After another fantastic weekend here in San Francisco that did not involve Outside Lands or any of the Padres games I guess I am ready for a new week to start. I mean, I’d rather it remain the weekend but being unemployed the week isn’t all that much different. Actually, that’s not true, it’s a whole lot different but that’s more or less irrelevant.

And with the week comes… book events, sometimes. It looks like there really isn’t a whole lot going on in San Francisco this week. What gives?

Tuesday, August 17th & Wednesday, August 18th
@ 7pm & 12pm
- M.G. Martin, poetry master and local San Franciscan (although he’s really from Hawaii and purportedly eats spam), will be at the Space Gallery on Polk signing copies, reading and most likely performing to help release his One For None, his first published collection of poetry. Helping him out at the event with be a collection of local musicians, writers, poets and comedians including Charlie Getter, Alia Volz, Janine Brito, Jess Silva & Andrew Paul Nelson otherwise. At this point you’ve probably noticed that I’m not exactly a big poetry reader but that’s not to say that I don’t respect and admire collections of poetry. Hell, I gave graphic novels a chance and love them now so whose to say that M.G. Martin’s work won’t make me a lover of poetry. That said, it must mean something important when I do promote poetry right? M.G. seems like the kind of dude you’d want to hang out with, just check out the video below, not only does he write but he’s a performer too! Oh, and how could I forget, it doesn’t end there. Mr. Martin is also the co-producer and co-host of SF’s Literary Death Match. This guy does it all, get there, see him and meet him before he blow ups on the scene.

Sometimes my priorities get mixed up and for that reason I’ve neglected you Los Angelinos until now. My apologies.

Monday, August 9th and Tuesday, August 10th
@ 7pm & 730pm
- Gary Shteyngart, author, will be at Vromans on Monday and at Book Soup on Tuesday discussing and signing copies of his book Super Sad True Love Story. I knew I recognized Shteyngart’s name from somewhere and only until I did a search from him did I discover that he is also the author of Absurdistan. Although I haven’t read it yet, I’ve been meaning to. As for Super Sad True Love Story I saw it at a bookstore the other day I must say it does look to be pretty entertaining.

Wednesday, August 11th
@ 7pm
- Mary Roach, author, will be at Vromans talking about her latest and greatest book Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. Roach, who has written several other books including Stiff, this time tackles space and the strange and interesting methods undertaken to train future astronauts. I was incredibly close to buying this one the other day at the bookshop and undoubtedly will sooner or later. Given her previous work, I am sure this one will be interesting.

Alright, unfortunately I’m not in the mood to write more right now and it looks, as far as I can tell, that this is all that’s going on this week. If anything more pops up on my radar, I’ll be sure to fill you in!

Well, well, well… I actually delivered, imagine that. Last week I re-introduced book reviews to my blog and I’m quite proud of myself. After several months of traveling, unemployment and new ventures and adventures I actually reclaimed what I had vowed to. It’s not that I ever doubted my ability to get back into reviewing books but as you may be able to imagine after a long hiatus it can be difficult to get back into a groove. As with my job search, determination, perseverance and acknowledging my own capabilities has given me the ability to jump back into the reviewing with gusto.

This past week I reviewed Sebastian Junger’s War and Bret Easton Ellis’ Imperial Bedrooms. While I doubt either will be among my top books of the year, it felt good to write reviews again and get them to you for your reading pleasure.

I’ve got a lot more reviews ready and drafter for your reading pleasure. This week I have a special treat of a review which coincides with a movie release this weekend, so be sure to keep an eye out.

And now, without further a do, here are your events for the week.

Monday, August 9th
@ 730pm
- While not exactly a typical author event, The Booksmith presents a community panel discussing The Evolving Landscape of Local Journalism. The guests include Lisa Frazier of The Bay Citizen, Michael Stoll of SF Public Press and Lydia Chavez of Mission Local. This event should be rather interesting as the speakers intend on discussing the sustainability of their models, employment opportunities and their use of new media and traditional media.

