RSS, go on, don't be shy

Archive for September, 2009

This Weeks Book Events, SF (week of 9/21)

Sep 21

Posted by The Valet in Events | No Comments

I am determined to make it to an event this week. Regardless of what day it falls on or how far I have to travel. Seriously, I’ve been busy but not that busy. Most of the time it comes down to reading or going to an event and I end up choosing reading. I know, weak. But I have a resolution this week, the only things that will keep me from attending an event are: a giant asteroid striking the bay area, stepping in dog poop (it makes me angry) and the start of the new and final season of Lost (but we all know that’s not happening until 2010 so it doesn’t really count)

Monday, September 21st
@ 7pm
- Rabih Alameddine, author of The Hakawati will be talking about his book at The Book Passagein Corte Madera. The Hakawatiis a story about storytelling that takes place in Lebanon. Contemporary Lebanese stories are told by Osama al-Kharrat’s grandfather when he returns to Lebanon to stand vigil at his fathers death bed. I’m a sucker for middle eastern stories as they are often extremely colorful, divine and adventurous. I have no doubt that Alameddine’s book has all of those elements. Check it out!

Tuesday, September 22nd
@ 7pm
- Allison Bartlett, author of The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession will be discussing and signing copies of her book at The Book Passagein Corte Madera. From what I can tell this book appears to be similar to my very first post except instead of examining the theft of maps, she addresses the theft of rare books. Sounds pretty fascinating. I really really want to make it to this event and will try hard to get there but I gotta tell you, Tuesday isn’t looking so good for me. I hope one of you out there gets there.

Thursday, September 24th
@ 730pm
- Nick Douglas and friends, will be presenting Douglas’ book Twitter Witwhich is a collection of the “best” tweets out there. I’m sure there are some pretty funny 140 character tweets in the book, I just hope that none of mine are recognized in there. I’m not quite funny or controversial enough. So, if you’re a tweeter or twitterer go and catch Douglas and his pals at the Booksmithin San Francisco. Ps. Douglas is also a tech journalist and the founding editor of Valleywag.

Thursday, September 24th
@ 8pm
- Elizabeth Gilbert, author of one my all-time favorite books (or the exact opposite there of) will be speaking at the Marin Civic Center. How I managed to miss this event while I was compiling this post I just do not know. I’m kind of embarrassed. She’ll obviously be talking to a packed crowd of beautiful women (which I love) about her book, which isn’t vain at all. So, if you’re into this kind of thing and aren’t going to be sitting in class on Thursday night (like yours truly) make your presence known!

At the Tomb of the Inflatable Pig: Travels Through Paraguay by John Gimlette

Sep 18

Posted by The Valet in Non-Fiction | No Comments

At the Tomb of the Inflatable Pig by John Gimlett

At the Tomb of the Inflatable Pig by John Gimlette

Flight from SFO to Asuncion, Paraguay one month from today for a two week vacation equals:

- Depart SFO 1:25am Arriving in San Salvador, El Salvador at 7:55am (5hr 30m)
- 52min layover
- Depart San Salvador at 8:47am arriving in Lima, Peru at 2:02pm (4hr 15m)
- 7hr 48m layover
- Depart Lima at 9:50pm arriving in Montevideo, Uruguay at 5:15am (4hr 25m)
- 55m layover
- Depart Montevideo at 6:10am arriving in Asuncion, Paraguay at 6:05 (1 hr 55m)

Total Cost: $955.00
Time Spent Traveling: 25hr 40m (better than the 37 hour trip I found)

Just look at how easy it is to get the capital of Paraguay! Who’s with me?? I hear Taca International Airlines has some tasty in-flight fare.

Of the 44 landlocked countries in the world which one, given the option, would you travel to? Would it be Burkina Faso, Lesotho, South Ossetia or perhaps you would choose Paraguay? As for me, that would be an incredibly hard decision but… seeing as I’ve never had the pleasure of traveling in S. America, Paraguay would be up there at the top of the list. Is that decision based upon the book I’ve just finished reading? No.

