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A historic illustration that appears to show Black people in a covered wagon aiming pistols at white men with rifles.

Slavery and Abolition in Pennsylvania, by Beverly C. Tomek

The truth about slavery in the Keystone State

Pennsylvania’s abolitionist Quakers ended slavery in the commonwealth long before any other state, right? A new book from Temple University Press explains that there’s a lot more to the story. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Nov 22, 2021 Reviews 5 minute read

Winter in Bellapalma cover. Title & author are in black script, with a painting of the ocean and a wineglass on a table

Winter in Bellapalma and Ere the Cock Crows by Jens Bjørneboe; translated by Esther Greenleaf Mürer

Two Norwegian novels get new life in Philly

Philly poet and author Esther Greenleaf Mürer translates two novels by noted Norwegian author Jens Bjørneboe, who is less well-known here. Both Winter in Bellapalma and Ere the Cock Crows leave the reader at loose ends. Helen Walsh reviews.

Helen Walsh

Nov 15, 2021 Reviews 5 minute read

The book cover. Over a photo of brick Philly rowhouses, a diagonal orange banner with white text has the title.

The Bourgeois Anarchist by Sam Gridley

Waiting for the revolution

In Sam Gridley’s new Philly-set novella, a now-privileged teacher grapples with her anarchist past as she continues to join leftwing activists. Walter Bilderback reviews.

Walter Bilderback

Nov 12, 2021 Reviews 4 minute read

The cover. Title & author in purple letters on orange field, with 2 black & white photos of Black women, hair becoming smoke

The Days of Afrekete by Asali Solomon

Life as a mosaic

The past has a way of affecting the present for Liselle and Selena, the two former lovers of The Days of Afrekete, Asali Solomon’s new novel in which a lifetime transpires over a single day. Kirsten Bowen reviews.

Kirsten Bowen

Nov 08, 2021 Reviews 4 minute read

Christopher Bursk, a white man w/ white hair, speaks at a college lectern with arms outstretched, to a crowd seated in front

Remembering Bucks County poet, teacher, and activist Christopher Bursk

A unique legacy of learning

After decades of mentorship to local writing communities, including incarcerated writers, Bucks County poet, teacher, and activist Christopher Bursk never stopped learning or fighting for justice. Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer explores his legacy.

Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer

Nov 02, 2021 Features 5 minute read

Rosso-Schneider poses with her book. She's wearing a Halloween-themed blouse & pleated skirt, a grassy background

The magic behind Christina Rosso-Schneider's new book Creole Conjure

A second pandemic book release is more than just fairy tales

A Novel Idea’s Christina Rosso-Schneider has released not just one, but two books during the course of the pandemic. Her secret to getting it all done is magic. Jordan Cameron profiles.

Jordan Cameron

Oct 27, 2021 Profiles 3 minute read

Cappard, a Black woman, poses for a portrait sitting in a well-lit room with bookshelves behind her.

Opening the doors and turning the pages with Books & Bagels founder Ellen Cappard

A new page for Wilmington booklovers

The new Books & Bagels offers a curated selection and space for community with help from a community launchpad in Wilmington. Dara McBride profiles.

Dara McBride

Oct 20, 2021 Profiles 3 minute read

In black and white, three women, one girl, and a man, presumably Asian American, look down at the camera wearing sunglasses.

The Weekly Roundup, September 15-21

The return of the Women’s Film Festival, ‘Nanay,’ WEIRDO, and more

The Women’s Film Festival is back with in-person screenings, a Fringe show inspired by Filipino migrant stories, a poetic conversation at Blue Stoop, and WEIRDO returns to East Kensington. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.

Kyle V. Hiller

Sep 15, 2021 Previews 5 minute read

Other People’s Comfort Keeps Me Up at Night by Morgan Parker

The intricacies of Black America

Poet, essayist, and novelist Morgan Parker’s Other People’s Comfort Keeps Me Up at Night is a poetry collection exploring Black identity through humor, trivialities, power, vulnerability, and grief. Christina Anthony reviews.

Christina Anthony

Aug 30, 2021 Reviews 3 minute read

A side-view from below of the Commodore Barry statue on what looks like a sunny winter day.

Real Philly History, REAL FAST by Jim Murphy

Baths, burials, and Commodore Barry

Tour guide and writer Jim Murphy brings his passion to overlooked corners of our city's history in Real Philly History, REAL FAST. Pam Forsythe reviews.