Blogs

Noir: crime fiction featuring hard-boiled, cynical characters and dark settings. This is as perfect a time as any to get completely lost in the highly entertaining genre of 20th century American noir writing. Discover this vivid hard-boiled subset of the mystery genre — dark fiction featuring femme fatales, PI’s, and great murder mysteries. These authors are the best of the best, featuring a hand-picked selection of my favorites written by my favorites. —Vicki

Listen to this playlist to get you in the mood!

This playlist includes novels, nonfiction, and parenting books about the complicated and wonderful aspects of home and family. Listen to the family-themed playlist below while you read!

We closed our bookstore yesterday to the public, indefinitely. At first, it was a very difficult decision. Then, it suddenly became easy: We have heard of people getting sick around town, I have a six week old and a 21 month old and two older parents (sorry for calling you "older," Mom&Dad), and the decision became easy. As a community space where many people congregate, given so many more public places were closing, we did not feel comfortable potentially contributing to the spread of this virus. 

Spring forward with an all-new SHELF TALKING!

Recorded live at Literati:
–Grace Talusan shares an excerpt from her memoir The Body Papers. 
–Alexander Weinstein reads the story “Infinite Realities” from his collection Universal Love. 

Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko
Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

Been seeking great fiction for February? SHELF TALKING’s got you covered!

Recorded live at Literati:
–Kiley Reid chats with fellow novelist Julie Buntin about her New York Times-bestselling debut Such a Fun Age. 
–Kate Wisel reads two stories from her prize-winning collection Driving in Cars with Homeless Men. 

Shelf Talking is produced by Mike and Hilary Gustafson with John Ganiard, Bennet Johnson, and Sam Krowchenko
Our theme songs are “Orange and Red” and "Bonhomie" by Pity Sex (2016, Run for Cover Records)

*Headphones recommended!*

SHELF TALKING rings in the new year with three terrific writers!

Recorded live at Literati:
–Aaron Hamburger reads from his novel Nirvana Is Here. 
–Dr. Tia Powell shares excerpts from her book Dementia Reimagined. 
–Ayelet Tsabari discusses her memoir The Art of Leaving with author Shachar M. Pinsker. 

Each year, we ask every Literati Bookstore Book Ninja, "What was your favorite read of the past year?" The rules are simple: It can be any book read: An old book, a new book, poetry, cooking, anything, as long as it's a book and it was read in 2019!

Without further ado, here are our selections:

Hilary:

The Dutch House