American Literature

"With poise and restraint, Rilla Askew's historical novel 'Prize for the Fire' tells the brilliant, multifaceted story of an intelligent, virtuous, and indomitable woman." -- Foreword Reviews

From Tom Piazza -- whose books include the novels "A Free State" and "City of Refuge" -- comes a new work of fiction set at a writer's conference attended by Herman Melville, Walt Whitman, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mark Twain, and others.

His free address happens in the Reynolds Center on Tuesday night, the 28th, at 7:30pm.

We chat with the gifted American author whose many books include "The Patron Saint of Liars," "The Magician's Assistant," "Bel Canto," and "The Dutch House."

"Joan Didion: What She Means" is an art exhibition now on view at UCLA's Hammer Museum; it renders the great writer's life and work through the creations of nearly 50 artists, including Betye Saar, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Maren Hassinger, and Ed Ruscha.

Museum Confidential: Season 7, Episode 5.

Mei, a teenage girl in 1960s China, becomes Mao Zedong's protégée as well as his lover -- and also a heroine of the Cultural Revolution -- in this captivating historical novel.

"An affecting and informative memoir about the lessons we can glean from life as well as death." -- Library Journal

"Recommended to fans of Paula McLean's 'The Paris Wife' and anyone who enjoyed Hemingway's 'A Moveable Feast.'" -- Booklist

"[A] remarkable anthology.... As a whole, this collection showcases the vastness of Black thinking and writing, and nicely complements works by Martha S. Jones and Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers. Complete with a list of suggestions for further reading, this winning anthology is a must for all interested in Black history, but unsure where to start." -- Library Journal (starred review)