a pep talk and a sparkly little truffle of wisdom.
5/19/2022 • 2 minutes
In new Heather Chavez novel, an old crime tests a sister’s loyalty
Heather Chavez lives in Santa Rosa. Her book, Blood Will Tell, came out in April 26th, 2022.
5/16/2022 • 2 minutes
New Gabriela Hasbun photo book features Black cowboys
Gabriela Hasbun lives in San Francisco. Her book, "The New Black West," came out at the end of April, 2022.
5/12/2022 • 1 minute, 58 seconds
Toni Mirosevich's short story collection features outsiders in a coastal town
Toni Mirosevich lives in Pacifica. Her book of linked stories, "Spell Heaven" came out on April 26th, 2022.
5/10/2022 • 2 minutes, 23 seconds
Chairman Mao’s protege and lover at center of new Vannessa Hua novel
East Bay author Vaness Hua reads from her new book, "Forbidden City." It’s about Chairman Mao’s teenage protege and lover who becomes a poster child for the cultural revolution. It came out in April 2022.
5/5/2022 • 2 minutes
Mitchell Schwarzer book tracks the development of Oakland
Oakland author Mitchell Schwarzer reads from his new book, "Hella Town." It examines Oakland's built environment from the 1890s to the early 21st century. It came out in September, 2021.
5/3/2022 • 2 minutes, 16 seconds
Kristin Keane writes book about death, time travel, and losing her mother
San Francisco author Kristin Keane reads from her new book, "An Encyclopedia of Bending Time." It explores the concept of death and time travel, and puts thinkers like Einstein in conversation with pop cultural artifacts like the TV show Quantum Leap. It came out April 12, 2022.
4/28/2022 • 2 minutes, 12 seconds
'Dear White Women' encourages uncomfortable conversations about racism
San Carlos author Misasha Suzuki Graham reads from her book "Dear White Women." She co-wrote it with Sara Blanchard and it's about answering the question of what to do to be more anti racist in everyday life. It came out in October of 2021.
4/26/2022 • 2 minutes, 10 seconds
Alien heroes and friendship reign in new Charlie Jane Anders book
San Francisco author Charlie Jane Anders reads from her new book "Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak." It’s the sequel to "Victories Greater Than Death" about a teenage girl named Tina who’s secretly the clone of an alien hero. It came out on April 5, 2022.
4/21/2022 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
In Angela Terry novel, an workaholic runs into her high school crush
San Francisco author Angela Terry reads from her new book, "The Trials of Adeline Turner." It’s about a 30-something attorney who runs into her high school crush at the airport, which sets off a series of events that turn her boring life upside down. It came out in October of 2021.
4/19/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Maggie Tokuda-Hall graphic novel features a new kind of popular girl: a werewolf
Oakland author Maggie Tokuda-Hall reads from her new graphic novel "Squad." It's about Becca, a new girl at Piedmont High who is thrilled to feel like she belongs for the first time. It was illustrated by Lisa Sterle and it came out in October of 2021.
4/14/2022 • 2 minutes, 9 seconds
Faith Kramer cookbook celebrates flavors from around the Jewish world
Oakland author Faith Kramer reads from her new cookbook, "52 Shabbats: Friday Night Dinners Inspired by a Global Jewish Kitchen." The recipes are from 52 shabbats full of the vibrant tastes she likes to serve her family and friends. It came out in December 2021.
4/13/2022 • 2 minutes, 7 seconds
Goofy dogs are therapy in Kristina Micotti book
San Jose author Kristina Micotti reads from her illustrated book, "Dog Therapy." It’s about goofy, silly dogs you’d want in your life and it came out in March 29, 2022.
4/7/2022 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Melissa Harris book details the first year in the life of her baby, born at 24 weeks
Oakland author Melissa Harris reads from her new book, "One Pound, Twelve Ounces." It's about her struggles with secondary infertility, miscarriage, and finally having a second child after just 24 weeks of pregnancy. It came out in November 2021.
4/5/2022 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Naomi Krupitsky’s debut novel is a coming of age story within the Mafia
Naomi Krupitsky reads from her debut novel "The Family." It’s about Sofia and Antonia, two best friends who grow up together in Brooklyn. It’s their coming of age story, but it’s also about the Mafia.
