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Erik Pedersen

@erikpedersen.bsky.social
919 followers 828 following 99 posts

Books + Entertainment Editor (TV, Music, more) at 11 Southern California News Group outlets Get the free Book Pages Newsletter featuring authors, bestsellers, more: bit.ly/TheBookPages

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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
17 books in stores this August www.ocregister.com/2026/07/30/1...
ocregister.com
17 new books for August 2026 including dogs, dragons, vampires and toads
Best-selling writers and award-winning authors are publishing new fiction, nonfiction and more this month.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
@calflyn.bsky.social talks about writing “The Savage Landscape.” www.ocregister.com/2026/07/29/c...
ocregister.com
Cal Flyn explored the Earth’s wild places to write ‘The Savage Landscape’
The author spent years on a global journey investigating volcanoes, icebergs, raging seas and beyond.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
20 books of poetry for summer 2026 @coppercanyonpress.bsky.social @fsgbooks.bsky.social @kayapress.bsky.social @carcanet.bsky.social @blacklawrence.bsky.social @alicejamesbooks.bsky.social @atriabooks.bsky.social @eccobooks.bsky.social www.ocregister.com/2026/07/07/2...
ocregister.com
20 new books of poetry to add to your 2026 TBR reading lists
What would happen if you read more poetry in 2026? Let’s all give it a try and find out.
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Reposted by Erik Pedersen
Chuck Tingle @chucktingle.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
this is a GREAT deep dive interview with the @ocregister.bsky.social thank you so much for trotting with me www.ocregister.com/2026/06/30/h...
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Booktown USA bookshop is “not like going on Amazon,” says one longtime customer. www.ocregister.com/2026/06/29/a...
ocregister.com
Anaheim’s Booktown USA bookshop is being forced to close after 23 years
Owner Thomas Pesce says he doesn’t know how he’ll get his nearly 30,000 books out of the store in time.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Inside LA’s tiny new bookstore, Librairie. www.dailynews.com/2026/06/18/i...
dailynews.com
​Is this LA’s smallest bookstore? Silver Lake’s tiny Librairie makes it big
The 180-square-foot bookstore, which just opened in Sunset Junction, sells books, cards and items to give you a break from screens.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
30 books for your June TBR list that includes romance, sci-fi, fantasy, literary fiction, nonfiction and more www.ocregister.com/2026/06/04/3...
ocregister.com
30 novels, mysteries, romance and nonfiction books for your June TBR list
From murder mysteries and randy romances to scary sci-fi and moving memoir, we have plenty to suggest for you this month.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Pasadena nonprofit book publisher @redhenpress.bsky.social is launching a GoFundMe. Here’s what it means www.pasadenastarnews.com/2026/06/04/p...
pasadenastarnews.com
Pasadena’s Red Hen Press, facing financial crisis, launches GoFundMe
The nonprofit, which has published Percival Everett and many others, has seen its funding shrink since last year. And now it needs help.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Ann Patchett shares the inspiration for “Whistler,” her thoughts on @parnassusbooks.bsky.social and a Southern California coincidence. www.ocregister.com/2026/06/02/a...
ocregister.com
Ann Patchett reveals the love story at the heart of her novel ‘Whistler’
The author of ‘Bel Canto,’ ‘The Dutch House’ and ‘Truth & Beauty’ discusses her Southern California roots and more.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Book people and readers, here is your 2026 map of 100 indie bookstores across Southern California. www.ocregister.com/2026/05/20/m...
ocregister.com
Map: 100 Southern California independent bookstores to visit in 2026
Bookmark and save the updated map to find bookshops in Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire and beyond.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
15 books for your TBR in May: novels, memoir, biography, sci-fi and more. *gift link* www.ocregister.com/2026/05/08/1...
ocregister.com
15 novels and nonfiction books to read and add to your May TBR pile
From both independent California publishers and the Big Five, these titles have plenty to offer readers.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
www.dailynews.com/2026/04/30/a...
dailynews.com
Anna Lapwood conjures Middle-earth with ‘Lord of the Rings’ at Disney Hall
Ahead of the social media star’s sold-out LA show, she describes how a young fan’s request helped open up a new musical realm.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Independent Bookstore Day is Saturday, April 25, and The Undead Bookshop is teaming with Pup Culture Rescue for an afternoon of books and adoptable dogs. For that and other ways to enjoy the day — mimosas in Manhattan Beach? — check the link. www.ocregister.com/2026/04/24/i...
ocregister.com
Independent Bookstore Day 2026 in Southern California gets pet-friendly event
Check out our map of 90+ independent bookstores in SoCal from Santa Barbara to San Diego to plan your book adventures.
