Join us on Tuesday, June 18 when we celebrate the launch of Tomas Moniz's novel, All Friends Are Necessary, with Michelle Cruz Gonzales at 9th Ave!
Masks Encouraged for In-Person Attendance
Or watch online/Livestream link available soon
Praise for All Friends Are Necessary
"Vivid and compelling, All Friends Are Necessary is a celebration of love in all its forms. In the wake of devastating losses and amid the isolation of the pandemic, Efren "Chino" Flores struggles for meaning and connection. In a pitch-perfect portrayal of the Bay Area and beyond, the indelible Flores welcomes us into his circle of friends. A tender, frank, and funny narrative."--Vanessa Hua, author of Forbidden City
"Tomas Moniz's All Friends are Necessary is a powerful love letter to friendship and community... It is a tender story that demonstrates how nature and friendships are integral parts of surviving in this difficult world. Moniz's novel is the balm we all need. Don't walk, run to grab this gorgeous book."--Cleyvis Natera, author of Neruda on the Park
"All Friends Are Necessary is so tender and well-crafted that you almost don't notice how fiercely it challenges common depictions of male friendship. The novel explores the interiority of Efren "Chino" Flores and his ride-or-die, Metal Matt, who love each other and work hard to demonstrate that love con cariño and sin vergüenza."--Michelle Cruz Gonzales, author The Spitboy Rule: Tales of a Xicana in a Female Punk Band
About All Friends Are Necessary
In this "tender and open-hearted novel," (Nina LaCour, author of Yerba Buena) Tomas Moniz--a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway and Lambda Literary awards--delivers a commanding new story about the power of friendship, community, and the families we create for ourselves.
Efren "Chino" Flores has just moved back to the Bay Area from Seattle, jumping from sublet to sublet. In Washington, he was a beloved middle school biology teacher with a loving wife and a child on the way until a stunning loss changed his life. Now he's working temp jobs and struggling to put himself back out into the world.
But there to nurture Chino is a coterie of new and old friends and lovers who form a protective web around him. Closest to him are Metal Matt, a red-haired metalhead with a soft spot for Courtney Love and a rangy dog named Sabbath, and Mike and Kay, a couple whose literary edge is matched only by the success of their secret OnlyFans account. As Chino begins to date more men and women--and to open himself up again to love--his bonds with other people grow both rich and profound. Like a fern blooming in the wake of a forest fire, new life comes after even the most devastating upheaval.
With gorgeous, heartrending detail and a seemingly infinite catalogue of tender, unexpected interactions, Tomas Moniz has created a striking mosaic of desire and belonging. An anthem to both queer and platonic love, All Friends Are Necessary evinces the wonder of friendship and the joy of giving yourself up to the essential force of community.
About Tomas Moniz
Tomas Moniz is a Latinx writer living in Oakland, CA. His debut novel, Big Familia, was a finalist for the 2020 PEN/Hemingway, the LAMBDA, and the Foreward Indies Awards. He edited the popular Rad Dad and Rad Families anthologies. He is the recipient of the prestigious SF Literary Arts Foundation's 2016 Award and the 2020 Artist Affiliate for Headlands Center for Arts. He currently teaches at Berkeley City College and the Antioch MFA program.
About Michelle Cruz Gonzales
Punk writer, Michelle Cruz Gonzales is the author of The Spitboy Rule: Tales of a Xicana in a Female Punk Band. She has published in anthologies, The LA Review of Books, Longreads, and she's featured in the film Turn It Around: Story of East Bay Punk. She has taught English and Creative Writing for the past 20 years at Las Positas where tenure makes it possible to say the F-word in meetings, and advocate hardcore for young people.
show less
Masks Encouraged for In-Person Attendance
Or watch online/Livestream link available soon
Praise for All Friends Are Necessary
"Vivid and compelling, All Friends Are Necessary is a celebration of love in all its forms. In the wake of devastating losses and amid the isolation of the pandemic, Efren "Chino" Flores struggles for meaning and connection. In a pitch-perfect portrayal of the Bay Area and beyond, the indelible Flores welcomes us into his circle of friends. A tender, frank, and funny narrative."--Vanessa Hua, author of Forbidden City
"Tomas Moniz's All Friends are Necessary is a powerful love letter to friendship and community... It is a tender story that demonstrates how nature and friendships are integral parts of surviving in this difficult world. Moniz's novel is the balm we all need. Don't walk, run to grab this gorgeous book."--Cleyvis Natera, author of Neruda on the Park
"All Friends Are Necessary is so tender and well-crafted that you almost don't notice how fiercely it challenges common depictions of male friendship. The novel explores the interiority of Efren "Chino" Flores and his ride-or-die, Metal Matt, who love each other and work hard to demonstrate that love con cariño and sin vergüenza."--Michelle Cruz Gonzales, author The Spitboy Rule: Tales of a Xicana in a Female Punk Band
About All Friends Are Necessary
In this "tender and open-hearted novel," (Nina LaCour, author of Yerba Buena) Tomas Moniz--a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway and Lambda Literary awards--delivers a commanding new story about the power of friendship, community, and the families we create for ourselves.