3/31/2022 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Picture book from Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis tackles the question, 'What is love?'
Oakland author Mac Barnett reads from his new book, "What Is Love." It was illustrated by Carson Ellis and it's about love and the different things mean to different people, and how a feeling is really hard to put into words. It came out in December of 2021.
3/29/2022 • 1 minute, 54 seconds
Animal mating habits on display in Dahlia Gallin Ramirez book
San Francisco author Dahlia Gallin reads from her new book, "Sex and the Single Panda." It’s about the brilliant, heartbreaking, and sometimes horrifying mating habits of animals. It came out on March 8, 2022.
3/28/2022 • 2 minutes, 2 seconds
Lee Kravetz novel imagines how Sylvia Plath wrote 'The Bell Jar'
The novel tells the story of Sylvia Plath and how she came to write The Bell Jar. It’s told from the perspectives of her psychiatrist, her literary rival a few years later, and a modern-day curator at an auction house.
3/24/2022 • 2 minutes, 24 seconds
In new Aya de Leon novel, a rap star becomes an accidental activist
Berkeley author Aya de Leon reads from her new book, "Queen of Urban Prophecy." It’s about a young artist who unwittingly predicts a police shooting in one of her rap songs and becomes an accidental activist for black lives and climate justice.
3/17/2022 • 2 minutes, 8 seconds
Exploring the history of US public lands in John Leshy book
San Francisco author John Leshy reads from his new book "Our Common Ground." It's a look at the political history of America's public lands.
3/15/2022 • 2 minutes
LD Green book celebrates bisexuality, non-binary gender, while reckoning with trauma
Richmond author LD Green reads from their book new book "Phoenix Song." It's about their journey into healing and wholeness.
Vallejo author Kelliane Parker reads from her new book "Down the Foggy Streets of My Mind."
3/8/2022 • 2 minutes, 23 seconds
Kathleen J. Woods novel explores desire
San Bruno author Kathleen J Woods reads from her new book, "White Wedding." It follows a woman who has crashed a wedding after hitchhiking with a girl named Charlotte.
3/3/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Before her death, Mary Ann Hogan penned a memoir reflecting on her literary editor father
Mill Valley author May Ann Hogan wrote her memoir "Circle Way." It's a daughter's quest to understand her father. In Mary Ann’s case, it’s Bill Hogan, the long-time literary editor of the San Francisco Chronicle. Her husband Eric Newton reads a passage from the book.
3/1/2022 • 2 minutes, 16 seconds
Dallas Woodburn's young adult novel is a friends-to-lovers romance
Fremont author Dallas Woodburn reads from her new novel, "Thanks, Carissa, for Ruining My Life." It’s about two teenagers, Brad and Rose, who are brought together in surprising ways.
2/24/2022 • 2 minutes, 7 seconds
Brian Tierney poetry collection explores grief, loss, and perseverance
Oakland author Brian Tierney reads one of his favorite poems from his new book, "Rise and Float."
2/22/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Monique Jenkinson, aka Fauxnique, writes about an unusual life in drag
San Francisco author Monique Jenkinson, who performs as the drag queen Fauxnique, reads from her new novel, "Faux Queen." It’s about finding your people and coming together in difference on the sticky dance floor.
2/18/2022 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Jessie Susannah Karnatz, aka the Money Witch, offers financial advice in new book
Bay Area author Jessie Susannah Karnatz, aka the Money Witch reads from her new book, "Money Magic: Practical Wisdom and Empowering Rituals to Heal Your Finances." It’s about facing the emotional and spiritual blocks that impact your financial life.
2/15/2022 • 2 minutes
Carolyn Lee Arnold writes memoir about dating after 50
Oakland author Carolyn Lee Arnold reads from her new book "50 First Dates After 50." It’s about a dating project she did in her late 50s, going out with 50 different men in order to find a committed partner.
2/10/2022 • 2 minutes, 3 seconds
Stephanie Wildman pens bilingual children’s book brave in the water
San Francisco author Stephanie Wildman and Spanish translator Cecilia Populus-Eudave read from their new book "Brave in the Water." It was illustrated by Jenni Feidler-Aguilar. It’s about a little boy who’s afraid to put his face in the water.
