Insiders' Guide to San Diego, 6th (Insiders' Guide Series) Review

Insiders' Guide to San Diego, 6th (Insiders' Guide Series)
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I am finding this a great reference for all kinds of things you would want to know in getting to know the area. Seasonal/regional Festivals, snapshots of the flavor of each town are especially helpful and tons of things to do and to see are listed here. Lots of written info. Not many photos or illustrations, which I wish were there as they are so helpful -- but I have found another book to fill in this way that is good at this (but shorter on info). I would recommend it for anyone new to the area or thinking of moving there.

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Insiders' Guide to San Diego is the quintessential and comprehensive source for travel and relocation information about this sprawling, spectacular Southern California city.

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Secret Daughter: A Novel Review

Secret Daughter: A Novel
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This beautifully written book, Secret Daughter: A Novel, is one that will linger in my thoughts for a long time. It's a poignant story about family -- just who is "family" and what it means to be a part of one. It's also a brilliantly written testimony to mothers everywhere, for "if the mother falls, the whole family falls."
Asha (Hope) was secretly named Usha (Dawn) by her birth mother, Kavita, and is adopted from an Indian orphanage by a married American couple when she is just a year old. Kavita, already grieving the infanticide of a previous daughter in a society that prefers male infants, had made the long journey to Shanti to deliver her 3-day-old child there for safety so that her husband and his family would not also destroy this second unwanted female child. She left her daughter with only a thin silver bracelet and a wish that Asha be allowed to live, grow up, and perhaps have a better life.
Somer and Krishnan Thakkar, both doctors -- she's a pediatrician and he's a neurosurgeon -- have been unable to have a child. He is Indian and came to America to attend medical school and stayed for a better life. She married him without fully appreciating the Indian heritage and his connection to the land of his birth and to the family and traditions he left behind there. When they adopt Asha and bring her back to America to raise, little do they realize that their new beloved daughter will one day defy her parents and seek to restore their connection to their Indian relatives despite the fact that she may hurt them when she begins to trace her birth parents to find out who she is and why they gave her up for adoption.
The story moves forward in time from 1984 to 2009, and is told from the viewpoints of the three main females of the story - Somer, Kavita, and Asha. All are women who have a very strong feeling about motherhood -- and about their own mothers. In addition, each woman sees a different India and comes to appreciate the country in different ways even as they realize that "Mother India does not love all her children equally."
The story of each woman's journey to epiphany and self-realization is very moving and satisfying. I highly recommend this book.

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The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test Review

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
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I've savored just about every word this man's ever written. I still vividly recall him at a lecture he gave in Berkley in 1972 standing at the lectern in his white Gatsby suit, starched pink shirt and nattily knotted tie. I can't recall the ostensible topic. He covered so much ground and had such a wealth of ideas and insights that the topic was irrelevent anyway. He's always been our keenest observer of American culture, on subjects ranging from hippies, art snobs, wall street, the space race, to the Southern nouveau-riches.
In terms of unadulterated reading enjoyment, however, this book is still my favorite. He captures the era perfectly. This was the period in the mid-sixties when the hippie philosophy and lifestyle was still genuine, before it had become commercially exploited by the mass media, before Manson and Altamont and the seeds of evil. It was an uncorrupted, pure, joyous movement and moment. Owsley was the bay area chemist who produced hits of Sandoz-quality acid that sent the children out dancing blissfully through the night and into the purple dawn. It truly looked like a brave new world. If you are young and can't undertand why former hippies wax nostalgic about it, it's primarily (at least to me) because that tiny era of innocence can never be recreated.
If ever there were a work of either fiction or non fiction that captured the essence, freedom, and expectation of a marvelous era, this is it!
One of the great non fiction works of the 20th century!
BEK

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Twenty Centavos: A Mystery Set in San Miguel de Allende Review

