Valet Reader

I think the very first thing I need to mention here is that my blog is now, officially, over a year old. How about that? Who would have thought I would have had the tenacity to keep on carrying on and see this little project of mine out. Here’s hoping that there is at least another year to come.

Of course, during that time there were some little breaks, like the most recent three week one but hey, everyone needs a little vacation now and then right?

Unfortunately or possibly fortunately, I will not be blogging about my most recent trip to Panama and Costa Rica. I could provide you with an explanation but I’m opting not to, since I can.

So, right now I’m in San Diego and anxiously awaiting my morning flight back to San Francisco. Let’s see, I’m ready to sleep in my own bed, shower in my own shower, nap on my own couch, see my friends, tie up loose ends and open up some new ones.

As for the book reviews, the will resume shortly. I can’t tell you when, per se, because that would just put unneeded pressure on me, but they will return shortly I promise. I’m ready to get back into the swing of things.

Enough with the chit chat/banter, here’s what’s going on this week.

Monday, June 28th
@ 7pm
- Celebrate the 75th anniversary of Penguin Books hosted by author and professor at UC Berkeley, Michael Pollan at Books, Inc. in Berkeley. I’m not really sure what’s going to be going on at the event but it’d be worth checking out if your in the neighborhood. Penguin publishes good books so I imagine some fun things will be happening.

Tuesday, June 29th
@ 645pm
- David Bickel, author, will be at Books, Inc. in Palo Alto (I know, it’s kind of far) signing copies of his book Creepiosity: A Hilarious Guide to the Unintentionally Creepy. So, the cover of this book kind of makes me throw up in my own mouth but I guess that’s most likely the idea of the whole book right?

Creepiosity by David Bickel

Wednesday, June 30th
@ 7pm
- Scott Sigler, author, will be at Borders on Post Street discussing his book Infected. It’s pretty rare that advocate a sci-fi signing but I figured it was about time that I mentioned another one. Although this one seems a bit one the wild side, you know aliens infections and the CIA, it sounds like it could be a pretty entertaining and fun read. Oh, I also think it’s meant to be kind of scary which I like.

Ok, I think something is wrong. How is it that there are only two book events (the first event mentioned doesn’t count) that caught my eye this week? I don’t get it. Is it a Summer thing, are all the authors on vacation? I mean, I’m cool with that, I just took a vacation, but still… I’m a little surprised. Look for possible updates during the week.

Two visits to LA in one month, how about that?

I think I’ve been giving Los Angeles a bad rap, I’ll admit it. I actually had a pretty good time on two visits there. I mean, I have family, puppies, friends, good food, good drinks, and all sorts of other goodies there. Could I move there? Well… that’s still very much debatable, but for the time being I will try my best to be more friendly to the city of angels. (It also doesn’t hurt that the Dodgers are playing like crap right now which puts a smile on my face.)

Tuesday, June 29th
@ 7pm
- Scott Sigler, author, will be at Book Soup discussing his book Infected. It’s pretty rare that advocate a sci-fi signing but I figured it was about time that I mentioned another one. Although this one seems a bit one the wild side, you know aliens infections and the CIA, it sounds like it could be a pretty entertaining and fun read. Oh, I also think it’s meant to be kind of scary which I like.

Don’t worry, I’m still fishing for other events but I’m not sure there’s much else for you.

Looks like Friday is the day Los Angelinos. Oddly enough it´s also the day I return to the states and to LA. Although I´ll only be there for a day or two I´ll make the most of it, if I can.

Here ya are.

Friday, June 25th
@ 7pm
- Tarquin Hall, author, will be at Vroman’s talking about and signing copies of his book The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing.

Friday, June 25th
@ TBD
- Theresa Gonsalves, author, will be at Make a Better World Foundation talking about her book Obsessions: The Shocking True Story of the Real Billie Jean in Michael Jackson’s Life.

Ah, to be in Costa Rica. Of course, once again I´m not exactly feeling compelled to indulge you and write out some sort of witty remarks about the events happening below. So, for that I apologize. I did however take the time to do a little bit of research to see if there were any other events that should be added to this weeks list but decided in the end to leave it as it is.

So, here you have it.

Thursday, June 24th
@ 730pm
- Kate Walbert, will sign copies of her book A Short History of Women at the Booksmith on Haight.

Saturday, June 26th
@ 11am
- Michael Esslinger, author, will be on Alcatraz Island at the museum there slinging his book Alcatraz: A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years.

