Prospect Park Books invites you to celebrate the launch of Paperback L.A. Book 3, A Casual Anthology: Secrets. SigAlerts. Ravines. Records. on May 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Helms Design Center 8745 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232.
Paperback L.A. Book 3 is freewheeling, visually striking book that brings together an unusual collection of texts and photos to create what Los Angeles Magazine called a “genius” mosaic of Los Angeles, present and past. It’s the final volume of the acclaimed Paperback L.A. anthology series introduced last year. Contributors include writers from all eras of L.A. history as well as contemporary photographers.
Writers who will present brief readings of their work:
- Lisa See on the legendary 1930s Dragon’s Den nightclub, created by Asian American art students, from her bestselling family history, On Gold Mountain
- RJ Smith on a 1940s moment when Central Avenue musicians amplified awareness of a Supreme Court civil rights case, from his book The Great Black Way
- Lou Mathews on the street racing scene in the late 1960s, from his novel L.A. Breakdown
- River Garza on his apprenticeship as a Tongva plank-canoe paddler, from his essay for News from Native California
- Rosanne Welch on how the old New Hollywood came up with The Monkees,from her article for Written By
Contributing photographers who will be on hand to introduce their photo essays:
- Alexandra Hedison (Nowhere)
- Warren Hill (The Right Notes)
- Ann Elliott Cutting (Motion and Stasis)
Culver City mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells and council member Daniel Lee will welcome attendees. Copies of Paperback L.A. Books 1 & 2 will also be available, and writers and photographers from those books will be on hand for signing, too. The launch is co-sponsored by publisher Prospect Park Books and Liberty Hill Foundation, L.A.’s social justice foundation. For more information, paperbackla.com.
Paperback L.A. 