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Mario Vargas Llosa
Nicholas Clayton, Librarian, Multilingual Collections, April 18, 2025

Mario Vargas Llosa nació el 28 de marzo de 1936 en Arequipa, Perú y falleció en Lima el 13 de abril a los 89 años de edad. Durante su vida, vivió en varios países como Perú, Bolivia, España, y Francia. Ganó el premio Príncipe de Asturias en 1986 y también el premio Nobel de Literatura en 2010. Autor de más de 50 obras de literatura incluidos Conversación en la catedral, Cartas a...

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Octavia E. Butler at the Central Library in 1995.

Growing up Octavia

Sara Rebman, Librarian, Children's Literature Department, Wednesday, June 17, 2020

This week we are exploring Octavia E. Butler’s childhood and some great science fiction books for children, as we continue to celebrate her birthday and the first anniversary of the Octavia Lab.


Freedman’s Bank

The Freedman’s Bank Was a First Step for Newly Freed Black Citizens

Julie Huffman, Librarian, History & Genealogy Department, Wednesday, June 17, 2020

The notion of having one’s own savings account is commonplace to us modern folk. But for former slaves—many of whom had never even seen money—it was an alien concept. And, in a country that runs on capitalism, getting the hang of money management was (and is) essential to survival.


Collage of featured authors

Read it First: The Lives Behind the Books

Elizabeth Graney, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Tuesday, June 16, 2020

On this blog we have featured hundreds of films adapted from novels and short stories by authors from across the world and throughout history. While we have celebrated their works both on page and on screen, we’ve yet to take a look at the people behind the words.


Author Rebecca Serle and her latest novel, In Five Years

Interview With an Author: Rebecca Serle

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Monday, June 15, 2020

Rebecca Serle is an author and television writer who lives in Los Angeles.


Author Annabeth Albert and her latest novel, Conventionally Yours

Interview With an Author: Annabeth Albert

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, June 11, 2020

When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, Annabeth Albert is a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. Her popular LGBTQ+ romances include several fan-favorite and critically acclaimed series.


Books by authors that were influenced by Octavia Butler

Octavia’s Influence

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Wednesday, June 10, 2020

This month is not only the first anniversary of the Octavia Lab at the Central Library, a do-it-yourself studio space, but also Octavia E.


Collage of ten novels that influenced Alfred Hitchcock's best films

Ten Novels That Inspired Alfred Hitchcock

Robert Anderson, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Forty years after his death, film director Alfred Hitchcock is still known as “the master of suspense”, and his movies retain their popularity and critical acclaim.


African American woman in mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness Meditation

Eileen Ybarra, Librarian III, Electronic Resources, Tuesday, June 9, 2020

We may all find ourselves in higher stress and uncertainty these days. I know I have met my fair share of emotional difficulty in the past few months. What has helped steady me is my mindfulness meditation practice.


A drive-up COVID-19 testing site in Westwood.

The Power of Adaptability: Library Values Outside the Library

Jacob Lackner, Messenger Clerk, Will & Ariel Durant Branch Library, Friday, June 5, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Public Library has to adapt to a different world.


Author Celia Laskey and first book Under the Rainbow

Interview With an Author: Celia Laskey

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, June 4, 2020

Celia Laskey's work has appeared in Guernica, The Minnesota Review, and other places. She has an MFA from the University of New Mexico and was a finalist in Glimmer Train's Short Story Award for New Writers. She lives with her wife in Los Angeles.


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