2/8/2022 • 2 minutes, 9 seconds
Michelle Rial’s illustrated book helps us feel better about not feeling better
Michelle Rial reads from her illustrated book "Maybe This Will Help." It’s filled with charts and essays about how to feel better about not feeling better.
2/4/2022 • 2 minutes, 1 second
Zara Stone explores the history of plastic surgery in prison
San Francisco author Zara Stone reads from her new book "Killer Looks: The Forgotten History Of Plastic Surgery In Prison." It explores whether providing incarcerated people with free facelifts and nose jobs can impact recidivism, and what that says about our society as a whole.
2/4/2022 • 2 minutes, 12 seconds
Marina Luz illustrates book covers based on our misremembered memories
Oakland artist Marina Luz reads from her new book "A Library of Misremembered Books." It's a collection of illustrated books covers based on nothing more than how we describe books when we can’t remember the author or title.
1/29/2022 • 2 minutes, 27 seconds
Ruth Carlson reveals secret California in new book
San Francisco author Ruth Carlson reads from her new book, "Secret California." It’s about the quirky, odd, unusual characters and places in the Golden State.
1/25/2022 • 2 minutes
Jenny Qi debut poetry collection explores loss
San Francisco author Jenny Qi reads from her new book, "Focal Point." It's about loss.New Arrivals is taking a short break, but we'll be back in January, with more micro-readings from Bay Area authors.Thanks for listening!
12/16/2021 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Shanna Farrell’s ‘A Good Drink’ connects alcohol with the food system
San Francisco author Shanna Farrell reads from her new book, "A Good Drink." It’s about the connection between alcohol and the food system and why we should treat spirits as part of the food system.
12/14/2021 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Mary Roach pens new book about animals breaking the law
Oakland author Mary Roach reads from her new book, “Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law.” It’s about thieving blackbirds and jaywalking deer and bears breaking and entering.
12/9/2021 • 1 minute, 59 seconds
Justin Barker memoir ‘Bear Boy’ pairs animal rights activism and self-empowerment
San Francisco author Justin Barker reads from his new book "Bear Boy." It's a true story of when he was 13 years old struggling with my identity and bullying in the suburbs, and how he discovered a book about animal rights.
12/7/2021 • 2 minutes, 8 seconds
Shruti Swamy sets coming-of-age novel in 1960s and 70s Bombay and a world of dance
San Francisco author Shruti Swamy reads from her new book, "The Archer." It follows protagonist Vidya as she comes to a sense of self through the pursuit of kathak, a classical Indian dance, all the while grappling with the trauma of her earlier life, and finding a way forward.
12/2/2021 • 2 minutes, 11 seconds
Rory Stamp's illustrated guide celebrates cheeses from around the world
Petaluma-based author Rory Stamp reads from his new book, "Cheese, Illustrated." It’s an illustrated guide to 50 of his favorite cheese styles from around the world.
11/30/2021 • 2 minutes
Beth Lee encourages novices and experts to bake essential Jewish goodies
San Jose author Beth Lee reads from her new book "The Essential Jewish Baking Cookbook." The book is about learning to bake the Jewish recipes you grew up with, or the ones you want your own family to grow up eating.
11/23/2021 • 2 minutes
Alexis Fajardo graphic novel 'Kid Beowulf' goes to Rome
Santa Rosa author Alexis Fajardo reads from his new graphic novel, "Kid Beowulf – The Tarpeian Rock." It's the fourth in the series and it's all about history, mythology, and the founding of Rome.
11/18/2021 • 2 minutes, 28 seconds
Alex Harris combines illustrations and text in ‘Birds of Lake Merritt’
Oakland author Alex Harris reads from his new book, "Birds of Lake Merritt." It's about the lake’s history as the first wildlife refuge in the nation.
11/16/2021 • 2 minutes
Rupa Marya and Raj Patel diagnose connected suffering of our bodies, societies, and planet
Oakland-based author Rupa Marya reads from her new book "Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice." She co-wrote the book with Raj Patel and it offers a new level of diagnosis to understand how our bodies, our societies, and our planet, are suffering.
