This is an exceptionally good book. I read it at the suggestion of my sister- we lost our father less than two years ago. The descriptions of training her hawk Mabel were interesting and compelling, conveying information I didn't know and also reflections on love, loss and grief particularly poignant for one who had just lost her father.

I did not expect to like this book because its premise seemed too outlandish- a stranger pays two people $500,000 each to speak with each other for two hours per week for a year. But I got hooked because it takes place in Los Angeles, and the author's author's lyrical descriptions of the City of Angels indicate that clearly loves the city as much as I do. I kept reading to read about Los Angeles, and the plot hooked me

I read this book on the plane between D.C. and San Diego. It is another Michael Connolly page turner- I could not put it down!! LAPD detective Harry Bosch has retired and is working for his half brother, Lincoln lawyer defense attorney Mickey Haller. He feels strange working for the other side but keeps his principles by working to find the real killer, not Haller's client who has been framed by rogue LAPD police officers. A great read as always.

I read this book for my EfM class. the sections on climate change based on studies and science were convincing but the discussion of Franciscan theology and its stated imperative to support climate change studies less convincing, not because i don't agree with it but because it was presented in a disjointed and confusing fashion. I did like the meditations as well as the listing of concrete actions we can take to reduce our carbon footprint

Handmaid's Tale demonstration at LA Times Festival of Books #latimesfestivalofbooks

John Lewis speaking at the LA Times Festival of Books with his co authors of the March. So inspiring- a highlight of the weekend !

Roxane Gay in dialogue with Alexander Chee- one of the highlights of the LA Times Festival of Books!!

I would not have known about or read this book without input from the 20 somethings who are the most enthusiastic members of our Read Harder book club. They are fans of graphic novels (they are converting me) and suggested this as a banned book It was a great read about the coming of age of a character who realizes she is gay and also finds out that her father is too. I will read more suggested by these fellow book club members

Read this book in one day. It's a page turner- the story of how an event that becomes a secret can impact lives years later. It takes place in Oceanside, near my home in San Diego. I read it thanks to Book Riot recommendations- for the Read Harder Challenge it is a debut novel, a book located less than 100 miles from my home, and a book where all viewpoints are from people of color. A great read.

I just finished this book for the 2017 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge. Join us! San Diego 2017 Book Riot Read Harder Book challenge! No requirement to read a specific book, we are reading books that fit within broad categories (see bookriot.com) meet 1x per month
come if you love to read and talk about books

2017 San Diego Book Riot Read Harder Challenge Book Group
7 pm Sunday January 22
Lestat's on Park
4496 Park Blvd, San Diego (at Monroe)

Outstanding book about Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece built into Bear Run Creek in Western Pennsylvania. The book is filled with details a out the design, engineering and construction of the house, as well as the relationship between the owners and the architect. I read the book just before visiting the house- great intro to the house

My husband and I saw Michael Connolly, one of our literary heroes tonight at Warwick's. We started reading his Bosch books when the first one came out in 1992 -we lived in Virginia and were homesick for Los Angeles, and Connolly's descriptions of our city made us feel like we were there. Both of us have read all his books, and we don't usually read even in the same genre. This latest book is dedicated to Vin Scully- the soundtrack for our city.

Solid, informative history of the Six Day War between Israel and the Arab nations in 1967. It is strong in cataloging events leading up to the war, the battles during the war and the aftermath. The historical personalities could have been described better and I wish I'd had maps (I was listening ) but otherwise an excellent overview.

Outstanding book and a great read. Brinkley examines FDR's record on conservation and the environment, beginning with the days when young FDR tromped through the woods in Hyde Park hunting for birds. Brinkley draws together the record of FDR's conservation- the national parks and forests he fought to establish, use of the CCC in the parks to build infrastructure, the establishment of wildlife refuges and FWS. Compelling and wide ranging.

Ann Patchett spoke in San Diego on Friday about her book Comminwealth and about being an independent bookseller. The talk was sponsored by Warwick's. The book looks amazing- it is loosely about Ann's own life- "none of it is true but all of it happened"

Outstanding book! Desmond profiles families and landlords in Milwaukee in his exploration of poverty, housing, and race. He shows that housing is at the center of poverty and homelessness. Desmond lived in Milwaukee with his subjects. He is Harvard professor and the recipient of a MacArthur genius grant, but his writing style is like that of a journalist- he tells stories effectively and completely to make his point. He suggests solutions too.