Efren "Chino" Flores has just moved back to the Bay Area from Seattle, jumping from sublet to sublet. In Washington, he was a beloved middle school biology teacher with a loving wife and a child on the way until a stunning loss changed his life. Now he's working temp jobs and struggling to put himself back out into the world.
But there to nurture Chino is a coterie of new and old friends and lovers who form a protective web around him. Closest to him are Metal Matt, a red-haired metalhead with a soft spot for Courtney Love and a rangy dog named Sabbath, and Mike and Kay, a couple whose literary edge is matched only by the success of their secret OnlyFans account. As Chino begins to date more men and women--and to open himself up again to love--his bonds with other people grow both rich and profound. Like a fern blooming in the wake of a forest fire, new life comes after even the most devastating upheaval.
With gorgeous, heartrending detail and a seemingly infinite catalogue of tender, unexpected interactions, Tomas Moniz has created a striking mosaic of desire and belonging. An anthem to both queer and platonic love, All Friends Are Necessary evinces the wonder of friendship and the joy of giving yourself up to the essential force of community.
About Tomas Moniz
Tomas Moniz is a Latinx writer living in Oakland, CA. His debut novel, Big Familia, was a finalist for the 2020 PEN/Hemingway, the LAMBDA, and the Foreward Indies Awards. He edited the popular Rad Dad and Rad Families anthologies. He is the recipient of the prestigious SF Literary Arts Foundation's 2016 Award and the 2020 Artist Affiliate for Headlands Center for Arts. He currently teaches at Berkeley City College and the Antioch MFA program.
About Michelle Cruz Gonzales
Punk writer, Michelle Cruz Gonzales is the author of The Spitboy Rule: Tales of a Xicana in a Female Punk Band. She has published in anthologies, The LA Review of Books, Longreads, and she's featured in the film Turn It Around: Story of East Bay Punk. She has taught English and Creative Writing for the past 20 years at Las Positas where tenure makes it possible to say the F-word in meetings, and advocate hardcore for young people.
Join us on Tuesday, June 18 when we celebrate the launch of Tomas Moniz's novel, All Friends Are Necessary, with Michelle Cruz Gonzales at 9th Ave!
Masks Encouraged for In-Person Attendance
Or watch online/Livestream link available soon
Praise for All Friends Are Necessary
"Vivid and compelling, All Friends Are Necessary is a celebration of love in all its forms. In the wake of devastating losses and amid the isolation of the pandemic, Efren "Chino" Flores struggles for meaning and connection. In a pitch-perfect portrayal of the Bay Area and beyond, the indelible Flores welcomes us into his circle of friends. A tender, frank, and funny narrative."--Vanessa Hua, author of Forbidden City
"Tomas Moniz's All Friends are Necessary is a powerful love letter to friendship and community... It is a tender story that demonstrates how nature and friendships are integral parts of surviving in this difficult world. Moniz's novel is the balm we all need. Don't walk, run to grab this gorgeous book."--Cleyvis Natera, author of Neruda on the Park
"All Friends Are Necessary is so tender and well-crafted that you almost don't notice how fiercely it challenges common depictions of male friendship. The novel explores the interiority of Efren "Chino" Flores and his ride-or-die, Metal Matt, who love each other and work hard to demonstrate that love con cariño and sin vergüenza."--Michelle Cruz Gonzales, author The Spitboy Rule: Tales of a Xicana in a Female Punk Band
About All Friends Are Necessary
In this "tender and open-hearted novel," (Nina LaCour, author of Yerba Buena) Tomas Moniz--a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway and Lambda Literary awards--delivers a commanding new story about the power of friendship, community, and the families we create for ourselves.
Efren "Chino" Flores has just moved back to the Bay Area from Seattle, jumping from sublet to sublet. In Washington, he was a beloved middle school biology teacher with a loving wife and a child on the way until a stunning loss changed his life. Now he's working temp jobs and struggling to put himself back out into the world.
But there to nurture Chino is a coterie of new and old friends and lovers who form a protective web around him. Closest to him are Metal Matt, a red-haired metalhead with a soft spot for Courtney Love and a rangy dog named Sabbath, and Mike and Kay, a couple whose literary edge is matched only by the success of their secret OnlyFans account. As Chino begins to date more men and women--and to open himself up again to love--his bonds with other people grow both rich and profound. Like a fern blooming in the wake of a forest fire, new life comes after even the most devastating upheaval.