I know, this is a very very week post. Before I left for my trip this is all I could find that was going on and this is now all I’ve got for you. I’m a bit too lazy to sit at the internet for extended periods of time while traveling. But, for what it’s worth I am reading Ellis’ classic Less Than Zero right now.

Wednesday, June 16th
@ 8pm
- Bret Easton Ellis, author, will be at Largo at the Coronet discussing his book Imperial Bedrooms. If you’re a fan of American Psycho or Less Than Zero, you should already know about this event, but in case you didn’t, now you do. Oh, you should also know that you will have to pay for this event but including in the price are readings by James Van Der Beek, Joel McHale, Jerry Stahl and Joseph Mattson. Very impressive line-up if you ask me.

Yep, still keeping it pretty simple. I promise when I return things will return to normal…

Tuesday, June 15th
@ 730pm
- Sam Barry, author, will once again be at the Booksmith on Haight signing copies of his book How To Play the Harmonica: and Other Life Lessons.

Wednesday, June 16th
@ 730pm
- Piper Kerman, author, will be at the Booksmith on Haight signing copies of her book Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison.

@ 3pm
- Jennifer Egan, author, will discuss and sign copies of her book A Visit from the Goon Squad at Diesel in Oakland.

Ok, typically I like to provide you with detail regarding every book event that´s happening. Fortunately for me and unfortunately for you I am in Panama right now (although I´m sick) so this weeks events post is lack a little bit.

Tuesday, June 8th
@ 7pm
- Heather Poole, Kellen Zale, Landon Spencer and Shauna Sweeney, writers, will all be at Vroman’s discussing their book Best Women’s Travel Writing 2010.

Tuesday, June 8th
@ 7pm
- Sharon Oreck, author, will be at Booksoup signing copies of her (mouthfull of a book) Video Slut: How I Shoved Madonna Off an Olympic High Dive, Got Prince into a Pair of Tiny Purple Woolen Underpants, Ran Away from Michael Jackson’s Dad, … So I Could Bring Rock Videos to the Masses.

Friday, June 11th
@ 12pm & again at 7pm
- Michael Grant, author, who wrote the Gone series will be at Vroman’s discussing and signing copies of his books including Hunger, the latest in the series.

Saturday, June 12th
@ 5pm
- Ron Arons, author, will be at the Marriott Hotel on Hollywood Way in Burbank discussing his book The Jews of Sing Sing.

Sunday, June 13th
@ 7pm
- Jillian Lauren, author, will be signing copies of her book Some Girls: My Life in a Harem at Good Luck Bar on Hillhurst Ave. in LA.

Ok, typically I like to provide you with detail regarding every book event that´s happening. Fortunately for me and unfortunately for you I am in Panama right now (although I´m sick) so this weeks events post is lack a little bit.

Tuesday, June 8th
@ 730pm
- Joshua Braff, author, presents his book Peep Show and will be signing copies and discussing the book at the Booksmith in the Haight. So, I just saw a copy of this book in a bookstore the other day and I’ll admit I was a little thrown off by the title. I took a look at it and was actually a bit disappointed when it didn’t sound to be as juicy as the title lead me to believe. However, it did/does still sound like a pretty good read. After all,

Thursday, June 10th
@ 6pm
- Gene Luen Yang, author, will be at Giant Robot SF on Shrader Street signing copies of his book American Born Chinese.

Thursday, June 10th
@ 730pm
- Linda Greenlaw, author, will be at Books, Inc. (Chestnut) talking about and signing copies of her book Slipknot. Yep, when I first saw the title of this book, Slipknot I had a wee chuckle because I thought this here was a book about the metal band and not

Saturday, June 12th
@ 11am
- Michael Esslinger, author, will be on Alcatraz Island at the museum there talking about his book Alcatraz: A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years. Wow, it looks like Alcatraz is turning into a regular stop for authors… so long as your book is about Alcatraz. First, Jonathon Eig and now Michael Esslinger, two soon to be household names. Honestly, I have very little appeal in going to alcatraz to see an author. Is it a tourist gimmick? It must be right?

Saturday, June 12th
@ 12pm & 730pm
- Lev Grossman, author, will be at Rakestraw Books in Danville at 12pm and at The Make-Out Room in San Francisco at 730pm discussing and signing copies of his book The Magicians. You may recall that back in January of this year I reviewed this book and found it to be somewhat “raunchy.” Perhaps I was looking too far into the writing but that’s how it came across to me. But, I did still enjoy it and urge you to go hear Mr. Grossman talk.