The review is this way

And my next book will be…

Sep 18

Posted by The Valet in Other | 1 Comment

I’m not going to lie, I’m a little disheartened. 46 visitors clicked on the page and the poll garnered only 12 responses! But, the show must go on. Here’s a breakdown of the results.

From lowest to highest in votes:
The Death and Life of Great American Cities – Jane Jacobs – 1 vote
Couch – Benjamin Parzybok – 1 vote
This Wicked World – Richard Lange – 1 vote
Infinite Jest – David Foster Wallace – 1 vote
Zeitoun – Dave Eggers – 1 vote
Little Bee – Chris Cleave – 1 vote
Tattoo Machine – Jeff Johnson – 1 vote
Art of Racing in the Rain – Garth Stein – 2 votes

And the next book that I will be reading is…

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

The Fountainhead – Ayn Rand – 3 votes

I’ll try this again in the coming weeks and hope to recieve some more input! Thank you to those of you who participated. I’m also going to try and find a different way to make this work, I realize that it wasn’t the easiest link to find.

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

Sep 17

Posted by The Valet in Science Fiction | 4 Comments

The Sparrow by Maria Doria Russell

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

It never would have occurred to me that one of the books on my all time greatest books list would be a science fiction novel. Up until reading this book, the idea was simply unfathomable. That’s not to say I don’t like science fiction but it just hasn’t always been on the top of my list.

Sure I love Bradbury, Vonnegut and Orson Scott Card but enough to put them at the top? I just don’t know. That said, if there is one book you read this year or in your entire life, let it be The Sparrow.

It’s pretty tough for me to explain why this book is so amazing. Perhaps I feel this way because the story is simply astounding, fantastic, moving, fast and full of life. Maybe it’s because of the way that Russell writes, providing incredible character development and detail. Or maybe it’s just as simple as getting pleasure from reading something so unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Ah, there is just so much to it. Issues such as politics, slavery, social interaction, the environment and the idea that the smallest simplest things can have a profound affect on everything and anything.

Typically, I am not a repeat reader, meaning once I’ve read a book, odds are I won’t read it again. In fact, I can’t actually think of another book that I’ve read twice, no less twice within a six month period (Waiting for Godot doesn’t count but I do plan on reading Replay by Ken Grimwood again shortly). That said, The Sparrow just does it for me and I will likely be reading it again and again until I can no longer read.

Don’t be fooled, there’s more!

Regional Book Store Review: William Stout Architectural Books (SF)

Sep 16

Posted by The Valet in Other | No Comments

I like to think that most people have been inside the typical bookstore (for those that haven’t I am severely concerned). I have certainly seen my fare share and although each store, the independent one’s that is, often have something unique about them I always enjoy exploring specialty book shops.

To review another cut and dry shop right now I felt would be kind of boring. As you know, cause I’ve said it again and again, I am interested in pursuing a masters in urban/city planning in the future. As a result of this and my search for unique stores in the bay area I stumbled across a real gem, William Stout Architectural Books located on Montgomery Street just north of Jackson.

William Stout Architectural Books

William Stout Architectural Books

(Just so you know, the store had quite a few signs letting me know that taking photos was not ok, I thought about asking but didn’t really feel like dealing with the problems that could ensue)

Now, the name might make the store sound somewhat drab to those of you who are not the least bit interested in architecture, but I am confident that anyone could find something in there that suits them (alright, you should probably leave the kids at home though).

Aww, come on, keep reading!!

China Underground by Zachary Mexico

Sep 15

Posted by The Valet in Non-Fiction | 2 Comments

China Underground by Zachary Mexico

China Underground by Zachary Mexico

There is something extremely exhilarating and exciting when opening a book that you know nothing about. It seems like all too often, before I even open a book, I already know so much about it. Either I’m familiar with the author, the story (through reviews or friends) or some sort of hype surrounding the book.

I like to think I stray from the mainstream every now and then (for example The Island of Lost Maps or Eat, Pray, Love ha!). Unfortunately for everyone, I am absolutely positive that the best written books in the world have only been read by a fortunate few.

