San Diego Bookshelf

TWAINFEST TO FOCUS ON MORE LOCAL HISTORY: “WRITE OUT LOUD” SCRIPTS SOUGHT BY MAY 31

 

By Victor Contreros

February 6, 2017 (San Diego) -- Twainfest has become an annual event in Old Town that is very popular and celebrates the literature of the 1800s.   The event has incorporated a number of organizations and individuals to create the celebration of the 1800's with foods, games, displays, re-enactments of historical writers that may be reading their work, and some California history. The popularity of this event has grown through recent years. The efforts have included paid performers and many volunteers.

SCRIPTS SOUGHT TO BRING LOCAL HISTORY TO LIFE AT TWAINFEST

 

By Victor Contreras

February 4, 2017 (San Diego) -- The Descendants of Early San Diego (Formerly known as the Old Town San Diego Descendants Group or Committee), announces that they are soliciting submissions of short monologues for presentation specifically for TwainFest to be held at Old Town San Diego State Park in August annually. 

Audio: 

Download: Victor Contreras - with dramatic reading of Joaquin Murrieta

NOTHING CAN LAST FOREVER

 

Nothing is Predictable, by Adalina Mae (Adalina Mae, Charleston, SC, 2017, 261 pages.)

Book Review by Dennis Moore

February 3, 2017 (San Diego) - Adalina Mae, born in Los Angeles and with roots in Lebanon, has written an intriguing and insightful book about a complex woman named Zara that seems to center around her troubled and now deceased father. She speaks lovingly of her father, but shares intimate details of her childhood and relationship with her father that seems to reflect her current life. She speaks of therapy sessions brought about by early childhood experiences, some of which were quite troubling.

WILL LA MESA BUILD A NEW LIBRARY? AND IF SO, WHERE?

 

East County News Service

January 30, 2017 (La Mesa) – When La Mesa’s old police station was torn down and a new one built on the site of the aging County library that was torn down, a modest new library was built that was intended to be temporary, with a larger, new library proposed to be built on the site of the old police station. But a decade after efforts to build a new library began, the interim library building remains, with no plans yet submitted for a replacement—much to the consternation of library patrons advocating for a more spacious facility to meet modern needs.

READERS & WRITERS CALENDAR: JANUARY 23-FEBRUARY 5, 2017

 

Copyright 2017 by Sam Warren, Editor

January 22, 2017 (San Diego) – Whether you’re looking to find some great reads, meet the authors, or learn how to write the great American novel yourself, you’ll find a wealth of literary happenings in Sam Warren’s Reader’s and Writer’s Calendar. 

"A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER: NARCISSISM IN THE ERA OF DONALD TRUMP" A MUST READ

 

Book review by Joe Gandelman, Editor in Chief, The Moderate Voice

Reprinted with permission from The Moderate Voice, a member of the San Diego Online News Network

January 22, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissim in the Era of Donald Trump was written before the election — but boy is it needed to be read now.

It’s a thoughtful volume comprised of contributions by psychiatrists, doctors, psychologists– and a notable storyteller-author-clinical-psychologist that’ll be read for many years and deserves to be read and studied. Because there is a history of narcissism in world history and politics. And in world history, leaders who fit the definition of having narcissistic personality disorder often don’t often fare well — and their countries may fare worse. One thing they do: they backhand societal and political norms, often get away with it and can change their societies, often little by little, sometimes abruptly — and often legally.

MY GENETIC FAMILY (A CAUTIONARY TALE FOR THE FUTURE)

 

 

Editor’s note:  My Genetic Family is a fictional short story authored by ECM reporter Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson.

By Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson ©

January 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - Allen Smithee opened the sealed envelope, glanced at the directions, and proceeded to swab his inside cheek to provide the first of three DNA samples. At the end of the day he finished the last test, sealed the samples into the return envelope and mailed away for his DNA matches.

JOIN THE MLK DAY READING CHALLENGE

 

East County News Service

January 13, 2017 (San Diego) – Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) invites you to join her in honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day by participating in a Day of Reading Around the Region on Monday, January 16. This is a program championed by the national sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., an organization of educators that I have been a member of for four decades.

THE VOICE OF THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS

 

Richard Posner, by William Domnarski (Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2016, 289 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

January 10, 2017 (San Diego) - Judge Richard Posner is one of the great legal minds of our age, on par with such generation-defining judges as Oliver Wendell Holmes, Learned Hand, and Henry Friendly. A judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the principal champion of the enormously influential law and economics movement, Posner is also an archetypal public intellectual: he writes provocative, best-selling books, receives frequent media attention, and often engages in high-profile policy debates. He is also a member of an increasingly rare breed – judges who write their own opinions rather than delegating the work to clerks. We therefore have unusually direct access to the workings of his mind and his judicial philosophy.