11/15/2021 • 2 minutes, 13 seconds
Shugri Said Salh writes about learning resilience from her nomadic grandmother
Sonoma author Shugri Said Salh reads from her new book, "The Last Nomad." It's about the resilience she learned from her grandmother that helped her survive and all the twists and turns that her life took that landed her here in California.
11/9/2021 • 2 minutes, 30 seconds
Conrad Benedicto’s debut novel features music, fantasy, and resistance
San Francisco author Conrad Benedicto reads from his new book, "Musalaya’s Gift." It’s about a talented musician whose gift for playing Kulintang music opens the door to resistance, magic, and also danger.
11/4/2021 • 2 minutes
Paul Corman-Roberts writes about rebuilding in new poetry collection
Alameda poet Paul Corman-Roberts reads from his new book of poetry, "Bone Moon Palace." It's about what it means to remake one's home and community. Here’s a stanza from the poem "coeur d'alene."
11/2/2021 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Nicolette Hahn Niman revises, expands her book defending beef
Bolinas author Nicolette Hahn Niman reads from the newly revised and expanded version of her book, "Defending Beef." It’s about why beef is an important source of nourishment for humans, and why cattle are an ecologically valuable part of our food system.
10/28/2021 • 2 minutes
Grant Faulkner short story collection asks how much comfort sin can provide?
Berkeley author Grant Faulkner reads from his new short story collection, "All The Comfort Sin Can Provide." The 100-word story Morphine Drip is one of his favorites and includes the genesis of the title for the collection.
10/26/2021 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Cassandra Hartt novel explores mental health and friendship in a disappearing coastal town
Fremont author Cassandra Hartt reads from her new book, "The Sea is Salt and So Am I." It’s about three teenagers living in a coastal Maine town that’s falling into the ocean.
10/21/2021 • 2 minutes, 34 seconds
K.R. Morrison poetry collection explores ancestry, love, and feminism
San Francisco poet K. R. Morrison reads from her new collection, "Cauldrons." It explores themes that get stuck within us if we don’t stir up the shadow work, look for the light in the dark.
10/19/2021 • 2 minutes, 6 seconds
Chaney Kwak memoir opens on a sinking cruise
San Francisco author Chaney Kwak reads from his new book "The Passenger: How a Travel Writer Learned to Love Cruises & Other Lies from a Sinking Ship." It starts off on a ship that loses power in a freak storm and almost runs aground in Norway.
10/14/2021 • 1 minute, 51 seconds
Alice Waters tackles changing the world through food in her new book
Berkeley author and Chez Panisse owner Alice Waters reads from her new book "We Are What We Eat." The book is about how food can change the world.
10/12/2021 • 2 minutes, 3 seconds
Faith, gender, and power fill Monica West’s debut novel
Oakland author Monica West reads from her new book "Revival Season." It’s about patriarchy and power, all told from the perspective of a 15-year-old girl.
10/7/2021 • 1 minute, 47 seconds
Dena Rod's debut poetry collection explores family secrets
Berkeley author Dena Rod reads from their debut poetry collection "Scattered Arils." It's about family secrets and growing up in the Iranian-American diaspora.
10/5/2021 • 1 minute, 59 seconds
Judith Ann Bernhard takes on marriages in short story collection
San Francisco author Judith Ann Bernhard reads from her new book, "Marriages."
9/30/2021 • 1 minute, 59 seconds
Rachel Sarah Highlights Young Climate Activists In New Book
Berkeley author Rachel Sarah reads from her new book, "Girl Warriors." She interviewed 25 climate activists under age 25 to show how they’re fighting for their futures.
9/29/2021 • 1 minute, 55 seconds
Joel Landmine's Poetry Collection Mourns A Disappearing Bay Area
Oakland author Joel Landmine reads from his new book "Things Change." It’s a collection of poems from 2014 to the present about watching the Bay Area he knew growing up disappear around him.
9/24/2021 • 0
Former Laureate Kim Shuck Writes Collection About Nature, Water, And Justice
Kim Shuck was the San Francisco's poet laureate from 2017 to 2021. She reads from her new collection "Exile Heart."
