Tweet I’ve amassed a lot of cookbooks over the last year and my children and their families have benefited from some of them.  When we have family gatherings, one or two of them may surprise us with a dish inspired by one of the famous cookbook authors I’ve had the privilege to meet.  This week,
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I almost missed the event. I barely saw it on the side of my computer screen that Boo, a pomerarian who can easily be mistaken for a stuffed teddy bear, was going to be at a small, intimate event at the W Hotel in San Francisco. The event was sponsored by GILT City SF and Chronicle Books and quickly sold out. Other than the pup’s interview in and around New York City, the W Hotel event was the only scheduled book launch for the book BOO: The Life of the World’s Cutest Dog”.

I didn’t quite know what to expect from George R. R. Martin. I took a late liking to his novels brought about by the popular HBO series. Anyone who knows me will attest that my time is gold. With all the events to cover and writing projects to finish, looking at his 5,000 page volume is daunting,

Chaz Bono is no doubt a venerable advocate and champion of the LGBT community so it isn’t any wonder he was selected as this year’s Grand Marshall of the San Francisco Pride Week. Part of his city-by-the-bay agenda includes a book signing event of his latest release Transition (Dutton Adult, $25.95, 256 pages, 978-0525952145)

Mario Lopez arrived alone, with no posse, publicist or security. In fact, I was waiting with Book Passage staff at the normal front entrance at Book Passage in the Ferry Building and he arrived from the back. He simply walked in, and charmingly said hello to those who had lined up outside for his book signing. I was pretty much used to celebrities arriving with a little bit more buzz and fanfare and was pleasantly pleased at his calm demeanor. He greeted the crowd and before he took a seat, he posed for photographs.

Ashley began to speak of her childhood. She explained it in the most eloquent way. No nonsense, no sugar-coating – it felt real. Initially, there were a few laughs here and there as she shared awkward childhood moments about family and herself but as the minutes progressed it was clear that Ashley drew strong senses of emotion from all of us.

The charmed life of Maria Menounos is the epitome of the American Dream. Her personal story growing up in a country with working-class immigrant parents trying to make ends meet is definitely one to embrace. Her ideals and visions are nothing short of admirable. Maria’s commendable determination in life is an ongoing process and her book The EveryGirl’s Guide To Life imparts this priceless character trait and vision to her readers.

It was a match made in literary heaven and when you hold, see and read the finished product in your hand, you would never have imagined that the author and her illustrator were meeting for the first time. That was just one of many interesting facts I gathered from a Thursday afternoon luncheon with new author Maya Soetoro-Ng and her illustrator Yuyi Morales.

Tweet It’s probably obvious to our regular readers that both Kaye and I share a love for books and the amazing authors and bookstores we are able to connect with.  When we come across events for young adults, it’s all the more exciting for us to connect and help promote.  This particular book tour will
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As fellow French Laundry colleagues and friends gathered at Book Passage at the Ferry Building to welcome Chef Grant Achatz together with co-author Nick Kokonas for their book signing event, I imagined San Francisco must be a bit of a homecoming venue for him. Hearing him recalling his first try-out day at the French Laundry, meeting Thomas Keller who became an esteemed mentor throughout the years