LIVE! From City Lights

Ukrainian Writers Speak!

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

City Lights and Deep Vellum Books present Ali Kinsella and Zenia Tompkins celebrating the publication of "Love in Defiance of Pain: Ukrainian Stories,...

Elif Batuman in Conversation with Lucy Corin

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Elif Batuman in conversation with Lucy Corin, celebrating the publication of "Either/Or: a novel" by Elif Batuman, published by Penguin Press. This ev...

Jamil Jan Kochai in Conversation with Brandon Taylor

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jamil Jan Kochai in conversation with Brandon Taylor, celebrating the publication of "The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories," by Jamil Jan Koc...

Defending Choice: Roe vs. Wade and the Battle to Preserve Women’s Reproductive Rights

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

City Lights in conjunction with Mother Jones (https://www.motherjones.com) present "Defending Choice: Roe vs. Wade and the Battle to Preserve Women’...

Matt Bell on Writing – with Kirstin Chen and Jac Jemc

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An evening of writers talking about writing and celebrating the publication of "Refuse To Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts," ...

Leila Mottley in Conversation with Margaret Wilkerson Sexton

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

City Lights in conjunction with the Mechanics’ Institute Library and Alfred Knopf present Leila Mottley in conversation with Margaret Wilkerson Sext...

Nadifa Mohamed in Conversation with Tommy Orange

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nadifa Mohamed in conversation with Tommy Orange, celebrating the release of her new novel "The Fortune Men," published by Alfred Knopf. This event wa...

K-Ming Chang in Conversation with Lily Philpott

05 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

City Lights in conjunction with the Asian American Writers’ Workshop present K-Ming Chang in conversation with Lily Philpott, celebrating her new co...

Ingrid Rojas Contreras in Conversation with Esmé Weijun Wang

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ingrid Rojas Contreras in conversation with Esmé Weijun Wang, celebrating the launch of "The Man Who Could Move Clouds: A Memoir," published by Doubl...

John Nichols in Conversation with Congressman Ro Khanna

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

John Nichols in conversation with Congressman Ro Khanna, discussing Nichol’s new book "Coronavirus Criminals and Pandemic Profiteers: Accountability...

Dodie Bellamy in Conversation with Chris Kraus

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dodie Bellamy in conversation with Chris Kraus, celebrating Dodie Bellamy's two new books; "Bee Reaved" and "The Letters of Mina Harker," published by...

Amitava Kumar in Conversation with Aleksandar Hemon

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Amitava Kumar in conversation with Aleksandar Hemon, discussing Amitava Kumar's new novel "A Time Outside This Time" published by Alfred Knopf. This e...

Farah Jasmine Griffin in Conversation with Robin D.G. Kelley

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Farah Jasmine Griffin in conversation with Robin D.G. Kelley, discussing her new book "Read Until You Understand: The Profound Wisdom of Black Life an...

Gabriela Alemán and Dick Cluster in Conversation with Oscar Villalon

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In conjunction with Zyzzyva, City Lights presents Gabriela Alemán and Dick Cluster in conversation with Oscar Villalon, celebrating the publication o...

Mosab Abu Toha in Conversation with Mary Karr

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

City Lights in conjunction with the Middle Eastern Children’s Alliance and The Markaz Review present Mosab Abu Toha in conversation with Mary Karr, ...

D. S. Marriott in Conversation with Frank B. Wilderson III

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

D. S. Marriott in conversation with Frank B. Wilderson III, celebrating the publication of D. S. Marriott’s "Before Whiteness: City Lights Spotlight...

Still Outside: Jack Kerouac at 100

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An appreciation of Jack Kerouac’s unique contribution to American literature with talks by Ann Charters, Jean-Christophe Cloutier, Ann Douglas, Tim ...

Dangerous Visions and New Worlds: The Bridge of Lost Desire - A Conversation with Samuel R. Delany

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Shank Cruz in conversation with Samuel R. Delany, celebrating the U.S. launch of the publication of "Dangerous Visions and New Worlds: Radical ...

Dangerous Visions and New Worlds: Mike Stax in Conversation with Michael Moorcock

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Stax in conversation with Michael Moorcock, celebrating the US launch of the publication of "Dangerous Visions and New Worlds: Radical Science Fi...