With gorgeous, heartrending detail and a seemingly infinite catalogue of tender, unexpected interactions, Tomas Moniz has created a striking mosaic of desire and belonging. An anthem to both queer and platonic love, All Friends Are Necessary evinces the wonder of friendship and the joy of giving yourself up to the essential force of community.
About Tomas Moniz
Tomas Moniz is a Latinx writer living in Oakland, CA. His debut novel, Big Familia, was a finalist for the 2020 PEN/Hemingway, the LAMBDA, and the Foreward Indies Awards. He edited the popular Rad Dad and Rad Families anthologies. He is the recipient of the prestigious SF Literary Arts Foundation's 2016 Award and the 2020 Artist Affiliate for Headlands Center for Arts. He currently teaches at Berkeley City College and the Antioch MFA program.
About Michelle Cruz Gonzales
Punk writer, Michelle Cruz Gonzales is the author of The Spitboy Rule: Tales of a Xicana in a Female Punk Band. She has published in anthologies, The LA Review of Books, Longreads, and she's featured in the film Turn It Around: Story of East Bay Punk. She has taught English and Creative Writing for the past 20 years at Las Positas where tenure makes it possible to say the F-word in meetings, and advocate hardcore for young people.
read more
Masks Encouraged for In-Person Attendance
Or watch online/Livestream link available soon
Praise for All Friends Are Necessary
"Vivid and compelling, All Friends Are Necessary is a celebration of love in all its forms. In the wake of devastating losses and amid the isolation of the pandemic, Efren "Chino" Flores struggles for meaning and connection. In a pitch-perfect portrayal of the Bay Area and beyond, the indelible Flores welcomes us into his circle of friends. A tender, frank, and funny narrative."--Vanessa Hua, author of Forbidden City
"Tomas Moniz's All Friends are Necessary is a powerful love letter to friendship and community... It is a tender story that demonstrates how nature and friendships are integral parts of surviving in this difficult world. Moniz's novel is the balm we all need. Don't walk, run to grab this gorgeous book."--Cleyvis Natera, author of Neruda on the Park
"All Friends Are Necessary is so tender and well-crafted that you almost don't notice how fiercely it challenges common depictions of male friendship. The novel explores the interiority of Efren "Chino" Flores and his ride-or-die, Metal Matt, who love each other and work hard to demonstrate that love con cariño and sin vergüenza."--Michelle Cruz Gonzales, author The Spitboy Rule: Tales of a Xicana in a Female Punk Band
About All Friends Are Necessary
In this "tender and open-hearted novel," (Nina LaCour, author of Yerba Buena) Tomas Moniz--a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway and Lambda Literary awards--delivers a commanding new story about the power of friendship, community, and the families we create for ourselves.
Efren "Chino" Flores has just moved back to the Bay Area from Seattle, jumping from sublet to sublet. In Washington, he was a beloved middle school biology teacher with a loving wife and a child on the way until a stunning loss changed his life. Now he's working temp jobs and struggling to put himself back out into the world.
But there to nurture Chino is a coterie of new and old friends and lovers who form a protective web around him. Closest to him are Metal Matt, a red-haired metalhead with a soft spot for Courtney Love and a rangy dog named Sabbath, and Mike and Kay, a couple whose literary edge is matched only by the success of their secret OnlyFans account. As Chino begins to date more men and women--and to open himself up again to love--his bonds with other people grow both rich and profound. Like a fern blooming in the wake of a forest fire, new life comes after even the most devastating upheaval.
With gorgeous, heartrending detail and a seemingly infinite catalogue of tender, unexpected interactions, Tomas Moniz has created a striking mosaic of desire and belonging. An anthem to both queer and platonic love, All Friends Are Necessary evinces the wonder of friendship and the joy of giving yourself up to the essential force of community.
About Tomas Moniz
Tomas Moniz is a Latinx writer living in Oakland, CA. His debut novel, Big Familia, was a finalist for the 2020 PEN/Hemingway, the LAMBDA, and the Foreward Indies Awards. He edited the popular Rad Dad and Rad Families anthologies. He is the recipient of the prestigious SF Literary Arts Foundation's 2016 Award and the 2020 Artist Affiliate for Headlands Center for Arts. He currently teaches at Berkeley City College and the Antioch MFA program.
About Michelle Cruz Gonzales
Punk writer, Michelle Cruz Gonzales is the author of The Spitboy Rule: Tales of a Xicana in a Female Punk Band. She has published in anthologies, The LA Review of Books, Longreads, and she's featured in the film Turn It Around: Story of East Bay Punk. She has taught English and Creative Writing for the past 20 years at Las Positas where tenure makes it possible to say the F-word in meetings, and advocate hardcore for young people.
show less
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