The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story - Paperback
by Julia Reed (Author)
"What emerges from a heartrending, soul-stirring, rib-tickling and palate-prickling banquet of details is why Ms. Reed cannot leave New Orleans: love. It's an undeceived devotion to a place and particularity that is admirable, and almost astonishing, in our increasingly deracinated culture." - Wall Street Journal
Julia Reed went to New Orleans in 1991 to cover the reelection of former (and currently incarcerated) governor Edwin Edwards. Seduced by the city's sauntering pace, its rich flavors and exotic atmosphere, she was never entirely able to leave again. After almost fifteen years of living like a vagabond on her reporter's schedule, she got married and bought a house in the historic Garden District. Four weeks after she moved in, Hurricane Katrina struck.
With her house as the center of her own personal storm as well as the ever-evolving stage set for her new life as an upstanding citizen, Reed traces the fates of all who enter to wine, dine (at her table for twenty-four), tear down walls, install fixtures, throw fits and generally leave their mark on the house on First Street. There's Antoine, Reed's beloved homeless handyman with an unfortunate habit of landing in jail; JoAnn Clevenger, the Auntie Mame--like restaurateur who got her start mixing drinks for Dizzy Gillespie and selling flowers from a cart; Eddie, the supremely laid-back contractor with Hollywood ambitions; and, with the arrival of Katrina, the boys from the Oklahoma National Guard, fleets of door-kicking animal rescuers and the self-appointed (and occasionally naked) neighborhood watchman. Finally, there's the literally clueless detective who investigates the robbery in which the first draft of this book was stolen. Through it all, Reed discovers there really is no place like home.
Rich with sumptuous details and with the author's trademark humor well in the fore, The House on First Street is the chronicle of a remarkable and often hilarious homecoming, as well as a thoroughly original tribute to our country's most original city.
Back Jacket
After fifteen years of living like a vagabond on her reporter's schedule, Julia Reed got married and bought a house in the historic Garden District. Four weeks after she moved in, Hurricane Katrina struck. The House on First Street is the chronicle of Reed's remarkable and often hilarious homecoming, as well as a thoroughly original tribute to our country's most original city.
Pairs well with
In Stock — Ships within 1–3 business days.
Free U.S. Shipping on Orders $75+ — No Code Needed.
Gift Cards are Final Sale — Non-Returnable & Non-Refundable.
The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story - Paperback
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, within 24 hours on weekdays.
-
Shipping Information
Domestic U.S. orders ship in 7–15 business days via trusted carriers, while international delivery times vary by country and customs. For more info on Shipping, please check our Shipping page.
-
Customer Support
We strive to reply as quickly and promptly as possible, though responses may take up to 24 hours.
-
FAQ’s
Find quick answers to common questions about orders, shipping, returns, and more here on our FAQ page — your guide to shopping with Urban Overlooked.
-
Contact Us
Have questions or need support? Reach out to us through our Contact Us page — the Urban Overlooked team is here to help.
Grab It. Gift It. Live It.
Spread the Merch Love
Rep the culture. Back the rebels. Wear it loud. This ain’t just merch — it’s a middle finger to the mainstream. Every drop fuels the overlooked. Own it. Rock it. Loud.
Shop Big. Ship Free. Feel the Overlooked Flow.
Shop Big. Ship Free. Feel the Overlooked Flow.
Arriving Soon: A Record Store You Won't Want to Miss!
We’re spinning something special behind the scenes — a digital crate-digger’s paradise built for true music lovers. As we fine-tune our catalog and organize every groove, rest assured: when we launch, it’ll be more than a store. It’ll be a destination. Curated, independent, and rooted in the culture — just the way you like it. Stay tuned.
FAQs
Please read our FAQs page to find out more.
What’s your shipping policy?
Orders on the Urban Overlooked online store are processed within 1–3 business days, with standard U.S. shipping handled by trusted carriers like USPS, UPS, or FedEx, typically arriving within 7–15 business days and accompanied by tracking details. For international orders, shipping times and carriers vary by destination and customs, but reliable global partners are used to ensure secure delivery, with customers advised to allow for possible delays due to customs or local conditions.
What’s your return policy?
Urban Overlooked accepts refund requests for defective, damaged, or misdescribed items within 7 days of delivery by contacting sales@genremediagroup.com with order details and photos. Customers are responsible for return shipping unless the error is ours, and approved refunds are processed to the original payment method within 7 business days. To read the full policy, click here.
📦 Returns & Refund Guidelines — Collectibles & Sensitive Items
Because many items we carry — including comic books, graded
collectibles, and other sensitive products — are limited or condition-based, returns
are accepted within 3 days of delivery only. After this window, refunds or
exchanges may no longer be available.
To qualify for a return, items must remain unused,
unopened, and in the same condition as when received, with original
packaging intact. A receipt or proof of purchase is required for all return
requests.
Certain products are final sale and cannot be
returned, including gift cards and select collectible items. Partial refunds
may be issued if an item is returned damaged, incomplete, or outside the
approved timeframe (unless the issue was due to our error).
Once a return is received and inspected, you’ll be notified
by email regarding approval. If approved, refunds are issued to the original
payment method within approximately 15 days.
How do you protect my personal information?
Urban Overlooked collects personal information such as contact, order, and account details directly from you, through your use of our services, and from trusted third parties like Shopify and payment processors. We use this information to provide and improve services, process orders, prevent fraud, and deliver marketing, while safeguarding your privacy through security measures, limited disclosures, cookie controls, and compliance with applicable data rights and laws. You can read our full Privacy Policy for more details right here.
What should I know before using your site?
By using our website or placing an order, you agree to our Terms of Service. This includes guidelines on payments, product use, and account conduct. It's designed to keep everything smooth and secure for both of us. You can view the full terms anytime on our Terms of Service page.