Book Reviews

Maker's Mark

Gimme Some Sugar

A Single Duality

The Visible Smart-Aleck

You Say 'Tomato,' Barry Estabrook Says 'Labor Abuse,' at the Ferry Building Tonight

​Ever wondered where all those ripe red tomatoes come from? Barry Estabrook, former contributing editor of Gourmet magazine, has some of the answers -- but they may not sit so well with you. Estabrook published Tomatoland: How Modern Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit last month. ... More >>

Angel Islanders

​Ever wondered where all those ripe red tomatoes come from? Barry Estabrook, former contributing editor of Gourmet magazine, has some of the answers -- but they may not sit so well with you. Estabrook published Tomatoland: How Modern Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit last month. ... More >>

May's Literary Events

​Ever wondered where all those ripe red tomatoes come from? Barry Estabrook, former contributing editor of Gourmet magazine, has some of the answers -- but they may not sit so well with you. Estabrook published Tomatoland: How Modern Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit last month. ... More >>

February book events in San Francisco

​Ever wondered where all those ripe red tomatoes come from? Barry Estabrook, former contributing editor of Gourmet magazine, has some of the answers -- but they may not sit so well with you. Estabrook published Tomatoland: How Modern Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit last month. ... More >>

Sam Spade in a Chariot

​Ever wondered where all those ripe red tomatoes come from? Barry Estabrook, former contributing editor of Gourmet magazine, has some of the answers -- but they may not sit so well with you. Estabrook published Tomatoland: How Modern Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit last month. ... More >>

January's Literary Events

​Ever wondered where all those ripe red tomatoes come from? Barry Estabrook, former contributing editor of Gourmet magazine, has some of the answers -- but they may not sit so well with you. Estabrook published Tomatoland: How Modern Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit last month. ... More >>

Women Poets Gather for Reading

​Ever wondered where all those ripe red tomatoes come from? Barry Estabrook, former contributing editor of Gourmet magazine, has some of the answers -- but they may not sit so well with you. Estabrook published Tomatoland: How Modern Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit last month. ... More >>

Bird Is the Word

​Ever wondered where all those ripe red tomatoes come from? Barry Estabrook, former contributing editor of Gourmet magazine, has some of the answers -- but they may not sit so well with you. Estabrook published Tomatoland: How Modern Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit last month. ... More >>

This month's literary events

​Ever wondered where all those ripe red tomatoes come from? Barry Estabrook, former contributing editor of Gourmet magazine, has some of the answers -- but they may not sit so well with you. Estabrook published Tomatoland: How Modern Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit last month. ... More >>

Coming This Summer

​Ever wondered where all those ripe red tomatoes come from? Barry Estabrook, former contributing editor of Gourmet magazine, has some of the answers -- but they may not sit so well with you. Estabrook published Tomatoland: How Modern Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit last month. ... More >>

July Literary Events

​Ever wondered where all those ripe red tomatoes come from? Barry Estabrook, former contributing editor of Gourmet magazine, has some of the answers -- but they may not sit so well with you. Estabrook published Tomatoland: How Modern Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit last month. ... More >>

Some Mohr

​Ever wondered where all those ripe red tomatoes come from? Barry Estabrook, former contributing editor of Gourmet magazine, has some of the answers -- but they may not sit so well with you. Estabrook published Tomatoland: How Modern Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit last month. ... More >>

I, Hotel

​Ever wondered where all those ripe red tomatoes come from? Barry Estabrook, former contributing editor of Gourmet magazine, has some of the answers -- but they may not sit so well with you. Estabrook published Tomatoland: How Modern Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit last month. ... More >>

Ruth Reichl's Coming to the JCC to Gab About Mom

​At a Gourmet-sponsored event at Copia years ago, some guests were a little surprised at how soft spoken Ruth Reichl can be onstage. Find out for yourself later this month, when Reichl will be on stage at the S.F. Jewish Community Center, talking about her latest book, For You Mom, Finally (Pe ... More >>