Daniel Levin Becker in Conversation with Ian S. Port

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Levin Becker in conversation with Ian S. Port, celebrating the release of his new book "What’s Good: Notes on Rap and Language," published by...

Psyche Unbound Session 3: Comparative and Theoretical Studies

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In conjunction with MAPS (the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) and Synergetic Press, City Lights presents "Psyche Unbound," a da...

Psyche Unbound Session 2: Psychotherapy and Consciousness

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In conjunction with MAPS (the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) and Synergetic Press, City Lights presents "Psyche Unbound," a da...

Psyche Unbound Session 1: Early Witnesses and Allies

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In conjunction with MAPS (the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies)and Synergetic Press, City Lights presents "Psyche Unbound," a day...

Diane di Prima Memorial Tribute Pt. 2: Spring and Autumn Annals

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is the second part of the celebration of the life and work of Diane di Prima: a panel discussion celebrating the City Lights publication of "Spri...

Diane di Prima Memorial Tribute Pt. 1: Revolutionary Letters and Other Poems

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A tribute to Diane di Prima, marking one year since her passing in October 2020, with Hanif Abdurraqib, Garrett Caples, Jeanne di Prima, Sheppard Powe...

Christopher W. Shaw in Conversation with Ralph Nader

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher W. Shaw in conversation with Ralph Nader, discussing his newly released book "First Class: The U.S. Postal Service, Democracy, and the Cor...

Steven Reigns in Conversation with Jonny McGovern

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Steven Reigns in conversation with Jonny McGovern, discussing his new book "A Quilt for David," published by City Lights Books. This event was origina...

Stan Cox in Conversation with Sonali Kolhatkar

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

City Lights and YES! Magazine present Stan Cox in conversation with Sonali Kolhatkar, celebrating the launch of his new book, "The Path to a Livable F...

David Talbot and Margaret Talbot

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

David Talbot and Margaret Talbot celebrating the launch of their new book, "By the Light of Burning Dreams: The Triumphs and Tragedies of the Second A...

Chet'la Sebree in Conversation with Dantiel W. Moniz

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chet'la Sebree in conversation with Dantiel W. Moniz, celebrating the release of Chet'la Sebree's new book, "Field Study," published by FSG Originals....

New Directions at 85: The Anniversary Celebration

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

New Directions at 85: The Anniversary Celebration with Forrest Gander as MC and Rosmarie Waldrop, Susan Howe, Nathaniel Tarn, Nathaniel Mackey, Mei-me...

Nathaniel Mackey with Fred Moten

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nathaniel Mackey in conversation with Fred Moten, celebrating the launch of his new poetry collection, "Double Trio," published by New Directions. Thi...

Cynthia Kaufman in Conversation with Francesca Caparas

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cynthia Kaufman in conversation with Francesca Caparas, discussing her new book, "The Sea is Rising and So Are We: A Climate Justice Handbook," publis...

Aminatta Forna in Conversation with Eula Biss

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Aminatta Forna in conversation with Eula Biss, discussing her new book, “The Window Seat: Notes From a Life in Motion,” published by Grove Press. ...

Francisco Goldman in Conversation with Valeria Luiselli

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Francisco Goldman in conversation with Valeria Luiselli, discussing his new novel, "Monkey Boy," published by Grove Atlantic Press. This event was ori...

Michael McClure Memorial Tribute

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A memorial tribute to Michael McClure with readings and remembrances by Russ Tamblyn, CAConrad, Margaret Randall, Forrest Gander, George Herms, Henry ...

Mule Kick Blues Release Party with Anne Waldman, Eileen Myles, and Garrett Caples

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

City Lights celebrates the final book by the late Beat Generation legend Michael McClure. Anne Waldman, Eileen Myles, and Garrett Caples read from and...

Erica Hunt and Michael Palmer

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Erica Hunt and Michael Palmer, reading from their new works: Hunt reading from her new collection "Jump The Clock," published by Nightboat, and Palmer...

