Books & Literature

A look back at “Vintage Wisconsin Gardens”

A look back at “Vintage Wisconsin Gardens”

This Wisconsin Historical Society Press publication is an informative look into the changes in landscaping and gardening in Wisconsin.

A Dem Bones Fairytale: The Scribe
A Dem Bones Fairytale

The Scribe

High on a hill in a tower built of bones, the Scribe etches tales on the boulders themselves. Stella offers a creepy tale for your Halloween pleasure.

Cleopatra: the Myth, the Reality; Author Stacy Schiff visits
Cleopatra

the Myth, the Reality; Author Stacy Schiff visits

Stacy Schiff's "Cleopatra: A Life" provides the basis for the new exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Tuesday, she spoke at the Milwaukee Public Library.

Garrison Keillor, charming and autumnal at Uihlein Hall

Garrison Keillor, charming and autumnal at Uihlein Hall

Radio personality, author, poet and monologist opens the Marcus Center Presents series.

Retro Read: Summerland
Retro Read

Summerland

Summerland is not high art. It’s a young adult book at its finest, and a read will take the average adult a few days at most. But what a wonderful few days they’ll be.

Retro Read: American Tabloid
Retro Read

American Tabloid

James Ellroy’s style ensures that you don’t spend a lot of time working out the intricacies of grammatic structure. Instead, he prefers to smack you upside the head with his words.

Retro Read: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Retro Read

One Hundred Years of Solitude

Gabriel Garcia Marquez's 1967 novel provokes reflection on the repetitive nature of history and whether we in any way control the evolution of society.

Retro Read: Infinite Jest
Retro Read

Infinite Jest

There have been ambitious novels before and since "Infinite Jest," but there is no single piece of literature that captures the details of the human experience as well.

Retro Read: Demian
Retro Read

Demian

"Demian" is the story of Emil Sinclair, a boy who finds his world turned upside down by a little white lie, leading him down a path of self doubt, followed by self discovery.

Retro Read: Mansfield Park
Retro Read

Mansfield Park

Jane Austen's classic is a masterpiece of dry humor, an elegant portrait of understated venom, and a genuinely happy ending, all at once.

Retro Read: A Prayer for Owen Meany
Retro Read

A Prayer for Owen Meany

Irving's is a highly political novel from a highly political time, with war and politics sharing a dance macabre and where people search for meaning in uncertain times.

Last Night for Literati: Downtown Books’ farewell party
Last Night for Literati

Downtown Books’ farewell party

The venerable, book-filled labyrinth is being forced to split up into smaller venues. So the employees threw a party. Here's what it looked like.