Late Night with Chelsea Lately

​At a Gourmet-sponsored event at Copia years ago, some guests were a little surprised at how soft spoken Ruth Reichl can be onstage. Find out for yourself later this month, when Reichl will be on stage at the S.F. Jewish Community Center, talking about her latest book, For You Mom, Finally (Pe ... More >>

You Get Around

​At a Gourmet-sponsored event at Copia years ago, some guests were a little surprised at how soft spoken Ruth Reichl can be onstage. Find out for yourself later this month, when Reichl will be on stage at the S.F. Jewish Community Center, talking about her latest book, For You Mom, Finally (Pe ... More >>

Barbara Rose Brooker

​At a Gourmet-sponsored event at Copia years ago, some guests were a little surprised at how soft spoken Ruth Reichl can be onstage. Find out for yourself later this month, when Reichl will be on stage at the S.F. Jewish Community Center, talking about her latest book, For You Mom, Finally (Pe ... More >>

October Book Events: October Book Swap, Barbara Rose Brooker, Tamim Ansary, John Freeman & R. Crumb

​At a Gourmet-sponsored event at Copia years ago, some guests were a little surprised at how soft spoken Ruth Reichl can be onstage. Find out for yourself later this month, when Reichl will be on stage at the S.F. Jewish Community Center, talking about her latest book, For You Mom, Finally (Pe ... More >>

Zak Smith

​At a Gourmet-sponsored event at Copia years ago, some guests were a little surprised at how soft spoken Ruth Reichl can be onstage. Find out for yourself later this month, when Reichl will be on stage at the S.F. Jewish Community Center, talking about her latest book, For You Mom, Finally (Pe ... More >>

July Book Events: Kevin Starr, Paul Krassner, Jaimal Yogis, and Alan Drew

​At a Gourmet-sponsored event at Copia years ago, some guests were a little surprised at how soft spoken Ruth Reichl can be onstage. Find out for yourself later this month, when Reichl will be on stage at the S.F. Jewish Community Center, talking about her latest book, For You Mom, Finally (Pe ... More >>

Fill in the Blank

​At a Gourmet-sponsored event at Copia years ago, some guests were a little surprised at how soft spoken Ruth Reichl can be onstage. Find out for yourself later this month, when Reichl will be on stage at the S.F. Jewish Community Center, talking about her latest book, For You Mom, Finally (Pe ... More >>

Upcoming Book Events

​At a Gourmet-sponsored event at Copia years ago, some guests were a little surprised at how soft spoken Ruth Reichl can be onstage. Find out for yourself later this month, when Reichl will be on stage at the S.F. Jewish Community Center, talking about her latest book, For You Mom, Finally (Pe ... More >>

'Hooking Up with Tila Tequila': We Withstand Her Book-Thing So You Don't Have To

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Border Crosser

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Marilynne Robinson

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Viva Loss Vegas

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

The Long Then

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Ghost Stories

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Homegrown Tomatoes v. Injustice

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Cock, Roach

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

A Fly-by-Knight Operation

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Eating Right

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

The Beth of Times

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Bookish Behavior

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

City Lights Hosts Akashic Books

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Jeff Parker

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Chris Felver

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Jim Morrison Died on Nightclub Shitter: New Book Reveals

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Back on Track

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

Tough Love

Ulysses, it ain'tFirst lines are important. They say a lot. They're a real indication of the prodigious thought, labor, and love poured into the thousands of lines to follow. To wit: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into an enormous cockroach. -- Fra ... More >>

The Color Midnight Made

A street-wise 10-year-old confronts life in his decaying Alameda neighborhood in this convincing debut novel

Best Poet

devorah major

Brown Glass Windows

San Francisco's poet laureate, devorah major, turns out an intelligent, provocative novel about African-American life in the Fillmore District

Good Living

Novelist Nick Hornby, the voice of the modern dysfunctional male, switches genders in his new work How to Be Good.

The Talking Penis

Basic Instinct author crawls up Bill Clinton's pants and hangs on tight