Entertainment Editor/Digital Director

Erik Pedersen

A native Southern Californian who graduated from Cal Poly Pomona and Claremont Graduate University, Erik has worked as a digital and print journalist in the area for more than two decades.

United States Poet Laureate, Ada Limón’s poem “In Praise of Mystery,” which was etched onto the Europa Clipper headed to Jupiter’s moon, is also available as a picture book illustrated by Peter Sís. (Photo credit Lucas Marquardt / Randy Toy Photographication.com / Courtesy of Norton)

NASA’s Europa Clipper is launching Ada Limón’s poem on a 2-billion-mile journey

October 11, 2024 at 3:55 p.m.

But you can read the work, 'In Praise of Mystery,' now in her newly published picture book.

Some notable books being published in October 2024. (Covers courtesy One World, Mulholland, Bloomsbury, Ninotaur, Viking, Harper and Simon & Schuster)

15 books coming out in October to add to your reading list

October 8, 2024 at 2:42 p.m.

Ta-Nehisi Coates, Louise Erdrich, Trevor Noah, Michael Connelly, Louise Penny and more have new books coming.

A Banned Books Week display is at the Mott Haven branch of the New York Public Library in the Bronx borough of New York City on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

Banned Books Week 2024: Here’s what readers should know

September 25, 2024 at 5:50 p.m.

The yearly event not only celebrates the free access of ideas, but it also highlights the increasing efforts to ban books – especially targeting titles featuring characters or written by authors who are...

Author and translator Jennifer Croft recommends “Strange Beasts of China,” “Your Utopia,” “Emily Forever,” “Vernon Subutex 1,” and “Crossing.” (Handout/FSG Originals/TNS)

5 must-read books in translation chosen by Jennifer Croft

September 3, 2024 at 5:26 p.m.

Plus, 'The Age of Loneliness' author Laura Marris shares her thoughts on books, waffles and more

(L-R) US President Joe Biden speaks with host Seth Meyers during a taping of “Late Night with Seth Meyers” in New York City on February 26, 2024. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Seth Meyers contains multitudes: TV host. Writer. Day Drinker. Podcaster. Stand-up.

August 29, 2024 at 4:08 p.m.

The host of NBC's 'Late Night With Seth Meyers' discusses the show's Emmy nominations, the future of 'SNL,' and, no, that's not a tick on his leg.

That book? “Advanced Strategies for Marco Polo. “(Getty Images)

5 books of low-stress nonfiction for your summer reading list

August 12, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.

In the Book Pages, check out books on TV, music and more, plus find out more about the 'The Villain Edit.'

The cover of a book called "The Ministry of Time"

‘The Ministry of Time’ author talks Graham Greene, James Bond and kissing Barbies

July 25, 2024 at 3:36 p.m.

Kaliane Bradley talks about the novels she loves, the works she recommends and the classic she's got questions about.

Jacqueline Winspear, author of the Maisie Dobbs historical-mystery novels, discusses “The Comfort of Ghosts,” the final book in the series. (Courtesy of Soho Crime)

Why Maisie Dobbs author Jacqueline Winspear says it’s time to end the series

June 14, 2024 at 4:38 p.m.

Winspear says the novel, without giving away spoilers, aims to provide a satisfying accounting for all the main characters.

Brett Battles is the author of “Stuart Woods’ Smolder.” (Photo credit Daniel Mendez / Courtesy of Putnam)

How Stuart Woods’ character Stone Barrington lives on in Brett Battles’ ‘Smolder’

June 13, 2024 at 3:56 p.m.

Novelist Battles, whose latest is 'Stuart Woods' Smolder,' explains how he came to work on his late colleague's characters.

Book covers from “Janet Halverson: An Introduction.” (Courtesy of Katherine Small Gallery)

New information about the mystery of Janet Halverson, book design icon, surfaces

May 28, 2024 at 4:22 p.m.

Also in the Book Pages, Jenny Erpenbeck, the International Booker Prize winner, appears in Southern California.

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