Mary Beth Meehan with Fred Turner

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mary Beth Meehan with Fred Turner, celebrating the launch of their book "Seeing Silicon Valley: Life Inside a Fraying America" published by University...

Carribean Fragoza in Conversation with Héctor Tobar

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Carribean Fragoza in conversation with Héctor Tobar, celebrating the launch of her new book "Eat the Mouth That Feeds You", published by City Lights ...

Sesshu Foster & Arturo Ernesto Romo in Conversation with Carribean Fragoza

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sesshu Foster and Arturo Ernesto Romo in conversation with Carribean Fragoza, celebrating the book launch of "ELADATL: A History of the East Los Angel...

Mira Sethi in Conversation with Miranda Popkey

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mira Sethi in conversation with Miranda Popkey, celebrating Mira Sethi's new short fiction collection "Are You Enjoying?" published by Alfred Knopf. T...

Marie Mutsuki Mockett in Conversation with Garnette Cadogan

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Marie Mutsuki Mockett in conversation with Garnette Cadogan discussing her new book "American Harvest: God, Country, and Farming in the Heartland," pu...

Rachel Kushner in Conversation with Dana Spiotta

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Kushner in conversation with Dana Spiotta celebrating the launch of Rachel Kushner's "The Hard Crowd: Essays 2000-2020," published by Scribner....

Héctor Tobar in Conversation with Oscar Villalon

05 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Héctor Tobar with Oscar Villalon discussing Héctor Tobar's new book "The Last Great Road Bum," published by Farrar Straus and Giroux. This event was...

Joshua Bennett, Tongo Eisen-Martin, Jesse McCarthy, and Simone White

18 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joshua Bennett is joined in conversation with Tongo Eisen Martin, Jesse McCarthy, and Simone White to discuss his new book "Being Property Once Myself...

Maw Shein Win, Nathalie Khankan, Su Hwang, and Marcelo Hernandez Castillo

08 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Maw Shein Win with Nathalie Khankan and Marcelo Hernandez Castillo reading from new poetry, Storage Unit for the Spirit House, (Maw Shein Win) and Qui...

Mauro Javier Cárdenas and Carlos Fonseca

01 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mauro Javier Cárdenas in conversation with Carlos Fonseca, discussing Mauro's new novel, Aphasia, published by Farrar Straus Giroux. Mauro Javier Cá...

City Lights Spotlight Poetry Series 20 in 2020 Celebration: Day Two

25 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Day two of two: a weekend of events celebrating the 20-volume milestone of the City Lights Spotlight Series. Hosted by Garrett Caples (Series Editor)....

City Lights Spotlight Poetry Series 20 in 2020 Celebration: Day One

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Day one of two: a weekend of events celebrating the 20-volume milestone of the City Lights Spotlight Series. Hosted by Garrett Caples (Series Editor)....

Alison Mosshart, Sheree Renée Thomas, and Robert Gordon

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Third Man Books (the publishing imprint of Jack White's Third Man Records) returns to City Lights to launch three new titles: IT CAME FROM MEMPHIS by ...

Gary Kamiya and Paul Madonna 10.20.2020

27 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Gary Kamiya with Paul Madonna, celebrating their new book, Spirits of San Francisco: Voyages through the Unknown City, published by Bloomsbury Books.F...

Zoetrope Fall 2020 Issue Celebration

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

City Lights celebrates the award-winning literary periodical's fall issue. Editor Michael Ray and Managing Editor Manjula Martin are joined by several...

Eileen Myles

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Eileen Myles reading from their new book, For Now, published by Yale University Press. In this raucous meditation, Eileen Myles offers an intimate g...

Barry Gifford and Rob Christopher

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Barry Gifford celebrating the release of his new anthology, Roy's World: Stories 1973-2020, published by Seven Stories Press. Barry Gifford is joined ...

Uche Nduka and Sophia Dahlin

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Uche Nduka and Sophia Dahlin: Celebrating City Lights Spotlights Series Vol. 19 & 20. Uche Nduka reading from Facing You, Spotlight Series No. 19, and...

Kerri Arsenault and Kurt Andersen

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kerri Arsenault in conversation with Kurt Andersen discussing their two new books. Mill Town: Reckoning With What Remains, by Kerri Arsenault, (St. Ma...

