The Library of Congress is our country’s oldest federal cultural institution, which means they have a pretty amazing collection of stuff, including these bold and colorful prints that would make book lovers drool. You can, of course, browse the collection in person or online, or if you’d like to take one…
In the introduction to his new book of essays, “I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts: Drive-by Essays on American Dread, American Dreams” (University of Minnesota Press), Mark Dery lays out the foundation that shores up every one of these short, sharp, well-turned pieces: American Gothic, as epitomized by director David…
Yeah, yeah, recycling is hot. And it’s even better when you can use (and reuse) paper goods that often serve a one-time purpose. But throw a binding and a cover on that stack of paper, and you’ve got yourself a book — maybe it’s something you had to read in…
Introducing Explicitly Graphic, a new column from Cynthia Clark Harvey (who’s working on a graphic novel of her own). From time to time, Harvey will review graphic novels, talk to artists, and dive into the scene of all things explicitly graphic. Today, she writes a letter to writer and fine artist…
Whether you’ve been writing for a while, or just thinking about getting started, everyone can use a boost of inspiration from time to time. This round-up of writing workshops could be just the thing to help you put your stories on the page. Many of them are one-day events too — easy…
In this week’s issue of New Times, you’ll see our annual Resolution Guide. This year: a collection of writers and contributors resolved to love their city. Some failed and succeeded (read Snapshots of a City, and New-Found Love for a Hometown), and others found reasons to love Phoenix because of…
No promise of an in-coffin arrival or a warewolf costume — yet — but news came in this morning from Anne Rice and Changing Hands Bookstore that the bestselling author will be visiting the store on February 29. The author will be signing copies of her latest title, The Wolf Gift,…
Years before we actually met Laurie Notaro, we knew of a filing cabinet in the basement offices of Arizona State University’s State Press where someone Sharpied, long ago, “Laurie Notaro threw up here.”This week, in the print edition of New Times, you’ll find our Resolution Guide that’s filled with stories…
More than six years later, the two, along with Ernesto Moncada and Lauren Perry are setting up shop on Roosevelt Row. Lawn Gnome, at 905 N. 5th Street (formerly Galeria de los Muertos) will sell used books and literary classics, as well as poetry, graphic fiction, zines, and photography books created by local…
There’s something addictive about great Young Adult writing. For one, teenage protagonists make the stakes just feel a bit higher. Throw in some characters tackling edgy social situations and a bit of peer pressure, and we’re hooked. Saturday, January 28 is going to be a banner day for YA readers and writers alike,…
Arizona, the youngest of the 48 contiguous states, turns 100 years old on February 14. A more somber anniversary is on this week’s horizon: one year since January 8, 2011, when 19 people, including U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, were shot during a Congress on Your Corner public event at a…
Tom Zoellner, an Arizona-raised author and former newspaper writer who’s been critically recognized for his works on uranium and diamonds, has written a deeply personal book about the January 8, 2011, shooting of Arizona’s U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords (and 18 other people, six of whom were killed) at a public…
Ladies and Gentlemen! Dreamers and Fools! Why not enter the fantastic world of wonders and horrors that is Melissa Pritchard’s, The Odditorium. It was just named one of “Ten Titles to Pick Up Now” by O, The Oprah Magazine in it’s January, 2012 issue. “The stories in this strange and…
For many of us, the holidays mean enforced time with our family of origin. And for many of us, that also means trying to retreat into something (work, exercise, drugs) to retain our sanity. My recommendation is books. They don’t require a lot of money or energy, and reading is…
This January, local community art space Art Intersection will expand into the written world with a series of workshops and discussions. “We’ve had a vision from the very beginning to have a writing program,” says Carol Panaro-Smith, a local photographer who helped bring the space to life last year. “We’re starting…
The holidays are the perfect time to hunker down with a good book. Here are a few gift ideas for the reader or book lover in your life: 1. Assorted Lined Notebooks Keep track of the books you want to read, or jot down overheard conversations at your favorite coffee-shop. It’s…
Meet author Christopher Paolini at the Burton Barr Central Library, on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m., as he discusses his latest work Inheritance. Inheritance is the anticipated conclusion to the book series, which includes Eragon, Eldest, and Brisinger. Paolini’s story began when Eragon, a poor farm boy, found a blue stone and stumbled upon his destiny as a Dragon Rider…
Ever since Stephenie Meyer captured the mainstream vampire, the fanged seducer — once-celebrated for his strength and ability to terrorize — has never been the same. The great creature of the night became the rebel without a tan. Meyer’s flowery vampire fantasy land has left today’s teen readers wanting the dark side dressed…
Maybe it’s his knack for drawing lofty conclusions from minute observations, his enviable friendship with the loyal Dr. Watson, or simply his iconic fashion: a deerstalker hat, a cape, and a pipe. Whatever combination of qualities and characteristics — Sherlock Holmes is one of the most recognizable literary figures in the…
Everyone’s a nerd for something: string theory, fantasy football, high-end cheese. Turns out, Bob Beard’s a nerd for everything. From strange geographies to weird science – spaghetti westerns to snack cakes — he’ll show you the world through his corrective, fanboy lenses. I say this with the greatest amount of…
The topic of history makes a bad first impression on many of us, I think, because it’s taught from highly selective and seriously boring textbooks. News, often referred to as the rough draft of history, is skewed, reactive, and wearisome. Both formats focus too much on political intrigue and violent…
In the graphic novel Hark! A Vagrant, which was released last month, artist Kate Beaton explains, “Some time ago I packed my history degree into a suitcase and said goodbye to the world of working in museums for low pay and limited opportunity, and said hello to the world of being…