Now, I’m not going to tell you that China Underground is one those books. Yet, it is not on any bestseller lists (that I know of) or been featured on a talk show, but I’m pretty certain it has been reviewed by the major papers. For the most part though it has flown under the radar.

Until now! Keep reading…

This Weeks Book Events, SF (Week of 9/14)

Sep 14

Posted by The Valet in Events | 1 Comment

Well, well, well, looks like there is quite a bit going on this week in San Francisco which is pretty exciting. On average it seems as though two or three events is a good week but this week there are five, yes you read that correctly, five events going on that you should check out!

Monday, September 14th
@ 7pm
- Michelle Huneve, author of Blame will be discussing and signing copies of her book at The Book Passage in Corte Madera (come on, it’s not that far away!). I’ve typically strayed from this type of book recently but in actuality it sounds pretty interesting. Without giving to much away it’s about a professor who enjoys drinking and wakes up in a jail cell after a night on the drink. Her crime and the subsequent result of which are the main aspect of the novel. There’s apparently a pretty good twist at the end too!

Wednesday, September 16th
@ 7pm
- Michael Pollan, author, and Michael Schwarz, filmmaker, will be screening and discussing the documentary The Botany of Desire , which of course is also a book by the same name written by Mr. Pollan, at the Herbst Theater in conjunction with City Arts & Lectures. The documentary travels from Berkeley, South America, Kazakhstan, Amsterdam and other locations examining apples, potatoes, the tulip and marijuana and the developmental relationship between plants and humans. I’ve never actually been to any of the City Arts & Lectures events but I hear they’re very good. As I’m not a huge Michael Pollan fan as seen here, it would probably still be worth checking out.

Thursday, September 17th
@ 730pm
- Allison Bartlett, author of The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession will be discussing and signing copies of her book at The Booksmith. From what I can tell this book appears to be similar to my very first post except instead of examining the theft of maps, she addresses the theft of rare books. Sounds pretty fascinating.

oh, but there’s more…

This Weeks Book Events, LA (Week of 9/14)

Sep 11

Posted by The Valet in Events | No Comments

I’m still struggling to find events in the Los Angeles region so, again, if anyone out there has suggestions of where I should be looking let me know. Of course, I did manage to find a few readings you should be at this week. Hopefully one of these days I’ll make it down to LA again and be able to visit some of the stores that I haven’t been to and maybe even go to a couple of events.

Tuesday, September 15th
@ 730pm
- Paul Krassner, author of Who’s to Say What’s Obscene?: Politics, Culture and Comedy in America Todaywill be at Skylight Books. One of my first experiences with writing my book events posts involved Mr. Krassner and an appearance which I thought he was making here in San Francisco. I was sorely mistaken and was off by a month or so (if I remember correctly). Anyhow, I highly recommend going and seeing Mr. Krassner and also checking out a pretty cool bookstore while you’re at it. A big name in the counterculture movement Mr. Krassner is surely not going to disappoint.

Thursday, September 17th
@ 7pm
- AJ Jacobs, author of The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life as an Experiment will be discussing and signing his book at Vromans. Following up on two of his other books The Know-it-All and The Year of Living Biblically (both of which look pretty interesting) Mr. Jacobs writes in his latest book about a year of his personal experiments. He experiments with cross dressing, outsourcing his life to India and other apparently laugh out loud experiences. Check it out and his other works if foolish acts and humor intrigue you!

Thursday, September 17th
@ 930pm
- David Cross, comedian turned author will be discussing and signing his book I Drink For a Reason at Book Soup. You know Mr. Cross from “Mr. Show,” “Arrested Development,” and his stand-up gigs and now is the time to see him discuss his book. A collection of essays, sarcastic and satirical fiction, advice and other comedic writings, Cross delivers humor and fun in his first book, or so they say.

Well, that’s it for now. Enjoy the week!

