As temperatures are dropping and kids are going back to school, BookSwell Intersections co-hosts Cody, Dan, and Rachelle journeyed to the Central Library to take advantage of the wonderful facilities in the Octavia Lab. They catch up on recent literary events, the books they’ve been gravitating towards lately, and the exciting event that Cody and Rachelle have been hard at work planning, alongside Sakae Manning. They also discuss the legacy of Toni Morrison, and the silver lining of resurgent interest in the works of recently departed authors.

After that, Cody chats with Tori Eldridge as she prepares for her first published novel, The Ninja Daughter. She examines how her heritage and cultural legacy informed her contemporary LA Noir, and the circuitous route she took to becoming a novelist after being an actress, dancer, and fifth-degree black belt in To Shin Do Ninjutsu.

Finally, Shannon gives a rundown of some of the events we’re most excited about in the upcoming 3rd Annual Lambda LitFest.

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Books Mentioned:

Black Card by Chris L. Terry

Heaven, My Home by Attica Locke

The Obama Inheritance by Gary Phillips

Exhalation by Ted Chiang

Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler

Half Magic by Edward Eager

Fence by C.S. Pacat

Bloom by Kevin Panetta

History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

Summer is winding down in LA, but BookSwell has been keeping busy with a full literary calendar, and we have a jam-packed episode for you.  First up, BookSwell was on the scene at the Inaugural Little Literary Fair, or LITLIT. Managing Editor Cody Sisco was joined by co-host Rachelle Yousuf for this “pop-up book fair” at Hauser and Wirth in DTLA, where they chat about what they’ve been reading lately. Cody also conducted a series of flash interviews with Rachel Wills, Candysse Miller, and Katelyn Keating at LITLIT, that are short, sweet and packed with information. Rachel Wills recently launched her online Queer Femme Literary Magazine, Gayettes. Follow them on Instagram @gayettesmag for updates, and of course, niche queer memes. Candysse Miller gives us the rundown on Interlude Press, an award-winning boutique press with a focus on LGBTQ fiction, but a firm belief that “a good book is a good book.” Interlude has an amazing slate of upcoming new releases that you won’t want to miss. Finally, Cody gets to chat with Katelyn Keating, BookSwell Contributor and Book Event Organizer extraordinaire, who was critical to bringing the first ever Little Literary Fair to life.

After that, Cody sits down for a longer conversation with author, activist and artist Sehba Sarwar. Sehba’s novel, Black Wings was finally released in the US earlier this year, after originally being published in Pakistan in 2004. Keep up with all of Sehba’s readings, art performances and publications on her website, or by checking our very own Events Navigator.

Rounding out the episode, Shannon Eagen discusses some upcoming literary events that will be particularly appealing to writers and creators of their own content.

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Books Mentioned:

Black Wings by Sehba Sarwar

Pride Prejudice and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev

The Patternist Series by Octavia Butler

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

How to Be Remy Cameron by Julian Winters

The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic by F.T. Lukens

Monster of the Week by F.T. Lukens

Shine of the Ever by Claire Rudy Foster

Bowlaway by Elizabeth McCracken

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.

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Also Available Here:

Books Mentioned:

Mind of My Mind by Octavia E. Butler

Patsy by Nicole Dennis-Benn

Lot by Bryan Washington

Cruising: An Intimate History of a Radical Pastime by Alex Espinoza

Bluebird Bluebird by Attica Locke

The Cutting Season by Attica Locke

Corazón by Yesika Salgado

Jello Girls by Allie Rowbottom

**Netflix Recommendation!**

“When They See Us” dir. by Ava DuVernay

Summer has finally arrived in sunny Los Angeles, and we hope you all had a wonderful Pride Weekend! Dan Lopez and Cody Sisco are here to dig deep into Michelle Obama’s runaway hit, Becoming, and Dan recommends books that fill his very particular 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 Books — Harriet Tubman Press. You won’t want to miss Buchanan detail her moving journey of self-discovery and owning her identity, and the cherry on top of this interview is a truly phenomenal reading of one of her poems. You can find out more about Shonda on her website, and while you’re exploring, be sure to check out World Stage Press and Eso Won Books. And finally, are you looking for events that don’t feature the typical glossy beach reads of the summer season? Shannon Eagen has you covered with some June book signings (and a book club!) celebrating slightly less mainstream genres. Enjoy!

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Also Available Here:

Books Mentioned:

American Lion by Jon Meacham

Becoming by Michelle Obama

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

Dreams from my Father by Barack Obama

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

No Ashes in the Fire by Darnell Moore

Packing for Mars by Mary Roach

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

The Lady from the Black Lagoon by Mallory O’Meara