A Press Democrat Blog

Book People

The local book scene according to Sara Peyton

What We’re Reading (as of Oct. 19)

Sunday, at 9:45 by

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: A Novel, by Stieg Larsson. A journalist and his punk prodigy investigate the disappearance of a woman forty years ago. Olive Kitteridge: Stories, by Elizabeth Strout. Powerful linked stories about grief and connectedness in a town on the Maine coast. The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel, by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows. A novel in letters describing life on the Channel Islands during German occupation. Say You’re One of… Read More »

What We’re Reading

Saturday, at 11:55 by

What we’re reading according to the folks at Copperfield’s books. There appears to be a lot of you who want to read Julie & Julia before seeing the movie! The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: A Novel, by Stieg Larsson. A journalist and his punk prodigy investigate the disappearance of a woman forty years ago. The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel, by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows. A novel in letters describing life on the… Read More »

Book Festival Schedule Announced

Saturday, at 10:35 by

The Tenth Annual Sonoma County Book Festival, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 in Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. The theme of this year’s Festival is “Bounty of the County – Local and Sustainable Literary Arts.” As always, the Festival is free and has attractions for all ages. In the Forum Room of the main branch of the Sonoma County Library, there will be readings and panels. Gaye LeBaron will host a panel on Sonoma County history. Another… Read More »

Chris Baty, Founder of National Novel Writing Month, in Petaluma on Aug. 20

Saturday, at 10:11 by

Marlene Cullen, a cheerleader for writers, a writing workshop leader, published author and founder of Writers Forum of Petaluma, sent along this information about Chris Baty’s upcoming appearance in Petaluma. Want to write a novel but don’t know where to start? Chris Baty has the answer with National Novel Writing Month, a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. The goal is to write a 50,000-word novel in a month. It doesn’t have to make sense, can have character flaws and… Read More »

What We’re Reading

Saturday, at 9:52 by

Looking for something to read on the beach or take on your next trip? Check out these popular reads according to Copperfield’s Books. “The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel,” by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows. A novel in letters describing life on the Channel Islands during German occupation. “The Elegance of the Hedgehog: A Novel,” by Muriel Barbery. A Parisian apartment building is the setting for ruminations on beauty and life by the 54-year-old woman… Read More »

What We’re Reading

Tuesday, at 8:41 by

Here are last week’s local bestsellers according to Copperfield’s Books: The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel, by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows. A novel in letters describing life on the Channel Islands during German occupation. The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel, by Garth Stein. Dog gleans wisdom from the topsy-turvy life of his race car-driving master. New Moon: A Novel, by Stephenie Meyer. Book Two in the Twilight series. Olive Kitteridge: Stories,… Read More »

Sonoma County Book Festival Benefit

Saturday, at 2:02 by

Celebrate Jonah Raskin’s most recent book, Field Days: A Year of Farming, Eating, and Drinking Wine in California,” at an Aug. 1 benefit for the Sonoma County Book Festival. The year’s event takes place at Windrush Farm in Petaluma. Not only will Raskin read from his part memoir, part travel guide to gardening, eating, and sipping in Sonoma County, but the afternoon event includes culinary as well as literary pleasures. Brick over pizza will be served along with a variety… Read More »

Growing More Beatiful: An Artful Approach to Personal Style

Saturday, at 1:12 by

Susan Bono, the Petaluma publisher of Tiny Lights: A Journal of Personal Narative,  recently edited a new book about personal sytle, Growing More Beautiful: An Artful Approach to Personal Style. The new book by Sonoma County’s Jennifer Robin, also a painter, fashion consultant, and author of  Clothe Your Spirit: Dressing for Self-expression, is aimed at women who feel abandoned by the beauty and fashion industry, Bono told me. “The idea of being a “before” in need of a make-over is… Read More »

Q&A with Lilla Weinberger, co-owner of Sonomas Readers’ Books

Sunday, at 2:31 by

An independent bookstore helps to define and inform the unique culture of a small town. And in Sonoma, folks rely of Readers’ Books to help them choose what to read. Recently I asked co-owner Lilla Weinberger about how she chooses the books she carries in her store. And here’s what she emailed me: “We carry around 17,000 titles, although given the current economy our inventory is necessarily less robust than usual. The process of selection is what defines each bookstore… Read More »

Q&A with Ty Wilson, Book Buyer for Copperfield’s Books

Sunday, at 2:15 by

Ever wonder about who chooses the new books lining the shelves of your local bookstore? Recently I asked Ty Wilson, adult frontlist buyer for Copperfield’s Books, about the books he purchases for the local chain and why. Wilson started out in the book biz as a clerk with Tower Books in 1984. He moved on to book buyer and purchased books for stores for nine years. He’s been with Copperfield’s since 2003. SP: About how many titles do you carry… Read More »