Wow in the World

Rob Reid reads a passage from YEAR ZERO, his novel that takes a headlong journey through the outer reaches of the universe and the inner workings of our absurdly dysfunctional music industry.

Cheryl Strayed reads two passages from TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS, a collection of advice columns she wrote under the pseudonym Dear Sugar for The Rumpus.

Karen Thompson Walker reads a passage from THE AGE OF MIRACLES, the story of what happens when the rotation of the earth suddenly begins to slow.

Chuck Palahniuk, best-selling author of FIGHT CLUB, reads a passage from INVISIBLE MONSTERS REMIX, his updated 1999 daring satire on beauty and the fashion industry.

Bill Clegg reads a passage from NINETY DAYS, which begins where PORTRAIT OF AN ADDICT AS A YOUNG MAN ends and tells the wrenching story of Clegg's battle to reclaim his life from addiction.

Sapphire, the author whose novel, PUSH, was adapted into the Oscar-nominated film PRECIOUS, reads a passage from THE KID, a sequel that follows the life of Precious' son.

Rosecrans Baldwin reads a passage from PARIS, I LOVE YOU BUT YOU'RE BRINGING ME DOWN, his new book that explores living in the Paris of Sarkozy, text-message romances, smoking bans, and a McDonald's beneath the Louvre.

Joan Frank reads a passage from MAKE IT STAY, the story of what happens after a mysterious catastrophe hits the tree-nestled Northern California town of Mira Flores.

Wendy McClure reads a passage from THE WILDER LIFE, a hilarious chronicle of her attempt to immerse herself in all things Little House on the Prairie.

Jenny Lawson, also known as the Bloggess, reads a hilarious passage from LET'S PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED, about the time her father brought home a magic squirrel.

Delia Ephron, the woman behind such films as YOU'VE GOT MAIL, HANGING UP, and THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS, reads a passage from THE LION IS IN, her new novel about three women who flee their lives and encounter the unlikeliest of companions, a lion named Marcel.

In honor of the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th Anniversary, we pulled this reading by Jim Nisbet from the archives to get you in the mood to celebrate San Francisco's favorite piece of infrastructure.

Eric Erlandson, founding member of the band Hole, reads a passage from LETTERS TO KURT, an anguished, angry, and tender meditation on the octane and ether of rock and roll.

Alison Bechdel, author of the wildly successful FUN HOME, reads a passage from her latest graphic memoir, ARE YOU MY MOTHER? An enhanced version of this podcast is available at kqed.org/writersblock. It's pretty cool. Check it out. Seriously.

Miranda Mellis reads a passage from NONE OF THIS IS REAL, her collection that imagines a not-too-alternate reality of philosophical children, reincarnating chimeras, mutant matriarchies, and kind seers adapting to affliction.