California Book Club
banner
calbookclub.bsky.social
California Book Club
@calbookclub.bsky.social
A virtual book club devoted to literature from and about the Golden State.
Brought to you by Alta Journal.
Join here for free: https://www.altaonline.com/california-book-club/
The CBC’s social presence is changing! We will be moving away from our Bluesky account—but don’t worry, you can still follow all our updates, events, and discussions on Twitter (X), Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram at @AltaJournal.

We’re excited to continue our literary journey with you there!
September 24, 2024 at 7:16 PM
Our host John Freeman shares his thoughts on "Colored Television," by Danzy Senna.

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Source of Strength
By taking us deeply into its protagonist’s longings, Danzy Senna’s Colored Television makes the case for fiction.
www.altaonline.com
September 19, 2024 at 5:36 PM
Culture writer @chrisvognar.bsky.social examines movies that thematically overlap with Danzy Senna’s "Colored Television," our September selection.

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Engaging the Myth of the ‘Tragic Mulatto’ On-Screen
Culture writer Chris Vognar examines movies that thematically overlap with Danzy Senna’s Colored Television, the September California Book Club selection.
www.altaonline.com
September 19, 2024 at 5:27 PM
Today, we have author Danzy Senna joining us, alongside our host John Freeman and special guest Porochista Khakpour, to discuss our September book club pick: Colored Television (@riverheadbooks.bsky.social). Join us at 5 p.m. PT!

altaonline.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
September 19, 2024 at 5:21 PM
The talented Porochista Khakpour is our special guest tomorrow! Read more on her work below, and sign up for our Thursday event with Danzy Senna and John Freeman—you don't want to miss it!

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Announcing the Special Guest for ‘Colored Television’
In this newsletter, we introduce Porochista Khakpour, the special guest who will discuss the September California Book Club selection with author Danzy Senna and CBC host John Freeman.
www.altaonline.com
September 18, 2024 at 3:39 PM
In his beautiful monthly essay, John Freeman writes that Danzy Senna’s novel is “one of the best modern L.A. novels.”

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Source of Strength
By taking us deeply into its protagonist’s longings, Danzy Senna’s Colored Television makes the case for fiction.
www.altaonline.com
September 18, 2024 at 3:28 PM
"Colored Television" by Danzy Senna is about "want—regular, relatable want—and how it can lead you to take things you never thought you’d reach for in the first place," writes Jackie DesForges for the book club.

www.altaonline.com/books/a62117...
Relentless
In Colored Television, Danzy Senna holds nothing back.
www.altaonline.com
September 18, 2024 at 3:27 PM
Apple brandy, jasmine green tea, and lemon juice come together in this booktail inspired by "Colored Television" (published by @riverheadbooks.bsky.social).

Check out the full recipe by Lindsay Merbaum below and sip it during our event tomorrow:

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Apple Brandy ‘Booktail’ for ‘Colored Television’
Mix this unusual and lovely cocktail for the California Book Club’s event with author Danzy Senna.
www.altaonline.com
September 18, 2024 at 3:22 PM
"The dazzling precision of 'Colored Television,' its lifelike portraits, only make it more challenging to wrap one’s mind around any single, final interpretation of its text," writes @anitafelicelli.bsky.social.

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Image in ‘Colored Television’
In this newsletter, we look at art-making and interpretations of Danzy Senna’s fourth novel, the September California Book Club selection.
www.altaonline.com
September 17, 2024 at 7:40 PM
Critic and artist Nichole LeFebvre reflects on themes of family and art-making in Danzy Senna’s "Colored Television." Check out her book review comic below!

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Borrowed Time
Critic and artist Nichole LeFebvre considers questions of family and art-making that arise in Danzy Senna’s novel Colored Television, the September California Book Club selection.
www.altaonline.com
September 17, 2024 at 7:39 PM
Congratulations to previous CalBookClub authors Percival Everett and Rachel Kushner!

Their titles ("James" by Everett and "Creation Lake" by Kushner) were among the six titles announced Monday that will compete for this year’s Booker Prize.

www.nytimes.com/2024/09/16/b...
Books by Rachel Kushner and Percival Everett Make Booker Prize Shortlist
For the first time in the award’s 55-year history, five of the six nominated titles are by female authors.
www.nytimes.com
September 17, 2024 at 7:35 PM
"The ways that envy, longing, and fury braid in 'Colored Television' is so sophisticated, so raw, and so like a current that the novel makes an overwhelming case that only fiction gets us inside," writes John Freeman.

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Source of Strength
By taking us deeply into its protagonist’s longings, Danzy Senna’s Colored Television makes the case for fiction.
www.altaonline.com
September 17, 2024 at 7:28 PM
Our special guest this month is the incredible Porochista Khakpour! Learn more about this amazing author in today's newsletter by our editor @anitafelicelli.bsky.social.

