At the start of Love & Fury, Richard Hoffman's father tells him that his will is pretty simple. The same could not be said about their relationship. In his memoir, Hoffman writes elegiacally of his upbringing in a working-class Pennsylvania... Read more →
81 posts categorized "Fiction, Literature, and the Arts"
I often think awkwardness is my superpower. No one else I know has such a deft way of turning an ordinary situation into a hot mess of confusion and apprehension. People have noticed—particularly at work, where I seem to bumble my way through meetings and pleasantries with high-powered executives. Read more →
What Would James Baldwin Say About Ferguson?
December 22, 2014
“Staggerlee wonders” is a poem that could have been written for the current moment, a poem imbued with the spirit of #BlackLivesMatter, with the heartbreak and the anger of #ICantBreathe. Read more →
Beacon Broadside recently spoke with Daisy Hernández about her new book A Cup of Water Under My Bed, her literary and cultural influences, and the process of finding herself, both within her immigrant community and within the new, queer life she created for herself. Read more →
Beacon remembers the prolific and beloved children's book writer Walter Dean Myers, author of over 100 books, including 'Bad Boy,' 'Monster,' 'Darius & Twig,' 'Lockdown,' and 'Autobiography of My Dead Brother.' Read more →
Beacon publicity assistant Nicholas Disabatino recommends five stellar books of LGBT poetry to read during Pride Month and beyond. Read more →
In his new memoir 'Love & Fury,' acclaimed poet and writer Richard Hoffman reflects on his upbringing in a post-World War II blue-collar family, coming to terms with the racism, sexism, and other toxic values he inherited. At the book’s core are the author’s questions about boyhood, fatherhood, and grandfatherhood, and about the changing meaning of what it means to be a good man in America. Read more →
Mary Oliver reads "Night and the River": A Video
April 10, 2014
A new video illustrates Mary Oliver's dark and beautiful poem "Night and the River," first published in 'Red Bird' and later recorded by Mary Oliver for the CD 'Many Miles: Mary Oliver Reads Mary Oliver.' Read more →
A publicity assistant at Beacon Press rediscovers the gift of James Baldwin's words and poetry. Read more →
Ever wonder what publishing professionals read in their spare time? Wonder no more! Here is the definitive list of Beacon Press's reading recommendations for 2013. A professional cyclist kicked out of the sport, a cigar smoking dragon, a Greek chorus of gay men lost to AIDS, a boyhood marred by abuse, a bullying presidency, Albert Einstein, the poetry of quietude, and so much more. Who could argue with a list like that? Read more →
Every year in September, people across the country celebrate Banned Books Week to raise awareness about the problem of censorship. In 2012 alone, there were 464 challenges to books reported to the American Library Association's Office of for Intellectual Freedom. Common complaints include content being unsuitable for an age group, the use of offensive language, sexually explicit material, violence, homosexuality, and religious viewpoints. At Beacon, we support the freedom to read, so we asked staff to recommend some of their favorite banned and challenged books. Read on to find out how they were influenced by these books. Happy Banned Books Week! Read more →
Beacon director Helene Atwan introduces new books from James Baldwin and Inaugural Poet Richard Blanco. Read more →
Poetry You Can Watch for Poetry Month
April 03, 2013
In honor of Poetry Month, here's a collection of poetry you can watch and hear in the poet's own voice. Add your favorites in the comments! Mary Oliver reads "The Summer Day" Mary Oliver reading "Wild Geese" and other poems... Read more →
A roundup of suggestions for your new (or old) e-book reader. Read more →
Mary Oliver: About Angels and About Trees
December 17, 2012
"I have lost as you and / others have possibly lost a // beloved one, / and wonder, where are they now?" Read more →
"The message of Banned Books Week is that we only possess free speech as long as we are willing to fight for it." Read more →
A new book and a new campaign: Elinor Lipman for Tweet Laureate! Read more →
When are parents being supportive of their children's goals, and when do their own ambitions overshadow what is good for their kids? Read more →
Happy Fourth of July from Beacon Press! Read more →
SCOTUS broke its recent mold, Handing down a nice uphold! Meanwhile back in Romney camp, Handkerchiefs & brows are damp. --Elinor Lipman @ElinorLipman Some commentary and insights about today's Supreme Court decision in NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS v. SEBELIUS:... Read more →