Celebrating RESISTENCIA: Poems of Protest and Revolution

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrating RESISTENCIA: Poems of Protest and Revolution with Mark Eisner, Tina Escaja, Romina Funes, Rebeca Lane, Jack Hirschman, and Jessica Powell....

Jenny Bhatt and Devi S. Laskar

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jenny Bhatt in conversation with Devi S. Laskar discussing Janny Bhatt's new short fiction collection, EACH OF US KILLERS: Stories, published by 7.13 ...

John Freeman and D.A. Powell

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

John Freeman celebrates his new collection of poetry, The Park, published by Copper Canyon Press. He's joined by D.A. Powell, also reading from his ow...

Jennifer Worley

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jennifer Worley discusses her book, Neon Girls: A Stripper's Education in Protest and Power, published by Harper Collins. This event was originally br...

Frank Wilderson III and Justin Desmangles

02 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Frank Wilderson III in conversation with Justin Desmangles, discussing Frank's new book, "Afropessimism." This event was originally broadcast via Zoom...

Cara Black and Jacqueline Winspear

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Cara Black and Jacqueline Winspear discussing the writing of fiction that takes place in World War II Europe. They explore topics that closely paralle...

Katherine Silver in Conversation with Mauro Javier Cárdenas

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Katherine Silver in conversation with Mauro Javier Cárdenas, discussing Katherine's new translations of the work of Julio Ramón Ribeyro ("The Word o...

Emerson Whitney

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Emerson Whitney discussing and reading from their new book, "Heaven" published by McSweeney's. This event was broadcast live via Zoom, hosted by Caitl...

KimShuck, Thea Matthews, and Kevin Madrigal

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Mapping the Bay," San Francisco Poet Laureate Kim Shuck is joined by Thea Matthews and Kevin Madrigal, reading new poetry. Kim Shuck's latest book o...

Roy Scranton

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Roy Scranton reading from his novel, I Heart Oklahoma, published by Soho. Suzie's seen it all, but now she's looking for something she lost: a sense ...

Aaron Cohen

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Aaron Cohen discusses the subject of his new book, Move On Up: Chicago Soul Music and Black Cultural Power, published by the University of Chicago Pre...

STAFF PICK - Chloe Aridjis Reads from Sea Monsters

07 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

(From February 2019) Chloe Aridjis reading from her novel, "Sea Monsters," published by Catapult Press. Pulsing to the soundtrack of Joy Division, Ni...

Gillian Conoley and Donna de la Perrière

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Gillian Conoley and Donna de la Perrière reading from their new poetry collections. Gillian reading from A Little More Red Sun On The Human: New and ...

Kal Spelletich

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kal Spelletich in conversation with Catharine Clark, discussing his new project, Significance Machines and Purposeful Robots. 'Significance Machines ...

STAFF PICK - Little Boy Release Party

24 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

(From March 2019) City Lights celebrates the release of Lawrence Ferlinghetti's new novel, Little Boy, published by Doubleday Books with special guest...

Terry Tempest Williams

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Terry Tempest Williams reading from her new book, Erosion: Essays of Undoing, published by Sarah Critchton Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Introducti...

A Celebration of Silvina Ocampo

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A discussion of Silvina Ocampo, focusing on the two new translations published by City Lights––"Forgotten Journey" & "The Promise"--with the books...

STAFF PICK - The People v. Ferlinghetti: The Fight to Publish Allen Ginsberg's HOWL

10 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

(From March 2019, during our Ferlinghetti at 100 celebrations) Ronald K.L. Collins and David M. Skover discuss the subject of their book, "The People ...

Maxim Osipov

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Maxim Osipov reading excerpts in Russian of his new book, "Rock, Paper, Scissors and Other Stories," published by New York Review Books in translation...

Gibby Haynes

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Gibby Haynes reading from his new novel, Me & Mr. Cigar, published by Soho Press. From the wild and wonderful mind of Gibby Haynes––world famous ...

STAFF PICK - Elliott Sharp and David Rothenberg

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

(From June 2019) Elliott Sharp in conversation with David Rothenberg to celebrate the release of two new books: "Nightingales in Berlin: Searching for...