The Valet’s Reading List as of 9/11

Sep 11

Posted by The Valet in Other | 7 Comments

Well… It’s Friday again, and luckily for people like me who sit at a desk in front of a computer all day that means a reprieve from the monotony of work. Unfortunately for you it means I’m slacking and will once again be providing you with an update of my reading list as it currently stands. Come on, I did give you three book reviews this week! Don’t worry I have plenty more but I don’t want to spoil anyone. Where’s the fun in that?

There haven’t been a whole lot of additions since my last update but there have been some. You’ll notice that some of the books at the top will probably remain there for sometime. Either I don’t own them or they just don’t interest me as much as some of the more recent additions.

So here we go:

Maps and Legends – Michael Chabon
Cities in Civilization – Peter Hall
Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience – Yi Fu Tuan
Topophilia: A Study of Environmental Perception… – Yi Fu Tuan
State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America – Matt Weildand, et al.
The Concrete Dragon: China’s Urban Revolution… – Thomas Campanella
Art of Racing in the Rain – Garth Stein
The Geography of Nowhere – James Kunstler
A Fine Balance – Rohinton Mistry
Six Suspects – Vikas Swarup
Ghost Soldiers – Hampton Sides
Nobody Move – Denis Johnson
The Fountainhead – Ayn Rand
Tattoo Machine – Jeff Johnson
Uglies – Scott Westerfield
American Hotel Stories – Francisca Matteola
Little Bee – Chris Cleave
Enders Shadow – Orson Scott Card
The Sower – Kemble Scott
The Time Machine Did It – John Swartzwelder
A Thread of Grace – Mary Doria Russell
Lost City of Z – David Grann
Zeitoun – Dave Eggers
The Wild Things – Dave Eggers
Infinite Jest – David Foster Wallace
This Wicked World – Richard Lange
Couch – Benjamin Parzybok
Forever – Pete Hamill
Voss – Patrick White
You Can’t Win – Jack Black (not the actor)
Generation Kill – Evan Wright
Wrestling With Moses – Anthony Flint
The Death and Life of Great American Cities – Jane Jacobs

Want to help me decide what to read next? Click here!

It’s actually pretty interesting to look back on the list and see where the suggestion or idea to add the book to the list came from. For instance, my brother, it seems, has a knack (recently) to recommend or suggest war themed books, for example Generation Kill, Ghost Soldiers, and others which I am currently reading or have read like Forever War or We Were Soldiers Once and Young. From my sister, recently, I’ve been recommended young adult books (she is YA librarian so it makes sense). As for the rest of the family, they’ll throw anything at me. You’ll also seen on the list quite a few books based on cities, “place,” and topography. Clearly these are a result of my interest in maps, cartography, topography and city planning. In the end though, in addition to all these, there are books that I see other people reading on the cable car, books that the cute girl sitting next to me recommends or books that I see at the bookstore that spark an interest and end up on my list. I’m not biased, I’ll read just about anything, so as I always say if you’ve got any other suggestions, feel free to comment and let me know!

Andromeda Klein by Frank Portman

Sep 10

Posted by The Valet in Young Adult | 3 Comments

Andromeda Klein by Frank Portman

Andromeda Klein by Frank Portman

Admittedly, I’ve never been to a psychic, had tarot cards read, palm read (ok maybe once by some girl in middle school) or been to a seance, but I have played with the Ouija board and put a quarter in one of those machines that tells you your fortune at carnivals before. After reading Andromeda Klein though, I kind of feel compelled to visit one of those 24 hour psychics in Chinatown, and no I’m not talking about the ones with “happy endings.”

I would like to lie to you and tell you that I didn’t have to use wikipedia to look up certain things from this book, but I did. Likewise, I’d like to lie to you again and tell you that I understood everything, but I didn’t. But, that’s ok, I learned some new things that I probably (had I not read this book) never would have known about. If you’re going to read this book though I highly recommend you use the “Lexicon” section at the end of the book which serves to define many of the things I had no clue about. Unfortunately for me, I only realized it was there once I finished reading the book.

On to the book!

212