THE BENEVOLENCE OF RAY AND JOAN KROC

 

Ray & Joan: The Man Who Made the McDonald’s Fortune and the Woman Who Gave It All Away, by Lisa Napoli (Dutton, New York, NY, 2016, 353 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

January 3, 2017 (San Diego) - Virtually everyone in the world has had and tasted a McDonald’s hamburger at some time or another. In my case I have actually had thousands, and as a matter of fact, my first job at the age of 19 was preparing burgers and fries at a McDonald’s in Kansas City. Ray & Joan: The Man Who Made the McDonald’s Fortune and the Woman Who Gave It All Away, is an intriguing book about fame and fortune, and how it all began.

TOP 15 LIBRARY CHECKOUTS IN 2016

 

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 3, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego County residents continued to take advantage of the all of free resources available to them from the San Diego County Library system in 2016. From books and e-books to DVDs and a variety of programs for residents of all ages, the SDCL ranked amongst the top library systems in the nation.

READERS & WRITERS CALENDAR: JAN. 3-15, 2017

 

Copyright 2017 by Sam Warren, Editor

Contributor: Laura Roberts, Editor, The Writer’s Life, SDW/EG

January 2, 2017 (San Diego) — This week’s edition includes a newsflash about a popular local bookstore closing its doors, appearances by prominent authors, classes and a local writer’s conference.

TOP AUTHORS TO SPEAK AT SDSU WRITERS’ CONFERENCE JANUARY 20-22

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2016 (San Diego) – Each year, over 300 aspiring writers from around the world attend the San Diego State University Writers’ Conference. This year, the conference will be held January 20th through 22nd at the San Diego Marriott in Mission Valley.   The conference was the first to pioneer one-on-one appointments for writers with editors, agents and other top-tier publishing professionals who can provide direct feedback on your writing.

LOVE IS BLIND

 

Update:   Hear our interview with Amanda Matti, author of A Foreign Affair, (originally aired on KNSJ radio) by clicking the audio link here.

 

A Foreign Affair, by Amanda Matti (W & B Publishers, Kernersville, NC, 2016, 343 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

December 1, 2016 (San Diego) - Amanda Matti, an El Cajon (San Diego) resident who served six years in the United States Navy, including a 2005 deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, has written a riveting true story of romance and war; A Foreign Affair. Matti provides graphic details of her experience in a war that many in this country felt never should have been.

LIBRARIES IN ALPINE AND LEMON GROVE LIBRARIES HOST VERMONT AUTHOR ON EVOLUTION OF ORGANIC FOOD MOVEMENT DEC. 5

 

East County News Service

November 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- On Monday, December 5th the San Diego County Library will host Vermont author Grace Gershuny in a discussion and book signing of her latest book. Ms. Gershuny will speak at the Alpine Branch, 1752 Alpine Blvd., Alpine, CA from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. and at the Lemon Grove Branch, 3001 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

SAN DIEGO PRESS CLUB HOSTS "SPELLING BEE FOR GROWNUPS"

 

 

East County News Service

 

Photo: Peter Sokoloski

November 15, 2016 (San Diego) – The San Diego Press Club will host its inaugural “Spelling Bee for Grownups” starting at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 16, at the San Diego Central Library, Neil Morgan Auditorium, 330 Park Blvd., Downtown San Diego. The public is invited to attend. Cost to compete as a speller is $10 per person. There is no cost to attend and watch.

READERS & WRITERS CALENDAR: NOV. 1 - NOV. 13

 

By Sam Warren, editor and Laura Roberts, contributing editor, The Writer’s Life, San Diego Writers and Editors Guild 

Please send all notices to: SDWriteWay@gmail.com

November 1, 2016 (San Diego) — Upcoming happenings for readers and writers this month include open Shakespeare readings, the La Jolla Writer’s Conference, and the deadline to enter the San Diego Book Awards.

A TRUE STORY OF LOVE AND WAR

 

A Foreign Affair: A True Story of Love and War, by Amanda Matti (Available at Amazon.com, 2016, 354 pages).

Preview by Dennis Moore

October 19, 2016 (San Diego) - I can’t wait to get my hands on this book, as the author, an El Cajon resident has indicated to me just today that she will be mailing it out to me for my review in the East County Magazine. She will also appear on our “East County Magazine Live!” radio show to be interviewed with all the salacious details of this book. A Foreign Affair has all the ingredients of true love and intrigue in a foreign country, which the author describes as “love at first sight” between herself, as a U.S. Navy Analyst, and her Iraqi translator Fahdi, in war-torn Iraq.

HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH CHARLES HARRINGTON ELSTER, AUTHOR AND WORDSMITH EXTRAORDINAIRE

East County News Service

October 15, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) --East County Magazine’s Bookshelf host,  Reina Menasche,  recently sat down for an in-depth interview with  Charles Harrington Elster, a seasoned writer, broadcaster, narrator and nationally recognized wordsmith.  Elster, known for his novel approach to SAT and ACT test preparation, Elster is also the author of 11 books,   including Verbal Advantage and Word Workout.

