Anita Felicelli
Anita Felicelli is Alta Journal ’s books editor and the author of How We Know Our Time Travelers, Chimerica, and Love Songs for a Lost Continent.
Writer’s Room: In the Shadow of Space Monkeys
Joshua Wheeler reimagines his ranching family’s stories in The High Heaven.
The Habit Jane Smiley Could Not Get Rid Of
In her forthcoming book, Lidie: The Further Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton, the novelist returns to women’s lives, curiosity—and horses.
Event Recap: ‘White Oleander’
Janet Fitch, Dylan Landis, and host John Freeman discussed White Oleander, the California Book Club’s March selection.
Announcing the Special Guest
In this newsletter, we introduce Dylan Landis as the special guest in conversation with Janet Fitch and John Freeman about White Oleander.
Gavin Newsom’s Bid for Likability
In Young Man in a Hurry, Governor Gavin Newsom provides a California story that focuses on defining himself.
Event Recap: Greg Sarris’s ‘Grand Avenue’
Greg Sarris, Lisa See, and John Freeman discussed Grand Avenue, the California Book Club’s February selection, and storytelling.
Announcement of Special Guest
In this newsletter, we introduce Lisa See as the special guest in conversation with author Greg Sarris and California Book Club host John Freeman.
Announcing the Spring 2026 Books
In this newsletter, we introduce the three books that make up the California Book Club’s choices for April, May, and June.
Alta Journal ’s Literary Rediscoveries of 2025
Bringing a fresh set of eyes to seven classic works.
Alta Journal ’s Top Book Reviews of 2025
From timely social histories to joyful writer memoirs, here are some highlights from this year’s book reviews.
Fiction: ‘Delilah’
A biotech prodigy, a charismatic predator, and a pirate-obsessed notebook collide in a sharp, unsettling tale of consent and revenge.
Writer’s Room: After the War
Automatic Noodle author Annalee Newitz discusses robots and world-building.
Event Recap: Lisa See’s ‘On Gold Mountain’
Author Lisa See, special guest Michael Luo, and host John Freeman had an illuminating conversation about the California Book Club’s December selection.
Announcing the Special Guest
In this newsletter, we introduce special guest Michael Luo, who will be in conversation about On Gold Mountain with Lisa See and host John Freeman at this week’s California Book Club gathering.
Event Recap: Ada Limón’s ‘Startlement: New and Selected Poems’
Author Ada Limón, special guest Matthew Zapruder, and host John Freeman gathered to discuss Startlement: New and Selected Poems, the California Book Club’s November selection.
Announcement of Special Guest
In this newsletter, we introduce Matthew Zapruder as the special guest to discuss Startlement: New and Selected Poems with Ada Limón and John Freeman at this week’s California Book Club gathering.
Announcing the Winter 2026 Books
In this newsletter, we introduce our California Book Club lineup for the winter quarter.
Event Recap: John Freeman’s ‘California Rewritten’
Critic and poet John Freeman and special guest host Walter Mosley had an illuminating conversation about literature and California Rewritten, the California Book Club’s October selection.
Introducing the Special Guest Host
In this newsletter, we announce that Walter Mosley is the special guest host in conversation with author John Freeman about California Rewritten, the California Book Club’s October selection.
Writer’s Room: Friendship As a Prism
Angela Flournoy discusses how her second novel, The Wilderness, came to be.
Event Recap: Amy Tan’s ‘The Backyard Bird Chronicles’
Author Amy Tan, special guest John Muir Laws, and host John Freeman engaged in a rousing and profound discussion of the California Book Club’s September selection.
Announcement of Special Guest
In this newsletter, we introduce John Muir Laws as the special guest to discuss The Backyard Bird Chronicles with author Amy Tan and host John Freeman.
Writer’s Room: Joanna Howard
Joanna Howard discusses her new novel, Porthole; research into auteurs; and enchanted spaces.
Q&A: A Conversation with Amy Tan
In conversation with Anita Felicelli, the beloved author discusses bird-watching, writing, and how nature journaling helped her rediscover purpose and emotional truth.
Event Recap: Adrian Tomine
Cartoonist Adrian Tomine sat down with California Book Club host John Freeman and special guest David L. Ulin for a candid and insightful conversation about the CBC’s August selection, Shortcomings.
Introducing the Special Guest
In this week’s newsletter, we announce that David L. Ulin will be the special guest to discuss Shortcomings with author Adrian Tomine and host John Freeman.
Announcement of Fall 2025 Books
In this newsletter, we introduce the California Book Club’s autumn selections: a collection of literary criticism, a poet’s new and selected poems, and a family history.
Event Recap: Rosanna Xia
Rosanna Xia, the author of California Against the Sea, the July California Book Club selection, sat down for an engaging conversation with host John Freeman and special guest Marthine Satris.
Introducing the Special Guest
In this newsletter, we announce that Marthine Satris will be the special guest to discuss the California Book Club’s July selection, California Against the Sea, with its author, Rosanna Xia, and CBC host John Freeman.
Imagining into History
Nishant Batsha’s sophomore novel, A Bomb Placed Close to the Heart, uses historical practices to investigate questions of ambition and love in the early part of the 20th century.
Writer’s Room: Evanthia Bromiley
Colorado novelist Evanthia Bromiley discusses Crown, childhood poverty, and resilience.
Writer’s Room: Storytelling for Survival
Caro De Robertis shares the process behind their latest book, So Many Stars.