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Why Roger Deakins wrote ‘Reflections,’ a book about his visual work in film

Roger Deakins, one of the most influential cinematographers of the last 40 years, has now written “Reflections,” a memoir and book about work and the creative process. On this page from the book, he recalls his work on the film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (Courtesy of Grand Central Publishing)
Deakins, one of the most influential cinematographers of the last 40 years, delivers a book that’s both a memoir and also about creative process, working with people like the Coen brothers, Denis Villeneuve and Sam Mendes.
Roger Deakins, one of the most influential cinematographers of the last 40 years, has now written “Reflections,” a memoir and book about work and the creative process. On this page from the book, he recalls his work on the film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (Courtesy of Grand Central Publishing)
A view of a DC Comics, Superman No. 1 issue is shown Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a rare Superman comic book! And it fetched $9.12M!

The sale surpassed the record of $6 million from another Superman-related comic sold last year.
Myriam Gurba’s most recent book is “Poppy State: A Labyrinth of Plants and a Story of Beginnings.” (Photo credit Geoff Cordner / Courtesy of Timber Press)

Myriam Gurba’s mall crush introduced her to a favorite book

The author's latest nonfiction book, “Poppy State,” is out now from Timber Press.
Elaine Hsieh Chou, whose debut novel was “Disorientation,” returns with the story collection, “Where Are You Really From.”(Photo credit Hsiu Chon / Courtesy of Penguin Press)

Author Elaine Hsieh Chou adapted ‘Little Women’ for the stage in 6th grade

The author's latest release is the story collection “Where Are You Really From.”
Steven Reigns is the author of “Outliving Michael.” (Photo by Jack Urban / Courtesy of the author + Moon Tide Press)

Steven Reigns moved Anaïs Nin’s papers to safety prior to the Palisades fire

The new book by the first Poet Laureate of West Hollywood​ is ​"Outliving Michael,."​
Books on editing and writing. (Courtesy of the publishers)

A mystery, memoir and more for readers who like books about books

From a new mystery and a book of essays to excellent nonfiction about editors and...
National Book Award in Fiction winning author Rabih Alameddine attends the 76th National Book Awards ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Novelist Rabih Alameddine and poet Patricia Smith win National Book Awards

The event included honorary medals for writers George Saunders and Roxane Gay.
“The Strength of the Few” by James Islington is the top-selling fiction release at Southern California’s independent bookstores. (Courtesy of Saga Press)

This week’s bestsellers at Southern California’s independent bookstores

See the top-selling releases among hardcover fiction and nonfiction, plus trade and mass market paperbacks...
This combination of book covers shows “Leave It on the Track” by Margot Fisher, left, “I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This” by Eugene Yelchin, center, and “The Story of My Anger” by Jasminne Mendez. (Dutton Books for Young Readers/Candlewick/Dial Books via AP)

These 2025 children’s books make great holiday gifts for every age group

Look no further for great gift ideas for your kiddos.
Libro.fm’s Top 10 bestselling audiobooks of 2025. (Courtesy of Libro.fm)

The top 10 audiobooks of 2025, according to Libro.fm

So what have you been listening to in 2025?
The San Gabriel Valley Bookstore Friends include Black Cat Fables, dym books & boba, Fables & Fancies, Matilija Collective, Octavia’s Bookshelf, and Underdog Bookstore. (Photos by Erik Pedersen / Getty Images)

How San Gabriel Valley bookstores are teaming up on Small Business Saturday

On Nov. 29, Black Cat Fables, dym books & boba, Fables & Fancies, Matilija Collective,...
Western novels. (Courtesy of the publishers)

6 novels set in the American West featuring cowboys and complexity

As well, there's a recommendation for a work of nonfiction that provides some context for...
Simon Raymonde, founder of the Bella Union record label and former member of the English alternative rock band the Cocteau Twins, shares stories about those and more in his new memoir, “In One Ear: ‘The Cocteau Twins, Ivor and Me.'” (Photo by Simon Raymonde, book image courtesy of Bonnier Books)

Why Cocteau Twins’ Simon Raymonde says the group is more popular than ever

Raymonde, who played bass and keyboards in the influential English band, and founded the Bella...
“Bread of Angels: A Memoir” by Patti Smith is the top-selling nonfiction release at Southern California’s independent bookstores. (Courtesy of Random House)

This week’s bestsellers at Southern California’s independent bookstores

See the top-selling releases among hardcover fiction and nonfiction, plus trade and mass market paperbacks...
Books coming out in November 2025. (Covers courtesy of the publishers)

22 books coming out in November 2025 to add to your TBR list

What's hitting bookstores this month? Here are just some of the titles we're looking forward...
Raymond Biesinger’s new book is “9 Times My Work Has Been Ripped Off: An Informal Self-Defence Guide for Independent Creatives.” (Courtesy of Drawn & Quarterly)

So you’ve been ripped off? Raymond Biesinger has just the book for you.