Monday, August 9th
@ 700pm
- Doug Dorst, author, will be at Books, Inc., in the marina, signing copies and discussing his latest work Surf Guru. In usual fashion, Dorst, who is also the author of Alive in Necropolis has shifted to traditional fiction. His Surf Guru is a series of stories. I’ve had a quick look at the book and have to say that the stories themselves sound pretty fun and entertaining. http://valetreader.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=3824&action=edit&message=10

Saturday, August 14th
@ 730pm
- M.G. Martin, poetry master and local San Franciscan (although he’s really from Hawaii and purportedly eats spam), will be at Koko Lounge (great spot in the T.L.) signing copies and reading from his recently released One For None, his first published collection of poetry. At this point you’ve probably noticed that I’m not exactly a big poetry reader but that’s not to say that I don’t respect and admire collections of poetry. Hell, I gave graphic novels a chance and love them now so whose to say that M.G. Martin’s work won’t make me a lover of poetry. That said, it must mean something important when I do promote poetry right? M.G. seems like the kind of dude you’d want to hang out with, just check out the video below, not only does he write but he’s a performer too! Oh, and how could I forget, it doesn’t end there. Mr. Martin is also the co-producer and co-host of SF’s Literary Death Match. This guy does it all, get there, see him and meet him before he blow ups on the scene.

Sunday, August 15th
@ 7pm
- Carl Hiaasan, author, will be at Book Passage, in Corte Madera, signing copies of his latest work Star Island. He will also be doing a “drop by signing” at “M” is for Mystery as well. I’ve always been a fan of Mr. Hiaasan’s writing, although recently some of his works haven’t exactly hit home with me. But, I have a feeling that Star Island will be a return to his old form and get me to fall back in line with his writing. This particular book sounds almost like Lindsay Lohan disaster story but far more interesting and entertaining. I don’t doubt that I’ll be reading this one shortly.

First and foremost, as I said last week, book reviews will return to this space as of tomorrow. Yes, now is the time to rejoice. Thank you for your patience.

It’s been tough for me to get back into the reading swing but, of late, it’s been in full effect. I just polished off Cronin’s The Passage and I can honestly say it was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. But more on that when my review surfaces in a few weeks time.

Anyways, here is what’s going down in book related events this week in San Francisco.

Monday, August 2nd
@ 7:30 PM
- Michael Scott Moore, author, will be at The Booksmith discussing and signing his book Sweetness & Blood: How Surfing Spread from Hawaii and California to the Rest of the World, with Some Unexpected Results. A veritable history of surfing with as the book title explains “some unexpected results.” Find out what it’s all about on your own.

Thursday, August 5th & Friday, August 6th
@ 7pm & 7pm
- Gary Shteyngart, author, will be at Books, Inc. in Berkeley (on Thursday) and Book Passage in Corte Madera (on Friday) discussing and signing copies of his book Super Sad True Love Story. I knew I recognized Shteyngart’s name from somewhere and only until I did a search from him did I discover that he is also the author of Absurdistan. Although I haven’t read it yet, I’ve been meaning to. As for Super Sad True Love Story I saw it at a bookstore the other day I must say it does look to be pretty entertaining.

Sunday, August 8th
@ 2pm
- With Discovery Channel’s Shark Week nearly upon us I thought it only right that I inform you that Margaret Kathrein and Jonathan Kathrein will be at Book Passage in Corte Madera discussing their book Far From Shore: A Mother’s Memoir of a Shark Attack. I can’t really say that the book looks or sounds all that exciting but shark attacks always make for entertaining news bits so who’s to say it can’t make for an interesting book. It’d also be pretty hard for me to pimp this book without mentioning this weeks latest internet sea-creature attack meme. The picture below was taken after this poor girl, Koral Wira, was attacked on the arm by a barracuda. Before taking her in and to the hospital her father decided to have a photo shoot with Koral. There are some nasty images of her arm but I’m sparing those and only sharing the only wherein her father is holding the lovely barracuda and Koral is beaming with happiness.

Koral Wira, clearly not smiling for the camera with her father and the barracuda that bit her.

Well, after a visit from my parents this past week it’s back to the grind from me. I’ve decided to mention that my parents were here in my LA post as opposed to my SF post for the obvious reasons, the Southern California connection. Sure they’re not from there but what the hell, it works in my mind at least.

Once again, for those of you that may have missed it, book reviews return this week!!

Monday, August 2nd
@ 7pm
- Jennifer Weiner, author, will be at Vroman’s singing copies of her latest novel Fly Away Home. For those of you like me who recognize this name as the name of a movie you are not mistaken. Yet, I was pleased to discover, once I did some research and found out that the movie was about a father, daughter and a bunch of orphaned geese that the book and movie have nothing in common. Instead of dealing with Geese, Ms. Weiner’s book deals with a family of women who seek refuge in a beach house after it is revealed that their Senator father/husband has had an affair. Yeah, not my kind or reading, but perhaps it is yours.

Well… it looks like Los Angeles is truly preparing themselves for the return of book reviews by offering very little in the way of events (or at least ones that I would consider attending) this week. So with that, hope you’re ready for tomorrow!