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Reposted by Erik Pedersen
Boris Dralyuk @bdralyuk.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
The great SoCal bookman @erikpedersen.bsky.social revisits his story about Henri Coulette, now that the poet’s work is back in print—and Alexander Voloshin makes a cameo, too. www.ocregister.com/2026/04/17/h...
ocregister.com
How a lost and forgotten LA writer is coming back into print after 36 years
Boris Dralyuk, who has two new books coming out, talks about getting the poet Henri Coulette published again.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Good news for LA book people www.dailynews.com/2026/04/10/l...
dailynews.com
LA’s Skylight Books announces plans to open new store in Eagle Rock
The beloved LA bookstore announced today that it would be opening a new location. The original location will remain open.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
@praddenkeefe.bsky.social says journalism “feels more essential and important than ever.” @doubledaybooks.bsky.social www.ocregister.com/2026/04/09/a...
ocregister.com
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Louise Erdrich scans her shelves for books she rereads and recommends. Her terrific new book, “Python’s Kiss” is out now. www.ocregister.com/2026/04/02/1...
ocregister.com
15 books and authors Louise Erdrich rereads and recommends
The Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner just published her first book of short stories in two decades, ‘Python’s Kiss.’
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
“There’s always a place in the story where it’s like touching a magic spring in a lockbox, and all of sudden, you have the rest of the story,” Louise Erdrich, discussing her new collection of stories, "Python's Kiss.” @harpercollins.bsky.social www.ocregister.com/2026/03/25/w...
ocregister.com
Why Louise Erdrich says her book ‘Python’s Kiss’ took two decades to finish
‘The middles of novels are very hard to write, but the middle of stories are where everything changes,’ says the author.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
So many good books in 2025. *gift link* www.ocregister.com/2025/12/18/4...
ocregister.com
46 best books of 2025: Our top fiction and nonfiction book recommendations
Which book is best out of this list of literary fiction, mysteries, nonfiction, memoir and more? That’s for you to decide.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
100+ book recs for the holidays (or your TBR pile) from bookstores across Southern California *gift link*
ocregister.com
100 Christmas and holiday gift book recs from Southern California bookstores
LA, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino county booksellers suggest the best books of 2025 to give this season.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
@backlisted.bsky.social’s Andy Miller talks 10 years of podcasting about books and the show’s upcoming U.S. live dates. www.ocregister.com/2025/10/17/w...
ocregister.com
Why Backlisted books podcast cohost Andy Miller is coming to America
The popular program devoted to ‘giving new life to old books’ is celebrating its 10-year-anniversary with some U.S. dates.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Need a scary book to read beyond the titles you already know? Southern California #bookstores are here to help with your Halloween book recs for kids and adults. A *gift link* to get you started: www.ocregister.com/2025/10/21/4...
ocregister.com
45 Halloween book recommendations from Southern California bookstores
From titles for kids to super-scary titles for adults, your local independent booksellers have you covered with tales of ghosts, monsters and cannibals.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
@mattdinniman.bsky.social shares his favorite books, what he’s reading and a secret of the first draft of Dungeon Crawler Carl. He and @felicia.day will be discussing the book on Sept. 22 in LA sponsored by Diesel bookstore. www.ocregister.com/2025/09/17/d...
ocregister.com
Dungeon Crawler Carl’s Matt Dinniman reveals a secret of the series’ start
DIESEL, A Bookstore will be hosting an event with Dinniman and Felicia Day on Sept. 22, at the Wilshire Ebell Theater.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
“I’ve never specifically stated it,” says Slow Horses author Mick Herron while discussing the origins of Slough House. Plus, he talks about his just-published @soho_press #book “Clown Town” and Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb on Apple TV+ *gift link* www.ocregister.com/2025/09/09/s...
ocregister.com
‘Slow Horses’ author Mick Herron reveals the secret origins of Slough House
The author discusses new novel ‘Clown Town,’ the Apple TV+ series starring Gary Oldman, touring with the Rolling Stones and more.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
“I always wanted, desperately wanted, sisters, and I never had any. And once I finished this thing, I was like, “Well, maybe sisters are not the greatest thing.” — Mimi Pond, author of “Do Admit! The Mitford Sisters and Me” from @dandq.bsky.social www.ocregister.com/2025/09/05/h...
ocregister.com
The notorious Mitford sisters get the blues in Mimi Pond’s ‘Do Admit!’​
The author will discuss the graphic novel with actress Kristen Schaal at Skylight Books on Sept. 10.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
How “I Who Have Never Known Men” just keeps finding readers @transitbooks.bsky.social @booksoupofficial.bsky.social @mcnallyjackson.bsky.social www.ocregister.com/2025/08/29/h...
ocregister.com
How the novel ‘I Who Have Never Known Men’ became a runaway success
Adam Z. Levy, publisher of Berkeley’s Transit Books, discusses the phenomenon of a 30-year-old novel by writer Jacqueline Harpman.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
www.ocregister.com/2025/08/15/t...
ocregister.com
There’s an edgy new book trend in bookstores. And it’s got some history.
