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Author Brad Meltzer and his latest novel, The Viper
Photo of author: Donna Newman
Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, January 22, 2026

Brad Meltzer is the Emmy-nominated, #1 New York Times bestselling author of...

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Author Grady Hendrix and his latest book, The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires

Interview With an Author: Grady Hendrix

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, July 16, 2020

Award-winning author Grady Hendrix has written about the confederate flag for Playboy magazine, covered terrible movie novelizations and ninja death swarms for outlets ranging from Slate to the British Film Institute, and scripted award shows for Chinese television.


Books made to popular musicals

Beyond Hamilton: More Musicals Based on Books

Elizabeth Graney, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical Hamilton: An American Musical took the world by storm when it premiered in 2015. Combining American history with modern music styles and traditional period costumes with non-traditional casting, it pioneered a new style of musical.


Ray Potes, a zinemaker

Interview With a Zine Maker: Ray Potes

Angi Brzycki, Senior Librarian, Digitization & Special Collections, Friday, July 10, 2020

Ray Potes is a photographer and the editor of Hamburger Eyes, a black and white photography zine. He’s also the creator of the blog and zine, Ray Reports.


Suzanne Vega on the cover of her recent album, New York is My Destination

Music Memories: Happy Birthday, Suzanne Vega!

Keith Chaffee, Librarian, Central Library, Friday, July 10, 2020

On July 11, 1959, Suzanne Vega was born. Vega is a singer/songwriter who had some unexpected pop success in the late 1980s and early 1990s with a pair of surprising hit singles, “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner.”


Author Elizabeth Little and her latest book, Pretty as a Picture

Interview With an Author: Elizabeth Little

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, July 9, 2020

Elizabeth Little is the author of Dear Daughter, which won the Strand Critics Award for Best First Novel, and two works of nonfiction, Biting the Wax Tadpo


Collage of famous authors

Read it First: Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

Elizabeth Graney, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Last month we took a look at the lives of famous authors as shown in popular films. And while that was a fun way to learn more about the authors we know and love, we all know that sometimes films take creative license to make their stories more interesting.


Collage of American cuisine books

Yours? Mine? Ours? Yes! We Call It American Cuisine

Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & Fiction, Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Other than indigenous peoples, we are a nation of immigrants, those who came by choice and those who came by force. As our country keeps growing and changing with new people arriving all the time, what we eat changes too. Like our country, American cuisine is never static.


Author and chemist, Dr. Kathryn Harkup and her latest book, Death By Shakespeare

Interview With an Author: Kathryn Harkup

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, July 2, 2020

Dr. Kathryn Harkup is a chemist and author. She completed a doctorate on her favorite chemicals, phosphines, and went on to further postdoctoral research before realizing that talking, writing, and demonstrating science appealed a bit more than hours slaving over a hot fume-hood.


Glean Creason from 1984

Of Friends: A Librarian Reflects

Glen Creason, Librarian III, History & Genealogy Department, Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Libraries are empty of customers and that is sad as hell. Sad for library workers who not only love the musty smell of the stacks but also the everyday challenges of actual patrons!


Collage of books based on Los Angeles neighborhoods

The California Fiction Index: Invitation to Explore Los Angeles Neighborhoods

James Sherman, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Aldous Huxley described Los Angeles as “nineteen suburbs in search of a metropolis"—and didn’t mean it as a compliment. In fact, the diversity of Los Angeles is one of its greatest strengths. The Los Angeles Times mapping project claims there are 114 neighborhoods in the city of Los Angeles.


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