9/21/2021 • 1 minute, 59 seconds
Stephanie Wildman’s Classic Book Privilege Revealed Gets Updated
San Francisco author Stephanie Wildman reads from her book, "Privilege Revealed." It's about systems of privilege in our society and it was updated and reissued this year.
9/17/2021 • 2 minutes, 7 seconds
Annalee Newitz Book Explores Ancient, Abandoned Cities
San Francisco author Annalee Newitz reads from their new book, "Four Lost Cities." It’s about archeological discoveries that reveal why people abandoned ancient cities long ago.
9/14/2021 • 2 minutes, 11 seconds
Mike Chen's Adventure Novel Pairs Superhero And Super Villain
Bay Area author Mike Chen reads from his new book, We Could Be Heroes. It’s about a superhero and a super villain who accidentally discover each other's secret identities and decide they work better as partners.
9/9/2021 • 2 minutes
Jennifer Worley Memoir Recalls Dancing And Organizing At The Lusty Lady
San Francisco Author Jennifer Worley reads from her new book "Neon Girls." It's about her time as an exotic dancer at the Lusty Lady theater.
9/7/2021 • 2 minutes, 7 seconds
Leticia Hernández-Linares Book Looks At Housing and Displacement Through A Young Person's Eyes
San Francisco author Leticia Hernández-Linares reads from her new book "Alejandria Fights Back/La Lucha de Alejandria." It’s about a young girl who fights against displacement and gentrification.
8/12/2021 • 2 minutes
Jadie Jang’s Supernatural Murder Mystery
San Francisco author Claire Light writes as Jadie Jang. Her new book is "Monkey Around." It's a supernatural murder mystery that takes place in the Bay Area’s activist scene, full of monsters from non-Western mythologies pretending to be human.
8/10/2021 • 2 minutes
Christine Peck Co-Authors Children’s Book On Mindfulness
Mill Valley author Christine Peck reads from the children’s book she co-authored, "Too Many Bubbles." It's about how persistent thoughts overtake Izzy’s day and how she overcomes them.
8/3/2021 • 2 minutes, 44 seconds
Allison Larkin’s Coming-Of-Age Novel Features a Stolen Car, Songwriting, And Found Family
East Bay author Allison Larkin reads from her new book, Also “The People We Keep.” It’s about a 16-year-old folk singer named April who’s growing up in a motorless motorhome in a dead-end town until she steals a car and hits the road.
7/29/2021 • 1 minute, 48 seconds
In Lou Cook’s Children’s Book, Talking Animals Fill The SF Waterfront
San Francisco author and ferry deckhand Lou Cook reads from her book "Murkey’s: A Rabbit Noir." It's set on the city's docks.
7/27/2021 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Tonga Victoria Centers Polynesian Heritage In YA Trilogy About Climate Change
East Palo Alto author Tonga Victoria reads from her new book, "The Hyphen American." It's the first in a young adult trilogy that revolves around the question: what happens when the fate of the earth and its inhabitants falls on the shoulders of a 21st century American girl?
7/22/2021 • 2 minutes, 29 seconds
Jaimal Yogis Publishes Second Children’s Book About A Volatile, Lovable Surfer Kid
San Francisco author Jaimal Yogis reads from his new children’s book "Mop Rides the Waves of Change." It’s the second book in a series about Mop, a volatile but lovable surfer kid who’s learning to navigate the waves of emotions like the waves of the ocean.
7/20/2021 • 2 minutes, 2 seconds
Stefan Salinas Pens Cartoon Called Grief And Anger
San Francisco author Stefan Salinas reads from his new cartoon "Grief and Anger." In this excerpt, he describes the images and reads from the book.
7/14/2021 • 1 minute, 48 seconds
Matthew Clark Davison Novel Explores A False Accusation Against A Teacher In A Progressive City
San Francisco Author Matthew Clark Davison reads from his novel "Doubting Thomas." The book examines the fallout of a false accusation that ended Thomas’s job as a teacher and he’s flashing back to just after he’s graduated from UC Berkeley.
7/13/2021 • 2 minutes, 2 seconds
Joy Lanzendorfer Novel, Set in 1930s Hollywood, Follows Three Generations Of California Women
Petaluma author Joy Lanzendorfer reads from her new novel "Right Back Where We Started From." It’s about a woman who will do anything to get back what her family lost, except face the truth of who she really is.