In the Book Pages this week, there’s something going on in YA, romance and fantasy. Plus, an author event at LibroMobile.
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Reposted by Erik Pedersen
Greg Greene @igreggreene.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
I got a kick out of journalist @erikpedersen.bsky.social's recommendations of 5 "soothing books" after reading @sgj.bsky.social's THE ONLY GOOD INDIANS, unaware of what he was getting into 😂 Bless him. (And he lauds Stephen's work.) www.gazettextra.com/entertainmen...
gazettextra.com
5 books for a (mostly) soothing, low-key reading experience
Sometimes, you need a bit of soothing.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Check out a terrific story by @byemilystmartin.bsky.social on the rise of romance bookstores. “That Sunday we opened, it was crazy,” said the owner of Temecula’s In Bloom Bookery. “We had over a thousand people lined up.” *gift link* www.ocregister.com/2025/07/30/r...
ocregister.com
Romance bookstores are giving Southern California readers a reason to swoon
The brick-and-mortar stores popping up around So Cal, thriving online romance community and the $1 Billion in revenue proves the power of a happily ever after.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
Meet the artists who paint the book murals on LA’s North Figueroa Bookshop #books #art www.ocregister.com/2025/07/25/m...
ocregister.com
Meet the artists who paint book murals on LA’s North Figueroa Bookshop
Natalie Cruz and Jazmin Navarro say their work makes them feel part of community.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
“I remember as a child asking a bookstore clerk if there were books on Godzilla, and he actually laughed at me.” — Steve Ryfle discusses his massive new #book with Ed Godziszewski, “GODZILLA: The First 70 Years” out from Abrams. *Gift link* www.ocregister.com/2025/07/18/a...
ocregister.com
At 70, Godzilla keeps on smashing expectations, buildings
Steve Ryfle, co-author with Ed Godziszewski of ‘Godzilla: The First 70 Years,’ discusses the monster and its movies over the years.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
Don’t miss Friend of Books @michaelschaub.bsky.social as he recommends 33 novels, story collections, nonfiction titles and more #books this summer. *Gift Link* www.ocregister.com/2025/07/15/3...
ocregister.com
33 summer book recommendations featuring some of 2025’s best novels and more
Here are some great choices for fiction, nonfiction, essays, memoir and more to keep you busy through the hot summer months.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
@nowservingla.bsky.social is wrapping up its drive to collect cookbooks for those impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires (but you can still help). #books www.ocregister.com/2025/07/11/l...
ocregister.com
LA’s Now Serving cookbook bookstore has a recipe for renewal after the fires
In the Book Pages newsletter this week, cookbooks, memories and the work one store is doing to replace what was lost in the Eaton and Palisades fires.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
@jefflemire171.bsky.social talks about the “total freedom” of making his own comics ahead of the publication of his @darkhorse.com memoir, “10,000 Ink Stains.” www.ocregister.com/2025/07/11/c...
ocregister.com
Comics legend Jeff Lemire on ‘10,000 Ink Stains,’ DC & Marvel, and creative freedom
His illustrated memoir arrives in stores on July 15.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
We cover books (and put books on the cover).
Images of the Southern California News Group Playlist print sections featuring stories about books as the cover story.
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Reposted by Erik Pedersen
Michael Schaub @michaelschaub.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
I recommend reading this to yourself in a President Thomas J. Whitmore voice. (Then buying some small-press books from your favorite indie store.)
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Celebrate your independents with @michaelschaub.bsky.social’s list of small-press #books out now or coming this summer. #booksky www.ocregister.com/2025/06/24/3...
ocregister.com
33 new books you’ll want to read this summer from independent publishers
Looking for something new or a fresh take on a favorite genre? Check out these small-press titles.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
“We are not going anywhere.” California’s independent publishers talk about funding cuts, the future and what you can do. @transitbooks.bsky.social @zyzzyvamag.bsky.social @catranslation.bsky.social @redhenpress.bsky.social @clmporg.bsky.social www.ocregister.com/2025/06/13/t...
ocregister.com
The NEA cut their funding. But California’s independent publishers press on
How Red Hen Press, Transit Books, Two Lines Press and the literary journal Zyzzyva plan to keep going in the face of government funding cuts.
