Libreria El Ateneo, Buenos Aires, in a 1929 theatre
Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts
Monday, August 16, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, November 02, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Steinbeck map of America by Molly Maguire in the collection of the Library of Congress
Not that it has anything to do with what I'm reading at the moment (The Painter of Battles, by Arturo Perez-Reverte), but it's a cool map that I hadn't seen in a while...
Friday, May 30, 2008
The 20th Anniversary Lambda Literary Awards
As the guests began to file into the Silver Screen Theatre at the Pacific Design Center, I was first felt somewhat unsettled, unnerved and unworthy; there were so many people arriving that I didn't know. Had I become that removed from the LGBT publishing world so thoroughly?
Fortunately, it only took but a few familiar faces in the crowd to get comfortable. Later during the show, it was clear to me that there was probably no audience I'd rather be in than among the writers, publishers and other litteratti present from the literary community.
I was not only among them, I am one of them. I was, after all, an invited presenter. Not until the following day did I realize that few in the theatre knew as many of those present as I did (considering that I'm not formallly a member of the Lambda Literary Foundation).
The internal feeling transformed from dread over what I had not done in recent years to the re-energizing to write, with so many of my literary heroes, mentors and peers together in one place.
To have known so many of those honored much less present is a most rarest of gifts and an indescribable inspiration.
The thrill to be in the company of this comunity could not be easily described in words --so counterintuitive given that is words which bind us.
The past, the present and the future of are --at this moment, at least-- all connected.
How often and when again, will I sit next to Patricia Nell Warren, dishing in the back of the theatre? How many of those most respected in attendance had I worked with over the years; introduced, hosted, interviewed?
I coud even be amused when Michael Corbett, the master of ceremonies, pronounced my name incorrectly and read my bio wrong, identifying me as a "founder" of BLK magazine. Only a few in the audience might have been in on that private joke, fortunately.
I was not only in attendance at this event, and among my peers, but invited to sit at the captain's table, as it were. And I belonged there.
There was a sense, later, that I was looking forward, as opposed to being in danger of becoming Lot's wife by loooking over my shoulder. The overwhelming number of pioneers honored in memoriam --and the scattered grey-hairs in the crowd, along with the fresh faces-- added a sense of immediacy in ensuring that I get my work completed.
Does every writer have this self-imposed sense of isolation? How do we create a sense of community, when there are so few occasions when we are all gathered together? It's been a long time since a writer's conference on the West Coast, or a less formal gathering of so many attending.
Fortunately, it only took but a few familiar faces in the crowd to get comfortable. Later during the show, it was clear to me that there was probably no audience I'd rather be in than among the writers, publishers and other litteratti present from the literary community.
I was not only among them, I am one of them. I was, after all, an invited presenter. Not until the following day did I realize that few in the theatre knew as many of those present as I did (considering that I'm not formallly a member of the Lambda Literary Foundation).
The internal feeling transformed from dread over what I had not done in recent years to the re-energizing to write, with so many of my literary heroes, mentors and peers together in one place.
To have known so many of those honored much less present is a most rarest of gifts and an indescribable inspiration.
The thrill to be in the company of this comunity could not be easily described in words --so counterintuitive given that is words which bind us.
The past, the present and the future of are --at this moment, at least-- all connected.
How often and when again, will I sit next to Patricia Nell Warren, dishing in the back of the theatre? How many of those most respected in attendance had I worked with over the years; introduced, hosted, interviewed?
I coud even be amused when Michael Corbett, the master of ceremonies, pronounced my name incorrectly and read my bio wrong, identifying me as a "founder" of BLK magazine. Only a few in the audience might have been in on that private joke, fortunately.
I was not only in attendance at this event, and among my peers, but invited to sit at the captain's table, as it were. And I belonged there.
There was a sense, later, that I was looking forward, as opposed to being in danger of becoming Lot's wife by loooking over my shoulder. The overwhelming number of pioneers honored in memoriam --and the scattered grey-hairs in the crowd, along with the fresh faces-- added a sense of immediacy in ensuring that I get my work completed.
Does every writer have this self-imposed sense of isolation? How do we create a sense of community, when there are so few occasions when we are all gathered together? It's been a long time since a writer's conference on the West Coast, or a less formal gathering of so many attending.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Live! from the 13th Annual Festival of Books
If anything, today was hot; tomorrow will be also. We're talkin' in the neighborhood of 100 degrees Fahrenheit .
Despite the heat, though, this has been a real buzz for everyone in the lit field. I always leave the UCLA campus kicking and screaming every year, not wanting it to end; yet at sometime I have to take all this enthusiasm and inspiration and translate it into some finished pages. I mean, you can only buy so many books and book bags and bookmarks and... well, you get the picture. I did get into every panel I wanted to attend, too (where, at least, there was air conditioning). Among the many authors I've listened to, chatted with, or just happened to run into (or brush passed) are Mark Acito, Noel Alumit, Gustavo Arrellano, Francesca Lia Block, Charles Bock, Kip Fulbeck, Gina Nahai, Naomi Hirahara, Maxine Hong Kingston, Russell Leong, Steve Lopez, Al Martinez, Walter Mosley, Gary Phillips, Christopher Rice, Luis Rodriguez and Marcos Villatoro (and there's still another round of panels to go).
At least, for one weekend out of the year, there is proof positive (about 250,000 times over) that there are people in Southern California who still have a thing for the written word.
And there's even chocolate. How cool is that?
