Arts & Culture :: Books

Sealed with a kiss: Leslie Cohen discusses lesbian bars and becoming 'art'

Sealed with a kiss: Leslie Cohen discusses lesbian bars and becoming 'art'

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Aug 17, 2021

In 'The Audacity of a Kiss: Love, Art and Liberation,' the historic art world, opening a historic women's bar, and more events are included in Leslie Cohen's honest and fascinating memoir.

Literary loss: Anthony Veasna So's 'Afterparties: Stories'

Literary loss: Anthony Veasna So's 'Afterparties: Stories'

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Aug 3, 2021

Published after his death, Anthony Veasna So's story collection includes characters haunted by memories of genocide, especially the older parents, aunties, and uncles who experienced trauma before escaping Cambodia.

Truths and consequences: P.J. Vernon's 'Bath Haus'

Truths and consequences: P.J. Vernon's 'Bath Haus'

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Aug 3, 2021

In 'Bath Haus,' author P.J. Vernon's dynamic and impressively exhilarating follow-up to his debut, the 2018 psychological thriller 'When You Find Me,' he explores what happens when a cheating boyfriend meets a sexy, vendetta-driven psycho at a bathhouse.

50 Years in 50 Weeks: 1987, a page-turner

50 Years in 50 Weeks: 1987, a page-turner

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jul 29, 2021

The lengthier arts section in the October 29, 1987 B.A.R. focused on the boom in 'gay and lesbian' literary subjects and reviews, from lesbian theater history to the work of James Broughton and a then-new author, Christopher Bram.

Irish wise: Graham Norton's novel, 'Home Stretch'

Irish wise: Graham Norton's novel, 'Home Stretch'

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jul 27, 2021

Known as the savvy, freewheeling UK television talk show host, Norton's new gay-inclusive novel is an unexpectedly insightful character-driven delight that is as binge-worthy and compelling as any trending Netflix series.

The absence of doubt: Michael Lowenthal's dynamic 'Sex with Strangers'

The absence of doubt: Michael Lowenthal's dynamic 'Sex with Strangers'

  • by Mark William Norby
  • Jul 20, 2021

In Michael Lowenthal's fifth book, Sex with Strangers, the writer steps out of the novel and delivers a fiery collection of eight stories coursing through queer and straight lives.

Derek Frost's 'Living and Loving in the Age of AIDS'

Derek Frost's 'Living and Loving in the Age of AIDS'

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Jul 13, 2021

In this honest and poignant remembrance of the years before, during, and after the scourge of AIDS, celebrated designer, photographer, and artist Derek Frost escorts readers into the dark, devastating heart of the 1980s and beyond.

Gender rainbows: Kyle Lukoff and James Sie's trans-themed books

Gender rainbows: Kyle Lukoff and James Sie's trans-themed books

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Jul 13, 2021

Authors Kyle Lukoff and James Sie bring new perspectives to trans teenage lives in their new books.

Post-Pride Poetry

Post-Pride Poetry

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 29, 2021

With so much to be savored in the literary genre right now —and perhaps you're recovering from Pride festivities— look inward with some inspiring poetry by LGBTQ writers.

A Dog's Tale: Dan Perdios' charming story of a disabled gay man and his service dog

A Dog's Tale: Dan Perdios' charming story of a disabled gay man and his service dog

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Jun 28, 2021

In his new book, 'A Golden Retriever and His Two Dads,' author Dan Perdios, a gay man with limited hearing, remembers his late service dog Willy and their adventures together.

'Poetry Rx' celebrates lyric history, with some queer poets past & present

'Poetry Rx' celebrates lyric history, with some queer poets past & present

  • by Mark William Norby
  • Jun 22, 2021

In the newly-released collection 'Poetry Rx' of 50 inspiring poems, compiled with commentary and poetical analyses by psychiatrist Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., more than a third of the poets have either openly identified as queer, or skewed LGBTQ-ward.

Queer tales of brilliance: Brandon Taylor's 'Filthy Animals'

Queer tales of brilliance: Brandon Taylor's 'Filthy Animals'

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Jun 22, 2021

The eleven linked stories contained in Brandon Taylor's second literary foray are, for the most part, dominated by the voice of Lionel, a gay Black graduate student in mathematics.

Playing for laughs and love with author-playwright Paul Rudnick

Playing for laughs and love with author-playwright Paul Rudnick

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 21, 2021

Combining wit and wisdom, writer Paul Rudnick gives us much to think about while we are laughing, including in his new romantic and comic novel, 'Playing The Palace.'

Gender, revealing: Torrey Peters 'Detransition, Baby'

Gender, revealing: Torrey Peters 'Detransition, Baby'

  • by Jim Piechota
  • Jun 20, 2021

Brooklyn-based author Torrey Peters's frothy debut novel, a brilliantly entertaining study in trans feminine culture, chronicles the fiery relationship between a trans woman and her ex-partner.