Books
Reviews, profiles, and interviews that capture the diverse voices adding to Texas’s rich literary tradition
The National Podcast of Texas
February 4, 2020
Michael Lind on Class Warfare and Why Populism Can’t Last
On this week’s podcast, the author and LBJ School of Public Affairs professor lays out an admittedly controversial plan to redefine democracy.
Art
January 24, 2020
Texas Monthly Recommends: ‘I Want More’ by Kaleo
Plus, a Dallas Museum of Art exhibit, ‘Just Mercy,’ and Bryan Washington’s latest short story.
Books
January 22, 2020
Michael Lind Wants to Put America Back Together
The author and UT professor believes our country is falling apart—and he has a plan to fix it.
Books
January 22, 2020
A Ross Thomas Adaptation Rethinks the Border Noir
'Briarpatch,' a new show on USA Network, portrays a West Texas rarely seen on TV.
The National Podcast of Texas
January 21, 2020
The Defined Dish’s Alex Snodgrass and the Pursuit of a Healthier King Ranch Casserole
On this week’s podcast, the New York Times best-selling author on how Texans cook and diet differently.
Books
January 14, 2020
Gibby Haynes on His Wild YA Debut Novel, ‘Me & Mr. Cigar’
The Butthole Surfers frontman’s book is a profane, hilarious, Texas-set romp.
The National Podcast of Texas
January 13, 2020
Thor in West Texas? Marvel Comics Phenom Donny Cates on His Secret Plan to Relocate the God of Thunder
On the National Podcast of Texas, the “Bad Boy of Comics” on his rise from comic shop manager to writing some of Marvel’s biggest titles.
Books
January 10, 2020
Texas Monthly Recommends: A UNT Alum’s National Book Award-Winning Memoir ‘The Yellow House’
Plus, the best contestant on Netflix’s reality show ’The Circle’ and Megan Thee Stallion and Normani's new collaboration.
The National Podcast of Texas
January 6, 2020
A Dozen Memorable Moments From the ‘National Podcast of Texas’ in 2019
Some of our favorite conversations from our second season, featuring Willie Nelson, Ted Cruz, and Brooklyn Decker.
Books
January 2, 2020
Tim O’Brien’s ‘Dad’s Maybe Book’ Is a Love Letter to His Sons, 15 Years in the Making
The renowned author and Texas State professor’s latest work is about parenthood, but eschews the typical advice model.
The National Podcast of Texas
December 19, 2019
Aarón Sánchez: “You Can Instantly Judge a Mexican Restaurant on Three Things: Tortillas, Margaritas, Guacamole.”
On the National Podcast of Texas, the El Paso native and celebrity chef on the tradition and future of Mexican food, immigration, and #metoo.
Books
December 17, 2019
Texas Authors on Their Favorite Books of 2019
From family drama to historical fiction to young adult novels, Texas authors recommend something for everyone.
Books
December 11, 2019
Fox Host Brian Kilmeade’s New Book About the Alamo Isn’t Fair and Balanced
The best-selling author offers a lively—but drastically incomplete—account of nineteenth-century Texas history.
Books
December 2, 2019
Chef Aarón Sánchez Hasn’t Forgotten His Texas Roots
The El Paso native and celebrity chef is coming home in support of his new memoir, ‘Where I Come From.’
The National Podcast of Texas
November 27, 2019
Ryan Holiday’s New Book About Achieving Stillness Is Not at All About Meditation
On this week’s National Podcast of Texas, the author of ‘Stillness Is the Key’ details a powerful antidote for our noisy times.
Books
November 19, 2019
A Changing Austin, as Seen by One of England’s Leading Novelists
An excerpt from Texas expat Benjamin Markovits’s ‘Christmas in Austin’ casts a sharp eye on his hometown.
Books
November 15, 2019
Texas Monthly Recommends: A Time Traveling Novel Based in Galveston
Plus: JM Stevens’ solo debut album, a documentary examining the border crisis through art, and an El Paso cereal bar.
Books
November 5, 2019
Houston Expert Explores How to Feed Kids in a Highly Processed World
In ‘Kid Food,’ writer Bettina Elias Siegel discusses the challenges of ensuring that today’s children are eating nutritious diets.
Books
November 1, 2019
Reinventing the Canon: Why It’s More Important Than Ever to Read Latinx Literature
Add these crucial Texas authors to your reading list.
Books
October 30, 2019
A San Antonio CEO on the Worst Years of His Life
Geekdom's Lorenzo Gomez grapples with his hellish time in middle school.
Books
October 24, 2019
Karen Olsson: Novelist, Journalist, and . . . Math Nerd?
In her third book, ‘The Weil Conjectures,’ the Austin author revisits the equations of her youth.
Books
October 23, 2019
A Garden Grows in West Texas
The coffee table book ‘Marfa Gardens’ proves that there’s more to desert flora than cactus and agave.
Books
October 23, 2019
Texas Book Festival 2019
Not sure what to do this weekend at the state’s biggest literary gathering? We’ve got nearly three dozen ideas.
Books
October 22, 2019
W.K. Stratton’s Lifelong Obsession With ‘The Wild Bunch’
The Austin author traces the history of the movie that changed his life.
Books
October 22, 2019
Photos of East Austin, Before the Boom
A new book celebrates a pair of well-established African American and Latino communities that are disappearing from Texas’s fastest-growing city.