Despite the heat, though, this has been a real buzz for everyone in the lit field. I always leave the UCLA campus kicking and screaming every year, not wanting it to end; yet at sometime I have to take all this enthusiasm and inspiration and translate it into some finished pages. I mean, you can only buy so many books and book bags and bookmarks and... well, you get the picture. I did get into every panel I wanted to attend, too (where, at least, there was air conditioning). Among the many authors I've listened to, chatted with, or just happened to run into (or brush passed) are Mark Acito, Noel Alumit, Gustavo Arrellano, Francesca Lia Block, Charles Bock, Kip Fulbeck, Gina Nahai, Naomi Hirahara, Maxine Hong Kingston, Russell Leong, Steve Lopez, Al Martinez, Walter Mosley, Gary Phillips, Christopher Rice, Luis Rodriguez and Marcos Villatoro (and there's still another round of panels to go).
At least, for one weekend out of the year, there is proof positive (about 250,000 times over) that there are people in Southern California who still have a thing for the written word.
And there's even chocolate. How cool is that?
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Amsterdam: 2008 World Book Capital
Click here on the header for a link to the UNESCO World Book Capital site, and click here for a link to a paper cardmodel of Anne Frank's house.
Beirut has been selected as the 2009 World Book Capital. There isn't an official website as of yet, but more informatin may be obtained from the UNESCO website, and probably from a fair number of the links found by clicking on the left under Lebanese Bloggers.
Beirut has been selected as the 2009 World Book Capital. There isn't an official website as of yet, but more informatin may be obtained from the UNESCO website, and probably from a fair number of the links found by clicking on the left under Lebanese Bloggers.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
"The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman
As I read this book over the Labor Day weekend, no book I have read in recent memory have I had so many people come up to me and ask about it. Many heard Weisman interviewed while on tour, as had I, or had read reviews of the book.
It is an engrossing read, at once both terrifying and hopeful. Most of all, it reminded me of just how small a piece of the planet --and the universe-- the human race is. Yet a part of it we are, and The Wold Without Us served to encourage me to think of the impact that each of us has on the planet we live on, with each and every seemingly insignificant decision we might make as we go about our daily lives.
Monday, June 25, 2007
"Driven Out: The Forgotten War Against Chinese Americans," by Jean Pfaezer
You can keep your Steven King. This is the scariest book I've read in a while, and it's all true!
Pfaezler, a professor formerly at Cal State Chico, researched the ugly side of California history that the state, local Chamber of Commerce or visitor's bureau would just as soon you didn't read.
A lot of what she documents wasn't so much hidden, but ignored when it came time to recounting the "official" histories of many California communities.
It's a book you'll want to read with all the lights on and doors bolted.
Pfaezler, a professor formerly at Cal State Chico, researched the ugly side of California history that the state, local Chamber of Commerce or visitor's bureau would just as soon you didn't read.
A lot of what she documents wasn't so much hidden, but ignored when it came time to recounting the "official" histories of many California communities.
It's a book you'll want to read with all the lights on and doors bolted.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Jimmy Carter was right ...but does anyone in the US government understand the implications of this (even off the record)?
Every statement of indignation by the Bush administration only underscores how spot-on his assessment is. It isn't like Carter is some crackpot off the street, after all.
And the MTA would appear to be trying to destroy mass transit in Southern California... just as millions of drivers begin to seriously contemplate giving up their gas-guzzling cars.
I guess it's official: we're going to Hell in a tacky knock-off handbag that doesn't match our shoes.
No more Veronica Mars. No more Gilmore Girls. So The CW wants to prove they can mismanage their best assets as good as ABC, eh? Lost is drifting aimlessly somewhere in the South Pacific (who has a pool to bet it gets cancelled before they get off the island?), and no word yet if Jericho will receive a reprieve. I guess that's a hint for me to get back to my reading.
On a "lighter" note: only thirteen months after I suggested Annie Proulx for "One City, One Book," Frontiers magazine came to the amazing discovery while in Denver about the nationwide program, and have chosen "Light Before Day," by Christopher Rice as their first annual Summer Book. Japhy Grant has a great cover story on Christopher Rice in the June 5, 2007, Frontiers, and there's a link to Christopher Rice's website on the left. Rice is a Lambda Literary Award winning author of three novels; his fourth, "Blind Fall," will be released next year. "Light Before Day" was chosen in part because it is set in West Hollywood, but beware: it's not a book for the squeemish. You'll want to leave the lights on and don't let anybody tap you on the shoulder from behind while you're reading!
And the MTA would appear to be trying to destroy mass transit in Southern California... just as millions of drivers begin to seriously contemplate giving up their gas-guzzling cars.
I guess it's official: we're going to Hell in a tacky knock-off handbag that doesn't match our shoes.
No more Veronica Mars. No more Gilmore Girls. So The CW wants to prove they can mismanage their best assets as good as ABC, eh? Lost is drifting aimlessly somewhere in the South Pacific (who has a pool to bet it gets cancelled before they get off the island?), and no word yet if Jericho will receive a reprieve. I guess that's a hint for me to get back to my reading.
On a "lighter" note: only thirteen months after I suggested Annie Proulx for "One City, One Book," Frontiers magazine came to the amazing discovery while in Denver about the nationwide program, and have chosen "Light Before Day," by Christopher Rice as their first annual Summer Book. Japhy Grant has a great cover story on Christopher Rice in the June 5, 2007, Frontiers, and there's a link to Christopher Rice's website on the left. Rice is a Lambda Literary Award winning author of three novels; his fourth, "Blind Fall," will be released next year. "Light Before Day" was chosen in part because it is set in West Hollywood, but beware: it's not a book for the squeemish. You'll want to leave the lights on and don't let anybody tap you on the shoulder from behind while you're reading!
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