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Archive for August, 2009

This Weeks Book Events, SF (week of 8/31)

Aug 31

Posted by The Valet in Events | No Comments

Canada is awesome. I thought it was going be an excellent chance for me to relax and read and while I did a ton of relaxing I didn’t actually read that much. There was always something going on which was great. As a result of my trip I was kind of forced to jump the gun on this post and do all my research well before the 31st so again, bear with me and expect some updates if I find some new things you should show up at. As for those shops who don’t post their events for the following month, shame on you!

Monday, August 31st
@ 730pm
- Kemble Scott, Author will be appearing and releasing his book The Sower at The Booksmith in San Francisco. So, truth be told I actually owe Mr. Scott a bit of gratitude due to his Lit Guide where I have been finding some of the events which I list here. Of course its not the only source, but a good one nonetheless. He’s a local here in the Bay Area and a rather big name in the literature world here thanks to his extensive coverage of local writers. His latest book The Sower is about a San Franciscan who is capable, through sex, to cure all diseases thanks to the man made super virus he is carrying. I’ve heard through the grapevine that it’s pretty funny all the while making you think about sexuality and morality. It’s going on my list!

Tuesday, September 1st
@ 630pm
- Richie Unterberger, Author will be signing copies of his new book White Light/White Heart: The Velvet Underground Day-by-Day at the Martinez Library. If you consider yourself a fan of Velvet Underground get over there and meet the man who has written the most comprehensive book on the Velvet Underground ever published. It should also be mentioned that Mr. Unterberger has quite a few other books on Music History as well as travel.

If you haven’t been to a local bookstore event lately, get on it and go, learn something new and meet some new people. I know there are quite a few happenings in September so as I look forward to the new month’s events, so should you!

The Valet’s Reading List as of 8/28

Aug 28

Posted by The Valet in Other | 1 Comment

I’ve been sick, and it’s not been fun. After two weeks I think I am finally starting to feel like myself again. I thought I would get some reading done while I was stuck at home but every time I sat down on the couch or in my chair I somehow just fell asleep. I guess that’s not very surprising. I have to say the book I’m reading right now is pretty fascinating but still, I’m not getting very far (after all it’s a staggering 1162 pages). That said, my list has not shrunk at all and has only grown by a few books in the past weeks. Oh well.

My list…

The Wild Trees by Richard Preston

Aug 27

Posted by The Valet in Non-Fiction | 2 Comments

The Wild Trees by Richard Preston

The Wild Trees by Richard Preston

Compelling in an “I don’t know why this book was written kind of way.”

Whenever I attempt to answer questions regarding what this book is about the first response/question back to me is  ”So… is it about those environmental radicals (or hippies) who climb trees and live in them to protest something?” I can’t fault that response, I mean what else would there be to write about when it comes to trees and people climbing them.

Well, clearly Richard Preston decided that there was more to trees than radicals and hippies. Basically  here is a story, of sorts, about pursuing the largest living organism on the planet which just so happens to be a tree, climbing those trees and studying those trees. Living so close to the California Redwoods (and not having seen them since I was 15) I thought it would be a good read and I would learn some things about trees that I never would have learned otherwise. I guess I got a bit ahead of myself.

More tree stuff this way!

Preview of last nights Frank Portman event

Aug 26

Posted by The Valet in Events | No Comments

Last night I indulged myself by taking many pictures, having too many beers and most likely making an ass of myself at Frank Portman’s Andromeda Klein book release party at Cato’s Ale House in Oakland. That’s life. I’m guessing that early next week I will have a full review of last night’s event posted but in the meantime I wanted to share a quick peek of what went down.

Andromeda Klein Flyer

More pictures this way

Book Store Review (Books & Bookshelves, SF)

Aug 26

Posted by The Valet in Other | No Comments

Having recently moved and not having very much furniture I have been looking for a few bookshelves to store books and other junk I have no place for. The obvious less expensive locations (for me) to look have been craigslist and Ikea. While I’m not particularly picky, I still do appreciate a well built bookshelf as well as something that is aesthetically pleasing and will fit/go well in my new apartment.

Needless to say my search continues. Craigslist while having many options just didn’t have anything that suits my needs. And as for Ikea, I have enough cheap particle board in my life already. I considered typing “bookshelf” into yelp to see what would happen, but honestly, I can’t stand yelp. Yes, its somewhat bizarre but I think their business practices are phony and ruthless. What to do? When all else fails use Google. My first attempt led me to Books & Bookshelves, and just like that I had I found what I was looking for.

Books & Bookshelves, 99 Sanchez Street, SF

Books & Bookshelves, 99 Sanchez Street, SF

I have to say, it seems quite silly that their aren’t more similar stores out there. Other than coffee, what really goes better with books than bookshelves. Sure I could think of some other things but none as functional.

