LA Review of Books on KCRW

LA Review of Books on KCRW

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Conversations on the written word from the Los Angeles Review of Books and KCRW.

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Reza Aslan's "Zealot" tops bestseller lists from Amazon to the New York Times. Also this week, new books by Aimee Bender, Niccolò Ammaniti, and Javier Marías.

Mike Davis, in "City of Quartz," famously said that L.A. is made up of equal parts sunshine and noir. Here are three recent books squarely in the diverse tradition.

Three new books on power and excess read like novels, full of larger than life characters, regular plot twists, conspiracies and connivances, reversals and revelations.

Percival Everett, Marisa Silver, and Alex Espinoza all write about Los Angeles and all have deep ties to Southern California.

Tom Lutz discusses two nonfiction books on tears and a collection of stories by one of our best known slacker authors.

Two important authors kick off book tours here this week, legendary fiction writer Jamaica Kincaid and nonfiction provocateur David Shields.

We've had William Frey, Mike Daisy, and John D'Agata, now it's Dave Eggers's turn.

Three new books, one an oral history of one of the most horrific events of the 1970's, and two novels -- one from England and one from Los Angeles.

More from KCRW

A group of Ukrainian musician-soldiers recently stopped in LA on a goodwill tour, bringing gratitude and a healthy dose of appreciation for Hank Williams.

from KCRW Features

Grammy winner Arooj Aftab teamed up with filmmaker Josephine Decker to create “Rise, Again,” which follows women and their children living on the fringes of LA after being evicted.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Austin-based chef Jesse Griffiths is on the hunt for wild turkey.

from Good Food

The Latest

A new documentary explores the life and work of Rudolph Schindler, a Frank Lloyd Wright protege who cemented California as a global hub for modern architecture.

Rudolph Schindler: LA architect defined SoCal modernism

A new documentary explores the life and work of Rudolph Schindler, a Frank Lloyd Wright protege who cemented California as a global hub for modern architecture.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Leah Penniman and Reverend Lennox Yearwood share their passion for farming and explore the shifting landscape in the fight for environmental and racial justice.

Leah Penniman and Reverend Lennox Yearwood on food, farming, faith, and hip-hop

Leah Penniman and Reverend Lennox Yearwood share their passion for farming and explore the shifting landscape in the fight for environmental and racial justice.

from Life Examined

Slouching has a rich history, but its medical consequences need to be better understood.

The importance of standing tall

Slouching has a rich history, but its medical consequences need to be better understood.

from Second Opinion

Actress and comedian Susie Essman pays tribute to her grandmother, who taught her the importance of humor.

Susie Essman’s grandma kept everyone laughing until the end

Actress and comedian Susie Essman pays tribute to her grandmother, who taught her the importance of humor.

from The Treatment

Glenn Kenny, film critic and author of “Made Men: The Story of ‘Goodfellas’” tells us about his latest film history book, “The World is Yours: The Story of ‘Scarface’.”

Author Glenn Kenny on his new book ‘The World is Yours: The Story of Scarface’

Glenn Kenny, film critic and author of “Made Men: The Story of ‘Goodfellas’” tells us about his latest film history book, “The World is Yours: The Story of ‘Scarface’.”

from The Treatment

Filmmaker Malcolm Washington tells us how he made the bold choice to adapt August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” as his first feature.

Malcolm Washington on making ‘The Piano Lesson’ a family affair

Filmmaker Malcolm Washington tells us how he made the bold choice to adapt August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” as his first feature.

from The Treatment

Filmmaker Malcolm Washington speaks on adapting August Wilson, film critic Glenn Kenny shares insights from his book on the story of “Scarface,” and Susie Essman has The Treat.

Malcolm Washington, Glenn Kenny, and Susie Essman on The Treat

Filmmaker Malcolm Washington speaks on adapting August Wilson, film critic Glenn Kenny shares insights from his book on the story of “Scarface,” and Susie Essman has The Treat.

from The Treatment

Disney’s streaming numbers soar as announced in the company’s earnings report earlier this week, but questions remain in the ongoing search for a new CEO.

Disney shares big profits + a streaming boost; Director Edward Berger talks ‘Conclave’

Disney’s streaming numbers soar as announced in the company’s earnings report earlier this week, but questions remain in the ongoing search for a new CEO.

from The Business