Books
October 21, 2019
Severo Perez’s Complex Valentine to San Antonio
The filmmaker turned novelist revisits the city of his youth, in all its pain and glory.
Books
October 21, 2019
The Secret Side of Janis Joplin
Holly George-Warren's biography of the Port Arthur singer covers the drugs and excess, of course. But it also uncovers the hard-working professional hidden behind all the live-hard-die-fast trappings.
Books
October 21, 2019
Has Christopher Brown Seen Houston’s Future?
In his second science fiction novel, the Austin writer envisions a dystopia ruled by Space City lawyers.
Books
October 21, 2019
How Ire’ne Lara Silva Learned to Flip the Script
The Edinburg author's latest poetry collection forges strength from a childhood filled with pain.
Books
October 21, 2019
Rachel Monroe’s Life of Crime
In ‘Savage Appetites,’ the Marfa journalist tries to understand her—and other women’s—obsession with violent criminal acts.
Books
October 21, 2019
Attica and Tembi Locke on Texas Memories, Dealing With Writer’s Block, and the Joy of Luby’s
The Houston sisters turned Los Angeles neighbors talk about writing, Texas, and their father’s famous potato recipe.
Books
October 21, 2019
Shaun Hamill Keeps the Horror Close to Home
'A Cosmology of Monsters' brings the haunted house novel to the Texas suburbs.
Books
October 21, 2019
Paul Tough on the Problems With College Today
The author of "The Years That Matter Most" spent a lot of time at UT-Austin—where he saw reason for hope.
Books
October 21, 2019
Why Earl Campbell Matters
A new biography of ‘The Tyler Rose’ demonstrates that the legendary running back’s insistence that he wasn’t a transformative racial figure was too modest by half.
The National Podcast of Texas
October 21, 2019
Lara Prescott: “Literature Has Lost None of Its Power to Change Hearts and Minds.”
On this week’s National Podcast of Texas, author Lara Prescott on ’The Secrets We Kept,’ a novel about a real-life CIA plot to publish ’Doctor Zhivago.’
Energy
October 16, 2019
How One Desperate Energy Executive Launched the Fracking Revolution
When his Houston-based company was on the ropes, George Mitchell pushed his engineers to resuscitate a declining North Texas gas field. The solution they came up with transformed the world.
Recipes
October 16, 2019
The New ‘Texas Seafood’ Is the Ultimate Guide to Gulf Fish
Houston’s PJ and Benchalak Srimart Stoops tell you everything you need to know, from catching to cooking.
Books
October 16, 2019
When Texas Democrats Roamed the Earth
Two new books remind us that the Lone Star State once had a nationally powerful tradition of liberalism.
Books
October 11, 2019
Trapped Inside Don Hertzfeldt’s World
The reclusive Austin-based animator is reissuing his cult graphic novel.
Art
October 10, 2019
Illustrator Arturo Torres Brings Basketball, Movies, and Other Things to Life on the Page
The Dallas-based artist has collaborated with writer Shea Serrano on multiple ‘New York Times’ best-sellers.
Books
October 8, 2019
Cristela Alonzo’s ‘Mixtape Memoir’ Is an Ode to Her South Texas Roots
South Texas–born Comedian Cristela Alonzo tells the story of her life through songs.
Film & TV
October 4, 2019
Texas Monthly Recommends: Matthew McConaughey in So-Bad-It’s-Good “Serenity”
Plus, a melancholy Norah Jones duet, Austin singer Christelle Bofale’s EP, and chef Aarón Sanchéz’s new memoir.
The National Podcast of Texas
September 23, 2019
Austin Kleon: “Scumbags and Lowlifes Can Create Beautiful Art”
On this week’s National Podcast of Texas, a conversation with the writer/illustrator about sustaining a creative life, the state of self-help, and the perils of cancel culture.
Film & TV
September 20, 2019
Texas Monthly Recommends: ‘Undone’ and Its Rotoscoped San Antonio
Plus, a bakery perfect for late-night cravings and an interactive Austin literary experience.
Texas History
September 18, 2019
‘Big Wonderful Thing’ Author Stephen Harrigan Explains Why Davy Crockett Was the Taylor Swift of His Day (Sort Of)
The Austin author on his fascination with H.L. Hunt, his inability to hate Santa Anna, and how he met the challenges of writing a history of Texas for the twenty-first century.
Texas History
September 18, 2019
The New Texas History
Stephen Harrigan’s ’Big Wonderful Thing’ sweeps away decades of mythmaking. Are we ready to remember the Alamo—and the Texas Rangers and the Civil War—differently?
Texas History
September 18, 2019
‘Big Wonderful Thing’ Excerpt: “Sediciosos”
In the early twentieth century, long-simmering tensions in South Texas erupted into a grim and brutal race war.
Texas History
September 18, 2019
‘Big Wonderful Thing’ Excerpt: “Savage Ware Fare”
After breaking away from Mexico, the combative Republic of Texas took its fight against Native Americans to the heart of Comanchería, led by a group of militiamen who called themselves Rangers.
Texas History
September 18, 2019
‘Big Wonderful Thing’ Excerpt: “Reason Had Left Its Throne”
As the Civil War violently divided the nation, Texan turned against Texan.