My adventure/review continues…

Waiting by Ha Jin

Aug 25

Posted by The Valet in Fiction, Lady Book | 1 Comment

Waiting… that’s exactly what I was doing, waiting for the damn book to end!

Waiting by Ha Jin

Waiting by Ha Jin

I’ve never had much trouble with love stories, so long as they offer me something new. Granted I rarely choose to read one, although from time to time it’s acceptable for a man of my nature (you know, dashing, refined, intelligent and pompous). If it’ll make a lady happy I will gladly sit through a romantic movie; however, I don’t think I can say the same about reading a book about a love, lost or found. I can say with certainty that if I read another book as bland and lovey dovey as this one I may choose to cut out one of my eyes (that way I can wear an eye patch and still be pretty cool).

Can’t “Wait” to keep reading huh?

This Weeks Book Events SF (Week of 8/24)

Aug 24

Posted by The Valet in Events | 1 Comment

Finally, I am no longer sick. After a solid week of headaches, itchy throat and coughing I appear to be symptom free. If I could skip class this week I certainly would in order to attend Thursday’s Frank Portman appearance. Fortunately for you and I, I know a little secret and although I won’t be seeing Mr. Portman (no, no relation to the beautiful Natalie) this week, look for another appearance in the coming weeks which I will be attending.
Update: Mr. Portman will be making an appearance on Tuesday in Oakland!!

Take a look at what’s going on…

Dave Eggers + “Wild Things” = ??

Aug 21

Posted by The Valet in Other | 1 Comment

Where the Wild Things Are by Muarice Sendak

Where the Wild Things Are by Muarice Sendak

When I was young and rotund, Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are was certainly one of my favorite books, actually it still is. It ranks right up there with Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree and Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon. I don’t think many people out there could argue that there are better children’s books (mom, Susie and others you’re not allowed to interject).

As many of you probably know by now they are or have turned Where the Wild Things Are into a major motion picture and it actually looks like it could be pretty amazing. Yesterday, I came across an interview from the “The New Yorker” where Dave Eggers talks about his involvement with the movie and a new book which he has coming out titled The Wild Things. And yes, the novel is related and does have something to do with the children’s book of a similar name.

As I was surprised to learn when reading the opening of the interview, Dave Eggers actually worked with the incredibly awesome Spike Jonze writing the screenplay for Where the Wild Things Are. Pretty crazy huh? I thought so. Apparently after they wrote the screenplay Dave was contacted my Maurice Sendak and was asked to make a novelization of the movie. As it turns out the movie is more Spike and the novel is more Dave despite both of them having worked together on the screenplay. Makes some sense though, after all Spike is a director/producer and Dave is a writer (not to categorize or anything).

With that, I’ll leave you with the link to the interview and let you read it for yourself. As for me, I’m excited for the movie and now equally excited for Eggers new book.

The Wild Things by Dave Eggers

The Wild Things by Dave Eggers

The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis

Aug 20

Posted by The Valet in Non-Fiction | 3 Comments

Why did the chicken cross the road? To see Michael Oher play football, duh!

Blindside by Michael Lewis

Blindside by Michael Lewis

To be completely honest, I am not a true football fan. Sure, I watch the Chargers play every Sunday when I can but I don’t know all the players and know very few players of the opposing teams. But, I’ll tell you this much, from here on out I will be paying a lot more attention to the left tackle.

In a story that take us from inner-city Memphis, which frankly scares me, to the football field at Ole Miss, Michael Lewis teaches us about love, struggle and redemption. It’s hard not to immediately feel for Michael Oher from the beginning of the book. Here’s this kid who is huge, in a good way, and is so far removed from society thanks to his rough upbringing that he has no direction. In comes the affluent white family to end his misery and show/teach him how to be a better person and excel at sports. Sounds like a lifetime or hallmark movie, right?

The Red Zone is this way, keep reading…

Broom of the System by David Foster Wallace

Aug 18

Posted by The Valet in Fiction | No Comments

Broom of the System by David Foster Wallace

Broom of the System by David Foster Wallace

I’m not going to lie, recently I have not been writing. In fact the last two books I read I flat out opted not to review. Perhaps they weren’t that good or perhaps it was just life happening around me that kept me from it. Nonetheless, I luckily picked up this book in just the nick of time.

The irony begins with the fact that this book takes place in Cleveland, Ohio. I started reading it not long before and during a recent trip I took to Youngstown, Ohio via Cleveland. The irony, or maybe it’s just plane weirdness, continues with the fact that Ohio is now referenced in two of my reviews (the other being “Ship of Gold”). Ohio certainly has it’s highlights but would I have expected it to be referenced twice already, not a chance.

I can’t remember who recommended this book to me but I must throw out a thanks to whoever that was. David Foster Wallace confounded me more and more as I continued through the book. Just when I thought there was no way that Wallace could impress me more with his writing, his story and bizarreness, he does. How so? Read on to find out!

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