Twenty Centavos: A Mystery Set in San Miguel de Allende
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John Scherber's new novel "Twenty Centavos" is recommended for readers of smart, literate mysteries, as well as those interested in San Miguel de Allende. Who knew such intrigue lurked behind the high walls of the sleepy little Mexican town?
"Twenty Centavos" starts with the murder of an art gallery owner in San Miguel. A painter, Paul Zacher, is recruited to investigate, the assumption being that his unique point of view, his painter's eye, hones in on clues often missed by veteran detectives. His search propels us into the exclusive world of art collectors and dealers. With his beautiful lover Maya Sanchez and his sidekick Cody Williams, a retired gringo detective, Zacher follows a picaresque trail that starts in San Miguel and winds through Pozos, an abandoned mining town, on to archeological digs in Yucatan, even to exotic Minneapolis, Minnesota before returning him home to put together the puzzle's pieces.
"Twenty Centavos" is the first of a series of San Miguel Mysteries planned by John Scherber, starring the redoubtable Paul Zacher. Like Chandler's Los Angeles, Lehane's Boston, and Block's Manhattan, San Miguel is a canny choice of setting. It's a quiet little colonial town in the Bajio mountains if central Mexico, legendary as a mecca for artists and writers. And according to Scherber, its reputation for tranquility barely hides the multitude of extravagances (and sins) found just below the surface. He understands the allure of those cobblestoned streets and high walls and uses it to real advantage.
Paul Zacher is a compelling protagonist as well. He's an expat, an American who has adopted San Miguel as his home. Zacher is not hardboiled in the traditional tough-guy sense, but has a soulful and erudite voice, and is sometimes given to artistic temperament, as when he's annoyed to be pressed into crime-solving at the expense of time for his painting. His insights and curiosity lend an air of authenticity, spicing up the book with factoids of Mexican history, and ruminations on the creative process.
Novelist John Scherber knows whereof he speaks. He's based his hero on aspects of his own background: Scherber has been a portrait painter, a landscape painter, a house restorer, a cabinet-maker, even a stockbroker, and so he knows the value a trained eye. An expat himself, he now lives full-time in San Miguel.
Of course, the measure of a series is whether you'll return to it. In the author's introduction, Scherber tells us that a total of eight San Miguel Mysteries are finished or in the works. Will we want more of the adventures of Zacher and his cohorts? I'd bet yes. In "Twenty Centavos," Scherber's joy in rendering Zacher's adventures is infectious. The storyline is unpredictable, the dialogue snappy and believable, the action relentless.
And, in the end, who can resist returning to the sunny climes and warm embrace of San Miguel de Allende?

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The Necromancer (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel) Review

The Necromancer (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)
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**Spoilers ahead** and - this review won't mean much if you haven't read the others to know who the characters are that I am talking about...
Surprises galore! This was filled with so many wonderful surprises about places, times and characters. We get so much more information about all the characters and the Elders. The dialogue between the characters was wonderful- as always. The plot was fast paced and kept me sitting on the edge of my seat to see what was going to happen next. Mr. Scott tells excellent stories and knows how to weave clues into the smallest things. And there is so much mythology to embrace here - the real historical figures pulled in make this book - and series - a real treat!
It wasn't what I expected. Not that I mean that in a bad way. I did expect to see more necromancy - or really at least some - but unless I misunderstood, Josh calling Coatlique wasn't really necromancy. So, not seeing too much necromancy was kind of a shock. I would have liked to see more. I also would have liked to see a little more detail on some of the Elders who have now been identified. In the past, we have been given a little information about the mythology behind the Elders - here it at times felt like mere name dropping.
It was a great pace - I couldn't put the book down because it just kept moving us forward. It was great. I hit about chapter 25 (I think) and said "wow" to myself at the end of every chapter after that. I was shocked and amazed (happily, most of the time) at every thing that was happening. I loved the romance behind Germain going after Joan and it seemed a theme (Machiavelli seeming to waiver - and talking about his wife), Perry and Nicholas, Virginia and Dee (in it's own sick and twisted way)...
I admit to being more confused then ever with respect to Flamel's intention. Although it was telling towards the end when Dee told Josh that he never lied to him only Flamel lied to Josh - but we know for a fact (as seen right before that) that Dee did lie to Josh. It would have been cool to see the "reveal" of the identity of THE necromancer a little earlier, since I almost felt like the title was a little off since that was so far into the book. And darn it, Aunt Agnes... Is she really important? Or not. That's bugging me (but it's ok - there are more books to come, I know!) It was interesting to see the word "guardian" used to describe her - when I read the sentence where it says "Some guardian she'd turned out to be!" I myself wondered if there is more to the term "guardian" then just the whole in loco parentis thing and so I can't wait for the next 2 books to see what's up with her!
Also, the whole time travel thing - making my brain hurt. I don't do well with books that time travel. So I am a little nervous about the next ones. I am scared that I will get lost and not be able to have the finish of the series make sense to me. Darkness, creepiness, romance... You name it - if I am intrigued I will stick it out. Time travel, however, no so much. I am really worried that I will not really understand what I am reading if the time travel stuff gets too much heavier or too much more detailed. I just hope I am panicking about nothing and that it won't be too... Well... To complicated.
I mean it literally when I said I squealed with delight at the reveal of Musashi. He really is an awesome historical character to have brought in. I love that I am a little confused as to Quetzalcoatl and his role in things to come. And I loved the chat about his plumage! The discussions about the swords added to the story - and it seems like there is more to come - but I got just enough of a taste of them that I am eager for what ever is next. Aoife as a character - was a great addition. There was enough there to make me really like her (regardless of her neutrality) that when she died (if she is really dead) I was totally bummed. But at the same time, I love it when authors have the guts to kill off an important character. There were enough battle scenes to keep things moving. Prometheus is an awesome addition to the character list too - and Josh's learning of fire is probably now my favorite of the magic learning scenes. I like the addition of the latin/south American mythologies. And the flash backs where we learn so much more about the Witch were great. Now, I just need to figure out where they are all going to lead.
The link between Mars and Josh (and the few times that we are told that a person always has some ties to the Elder who awakened him/her was interesting - makes me wonder if without the whole mummy wrapping, what exactly the tie between Sophie and the Witch would be - would it really be any less, since Mars was able to control Josh and he didn't do anything quite as drastic?) has me thinking - and wondering. Since I personally am not attributing the fact that Mars gave Josh the "gift" he gave as being what made Mars able to control Josh - I think they are different. And, I am left, especially after reading the first chapter of the Warlock - wondering what side Mars is really on. The Witch too.
I thought it was much more fun and exciting then the previous installments and I loved them.
It was AWESOME!!

