Ah yes, we are now into November. Who doesn’t love November right? You’ve got the post halloween hangover from all that sugar candy goodness and perhaps an overindulgence of bobbing for apples in a tub of beer. You’ve hung your costume up or thrown it away depending on the damage and are now not only preparing for Thanksgiving but also Black Friday. Let me get one thing straight, I am looking forward to Thanksgiving for only one reason this year, to see my grandparents. Of course hanging with my sister and parents is cool but my brother won’t be there (lame) and rumor has it that we’ll be dining at the “Towers” in Laguna Woods, formerly known as Leisure World. Last year I was in the air and missed the turkey all together and well this year, who knows. Man, I didn’t even talk about Black Friday (of which I take no part in) but more on that later in the month. Alas, let’s get back on point and discuss this weeks events.
Monday, November 2nd
@ 630pm
- Continuing on from last weeks event at Bordlerlands the kind people there are again bringing in a large number of authors from the World Fantasy Convention. Seriously, if fantasy is your thing, you should be here. It doesn’t really float my boat, but maybe just maybe it will do it for you. I suggest you visit the Borderlands site to get a better idea of exactly who will be there (sorry, I’m being lazy).
Tuesday, November 3rd
@ 8pm
- Eric Schlosser, author, will be in discussion with Roy Eisenhardt as part of the City Arts and Lectures series at Herbst Theater. You may not know Mr. Schlosser by name but I am willing to bet you have heard of one of his books including Fast Food Nation in which he looks at the fast food industry and Reefer Madness which examines weed, migrant labor and pornography in the US. How Mr. Eisenhardt, a former lawyer, president of the Oakland A’s and Executive of Ca. Academy of Science, factors into the conversation I’m not sure but I think it could get lively.
Wednesday, November 4th
@ 8pm
- Wendell Berry, writer and poet, will be in conversation with Michael Pollan (yes, the guy who wrote Omnivore’s Dilemma) as part of the City Arts and Lectures series at Herbst Theater. I don’t know how many times I have to say this but I am not realy a fan of Mr. Pollan. But, I’m sure what he has to say and discuss with Mr. Berry will be entertaining and interesting. Mr. Berry has written over 40 books of fiction, poetry and essays so it is far to say that this man knows what he’s talking about.
Wednesday, November 4th
@ 630pm
- Michael Chabon, author, will be signing and discussing his latest book Manhood for Amateurs at the Belmont Public Library in Belmont. Being a pretty big fan of Mr. Chabon I would highly recommend you pick up some of his books if you have not read him before. The Yiddish Policmen’s Union and Gentleman of the Road were both very entertaining but The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay is by far his greatest work to date and put simply its awesome! The new book is actually a series of essays showing reflections of the way we live. Mr. Chabon will also be at Rakestraw Books in Danville on Friday, November 6th at 7pm.
Thursday, Novemeber 5th
@ 6pm
- Alicia Silverstone, actress and author will be signing her book at the Marin JCC courtesy of Book Passage in San Francisco. Seriously, I am not writing down the name of her book. I can’t bring myself to. The only reason I would go is to see her not the book. I mean, she’s no Natalie Portman is she? If Natalie were to put her name on this book I would be ranting and raving (I think). Yes, it’s biased, but that’s what you get.
Thursday, Novemeber 5th
@ 8pm
- Jonathan Safran Foer, author, will be signing copies and discussing his latest book, Eating Animals, at the JCC in San Francisco. You gotta buy tickets for this one here. I though learned about this event from one of the best bookstores in town that I rarely reference, Green Apple Books. Mr. Foer won me over with his first book Everything is Illuminated and I think i’m not the only one. His second novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was also very well received although I haven’t read it. Unlike his other novels though, this piece of work is actually non-fiction and from what I understand emphasizes why people shouldn’t be eating animals. Oprah liked it (like that matters to me) but Natalie Portman was actually convinced enough to go vegan after reading it. I mean, now that’s some serious pull. Not only that but in the little blurb I read about what Ms. Portman says, she bashes Michael Pollan, how awesome is that? If I didn’t have class on Thursdays, this one would be an attractive event for me to go to. Mr. Foer will also be at Book Passage in Corte Madera on Friday, November 6th at 1pm.
Friday, November 6th
@ 7pm
- John Irving, author, will be signing and talking about his latest book Last Night in Twisted River at Book Passage in Corte Madera. I remember when I was first introduced to Mr. Irving back in high school or middle school when we read A Prayer for Owen Meany and ever since then I’ve had a profound respect for him. Admittedly the only other book of his I’ve read is Cider House Rules but Owen Meany really did it for me. I don’t know much about this latest but apparently it’s another great story by a great author. Unfortunately the event is $20 which always puts a damper on things but it could be worth your while if you’re a fan.
Saturday, November 7th
@ 8pm
- John Hodgman, not really an author but worth noting here, will be appearing and talking to Merlin Mann at the Herbst Theater as part of the a href=”http://www.cityarts.net/n.berry.html”>City Arts and Lectures series. You all know Hodgman, this much I am sure of, whether it be from the Daily Show or his role as “PC” in those Apple commercials and you also know he is a funny man. Joining him in conversation will be Mr. Mann who is the creator of the website 43folders which urges people to strive for their creative best (or at least that whats I think it is). Another good event.
Wow, three events put on by City Arts this week, kudos to them.
