BookSwell Intersections

Sanura Williams interview and more

We are at the height of Summer Reading Season, and this episode is jam-packed with book recommendations from our co-hosts Cody Sisco, Sarah LaBrie, Rachelle Yousuf and Dan Lopez. They chat what they love and what they hate in bookish events, how the setting of a story can be a character of its own, and revelations (or lack thereof) in celebrity memoirs. They're joined by Sanura Williams, from My Lit Box, who is dedicated to promoting the work of authors of color through her literary subscription box. My LitBox would be a perfect gift for the indecisive book lover in your life--Sanura picks hot new releases and mails them straight to your door (along with some other literary goodies!). Finally, if you've been out of town on a summer vacation, why not hit up some literary events that celebrate LA while you're home? Shannon Eagen has event recommendations for the next two weeks of July that are all about Los Angeles locals.

Shonda Buchanan interview and more

Dan Lopez and Cody Sisco discuss Michelle Obama's runaway hit, Becoming, and Dan recommends books that fill his current obsessions--LGBTQ YA and Sci-Fi! After that, enjoy Cody's conversation with Shonda Buchanan that covers the history of World Stage Press, Leimert Park and Shonda's own imprint at Tsehai Publishers-- Harriet Tubman Press. And finally, are you looking for events that don't feature the typical glossy beach reads of the summer season? Shannon has you covered with some June book signings (and a book club!) celebrating slightly less mainstream genres. Enjoy!

Roxana Preciado interview and more

Jump start your summer with reading recommendations from Cody Sisco, Sarah LaBrie, and Irene Yoon. After that, Cody sits down with Roxana Preciado, to talk about her writing process and her incredible triumphs in the face of adversity. Finally, June is Pride Month, and Shannon Eagen has selected some great events focused on LGBTQ authors for you to attend in the next two weeks.

Julayne Lee interview and more

Cody Sisco and Dan Lopez debrief on the LA Times Festival of Books, Dan's new job in publishing, and theatrical literature featuring LGBTQ characters. Cody interviews poet, activist, and inter-country adoptee Julayne Lee. Her memoir in poems, Not Your White Savior, shares her journey as an adoptee from South Korean who is placed in a Midwestern Christian family. Shannon Eagen shares recommendations for the LitFest Pasadena.

Judith Teitelman interview and more

First up, a one-on-one chat between BookSwell Managing Editor Cody Sisco and Intersections Co-Host Rachelle Yousuf, who gives the rundown on upcoming festival YALL West and great YA recommendations. Cody then sits down with author Judith Teitelman to chat about her debut novel, Guesthouse for Ganesha. It's magical realism and spiritual transformation in one delightful novel. Finally, Contributor Shannon Eagen will tease some fantastic events in the first two weeks of May.

 

Lynelle George interview and more

For Episode 4, Cody, Sarah, Irene, and Rachelle gathered to chat about struggling to finish books, the nature of time and space, and escaping the LA bubble. Cody then sat down with local author and journalist Lynell George, author of After/Image: Los Angeles Outside the Frame to discuss the importance of place and community in the arts. And finally, Shannon is back to guide you through events coming up in the final two weeks of the month.

Patrick Nathan interview and more

To kick things off, Cody Sisco does a lighting round book roundup with Sarah Labrie. After that, Cody interviews rising literary star Patrick Nathan, whose debut novel, Some Hell, was a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice, and is a 2019 Lamdba Literary Award finalist. Finally, BookSwell Contributor Shannon Eagen is here to give a roundup of some of the "can't miss" events for lit fans that are looking to support underrepresented voices in our crowded literary scene.

Confessions from the Los Angeles literary scene

We're back for Episode 2! Cody Sisco is joined once again by Irene Yoon, Sarah LaBrie, and Dan Lopez. Rachelle Yousuf is our latest addition to the Intersections crew. In this episode, they confess to skipping events to stay home and read, turning away from literary fiction, and admiring local authors who truly capture the spirit of Los Angeles in their work.

Introducing Cody Sisco, Irene Yoon, Dan Lopez, and Sarah LaBrie

For our first episode, BookSwell’s Managing Editor Cody Sisco sat down with Director of the LA Review of Books/USC Publishing workshop Irene Yoon, professional book club facilitator Sarah Labrie, and local author/bookseller Dan Lopez. This week they address the best events they’ve been to recently, the March events they can’t wait for, and underrepresented authors finding mainstream audiences.