This book is so good and so important. It follows the lives of several renters and a couple of landlords in north and south Milwaukee, the poorest parts of town. It looks at the dilapidated housing available to low income residents, profiles the landlords who rent in the ghetto, and shows how evictions send families into shelters, impacting them and their community.The writing is clear, lucid and vivid-not your typical book from a Harvard prof

I've waited a long time to read this. I have not seen the movie so I'm reading it for the Book Riot challenge- read a book, then see the film. It is so good I can't put it down. Almost finished after reading through two fights- end of vacation reading

I love independent bookstores, especially the sections focused on areas of interest particular to their location. The Book Peddler in West Yellowstone, MT had this book about the establishment of Yellowstone National Park that I look forward to reading

More vacation reading. This is our audiobook for the long drives on this vacation. My husband has the paperback which he uses to catch up on the parts he falls asleep for during the frio

I read the first in this series thanks to a Book Riot recommendation. It was so much fun I decided to read book 2 while on vacation- a great escape after hiking all day in Yellowstone National Park

Getting ready for vacation!!

I picked up this book from the library for a vacation read and finished it before the vacation started. I read it based on discussions in Book Riot podcasts and it delivered. The book is a compelling portrait of a group of friends having a midlife crisis while their children discover their sexuality. The picture painted of the setting in Brooklyn makes one feel as if she is there. This is a highly readable page turner with some wisdom about aging

This book presents an interesting and comprehensive overview of the work of a lesser-known practioner of California Moderne, Edward Fickett. He designed homes, neighborhoods, and public buildings in Calif from the 40s-80s. The book is short on academic essays tying him to the giants of the movement (Neutra, Schindler, Wright) but strong in discussing the architectural/engineering solutions to design/construction. My engineering major son loved it!

Attended another fascinating author talk at Warwick's. It was a thrill to meet Douglas Brinkley and hear him talk about FDR's role in establishing national parks. Brinkley writes broadly- from Kerouac to Cronkite to Hurricane Katrina- I love that his history books are filled with interesting stories. And he told great stories at Warwick's. Looking forward to reading Rightful Heritage.

Went to a fascinating talk by author Kristen Green on her book Something Must be Done about Prince Edward County. Her unique perspective as a native of Farmville and a journalist provided a spellbinding story about the 5-year closure of the schools in an attempt to stop desegregation -it fascinated even the reluctant teen who accompanied me ( and asked me to buy him his own copy of the book). And of course Warwick's La Jolla is a great venue!!

I read this book with other members of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. It's an excellent book applying principles of growth management, innovation and organizational change from successful companies to churches. The author advocates for trying new models, being willing to fail, listening to new ideas rather than doing what has worked in the past, being willing to fail- all applied to churches. Building 21st c church.

I haven't gotten hooked by Game of Thrones, but my 18-year old son got through a chunk of this book during his first time to be called for jury duty. He is on break from college and would otherwise be working construction for his uncle. He was hoping the selection process ( when they let you read) would go on for longer.

Stopped by this gem of a used bookstore on a recent work trip to Twenty Nine Palms only to find it is closed on Wednesdays. I will return!

Started listening to this book on Audible earlier this week. Had it on my TBR list since I heard the author in Terry Gross last year. Compelling story of the way corporate interests enlisted religion to fight the New Deal and in the 50s created the myth of America's Christian origins

A few weeks ago I signed up for summer book club at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral San Diego. The topic of this book seemed timely, and even more so today. Jim Wallis is one of my favorite writers If you live in San Diego & are interested http://www.stpaulcathedral.org/connect/formation/summerbook/

I have jury duty today, and I brought this book along to pass the time. I also brought work, but the beginning of this book is so funny I may not get to my stack of work. I picked it up this weekend at Book Soup in Los Angeles (signed copy) after hearing about it on Book Riot's Get Booked podcast

I loved this book when I read it a few years ago and today I found it in this Free Library box in the way to the Coronado (CA) 4th of July Parade. I left it for someone else to enjoy. And Carl Hiaason is coming to speak in San Diego in Sept.

Reading this fantastic book on the train - it's a page turner weaving together the lives of three people who were at the Grand Hotel in Brighton the day it was bombed in 1984 during a visit by Margaret Thatcher. Recommended by Book Riot in a podcast- finally got it from the San Diego PL.