Some nonfiction books to counter the dread: www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...

Such a thrill to present Scott Anderson with the 2025 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction last night in New York. You can read about all the winners here. www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...

A midnight blue LaSalle, circa 1940

I’m biking on a beautiful afternoon, the trees alive with the setting sun, and I see an older man in saffron robes on the sidewalk, his gentle gait and head held low making me think, “This guy gets it.” Then, passing by him, I see his forefinger, just as gently, scrolling down the face of his phone.

Behold the 2025 Kirkus Prize finalists! lithub.com/here-are-the...

So many of us are indebted to Malcolm Margolin, who did much to celebrate the culture and history of California. I’ll miss his passion, his wisdom and his wit — and his endearing Boston accent. May his memory be a blessing. www.berkeleyside.org/2025/08/20/m...

Farewell to a master satirist. #tomlehrer

Kirkus Reviews nonfiction editor @johnmcmurtrie.bsky.social recommends "More Butch Heroes" in a Pride Month round-up of new standout LGBTQ+ titles:

These lines from Dawn Staley’s “Uncommon Favor” (Atria/Black Privilege Publishing, May 20): “Every fiber of my soul screamed sports, sports, sports. Before long, my family nicknamed me ‘Dirt’ because it became clear I’d rather play ball than bathe.”

Wayne Thiebaud’s delicious “Nine Books,” 1991-92, at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco.

San Francisco beach artist (with rake)

Hanging out with my buds.

Randomly met this beauty today: a 1968 Citroën DS.

Oakland

The Women of the Black Panther Party Mural, Oakland

Beautiful day in the neighborhood

"A creative resurrection of people around the world who broke gender norms." — Kirkus Reviews Ria Brodell's ingenious project celebrating queer lives continues in "More Butch Heroes," coming this April:

I found a redwood branch that fell during a storm. I brought it home, where it now shines.

And the best book title of the year (so far) goes to…

I so enjoyed speaking with Pico Iyer about his outstanding new book, “Aflame: Learning From Silence.” @Riverheadbooks.bsky.social is publishing it today. www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...

The richness of redwoods at sunset.

Rest in peace, Jimmy Carter. I had the honor of interviewing him twice. He was lighthearted and laughed easily and was as warm as anyone I’ve ever met. In 2015, he played along with me for this photo I took of him.

Joyeux Leon!

Raising Hare, by Chloe Dalton, is an extraordinary book. Here’s the Kirkus review. www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...

Keeping up with the kids. #spotify

Fire in the neighborhood

“No one has ever successfully painted or photographed a redwood tree. The feeling they produce is not transferable.” — Steinbeck

You got me singing even though it all looks grim You got me singing the Hallelujah hymn

At the Texas Book Festival, y’all. Goodwill abounds.

For Thanksgiving, I wrote a little something about my non-love of turkey www.zyzzyva.org/2023/11/21/t...

So pleased to see my L.A. Times profile of Paul Yamazaki, book buyer of City Lights Books, in the bookstore’s front window. Paul will receive the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation on Nov. 15. Here’s my piece: www.latimes.com/entertainmen...

Always a pleasure to lay eyes on San Francisco’s Hallidie Building, which opened in 1918. Designed by Willis Polk (1867-1924), it was one of the first buildings in the world to make use of a glass curtain wall.

A sign hand-painted by the late Lawrence Ferlinghetti — a veteran of World War II — at City Lights Books in San Francisco.

Jon Fosse winning the Nobel Prize is also a major victory for the Bay Area’s @transitbooks.bsky.social, which began publishing Fosse in 2020. We couldn’t be more proud of Adam Levy and Ashley Nelson Levy, our friends who run Transit Books. Here’s to the power of nonprofit presses!

Still thinking about this place: Great Island Trail. As part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, it remains protected by legislation signed by John F. Kennedy in 1961.

“Every landscape which is dreary enough has a certain beauty to my eyes.” — Henry David Thoreau, “Cape Cod”

I have the honor of breaking the news for the L.A. Times that Paul Yamazaki, beloved book buyer of City Lights, will receive the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation. Paul is so deserving of this award, and it was a joy to write this profile of him. www.latimes.com/entertainmen...

Bella macchina

In the spirit of this site’s name, here’s some non-toxic blue sky above the coast of California.