The artist and illustrator wrote '9 Times My Work Has Been Ripped Off: An Informal...
Elaine Hsieh Chou, whose debut novel was “Disorientation,” returns with the story collection, “Where Are You Really From.”(Photo credit Hsiu Chon / Courtesy of Penguin Press)

Elaine Hsieh Chou aimed to write Asian American characters she hadn’t seen before

Born in Anaheim Hills, the UC Irvine-educated author discusses her new collection, 'Where Are You...
Author Salman Rushdie appears during an interview in New York on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Salman Rushdie’s new book is his first fiction since a brutal attack. He tells us why

“The Eleventh Hour” marks a creative reset for the author.
Neil deGrasse Tyson attends Authors Night 2025 With East Hampton Library on Aug. 9, 2025 in East Hampton, New York. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for East Hampton Library)

Why Neil deGrasse Tyson says we’re falling into science illiteracy

In L.A. to talk about a new book, the astrophysicist, author, podcaster and all-around spokesman...
Jeff-Kramer-16x9-1

Former OC Register humorist Jeff Kramer returns for a book signing

Former Orange County Register humor columnist Jeff Kramer will be reading from humorous novel entitled...
“The Black Wolf” by Louise Penny is the top-selling fiction release at Southern California’s independent bookstores. (Courtesy of Minotaur Books)

This week’s bestsellers at Southern California’s independent bookstores

See the top-selling releases among hardcover fiction and nonfiction, plus trade and mass market paperbacks...
Paul Andrew Hutton’s ‘Undiscovered Country’ and Peter Cozzen’s ‘Deadwood’ examine the nation through separate lenses. (Getty Images)

How the American West story reveals the nation’s triumphs and tragedies

Paul Andrew Hutton’s 'Undiscovered Country' and Peter Cozzen’s 'Deadwood' examine the nation through separate lenses.
This cover image released by Random House Children’s Books shows “Sing the 50 United States” by Dr. Seuss. (Random House Children’s Books via AP)

Dr. Seuss manuscript found in California university archives to be new children’s book

When editors visited the Dr. Seuss collection at UC San Diego, they were looking for...
On FX’s “The Lowdown,” (l-r) Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon, Peter Dinklage as Wendell. (Photo credit Shane Brown/FX)

Why Sterlin Harjo’s ‘The Lowdown’ is a TV show for the books

The series finale airs Nov. 4, so you can catch up if you’ve missed it.
Timely books. (Photos by Erik Pedersen / Cover courtesy of the publisher)

The Book Pages: When the bookshelves are full of breaking news

In the Book Pages each week, you'll get stories, Q&As, bestsellers lists and more.
Susan Straight, a Distinguished Professor, Creative Writing at UC Riverside, is the author most recently of “Sacrament.” (Photo credit Stan Lim/UCR / Courtesy of Counterpoint Press)

Susan Straight shares something no one knows about ‘Sacrament’

The author's latest novel is about a group of nurses in San Bernardino taking care...
Todd McFarlane and Lawrence Persky taking a selfie with a fan attending their autograph signing event at P Dot’s Comics and Collectables in Altadena CA on Oct. 25, 2025. (Connor Terry, Contributing Photographer)

Why Todd McFarlane chose this Pasadena comic book store for Eaton Fire benefit

The event at P Dot’s Comics and Collectibles raised $25,000 for the Pasadena Community Foundation’s...
“Queen Esther” is the 16th novel from author John Irving, whose previous books include “The Cider House Rules,” from which “Queen Esther” borrows a few characters, “The World According to Garp,” and “A Prayer for Owen Meany.” (Book jacket courtesy of Simon & Schuster, photo by Katherine Holland)

In ‘Queen Esther,’ John Irving travels back to ‘The Cider House Rules’

