Books
THE LATEST REVIEWS
Down and Out in Sacramento
Devyn Defoe’s debut novel, Burnside, offers an atmospheric portrait of contemporary Sacramento.
7 min
Portrait of Childhood Shame
Chang-rae Lee’s seventh novel, A Tender Age, depends on description rather than emotion.
6 min
21 Essential Campus Novels and Academic Satires
August marks the start of another school year in California. Dive into novels that turn classrooms, dorms, and faculty lounges into unforgettable literary settings.
2 min
Dismantling Legends
In her fourth novel, Sunrise, Téa Obreht mines a legacy of betrayal and brutality in the American West.
8 min
An Emotional Journey
Songwriter David Baerwald discusses his debut spy novel, The Fire Agent.
7 minCALIFORNIA'S NEW CANON
The 25 Books You Must Read
MONTHLY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
15 New Books for August
CALIFORNIA NOIR
THE BAY AREA CORNER
THE CENTRAL VALLEY
NOTABLE CALIFORNIA AUTHORS
CALFORNIA BESTSELLERS LIST
Alta Journal ’s California Bestsellers List (August 27, 2026)
Inside the Reckless Ascent of ‘Rolling Stone’
11 min
Lives We Perform
Recruiting You to the Barricades
Alta’s Recently Reviewed
Upcoming Releases: A Host of Spring Reads
6 min