(And make sure to register for our "Colored Television" event happening THIS Thursday!)

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Announcing the Special Guest for ‘Colored Television’
In this newsletter, we introduce Porochista Khakpour, the special guest who will discuss the September California Book Club selection with author Danzy Senna and CBC host John Freeman.
www.altaonline.com
September 17, 2024 at 7:26 PM
Start practicing this "Colored Television" booktail by Lindsay Merbaum before our event this week!

Full recipe below!

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Apple Brandy ‘Booktail’ for ‘Colored Television’
Mix this unusual and lovely cocktail for the California Book Club’s event with author Danzy Senna.
www.altaonline.com
September 16, 2024 at 4:52 PM
In our September pick, readers "get a glimpse of Senna’s method, which is to stir it up and throw everything against the wall. It’s exhilarating, thrilling," writes David L. Ulin.

Full piece is below, and register for our Danzy Senna event, Thursday!

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Why You Should Read This: ‘Colored Television’
Danzy Senna’s forthcoming novel is the California Book Club’s September 2024 selection.
www.altaonline.com
September 16, 2024 at 4:50 PM
It's this week! Danzy Senna, John Freeman, and @porochista.bsky.social join us September 19 to discuss “Colored Television.”

Register today! altaonline.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
September 16, 2024 at 4:45 PM
"Colored Television" by Danzy Senna explores the tension between art and survival. Jackie DesForges writes, "Senna holds nothing back."

Check out the full review below.
www.altaonline.com/books/a62117...
Relentless
In Colored Television, Danzy Senna holds nothing back.
www.altaonline.com
September 16, 2024 at 3:53 PM
Mark your calendars! Join us Thursday, September 19, at 5 p.m. PT for an engaging conversation between Danzy Senna and John Freeman, with @porochista.bsky.social as a special guest! Discover more about “Colored Television” in this free Zoom event.

altaonline.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: California Book Club: Danzy Senna. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
"Colored Television" author Danzy Senna sits down for a conversation with CBC host John Freeman and special guest Porochista Khakpour. In recent times, television and film have relied heavily on nost...
altaonline.zoom.us
September 13, 2024 at 6:46 PM
"By depicting 'regular' people, 'Colored Television' achieves what Jane hopes for with her work—unusual and original art; a human comedy produced in an unprecedented era of American multiraciality," writes @anitafelicelli.bsky.social.

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Image in ‘Colored Television’
In this newsletter, we look at art-making and interpretations of Danzy Senna’s fourth novel, the September California Book Club selection.
www.altaonline.com
September 12, 2024 at 9:01 PM
Critic and artist Nichole LeFebvre reflects on themes of family and art-making in Danzy Senna’s "Colored Television." Check out her book review comic below!

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Borrowed Time
Critic and artist Nichole LeFebvre considers questions of family and art-making that arise in Danzy Senna’s novel Colored Television, the September California Book Club selection.
www.altaonline.com
September 12, 2024 at 8:59 PM
For the book club, author and mixologist Lindsay Merbaum crafts a "Colored Television" booktail, grab the full recipe below!

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Apple Brandy 'Booktail' for 'Colored Television'
Mix this unusual and lovely cocktail for the California Book Club’s event with author Danzy Senna.
www.altaonline.com
September 12, 2024 at 8:53 PM
We meet NEXT WEEK! Register through the link below for this incredible, virtual conversation with Danzy Senna!

altaonline.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
September 11, 2024 at 1:28 PM
Our event is next week, if you haven't read "Colored Television," @davidulin.bsky.social shares why you should!

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Why You Should Read This: ‘Colored Television’
Danzy Senna’s forthcoming novel is the California Book Club’s September 2024 selection.
www.altaonline.com
September 11, 2024 at 1:25 PM
"A striver’s tenaciousness clashing with literature’s quiet dignity is the tension 'Colored Television' feasts on," writes J. Howard Rosier.

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Hollywood Striver
Danzy Senna’s Colored Television doesn’t fall neatly in line with the zeitgeist—interpretations are tricky to come by.
www.altaonline.com
September 11, 2024 at 1:22 PM
In today’s newsletter, our editor @anitafelicelli.bsky.social delves into the art-making and interpretations of Danzy Senna’s "Colored Television," our September California Book Club pick.

www.altaonline.com/california-b...
Image in ‘Colored Television’
In this newsletter, we look at art-making and interpretations of Danzy Senna’s fourth novel, the September California Book Club selection.
www.altaonline.com
September 10, 2024 at 4:09 PM