The bestselling author's 16th novel tackles antisemitism in a tale of family and love from...
“Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice” by Virginia Roberts Giuffre is the top-selling nonfiction release at Southern California’s independent bookstores. (Courtesy of Knopf)

This week’s bestsellers at Southern California’s independent bookstores

See the top-selling releases among hardcover fiction and nonfiction, plus trade and mass market paperbacks...
Bruce Lee is the subject of Jeff Chang’s new book “Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America.” (Photograph by Jeremy Keith Villaluz / Courtesy of Mariner Books)

Bruce Lee biographer Jeff Chang is fighting a ban on one of his own books

The Young Adult version of his hip-hop history 'Can't Stop Won't Stop' was removed along...
Ashley Cullin’s debut book is “Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Franchise Rewrote the Rules of Horror.” (Courtesy of Plume)

A new book takes a stab at explaining how ‘Scream’ changed horror films

In 'Your Favorite Scary Movie,' author Ashley Cullins takes a deep dive, interviewing actors, writers...
“1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History — and How It Shattered a Nation” by Andrew Ross Sorkin is the top-selling nonfiction release at Southern California’s independent bookstores. (Courtesy of Viking Books)

This week’s bestsellers at Southern California’s independent bookstores

See the top-selling releases among hardcover fiction and nonfiction, plus trade and mass market paperbacks...
Author Gish Jen’s latest book is “Bad Bad Girl.” (Photo credit Basso Cannarsa / Courtesy of Knopf)

Gish Jen seeks to understand her abusive mother’s life in ‘Bad Bad Girl’

'I feel it’s the great achievement of my life,' says the award-winning author about stopping...
Myriam Gurba’s most recent book is “Poppy State: A Labyrinth of Plants and a Story of Beginnings.” (Photo credit Geoff Cordner / Courtesy of Timber Press)

In ‘Poppy State,’ Myriam Gurba combines memoir, botany, and California history

The latest work of nonfiction from the author of 'Mean' was inspired by the plants...
(Courtesy of the publishers)

45 Halloween book recommendations from Southern California bookstores

From titles for kids to super-scary titles for adults, your local independent booksellers have you...
Thomas Schlesser is the author of “Mona’s Eyes.” (Courtesy of Europa Editions)

Why ‘Mona’s Eyes’ author is only pretending to be OK with this, readers

Thomas Schlesser, who wrote the bestseller, says it 'slightly irritates' him when people say they...
Andy Miller is the cohost of Backlisted, a podcast about books. (Courtesy of Andy Miller/Backlisted)

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...
Backlisted is a podcast about books. (Getty Images/Courtesy of Backlisted)

Backlisted: A beginner’s guide to the best of the books podcast

The beloved British show has done 250 episodes over the past 10 years. Here are...
“Cruising J-Town: Japanese American Car Culture in Los Angeles” by Oliver Wang tells the untold story of how Japanese Americans shaped Los Angeles’ car culture. (Book cover by Bob Mochizuki and photo by Patrick Huang)

Oliver Wang’s book on Japanese American car culture details untold LA history

The Cal State Long Beach professor’s book is accompanied by a Japanese American National Museum...
Bruce Lee, seen here at in “Game of Death,” is the subject of Jeff Chang’s new book “Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America.” (Photo by Columbia Pictures / courtesy of Everett Collection)

How Bruce Lee transformed from martial arts star to enduring Asian American icon

Author Jeff Chang was offered a chance to write about Lee after the success of...
“Shadow Ticket” by Thomas Pynchon is the best-selling fiction release at Southern California’s independent bookstores. (Courtesy of Penguin Books)

This week’s bestsellers at Southern California’s independent bookstores

See the top-selling releases among hardcover fiction and nonfiction, plus trade and mass market paperbacks...
Bestselling author and longtime staff writer for The New Yorker, Susan Orlean’s first memoir, “Joyride,” was published Oct. 14, 2025. (Cover courtesy The Avid Reader Press/Photo by Corey Hendrickson)

In ‘Joyride,’ Susan Orlean takes on her most challenging subject yet: Herself.

