The more we learn about this year’s Miami Book Fair authors, the more it looks like a fantastical dinner party where Jesus Christ and Winston Churchill come over for Limoncello and shrimp carbonara. As we announced last week, the lineup already includes a cocktail of Sir Michael Caine, Jonathan Franzen,…
For such a superficial city, Miami does alright by its bibliophiles (that’s book lovers for you who aren’t). We have a big-time book fair every fall, successful independent bookstores like Books & Books, and a healthy helping of the two major chains Barnes and Noble and Borders. But without exception,…
Holy Lord, the Miami Book Fair International 2010 author lineup has been announced, and it is off the chain. For the literati out there, that translates to “It’s outstanding!” Not that last year was too shabby, with amazing presentations by Native American funny-man and brilliant storyteller Sherman Alexie, “the reason…
Remember in Que Pasa, U.S.A? when Abuela hears the nursery rhyme “Jack and Jill went up the hill” and screams, “Solos?!” Well, maybe Abuela didn’t understand that fine piece of poetry, but she definitely would have gotten into Hialeah Haikus. Last night, at Books & Books in Coral Gables, members…
Hialeah Haikus … Chew on that idea for a moment. And before you commit harakiri at the thought of the pairing, just focus on the words, short and purposefully constructed to elicit a strong visceral reaction. Isn’t that the essence of a haiku? You know, it makes sense in a Hialeah…
Does the idea of “poetry” remind you of your tortured teen years of unrequited love and total social rejection? Or maybe Def Poetry Jam comes to mind, with its singsong sounds and its dark themes of rape and race. Luckily, there are poetry readings that escape cliche and melodrama to…
Beautiful asses get the American people pretty excited. I mean, “The Thong Song,” anyone? Then there’s that pool of sexy lady celebs like Kim Kardashian, J-Lo, and Shakira whose careers have been hugely boosted by the masterpieces in their pants. And let’s not even mention the billion and one words…
A notably mercurial figure, local artist Lazaro Rodriguez lives in a world of cigarettes and shadows, beer and hot tubs, Gucci Mane, puppy dogs, gay beefcakes, and breakdancing on the beach. Until now, he’s mined that sprawling territory and more for his blogs, “Plan2Cry” and “everybodywasfeelingfine.” This Friday, though, Rodriguez…
In a deadly short span of time, Matt Preira and Dana Bassett of Roofless Records have wrestled the Miami music scene into an affectionate headlock — staging shows at underground spots, releasing strange slabs of vinyl, and being named New Times’ Best Record Label of 2010. And now, Basset is…
Think the world’s politicians are behaving badly now? Just wait for a few more natural disasters to hit, add rapidly diminishing resources and steadily increasing population numbers to the mix, and you have yourself a recipe for all-out global conflict. “Climate change will drive people and countries into conflict,” journalist…
Don’t be ashamed. Most of us growing up in the ’90s loved and wanted to live on the mean streets of 90210. Ms Donna Martin, I mean Tori Spelling, got to live our dream and to be honest, we’re still a little jealous.Everyone’s favorite fame whore will be whoring herself…
Last night, Miami’s Cremata Gallery hosted a lecture by local poet and art critic, Ricardo Pau-Llosa. He’s published six collections of poetry, has been featured in The Writer’s Chronicle and Saw Palm, and has been included in the Poetry Series on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer (PBS). Pau-Llosa will also…
In almost every sense — except the most extreme — Tao Lin’s for sale. Of course, there’s his published output, including the poetry books You Are a Little Bit Happier Than I Am ($14) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy ($14.95), the short story collection Bed ($14.95), and a novel, Eeeee Eee Eeee…
Take a look at the biographical blurb and accompanying author photo on the back cover of David Hajdu’s latest book, Heroes and Villains, and you’ll discover that not only is Hadju a professor, but he looks like one. Smiling wryly behind frameless spectacles, the 54-year-old prof (and music critic for…
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Former Miami Herald scribe and current Sports Illustrated senior writer S.L. Price makes his living where sports and culture intersect. His 2000 book Pitching Around Fidel was an exploration of the crumbling Cuban sports machine, and the importance of play to a people deprived of basic freedoms. His newest non-fiction…
The 2009 Miami Book Fair offers a strange brew of talent
Minor television personality and big-time genius John Hodgeman is an expert on things that don’t matter: Presidents who have hooks for hands. The perfect name for a Hobo. Monsters hunters. He’ll be in town for the Miami Book Fair International (November 8-15)and is one of those authors who could fly…
Hialeah Homecoming: Jennine Capo Crucet and Patricia Engel
The Miami Book Fair may be, uh, in the books, but it’s also on the YouTubes. CSPAN, everyone’s favorite must-watch cable channel, aired some sessions from the fair, and CSPAN Junkie collected them for your viewing pleasure. Scott McClellan: What Happened: Inside the Bush White House The Fight Over Presidential…
Dennis Lehane On its 25th anniversary, the Miami Book Fair International is just that — drawing authors from around the world as varied and well respected as Salman Rushdie and Frank McCourt. Saturday morning’s marquee session, however, felt more like a hometown celebration, bringing together three of the most successful…
Nikki Giovanni was once known as the princess of black poetry, but nowadays she shares the queendom with the likes of Maya Angelou. Bold, forthright and sharp, Giovanni has paved the way for new generations of young black poets, she celebrated hip hop and recognized its power before many of…