7/8/2021 • 1 minute, 55 seconds
In Elizabeth Gonzalez James Novel, A Young Woman Struggles In The Aftermath Of The Great Recession
Oakland author Elizabeth Gonzalez James reads from her new book "Mona at Sea." In the first chapter Mona joins a support group for job seekers.
7/7/2021 • 2 minutes
Bob Calhoun Book Shows How True Crime Shaped San Francisco
San Leandro author Bob Calhoun reads from his new book "The Murders that Made Us." It covers 170 years of San Francisco history as told through its most heinous crimes.
7/1/2021 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Ethel Rohan Reflects On The Profound Impacts Of Physical Connection
San Francisco author Ethel Rohan reads from her new short story collection "In The Event of Contact." It chronicles how characters are affected by physical connection, or the lack of it.
6/29/2021 • 2 minutes
Andreas Karelas Encourages Readers to Have Climate Courage
San Francisco author Andreas Karelas reads from his new book, "Climate Courage." It’s about solving the climate crisis and bridging the political divide in America at the same time.
6/24/2021 • 2 minutes
A Cookbook Explores How San Francisco's Chinatown Changed The Flavor Of America
Today we hear from San Francisco writer Tienlon Ho and Brandon Jew, Chef and owner of the restaurant Mister Jiu’s in San Francisco. Their book, Mister Jiu’s In Chinatown came out in March, 2021.
6/17/2021 • 2 minutes, 27 seconds
Josiah Luis Alderete Releases New Book of Poetry
Today we hear from Josiah Luis Alderete, who lives in San Francisco. He’s the author of the new book of poems called Baby Axolotls y Old Pochos, which came out on April 29.
6/16/2021 • 2 minutes, 23 seconds
Jenny Bitner Novel Is A Bisexual Love Story With Poisoning And Librarians
San Francisco author Jenny Bitner reads from her new novel, "Here’s a Game We Could Play." It’s a bisexual love story with poisoning and librarians. This reading is about a first date between the two main characters.
6/14/2021 • 2 minutes, 4 seconds
Bonnie Tsui Children’s Book Follows The First Woman To Surf Mavericks
Berkeley author Bonnie Tsui reads from her new children's book "Sarah and the Big Wave." It’s about Sarah Gerhardt, the first woman to surf Half Moon Bay’s biggest break.
6/10/2021 • 2 minutes, 17 seconds
New Cookbook Encourages Kitchen Catharsis
San Francisco authors Tara Duggan and Rachel Levin read from their new book "Steamed."
6/3/2021 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
25 Writers On Loving And Sometimes Leaving San Francisco, With Editor Gary Kamiya
San Francisco author Gary Kamiya reads from the new collection, "The End of the Golden Gate, Writers on Loving and Sometimes Leaving San Francisco." It's about whether to stay or leave San Francisco.
6/2/2021 • 2 minutes, 9 seconds
Gabriela Garcia Novel Weaves Together Five Generations of Women
Oakland author Gabriela Garcia reads from her new novel, ‘Of Women and Salt.’ It's about five generations of women whose lives come together in unexpected ways.
5/27/2021 • 2 minutes
New Anthology Focuses On Black Liberation
Oakland author Tureeda Mikell co-curated "Patrice Lumumba: Anthology Of Writers On Black Liberation."
5/20/2021 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Vendela Vida’s New Novel Explores Friendships And Lies In 1980s San Francisco
San Francisco author Vendela Vida reads from her new novel "We Run the Tides." It’s about female friendships, lies, and the transformation of a city.
5/18/2021 • 2 minutes, 15 seconds
Irvin D. Yalom's Memoir Chronicles His Wife’s Passing, And Life Without Her
Palo Alto author Irvin D. Yalom reads from his new memoir, "A Matter of Death and Life." This passage describes her moment of death.
5/11/2021 • 2 minutes
Mimi Tempestt Poetry Collection Is A Meditation On Death
Oakland poet Mimi Tempestt reads from her new book, "the monumental misrememberings." It's about how Black girls, women, trans women, and femmes often become displaced and experience death and subjugation as a result of patriarchal systems in America.
