A landslide brought it down: How Rancho Palos Verdes’ beloved trails have been forever altered Accelerated land movement has closed off what was once a bustling nature preserve that will never be what it once was.

Catching up to this LAist story about PV trails in the landslide area: good news for the Palos Verdes blue butterfly and California gnatcatcher, dicey for everyone else
laist.com/news/climate...

On Kelly green pants, ‘True Color’ and ‘Prep’ talk Kory Stamper's dictionary detective work sent me on my own quest — to find my vintage copy of the 'Preppy Handbook'

Kory Stamper's dictionary detective work in 'True Color' made me dig out my vintage copy of the 'Preppy Handbook.' Plus: formative sartorial choices during my Connecticut years.
open.substack.com/pub/dianethe...

Hello, old friends: Reconnecting with literary faves from my past On Jay McInerney, 'See You on the Other Side' and the 1984 book that launched his celebrity

On Jay McInerney's latest and the pleasures of revisiting literary faves
open.substack.com/pub/dianethe...

Two new novels get real about Hollywood work woes — and are better for it ‘The Take’ and ‘The Midnight Show’ revolve around women navigating the entertainment industry and explore the price they sometimes have to pay for success

During my days toiling in Entertainment Tradelandia, editors didn’t always want to get into women’s work woes. Happily, two new female-powered novels do — and they are better for it. dianethegarrett.substack.com/p/the-take-t...

Two new novels get real about Hollywood work woes — and are better for it ‘The Take’ and ‘The Midnight Show’ revolve around women navigating the entertainment industry and explore the price they sometimes have to pay for success

Amid all the craziness in the world, I have launched a lit Substack with an L.A. bent. Follow along if you dare. open.substack.com/pub/dianethe...

From Festivals to Streamers, Political Documentaries Are Getting Shut Out At the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, filmmakers say even strong docs are failing to land festivals or U.S. buyers.

At the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, filmmakers say even strong docs are failing to land festivals or U.S. buyers.

Talked with Elizabeth Arnott about The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives, a book that inspired a bidding war while she was 9 months pregnant, her (and our) fascination with serial killers and the appeal of mid-60s LA as a setting for my latest LA Times story.

They didn't know their husbands were killers. How real stories inspired a fiction sensation Set against the backdrop of the Manson era and the space race, Elizabeth Arnott’s new thriller follows three crime-solving wives — who happen to be wed to serial killers.

They didn't know their husbands were killers. How real stories inspired a fiction sensation

Very sorry to hear this, Adam

Judging a book by its cover and other things This has been a year of circling back and I’m not sad about it.  When an L.A. Times editing gig took a delightful turn in March, I gained temporary oversight of book reviews and reacquainted m…

The unexpected joys of circling back
wp.me/pu9f6-5r6

SS Dominator remnants in Palos Verdes

Rusted remnants of SS Dominator in Palos Verdes

A snowy egret hangs out near a remnant of the SS Dominator shipwreck

Random remnant from the SS Dominator shipwreck

The SS Dominator ruins still dot the Palos Verdes coastline 64 years after the freighter crashed on rocks — behold some of them in all their corroded glory

The audiobook business is booming. But the bounty isn't being shared by all Many actors are vying for audiobook roles at a time when the talent pool is expanding and casting is becoming a growing topic of debate.

I was interviewed for this great article about audiobook narration! There’s so much that goes into it that people don’t even realize, and there’s so much work that we, as narrators, have to do on our own.

www.latimes.com/entertainmen...

Choose your L.A. literary adventure with these 5 new novels and writer hangouts We asked the authors of five novels set in and around Los Angeles why they chose that setting — and where they like to hang out around L.A.

My latest for @latimes.com -- authors of 5 new L.A. novels share their fave hangouts and explain why they set their books in SoCal www.latimes.com/entertainmen...

These L.A. moms solved a cold case murder. It ‘revolutionized’ their lives Four moms teamed up during the pandemic to solve a cold case murder, becoming close friends. Chuck Hogan wrote a book, 'The Carpool Detectives,' about their surprising success.

My latest story for LAT -- about four moms that solved a cold case and found renewed purpose www.latimes.com/entertainmen...

Corita Kent made waves as the 'Pop-Art nun' in the ’60s. A new center honors her legacy Corita Kent used her bold silkscreens to advocate for social change during the ’60s. A new center in downtown L.A. honors her work while in the city and beyond.

Editing this story made me want to start silk screening again. Big fan of Corita Kent's work
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...

An Indian Designer Puts a Modern Spin on Traditional Textiles Brinda Dudhat, the founder of Morii Design in India, creates modern motifs supported by age-old techniques.

I profiled Brinda Dudhat, the 29-year-old founder of Morii Design, for the latest NYT special section. She works with 160 artisans in 12 villages across India to create sumptuous textiles, keeping centuries-old embroidery and block printing techniques alive: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/a...

Column: The Eaton fire claimed her home, studio and this 'powerful' piece of Oscars history For years, Susie Chung's students delighted in playing on the Steinway piano Lady Gaga used at the 2019 Oscars. Now it, along with Chung's home and studio, are gone.

Sad end for the piano used in A Star Is Born
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...

G. Ray Hawkins, gallerist who championed photography as fine art, dies at 80 G. Ray Hawkins launched the first public gallery in Los Angeles devoted to photography and showcased the work of giants including Ansel Adams, Man Ray and Paul Outerbridge during his career

RIP www.latimes.com/entertainmen...

'Gidget Goes Homeless.' Despite an unexpected fire sequel, a surf legend survives Kathy 'Gidget' Kohner Zuckerman lost her Pacific Palisades home after 60 years in the community. But for the surfing pioneer, the aloha spirit prevails.

Younger me enjoyed old Gidget movies that popped on TV at off hours www.latimes.com/california/s...

Surfer in Palos Verdes

Surfer in Redondo Beach

Happy surfer in Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes surfer turning

Lots of surfers out today -- and spectators watching them

Entertainment pictures of the year We look back at our entertainment photos of 2024 — and our photographers share how they captured their striking imagery

Loved learning behind the scenes info while putting this project together
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...

Mike Schur watched a documentary. Next thing, he has a Ted Danson comedy on his hands Mike Schur found unlikely inspiration for his new Ted Danson comedy in a Chilean documentary. His goal: to make viewers feel like they want to call their moms.

Editing this story made me really want to watch 'A Man on the Inside.' I was not disappointed -- quickly inhaled all available episodes on Netflix this past weekend.
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...

18 books to give toddlers, young readers and teens for the holidays The gift of a great story starts here, with titles including picture books and YA. Reese Witherspoon and Trevor Noah are here, but so are some non-celeb authors.

The @latimes.com just pubbed my list of kids’ and teen books for gift-giving. I loved working on this one.
#books #kidslit #YA

www.latimes.com/entertainmen...

Enjoying Say Nothing but way too intense for me to binge.

Lots to chew on here — glad I braced myself and clicked through

'Small things' are what we need right now In his weekly newsletter, Times columnist Glenn Whipp considers "Small Things Like These" as a postelection antidote. Also: "Emilia Pérez" starts streaming.

Been thinking about Small Things Like These ever since I saw it Monday night and I'm not the only one that has it on her mind. Glenn Whipp leads with it in his latest Envelope newsletter, which I encourage you to read
www.latimes.com/entertainmen...