Episode 3 is here, and our listeners are in for a treat. To kick things off, Managing Editor Cody Sisco does a lighting round book roundup with Sarah Labrie. After that, enjoy an extended interview between Cody and rising literary star Patrick Nathan. His debut novel, Some Hell caught the attention of readers and critics alike. The heartbreaking coming-of-age/coming-out story was a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice, and is a 2019 Lamdba Literary Award finalist. We’re so grateful Patrick took the time out of his busy schedule to chat about his career, his upbringing in small-town Minnesota, and the increasing demands placed on authors in the contemporary publishing landscape. Finally, we’re excited about all things Literary LA in April but as usual…the list is overwhelming. Lucky for you, 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.

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Books Mentioned

Baby of the Family by Maura Roosevelt

The Other Americans by Laila Lalami

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Some Hell by Patrick Nathan

Black Leopard Red Wolf by Marlon James

On Photography by Susan Sontag

The Civil Contract of Photography by Ariella Azoulay

There There by Tommy Orange

Grace by Natashia Deon

The Coiled Serpent

Lily and the Octopus by Stephen Rowley

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

We’re back for Episode 2! Today, BookSwell’s Managing Editor Cody Sisco is joined once again by Irene Yoon, Sarah Labrie and Dan Lopez. Rachelle Yousuf is our latest addition to the Intersections crew, a book event coordinator with The Freya Project and YALLWEST. In this episode, they confess to skipping events to stay home and read, turning away from literary fiction and local authors who truly capture the spirit of Los Angeles in their work.

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Books Mentioned

Black Leopard Red Wolf by Marlon James

Headcase edited by Stephanie Schroeder and Teresa Theophano

A Student of History by Nina Revoyr

Lost Canyon by Nina Revoyr

False Calm by Maria Sonia Cristoff

Wired for Story by Lisa Kron

The Design and Engineering of Curiosity by Emily Lakdawalla

Heaven, My Home by Attica Locke

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.

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Books Mentioned

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan

Leading Men by Christopher Castellani

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

Less by Andrew Sean Greer

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

The Hate U Give by Angie Jones

Music credits:

Chill Wave Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

May is upon us Intersections listeners, and we at BookSwell are ready to dive into a brand new month of literary excitement. First up this week is a special one-on-one chat between BookSwell Managing Editor Cody Sisco and Intersections Co-Host Rachelle Yousuf. Rachelle gives the rundown on upcoming festival YALL West, and sneaks in some great YA recommendations. Cody then sits down with author and artistic innovator Judith Teitelman to chat about her soon-to-be released debut novel, Guesthouse for Ganesha. The central character kicks off her journey of discovery with a samosa… it’s magical realism and spiritual transformation in one delightful novel. Rounding out the episode, Contributor Shannon Eagen will tease some fantastic events in the first two weeks of May.

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Books Mentioned

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

The BookSwell team has been swamped with all the amazing literary happenings about town this month. 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 how those spaces have evolved since her teenage years of frequenting the Venice institution Beyond Baroque. Lynell is a pillar of the LA literary community, and her insights into the shape and structure of this town are not to be missed. And finally, Shannon is back to guide you through events coming up in the final two weeks of the month. If you’re interested in applying to the LARB/USC Publishing Workshop you can get more information on their website.

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Books Mentioned

Recursion by Blake Crouch

Mem by Bethany Morrow

Warlight by Michael Ondaatje

The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell

Interment by Samira Ahmed

The Octopus Museum by Brenda Shaughnessy

The Collected Schizophrenias by Esme Weijun Wang

After/Image by Lynell George

Cake Time by Siel Ju

Small Fry by Lisa Brennan-Jobs

Heavy by Kiese Laymon

Looking for Lorraine by Imani Perry