5/7/2021 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Julie Lythcott-Haims Book Offers Inspiration And Strategies For Living Your Best Adult Life
Palo Alto author Julie Lythcott-Haims reads from her new book, "Your Turn: How to Be an Adult." It’s about adulting.
4/30/2021 • 2 minutes, 11 seconds
Annie Barrows Releases Final Installment In Bestselling Ivy + Bean Series
Berkeley author Annie Barrows reads from her new book "Ivy and Bean Get to Work." It's the twelfth and final book in the Ivy and Bean series and, of course, it's not about work. It's about treasure.
4/28/2021 • 2 minutes, 3 seconds
In Dave Eggers Picture Book, A Boy And His Grandmother Travel The World As Jaguars
Bay Area author Dave Eggers reads from his new picture book, "We Became Jaguars." It's about a boy who is babysat by his grandmother and she decides to play a game where they pretend to be Jaguars. It was illustrated by Woodrow White.
4/13/2021 • 2 minutes, 1 second
Aya De Leon Spy Novel Set Among Black Lives And Climate Justice Activists
Berkeley author Aya de Leon reads from her new novel, "A Spy in the Struggle." It’s about Yolanda Vance, a young African American woman who infiltrates Bay Area activists who are fighting for climate justice and Black lives.
4/8/2021 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Kim Addonizio Releases New Book Of Poetry
Oakland author Kim Addonizio reads from her new book of poems, "Now We’re Getting Somewhere." It's about being a woman, being lonely, confused, joyous, mortal, and thirsty.
4/2/2021 • 2 minutes, 3 seconds
Leticia Del Toro Story Follows A Mexican Father-Daughter Duo On A Vacation Gone Awry
Lafayette author Leticia Del Toro reads from her new story, "Tale from Tenacatita." It was published as part of the anthology "Puro Chicanx of the 21st Century."
3/31/2021 • 2 minutes, 6 seconds
Ehsaneh Sadr Novel Follows An Iranian Family Trying To Stay Afloat During The Green Wave
Campbell author Ehsaneh Sadr reads from her new book, "A Door Between Us." It’s about three characters dealing with complicated family dynamics, all in the aftermath of the 2009 Iranian election.
3/26/2021 • 2 minutes, 9 seconds
Chris Colin Bedtime Story Helps Grownups Dream Of A Life Without Screens
San Francisco author Chris Colin's new book is called "Off: The Day the Internet Died." It's an illustrated bedtime fantasy about our dysfunctional relationship with screens.
3/18/2021 • 2 minutes
Ron Nyren Novel About A Family Rebuilding After The 1906 Earthquake
El Cerrito author Ron Nyren reads from his new novel, "The Book of Lost Light." It's about Joseph Kylander, his obsessive father, and his impulsive older cousin Karelia, after their lives are upended by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
3/11/2021 • 2 minutes, 5 seconds
Valerie Miner Short Stories Takes Readers Across Seas During Lockdown
San Francisco author Valerie Miner reads from her new collection of stories, "Bread and Salt." The stories are set in India, France, Tunisia, Indonesia, Turkey, Italy.
3/10/2021 • 2 minutes
Brad Balukjian Explores What Happens To Baseball Legends After The Spotlight Fades
Oakland author Brad Balukjian reads from his new book "The Wax Pack : On the Open Road in Search of Baseball’s Afterlife." It’s about a 11,341-mile road trip to find every player in a pack of 1986 baseball cards.
3/3/2021 • 2 minutes
Berkeley Noir Tackles Crime, Corruption, And Redemption
Alameda author Jerry Thompson reads from the introduction of "Berkeley Noir," a collection of stories he co-edited with crime novelist Owen Hill.
2/18/2021 • 2 minutes, 21 seconds
Dallas Woodburn Love Story Is Set In Hawaii
Fremont author Dallas Woodburn reads from her young adult novel "The Best Week That Never Happened." It’s a love story set in Hawaii.
2/12/2021 • 2 minutes
Danielle Fuentes Morgan Writes About African American Satire
Santa Clara author Danielle Fuentes Morgan reads from her new book "Laughing to Keep From Dying." It's about African American satire as a subversive mode that creates a space for Black people to define ourselves.