Jade Chang’s ‘What a Time to Be Alive’ takes aim at social media
The world is a confusing and scary place right now. Many of us are anxious wanderers in the wilderness, looking for answers. Is it any…
This book proves a crime book is only as good as the characters that make it rip
Like all great crime writers, Lou Berney knows that a ripping story is only as good as the characters that make it rip. With his…
Scott Anderson’s ‘King of Kings’ examines the Iranian Revolution
For over 40 years, Scott Anderson has been one of America’s most incisive foreign correspondents, filing dispatches from trouble spots around the world with a…
This book teaches you how to break into Hollywood
This week, we are chatting with Ada Tseng and Jon Healey about their new book, “Breaking Into New Hollywood.” We also take a look at…
Emily Hunt Kivel on her debut novel, ‘Dwelling’
Emily Hunt Kivel’s book is unlike any novel you will read this year, a story about millennial angst that is also a bewitching fable. Evie…
How the TikTok algorithm created new words like ‘unalive’
Adam Aleksic has somehow managed to make linguistics cool. His rapid-fire videos have attracted an audience of millions across the social media universe. In them,…
Helen Schulman on her new short story collection, ‘Fools for Love’
Helen Schulman is not afraid to make you squirm. Across her long and distinguished career as a novelist and short story writer, she has fearlessly…
Susan Gubar on creative women as they aged: ‘They made much of less’
In this week’s newsletter, we have a chat with Susan Gubar, whose new book, “Grand Finales: The Creative Longevity of Women Artists,” profiles seven creators…
How this author joined the crews fighting California’s wildfires
This week, we are jumping into the fire with Kelly Ramsey. Her new book, “Wildfire Days: A Woman, A Hotshot Crew, and The Burning American…
Henry Grabar’s ‘Paved Paradise’ might just change your mind about parking
My favorite books fall into one of two categories: novels that immerse me in another world, or nonfiction works that transform how I see our…
Review: Revving engines, thrills and drama drive ‘Duster’ and ‘Motorheads’
After humans, and arguably before dogs and horses, there is no character more vital to the screen, and more vital onscreen, than the automobile. Driven…
AAPI Heritage Month reading list: ‘Real Americans,’ ‘Crying in H Mart’ and more
I’m Aaron, a former sportswriter currently wrapping up a graduate degree at USC, and these days I love to read about pretty much anything other…
What to do at the Festival of Books
Last week, we told you about some of the can’t-miss panels and events happening on Saturday, April 25. From a discussion on romance literature to…
Festival of Books 2025: A guide to the fest
Welcome to the L.A. Times Book Club newsletter.Honestly, for bibliophiles, is there a better weekend in spring than late April at the L.A. Times Festival…
Going to Coachella? Read these books
Calling all bookworms! Welcome to the L.A. Times Book Club newsletter.I’m Meg. I write shut up and read, a book newsletter. I’m also on BookTok.It’s…
England 3-0 Latvia: Dull display shows Thomas Tuchel’s search for thrills is no easy task
This is not, it must be stressed, a criticism of Tuchel, whose tenure in its infancy.It is simply a confirmation that providing the sort of…
The 10 best memoirs of 2020s: ‘Crying in H Mart,’ ‘In Love’ and more
Calling all bookworms! Welcome to the L.A. Times Book Club newsletter.Calling all bookworms! Welcome to the L.A. Times Book Club newsletter. I’m Meg. I write…
Omar El Akkad didn’t think his memoir would ever be published
Calling all bookworms! Welcome to the L.A. Times Book Club newsletter.I’m Meg. I write “shut up and read,” a book newsletter. I’m also on BookTok.…
‘Romantasy,’ cool girl and more: The internet’s favorite book genres
Calling all bookworms! Welcome to the L.A. Times Book Club newsletter.I’m Meg. I write shut up and read, a book newsletter. I also am known…
The Patreons, Substacks and BookToks every book lover should know
Calling all bookworms! Welcome to the L.A. Times Book Club newsletter.I’m Meg. I write shut up and read, a book newsletter. I am also known…