The New Yorker staff writer takes readers on the ride of her life.
A preview of books publishing in Fall 2025 that we’re looking forward to reading. (Covers courtesy of the publishers)

Fall book preview: 34 new titles you’ll want to read in 2025

From novels and nonfiction to titles that resist easy classification, these exciting books are coming...
ND Stevenson’s new book is the middle-grade fantasy “Scarlet Morning.” (Photo credit Derrick Boutte / Quill Tree Books)

‘Nimona’ creator ND Stevenson talks pirates, monsters and ‘Scarlet Morning’

The author and illustrator loves covers with an "ominous snowy mountain or a ghostly tall...
Shoshana Walter’s new book, “Rehab: An American Scandal,” examines the failures of substance abuse treatment in America. (Photo credit: Rachel Rhodes. Book cover courtesy of the publisher.)

‘Rehab: An American Scandal’ examines the human cost of a broken system

Pulitzer finalist Shoshana Walter examines the problems with America's drug rehabilitation industry in her new...
This combination of book cover images shows “The Slip” by Lucas Schaefer, left, and “King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution: A Story of Hubris, Delusion and Catastrophic Miscalculation” by Scott Anderson. (Simon & Schuster/Doubleday via AP)

Kirkus Prize winners include a novel on identity, a history of Iran and an ode to belly buttons

The winners were praised for their messages on community, self-transformation, and history.
Hungary’s Laszlo Krasznahorkai poses for photographers

Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai wins the Nobel Prize in literature

Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai has won the Nobel Prize in literature for his compelling and...
Sarah Rafael Garcia is the founder and executive director of LibroMobile Arts Cooperative in Santa Ana, CA. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

This Santa Ana resident created LibroMobile not just to sell books but to bring people together

LibroMobile Bookstore is part of a national revival of independent bookstores with an advocacy bent,...
“Also On View: Unique and Unexpected Museums of Greater Los Angeles” is by Todd Lerew, director of special projects for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, with photography by Ryan Schude. (Image courtesy Angel City Press at the Los Angeles Public Library)

Can small museums make our world bigger? This LA author thinks so

Researcher Todd Lerew's curiosity has led him to America's smallest, quirkiest museums.
“The Impossible Fortune” by Richard Osman is the top-selling fiction release at Southern California’s independent bookstores. (Courtesy of Pamela Dorman Books/TNS)

This week’s bestsellers at Southern California’s independent bookstores

See the top-selling releases among hardcover fiction and nonfiction, plus trade and mass market paperbacks...
(Courtesy of American Library Association)

Banned Books Week 2025: What every reader should know

Plus, a new PEN America study, screenings of 'The Librarians,' the Books Unbanned program and...
“The Cars: Let the Stories Be Told” is the first in-depth biography of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band responsible for hits such as “Best Friend’s Girl,” “Good Times Roll,” “Candy-O,” and “Drive.” Author Bill Janovitz, the guitarist-singer in the alternative rock band Buffalo Tom, grew up around Boston at the time the Cars were breaking out. (Book jacket courtesy of Da Capo, photograph by Kelly Davidson)

How the Cars found rock ‘n’ roll superstardom and let it slip away

Musician and writer Bill Janovitz's' 'The Cars: Let the Stories Be Told' is the first...
John J. Lennon photographed inside Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York, with his debut book “The Tragedy of True Crime.” (Photo credit: Luke Piotrowski)

Journalist and convicted murderer John J. Lennon takes on true crime in new book

Journalist John J. Lennon's debut book "The Tragedy of True Crime" follows four men who...
FILE – PEN America literary service award recipient Stephen King attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala on May 22, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

Stephen King is the most banned author in US schools, PEN report says

The report tracks over 6,800 instances of books being pulled for the 2024-2025 school year.
“107 Days” by former Vice President Kamala Harris is the top-selling nonfiction release at Southern California’s independent bookstores. (Courtesy of Simon & Schuster)

This week’s bestsellers at Southern California’s independent bookstores

See the top-selling releases among hardcover fiction and nonfiction, plus trade and mass market paperbacks...
“Hot Wax” is author M.L. Rio’s first novel since her 2017 debut, “If We Were Villains.” (Photo by Helena Santos / Courtesy of Simon & Schuster)

Why M.L. Rio spent 18 months living in her car to write ‘Hot Wax’

The author will be in conversation with Amanda Montell at Book Soup on Oct. 8.
Lou Berney, author of “Dark Ride” and “November Road,” has just published a new novel, “Crooks.” (Photo credit Brett Deering / Photo courtesy of William Morrow)

‘Crooks’ author Lou Berney on the book that wracked him with joy and despair

The novelist also discusses working on Sterlin Harjo's new FX streaming crime series, 'The Lowdown.'
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