Books

New Orleans' Miki Pfeffer will give scholarly talk online for Women's History Month

Staff report
Mar 23, 2023

In celebration of Women's History Month, a virtual presentation featuring New Orleans native and women’s history scholar Miki Pfeffer will be available on YouTube and Facebook on Wednesday.

One Book One Community will cover the blues and more during March and April

Staff report
Mar 10, 2023

Chris Thomas King’s book, "The Blues: The Authentic Narrative of My Music and Culture" is the East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s One Book One Community selection for 2023.

Day devoted to John James Audubon set for Saturday at St. Francisville site

Staff report
Mar 7, 2023

The Audubon State Historic Site, 11788 La. 965, St. Francisville, will devote Saturday to “Remembering John James Audubon."

La.Literature: Uncle-niece Wells duo publishes 'Swamped!'

Staff report
Mar 3, 2023

"Swamped!" by Ken Wells and Hillary Wells, Koehler Books, 229 pages

La. Literature: A new fantasy novel from Lafayette author Khalil A. Barnett

Feb 24, 2023

"Kojiro" by Khalil A. Barnett, Booklocker.com, Inc., 436 pages

A journey of camellias: Documenting the history of Louisiana's long-lost treasures

BY ROBIN MILLER | Staff writer
Feb 17, 2023

New doesn't necessarily mean better, especially in the world of camellias, where older bushes produce rare varieties.

Black History Month program to feature author and genealogist Bernice Bennett

Staff report
Feb 16, 2023

The Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library will celebrate Black History Month with a virtual presentation featuring New Orleans native Bernice Alexander Bennett, author of "Black H…

Hear Louisiana poets Saloy and Friedman at Delta Mouth Reading Series event on Friday at LSU

Staff report
Feb 5, 2023

Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy and Olivia Clare Friedman will read and discuss their work at LSU Creative Writing’s Delta Mouth Reading Series at 6 p.m. Friday.

La. Literature: Barry Ancelet's essays bring readers to rural Mardi Gras

Staff report
Jan 27, 2023

"From Behind the Mask: Essays on South Louisiana Mardi Gras Runs" by Dr. Barry Jean Ancelet, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press, 234 pages

Review: Sun Records' history as lively as its music

BY BARBARA SIMS | Contributing writer
Jan 26, 2023

"The Birth of Rock ‘n' Roll, The Illustrated Story of Sun Records and the 70 Recordings that Changed the World" by Peter Guralnick and Colin Escott, with foreword by Jerry Lee Lewis, WeldonOwe…

Reese Witherspoon's latest book club pick: Ana Reyes wrote it as her LSU master's thesis

BY JAN RISHER | Features editor
Jan 19, 2023

Ana Reyes says sitting in the No. 2 spot on The New York Times-best seller list, along with being Reese Witherspoon's first book club pick of 2023, is surreal.

Uncovering Louisiana’s ‘hidden’ jazz history with Baton Rouge author Sam Irwin

BY JOHN WIRT | Contributing writer
Jan 5, 2023

When Sam Irwin began playing trumpet again following a 30-year hiatus, he unknowingly set the stage for his latest book.

Review: Sam Irwin tells intriguing jazz story with clarity, pleasing pace

BY BARBARA BARNES SIMS | Contributing writer
Jan 5, 2023

The new year and Sam Irwin have brought jazz lovers, and all readers who enjoy stories about our state’s vibrant history, a new understanding of what the author calls “the most significant art…

Progressive bluegrass: It's the return of the Hillbenders

BY JOHN WIRT | Contributing writer
Jan 4, 2023

Jim Rea, singer-guitarist in the progressive bluegrass band the Hillbenders, cites the group’s 2016 show at the Manship Theatre as a highlight of the band’s 15-year career.

La. Literature: Jann Franklin's 'Shining Stars and Mason Jars'

Staff report
Jan 1, 2023

Rougarou Press has rolled out the second installment in Jann Franklin's Small-Town Girl series, "Shining Stars and Mason Jars."

Louisiana books we love in 2022

COMPILED BY JAN RISHER | Features editor
Dec 15, 2022

Of the many Louisiana-based, -published or -inspired books that have come our way in 2022, the newsroom has picked 10 of our favorites:

Gaines award goes to Jacinda Townsend: ceremony is Jan. 19

Staff report
Nov 29, 2022

Jacinda Townsend is the 2022 winner of the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence.

Writing prompt leads to publication for Baton Rouge author Emily Cogburn

Staff report
Nov 13, 2022

What began as a writing exercise has evolved into Emily Beck Cogburn’s latest short story, “Chainsaw,” published in Chapter House Journal.

History professors' new book sheds light on region post-Civil War

Staff report
Nov 13, 2022

Professors of history Samuel Hyde and his wife Sarah, have combined talents for "Rebel Bayou," a work of historical fiction.

Festival of Words will feature 3 artists at Grand Coteau event Friday-Saturday

Staff report
Oct 30, 2022

This year's Festival of Words, running Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4-5, will feature three artists: Clemonce Heard, John McNally and Ashley M. Jones.

La. Literature: Book sheds light on 2 racially-charged tragedies in 1922 Louisiana

Staff report
Oct 30, 2022

"For All Those Men: When the KKK Threatened to Take Control of Louisiana" by John Warner Smith, UL Press, 116 pages

Cherie Quarters: Ruth Laney writes of Ernest J. Gaines and his muse

BY JOHN WIRT | Contributing writer
Oct 27, 2022

Over the course of five decades, Baton Rouge freelance writer Ruth Laney returned again and again to the intertwined subjects of Ernest J. Gaines and Cherie Quarters.

Photos: Louisiana Book Festival poster artist Nonney Oddlokken

BY ROBIN MILLER | Staff writer
Oct 27, 2022

Nonney Oddlokken creates artworks depicting the magic of south Louisiana's swamps, spirit and creatures in her St. Rose studio. And she does this by using thread and handmade paper.

'Twas the year that 'Cajun Night Before Christmas' turns 50; anniversary editions on sale

Staff report
Oct 24, 2022

That beloved holiday tale, "Cajun Night Before Christmas," officially has been read and reread for half a century now.

Louisiana Book Festival enters its 18th year, featuring more than 200 authors and lots of activities

BY ROBIN MILLER | Staff writer
Oct 23, 2022

Louisiana author Maurice Carlos Ruffin will be there. Fellow Louisiana authors Jericho Brown, Robert Olen Butler and Helen Prejean will be there, too.

David Armand will be honored with 23rd Louisiana Writer Award at annual book fest Oct. 29

Staff report
Oct 7, 2022

Louisiana native David Armand will receive the 23rd annual Louisiana Writer Award, the Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library announced last week.

Four prominent authors will lead pre-book festival's master classes Oct. 28

Staff report
Sep 18, 2022

Jericho Brown, Robert Olen Butler, Gerard Collins and Emily Nemens will teach the Louisiana Book Festival's 2022 writing workshops.

2016 flood inspires Coburn's new short story: La. Literature

Staff report
Sep 11, 2022

Baton Rouge writer Emily Beck Cogburn’s short story, “Losing Everything,” is a tale of loss and redemption.