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John Steuart Curry: Inventing the Middle West Review

John Steuart Curry: Inventing the Middle West
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At last, John Curry has a book in print worthy of his art. Ms. Junker has suceeded in paying a noble yet sadly overdue tribute to this unique and often neglected artist. Curry's paintings capture the emotion and natural force of American scenes in a way that was very much his own. Works like "Tornado over Kansas" and the scene of John Brown in "A Tragic Prelude" embody some of the greatest expressions of conflict to be found in American art.

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Gig Posters Volume I Review

Gig Posters Volume I
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Short review:
1) This is an excellent 1st Edition.
2) The author included hard to find and relevant examples that are definitive of the genre
3) Wide breadth of artists, designers, bands, styles, etc. represented
4) The number one reason this is a 5 Star book is that the production values are magnificent, the paper stock is heavy, the prints are beautiful, the typos are nil (I haven't found any), registration is on-key, color is great, binding is durable, jacket is great. This is a value in today's cut and paste culture of mass media. This book presents the content in way that makes you want to open it again and again. This book belongs on top of your coffee table.

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Beach Reading Review

Beach Reading
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It should be a busy weekend for Tim Snow, a 20-something waiter at a restaurant in the Castro. Not only are gay visitors pouring into San Francisco for a massive party celebrating the birthday of disco legend Sylvester, but the weekend will also see protests and counterprotests as a infamous evangelist holds a "prayer vigil" against gay rights. In a newspaper photo that accompanied an article about the religious rally, Tim was surprised to recognize, among his supporters, a former high school teacher who was also Tim's first male lover. Before the weekend is over, Tim will also learn he was part of a plan to ruin the preacher's rally.
With this book, Abramson kicks off a series of gay titles that aim to combine two genres: mystery and romance novels. This first fluffy piece (no doubt the reason it was named "Beach Reading") is a bit shorter than I would have liked to see (Actually, it's only 183 pages, not counting a preview of his next book.) and perhaps a bit predictable, but otherwise well-written. With a shortage of good gay mystery novels coming out lately, I'm definitely interested in seeing his follow-up books in the series. I give this four mirrored stars out of five.

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Gay tourists are arriving in San Francisco by the planeload for the party of the decade at the Moscone Center, a tribute to a late disco star. On the same night as the dance festival, a infamous evangelist plans to bring his nationwide crusade against gay rights to the Civic Auditorium a few blocks away. Tim Snow finds himself caught in the middle when his activist friends plan a protest. For Tim, the fun and the intrigue are about to begin.
Beach Reading , a San Francisco Chronicle best-seller, is equal parts mystery and romantic comedy set in romantic San Francisco with a taste for adventure, a touch of magic.