Benedicte Maurseth

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A very special musical episode! Benedicte Maurseth discussing her book, "To Be Nothing: Conversations with Knut Hamre, Hardanger Fiddle Master," publi...

ZYZZYVA Bay Area Issue Celebration

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

ZYZZYVA celebrates their 117th issue, the Bay Area Issue with an all-star lineup (in order of appearance): Paul Wilner, Meg Hurtado Bloom, Rita Bullwi...

STAFF PICK - Kevin Killian Reading from Fascination

11 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

(From November 2018) Kevin Killian reads from his book, Fascination, published by Semiotext(e) and edited by Andrew Durbin. A memoir of gay life in 1...

Carmen Maria Machado with Esmé Weijun Wang

07 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Carmen Maria Machado with Esmé Weijun Wang in conversation and celebrating the release of Carmen Maria Machado's In The Dream House: A Memoir, publis...

Freeman's: The Best New Writing on California with an All-Star Lineup

31 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrating the new issue of Freeman's: "The Best New Writing on California," published by Grove. Hosted by John Freeman with readings by Tommy Orange...

STAFF PICK - Foucault in California

28 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

(From April 2019) Heather Dundas in conversation with David Wade celebrating the release of Foucault in California : A True Story—Wherein the Great ...

Joyce in Paris with Catherine Flynn

24 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine Flynn celebrating the release of "James Joyce and the Matter of Paris," published by Cambridge University Press, in conversation with fellow...

Isabella Tree

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Isabella Tree discussing the subject of her new book, Wilding: Returning Nature to Our Farm, from New York Review Books with an introduction by Eric S...

V. Vale and Rudy Rucker

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

RE/Search celebrates the release of Issue 19: UNDERGROUND LIVING with V. Vale and special guest Rudy Rucker. V. Vale has traversed the major global u...

STAFF PICK - China Miéville Reads from October: The Story of the Russian Revolution

07 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

(From May 2017)China Miéville reads from October: The Story of the Russian Revolution, published by Verso Books. On the centenary of the Russian Rev...

Anna Merlan

27 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Anna Merlan discussing the subject of her new book, Republic of Lies: American Conspiracy Theorists and Their Surprising Rise to Power, published by M...

STAFF PICK - Jenn Pelly and Greil Marcus Discussing The Raincoats

24 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

(From January 2018) Jenn Pelly and Greil Marcus celebrating a new edition in the 33 & 1/3 series, The Raincoats, by Jenn Pelly and published by Blooms...

Ramesh Srinivasan with Shahid Buttar

20 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ramesh Srinivasan and Shahid Buttar discussing Ramesh's new book, Beyond the Valley: How Innovators around the World are Overcoming Inequality and Cre...

STAFF PICK - Jeff VanderMeer Reading from Annihilation

17 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

(From February 2014) Jeff VanderMeer reads from his novel Annihilation, part one of the Southern Reach Trilogy, published in 2014 by FSG. (Includes a ...

Savannah Shange

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Savannah Shange in conversation with Patrick Camangian discussing the subject of Savannah Shange's new book, Progressive Dystopia: Abolition, Antiblac...

STAFF PICK - Peaches in Conversation with Annie Sprinkle & Beth Stephens

10 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

(From May 2015) Peaches in conversation with Annie Sprinkle and Beth Stephens discussing the book, What Else Is in the Teaches of Peaches, a photograp...

Jairus Victor Grove in Conversation with David Goldberg

06 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jairus Victor Grove in conversation with David Goldberg discussing the subject of Jairus's book, Savage Ecology: War and Geopolitics at the End of the...

Susan Steinberg

29 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Susan Steinberg reading from her new novel, Machine, published by Graywolf. Machine is a dazzling and innovative leap forward for a writer whose mos...

Daniel Handler

22 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Handler in conversation with John McMurtrie celebrating Daniel Handler's new novel, "Bottle Grove," published by Bloomsbury Books. A razor-sha...

Mark Arax in Conversation with Kit Rachlis

06 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Arax in conversation with Kit Rachils discussing the subject of his new book THE DREAMT LAND: Chasing Water and Dust Across California published ...