Audio: 

Download: Charles Harrington Elster interview

HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH MARK JORGENSEN, AUTHOR OF DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP, WILDERNESS ICON

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 15,2016 (Borrego)—We sat down for an interview with Mark Jorgensen,  former  Superintendent of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and author of the award-winning book, Desert Bighorn Sheep,  Wilderness Icon. 

He spoke about the progress made to protect these  magnificent animals,  as well as threats to their survival and challenges that remain.  You can listen now by clicking the link to our interview, which originally aired on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ 89.1 FM Radio.

Audio: 

Download: Mark Jorgensen, author of Desert Bighorn Sheep Wilderness Icon, interview

DEVELOPING A HABIT OF RESPECT FOR OTHERS

 

The Respectful Leader: Seven Ways to Influence Without Intimidation, by Gregg Ward (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, 2016, 130 pages).

 

Book Review by Dennis Moore

October 6, 2016 (San Diego) - Ironically and coming at a time when Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf has been called before the Senate Banking Committee to account for his actions and those of the bank, along with intemperate and disrespectful actions of numerous other business leaders, Gregg Ward, CEO of the Gregg Ward Group, a management consulting, training and coaching firm that focuses on helping leaders develop their Respectful Leadership, has written a timely book; The Respectful Leader: Seven Ways to Influence Without Intimidation.

NEWBERRY WINNING AUTHOR MATT DE LA PENA KICKS OFF GROSSMONT COLLEGE'S FALL 2016 READING SERIES

 

East County News Service

September 20, 2016 (El Cajon) - The Grossmont College English Department's Creative Writing Program is presenting the Fall 2016 Reading Series, Thursday, Sept. 29 – Monday, Dec. 5.

TIPS FROM A PRO AT SUCCESS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS

 

How To Be In The Entertainment Business, by Tony Rose (Amber Books, Phoenix, Arizona, 2016, 280 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

September 16, 2016 (San Diego) - Tony Rose, the NAACP Image Award Winning Book Publisher (Obama Talks Back) and a Gold and Platinum Award winning record producer, songwriter, music publisher and recording engineer, has written a book designed to help those wanting to emulate his success; How To Be In The Entertainment Business.

AROUND MT. HELIX: AUTHOR/HISTORIAN JAMES NEWLAND SPEAKS SEPT. 17

 

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (La Mesa) -- Local author and La Mesa Historical Society President James Newland will make a presentation based on his book "Around Mt. Helix" at the La Mesa branch of the county library (8047 Allison Ave.) in La Mesa on Saturday, September 17 at 10:30 a.m.

READERS & WRITERS CALENDAR AUG. 29-SEPT. 11

 

Edited by Sam Warren. Please send all notices to: SDWriteWay@gmail.com

August 29, 2016 (San Diego) – Upcoming literary events including open Shakespeare readings, author book signings, book discussions, writing workshops, confessions of a writing coach, and a Star Trek anniversary celebration.

MICHAEL BROWN: A MOTHER'S GRIEF

 

Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil: The Life, Legacy, And Love of My Son Michael Brown, by Lezley McSpadden (Regan Arts, New York, NY, 2013, 254 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

Equal rights, fair play, justice are like the air; we all have it, or none of us has it. That is the truth of it.

  • Maya Angelou

August 21, 2016 (San Diego) - I feel honored and privileged to write this review of Lezley McSpadden’s book; Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil: The Life, Legacy, and Love of My Son Michael Brown. She and I actually have a lot in common, as we both were born in Missouri, me about 150 miles south of Ferguson in the bootheel, the small town of Charleston. Also, she bears a likeness to my sister Janet, also born in Charleston, mostly through their close set eyes and facial features.

ASK AN AUTHOR – HAS THE ROMANCE GENRE GROWN?

 

Answering your questions about writing, publishing, and marketing books

By Sarka-Jonae Miller, author of the free book Between Boyfriends

August 19, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - One of my favorite local authors, Jan Moran, is helping me to talk about romance and writing. Jan and I “met” on Goodreads.com when I reached out to her because she had recently moved to San Diego and my Between Boyfriends protagonist is named Jan as well. We've since done two local author events together and I've found her to be as smart about publishing as she is talented at writing. We also happen to each have a book included in the Finding Love in All the Right Places romance bundle, 12 novels for 99 cents.

How do you think the romance genre has grown? Is it overwhelmed, growing, dying, or in need of a face lift? – Annelle Willard, author of Frosted Sweets

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR CAITLIN ROTHER

 

Then No One Can Have Her, by Caitlin Rother (Kensington Publishing Corp., New York, NY, 2015, 435 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

August 8, 2016 (San Diego) - New York Times Bestselling author Caitlin Rother has done it again! Following on the heels of Lost Girls and I’ll Take Care Of You, two true crime novels that this writer had the distinct pleasure and honor of writing reviews of for the East County Magazine in San Diego, is this riveting and brutal novel that examines the personification of evil and depravity; Then No One Can Have Her.

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