Book Review | ‘A Place in the World’ by Bill Gaythwaite
Ordinary people making poor choices are a running theme in this award-winning short story collection.
David Starkey
Recent Stories
Book Review | ‘The Great Contradiction: The Tragic Side of the American Founding’ by Joseph J. Ellis
America was troubled — and trouble — from the very start.
A Feast of Words Celebrating Food and Drink
Literary morsels from more than 100 Santa Barbara–area poets are featured in ‘A Feast for Santa Barbara: Poets Celebrate Food & Drink,’ edited by George Yatchisin, Santa Barbara Poet Laureate.
Art Meets Poetry in Linda Saccoccio’s Stunning New Limited-Edition Book
Dialogue between paintings and poets sparked collaboration.
Book Review | ‘The Lies of the Artists: Essays on Italian Art, 1450-1750’ by Ingrid D. Rowland
A thought-provoking look at three centuries of Italy’s artists.
Book Review | ‘Tonight in Jungleland: The Making of Born to Run’ by Peter Ames Carlin
A behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of Bruce Springsteen’s most iconic albums.
Book Review | ‘Long Distance’ by Ayşegül Savaş
Short story collection from lauded Turkish writer shines.
10 Best Books of 2025
The California Review of Books’s team shares their picks for the best books of the year.
The Best Poetry Books of 2025
Santa Barbara Poet Laureate David Starkey (2009-2011) shares his favorite poetry books of 2025.
Book Review | ‘A Wooded Shore’ by Thomas McGuane
A collection of stories that stands with the author’s finest work.