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I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla: Raising Healthy Black and Biracial Children in a Race-Conscious World Review

I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla: Raising Healthy Black and Biracial Children in a Race-Conscious World
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The book covers a lot of ground. But as a father of a biracial son the most relevant parts for me dealt with light-skinned and biracial children. An important theme of the book is "Don't racialize childhood": Young children should be shielded from our adult racial baggage for as long as possible. Wright believes that early teaching about race and racism tends to result in black children feeling needlessly powerless and confused about their place in this world.
Wright encourages parents to raise older children in such a manner as to teach that integration and educational success are fully consistent with "being authentically black." On this important issue, she encourages parents to become aware and resist notions of black identity that rest on longstanding white racist stereotypes that have been internalized by many African Americans. For example, successful blacks (particularly successful black men) are often derided as "oreos" or "sell-outs."
Sometimes Wright seems to downplay the degree to which residual white supremacy continues to constrict the lives of black children. For example, regarding the classic issue of black "self hatred," she argues that it is rare for young black children to be ashamed of themselves or their race unless they have been abused or explicitly taught racist attitudes by caregivers. On this point, her position differs somewhat from social psychological research that argues that black kids identify with whites because whites simply have more power, wealth, and social status in American society. Yet, I believe Wright is correct when she encourages parents not to get too bent out of shape if their child goes through a stage in which he or she insists that he or she is white. As she shows in her excerpts from interviews with preschoolers, young children might use racial language, but they do not have an adult understanding of race. For example, preschoolers do not know about the one-drop rule, and it is typical for light-skinned children to believe for a time that they are white, as they are aware that their skin tone is similar to that of whites. This does not mean they hate blacks or think they are better than darker blacks. Wright explains that many black parents needlessly feel rejected when light-skinned children assert that they are white-this is usually a developmental stage, not a political or emotional rejection of blackness.
The author feels that parents and other caregivers can buffer most of the negative effects of white racism during the important early years. However, she argues (correctly, in my opinion) that poorly funded inner city public schools threaten to undo much of parents' best effort to prepare black children to compete in the larger society. Hence, she makes a compelling argument for school choice/vouchers and encourages parents to be ever vigilant in the education of their children.
Wright shows her integrity when she boldly speaks out against injustice within the black community. For example, she denounces the cynicism of African American special interest groups (e.g., NAACP) who seek to use the racist and oppressive "one-drop rule" to suppress biracial or multiracial identity.(It is simply wrong for mixed children to be expected to "closet" any part of their family heritage!)
Noting the increasing nihilism among black youth, Wright warns that parents and teachers need to teach and model the Golden Rule, something she believes that many in the black community have drifted away from. And she does not shy away from identifying a series of behavioral issues that undermine the health of black children, such as hurtful color biases within the black community (including overt favoritism of females with "good" hair), high rates of teenage and single parentage, a tendency to mistake dehumanizing forms of physical and emotional abuse for "discipline," and overly permissive attitudes regarding exposure to high doses of commercial TV and misogynistic and brutal music lyrics (i.e., Gansta rap).
All in all, this is a well-written and balanced book written by a committed mother and psychologist.

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North Bay Trails: Outdoor Adventures in Marin, Napa, and Sonoma Counties Review

North Bay Trails: Outdoor Adventures in Marin, Napa, and Sonoma Counties
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I found North Bay Trails and the author's previous work, East Bay Trails, to be excellent. It provides great direction and is written from a hiker's perspective without confusing and unclear information that haunts so many guidebooks. The maps are always accurate and as fine as a bound format allows while the excellent photos help us choose where to go. The historical background is fascinating and the information on wildlife and flora keep me and my child going from discovery to discovery along the trail. This book has guided us to wonderful places we would not have thought or known to hike rather than take us to the often hiked Mt. Tam and Pt. Reyes areas (although his picks in these areas are jewels). This is a must-have if you want to hike the glorious North Bay - now, if Weintraub could just pack our lunch...

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North Bay Trails is the most complete and up-to-date trail guide for Marin, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. While the route descriptions pertain to hikers most of all, other outdoor enthusiasts-fitness walkers, joggers, equestrians, and bicyclists-will also find them useful. This is the only substantial guide to trails in the North Bay parklands, including the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Samuel Taylor state park, and the natural areas of the Sonoma and Napa valleys. The book contains something for everyone, from families with children to experienced hikers. Each route description begins with a snapshot of the hike: distance, time, difficulty rating, and highlights. The route descriptions are clear, easy to follow, and contain information about native plants, animals, and history.

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