Reed Johnson

The real man behind Roberto Bolano's post-mortem boom

latimes.com — Roberto Bolaño has made quite a name for himself in the United States over the past decade. Two New York houses have published 18 of his books in English-and a 19th is due out later this year. He has become, arguably, the contemporary Latin American writer most revered by the literati of North America.

Spanish book festival LéaLA aims to further cultural communication

latimes.com — When Carmen Cervantes was growing up in the 1960s in East Los Angeles, it would've been nearly as surprising to find a Spanish-language bookstore in her neighborhood as it would be to unearth an Aztec pyramid in the middle of Beverly Hills.

Spanish book festival LéaLA aims to further cultural communication

latimes.com — When Carmen Cervantes was growing up in the 1960s in East Los Angeles, it would've been nearly as surprising to find a Spanish-language bookstore in her neighborhood as it would be to unearth an Aztec pyramid in the middle of Beverly Hills.

Dr. Dre, Jimmy Iovine to give $70 million to USC for new academy

latimes.com — Hip-hop star Dr. Dre and music mogul Jimmy Iovine are donating $70 million to USC for a new academy that they say will give students the tools they need to break into the rapidly changing music industry.

Quetzal, La Santa Cecilia, Ozomatli back May 1 immigrant rights march

latimes.com — Poets have been called the "unacknowledged legislators of the world." (A poet, naturally, coined the phrase.) On Wednesday, a cross-section of L.A. musical street poets and activists -- including members of the bands Ozomatli , Quetzal, La Santa Cecilia, Las Cafeteras and La Chamba -- will be taking part in the May Day International Workers Day and Immigration Reform March in downtown Los Angeles.

My So-Called 'Post-Feminist' Life in Arts and Letters | The Nation

thenation.com — The author's 2002 book about her career as a war photographer was titled "Shutterbabe"-against her wishes. Illustration by Milton Glaser Incorporated. My latest novel was just long-listed 
for Britain's Women's Prize for Fiction, formerly known as the Orange Prize. I cried when I heard. Then I Googled it.

Hip-hop station KDAY-FM reportedly will be sold, switch formats

latimes.com — KDAY-FM (93.5), the Redondo Beach-based radio station that has been a bastion of R&B, hip-hop and urban contemporary music, is reportedly being sold and likely will flip to a Chinese on-air format in coming months. According to a website that covers the radio industry, Magic Broadcasting has agreed to sell KDAY and KDEY-FM (Ontario/Riverside) to RBC Communications in a deal worth nearly $20 million.

Los Angeles Philharmonic in Concert

kusc.org — Sundays, 4-6 p.m. The Los Angeles Philharmonic and Classical KUSC continue their annual radio broadcast partnership with a series of 14 concerts recorded at Walt Disney Concert Hall during the Phil's 2011/2012 season. Tune in Sundays, 4-6 p.m. for these concerts.

Margaret Thatcher: The politician British pop music loved to hate

latimes.com — Margaret Thatcher, the so-called Iron Lady, was one of God's gifts to music. In the history of popular music, there probably never has been a head of state more reviled in song than the former Conservative Party British prime minister, who died today at 87.

Laura Restrepo's new novel, 'Hot Sur,' faces immigration's perils

latimes.com — " Hot Sur " (Hot South), the just-published novel by Colombian author Laura Restrepo, carries a disturbing dedication: "A Javier, que pasa los días de su vida en una cárcel de Estados Unidos" -- To Javier, who spends the days of his life in a U.S. jail.