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Reposted by Erik Pedersen
Center for the Art of Translation (CAT) @catranslation.org · 13/06/2025
“It had this snowball-coming-down-the-mountain effect." CAT President Michael Holtmann on our NEA grant termination news. Thank you @erikpedersen.bsky.social for including us and our Bay Area neighbors @transitbooks.bsky.social & @zyzzyvamag.bsky.social. www.ocregister.com/2025/06/13/t...
ocregister.com
The NEA cut their funding. But California’s independent publishers press on
How Red Hen Press, Transit Books, Two Lines Press and the literary journal Zyzzyva plan to keep going in the face of government funding cuts.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
“It’s the book I’ve been learning how to write all this time.” — @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social on “Is a River Alive?” *gift link* to interview www.ocregister.com/2025/05/29/h...
ocregister.com
How Robert Macfarlane’s book ‘Is a River Alive?’ delivers a call to action
Plus, the author discusses the Star Wars series ‘Andor,’ a reason for hope in California and why he doesn’t like the word ‘environment.’
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
The Fleuria book truck is taking romance on the road, reports @dcteachild.bsky.social www.dailybreeze.com/2025/05/23/a... #books #romance
dailybreeze.com
A book truck called The Fleuria is bringing romance to Southern California readers
The rolling store’s owner, Stephanie Pao, wants to bring together LA’s romance-reading community.
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Reposted by Erik Pedersen
Sarah Kendzior @sarahkendzior.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Why look at that! A summer book guide written by an actual human being listing real books written by other actual human beings! And I'm one of them! More here: www.ocregister.com/2025/05/20/1...
THE LAST AMERICAN ROAD TRIP coverText from review https://www.ocregister.com/2025/05/20/12-new-books-to-send-restless-readers-on-a-summer-road-trip/
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Reposted by Erik Pedersen
Michael Schaub @michaelschaub.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
I can attest that these books do actually exist! Sincerely, Michael Schaub, human
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Here’s a 2025 summer reading list with real books, no AI. Check out picks from @michaelschaub.bsky.social for road trip reading. *gift link* www.ocregister.com/2025/05/20/1...
ocregister.com
​12 new books to send restless readers on a summer road trip
Start your summer road trip with a curated list of far-reaching fiction and nonfiction.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
“This suggests an alternative scenario…” After his surprising Shakespeare news this week, @matthewsteggle.bsky.social answers our questions about what it might mean. www.ocregister.com/2025/04/24/h...
ocregister.com
How a surprising Shakespeare discovery was found in a letter used as scrap paper
And what he says it might mean for our understanding of the playwright’s life and work.
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Reposted by Erik Pedersen
Two Dollar Radio @twodollarradio.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
US FOOLS alert: Highly recommend this interview with Nora Lange by @michaelschaub.bsky.social for @ocregister.bsky.social ❤️‍🔥 Big thanks to @erikpedersen.bsky.social for publishing www.ocregister.com/2025/04/09/n...
ocregister.com
Nora Lange’s ‘Us Fools’ looks at outcast sisters growing up in the 1980s
The novel, which was named a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction, is set during the farm crisis.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
“Every generation owes a debt to the one that follows,” @levarburton.bsky.social ahead of his Altadena library appearance on March 22. www.pasadenastarnews.com/2025/03/21/w...
pasadenastarnews.com
Why ‘Star Trek’ star LeVar Burton is coming to the Altadena library after the Eaton fire
The longtime host of ‘Reading Rainbow’ will read from his children’s book during an event to welcome the community back.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
www.dailynews.com/2025/03/15/j...
dailynews.com
Jason Isbell’s powerful solo show at Walt Disney Concert Hall rich with new songs
The singer-songwriter dedicated nearly half of his set to new material from his excellent, just-released solo album.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
“He was larger than life," she says. "He just isn't necessarily who you want as your dad.” Sonya Walger discusses her @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social debut and losing her home in the Palisades fire. www.ocregister.com/2025/03/13/s...
ocregister.com
Sonya Walger lost her home to wildfire just weeks before her debut novel published
The author and actor, known to many as Penny on ‘Lost,’ discusses the Palisades fire, why she writes fiction and a stunning post-fire gift.
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Erik Pedersen @erikpedersen.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
@darkdel.bsky.social bookstore in Burbank is closing, and Liz Ohanesian spoke with co-owner Del Howison about it. Unlike other genre types, horror is connected to current events, says Howison: "Horror is about us." www.dailynews.com/2025/03/03/b...
dailynews.com
Burbank horror bookstore Dark Delicacies is closing its doors
Unlike other genre types, horror, says Del Howison who owns the store with wife Sue, is connected to current events: ‘Horror is about us.’
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