I enjoyed this epic of a book about multiple generations of a Greek American family. The main protagonist is a hermaphrodite, and I found his/her stor...moreI enjoyed this epic of a book about multiple generations of a Greek American family. The main protagonist is a hermaphrodite, and I found his/her story interesting but no more interesting of that of other family members. Good book about family, the immigration experience, and I learned some things I didn’t know about modern Greek history. Some beautiful imagery. I found portions of the book highly disturbing, unnecessary, and some plot points were not quite convincing either, although plenty rang very true. And the story held my interest. The book was thought provoking: especially about why we each have the gender identity we do.
I love real life orphan stories and I appreciated Dave Egger’s originality, humor, and honesty. I felt sad and awed and amused, and occasionally annoy...moreI love real life orphan stories and I appreciated Dave Egger’s originality, humor, and honesty. I felt sad and awed and amused, and occasionally annoyed. A very unique way of writing a memoir; I adored it. And it takes place mostly in San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay Area, an area I know and love, so it was really fun to recognize so many places. A very creative effort from a funny and intelligent guy. (Oh, and I went to see him at a lecture: he brought homemade cookies for the audience and I found him very endearing. And he does a lot of good work with local kids also, but I knew all this long after I read this book.)(less)
She is so funny and so honest. One of my big regrets is that I hadn't read this book in time to give it to all my friends who were expecting children;...moreShe is so funny and so honest. One of my big regrets is that I hadn't read this book in time to give it to all my friends who were expecting children; it would have really been helpful to many of them.(less)
This is Millennium restaurant's second cookbook. As with the first cookbook, all the food is delicious and I think it's worth having this book, especi...moreThis is Millennium restaurant's second cookbook. As with the first cookbook, all the food is delicious and I think it's worth having this book, especially if you don't live in San Francisco or can't afford one of the meals at the restaurant. The dishes are complex and difficult to make, although not too big a challenge for experienced cooks. The food here is universally enjoyed by vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores. This very popular restaurant would not do well without support from the general population.(less)
Now and Zen in San Francisco was one of my favorite restaurants and I'm so sad that it closed. Having some of the recipes available from this place he...moreNow and Zen in San Francisco was one of my favorite restaurants and I'm so sad that it closed. Having some of the recipes available from this place helps ease my sorrow. My very favorite dishes that are in this book are the carrot flan and the spinach and mushroom "Zenmelet," but there are so many other recipes worth making because almost all of Miyoko Nishimoto Schinner's recipes are delicious. Many of the recipes are easy to make although, in my opinion, quite a few are easier for experienced cooks. Only a handful of colored photos are included, but they're beautiful and they make my mouth water.(less)
Millennium is my favorite restaurant and I love having their cookbooks. However, the recipes are very complicated and contain many ingredients, and so...moreMillennium is my favorite restaurant and I love having their cookbooks. However, the recipes are very complicated and contain many ingredients, and some of the ingredients are not those easy to find in your neighborhood supermarket. For experienced cooks and vegans/vegetarians who can't make it to San Francisco for a meal, or those who cannot financially afford a pricey meal, some might be motivated to make these recipes. I do know a couple of people who have made dishes from this book, and they've realy enjoyed them; they are experienced cooks. These are gourmet recipes that are enjoyed by vegans, vegetarians, and almost all of the omnivores I know. This is Millennium restaurant's first cookbook.(less)
I love Lawrence Halprin (I’m fortunate to live in San Francisco where some of his work lives) and loved this exhibition and this book from the exhibit...moreI love Lawrence Halprin (I’m fortunate to live in San Francisco where some of his work lives) and loved this exhibition and this book from the exhibition. Truly great architect/landscape architect. This book contains many drawings and photos of his completed work. Lots of waterfalls and greenery incorporated into his designs. And good biographical information and comments by others about Halprin and his work. He’s an inspired artist. Just looking at the photos in the book is enough for me to feel happy and peaceful. (less)
I love stained glass and Tiffany stained glass. This exhibition (one of my favorite art exhibitions) at the deYoung Museum in San Francisco was one I...moreI love stained glass and Tiffany stained glass. This exhibition (one of my favorite art exhibitions) at the deYoung Museum in San Francisco was one I visited multiple times. This exhibition book does do the exhibition justice as it contains photos, many in color, of a good selection of the glass exhibited, and I’m really grateful that I own it so that I can immerse myself in the art from time to time. Lots of educational information about Tiffany and the art as well. Unfortunately, no color photos in this book; if it contained color photos, I'd have given it 5 stars.(less)
These guidebooks get dated so quickly! Usually, a large number of the restaurants no longer exist and many new restaurants have opened. The web is usu...moreThese guidebooks get dated so quickly! Usually, a large number of the restaurants no longer exist and many new restaurants have opened. The web is usually a better reference. But this is a pretty good book: if the restaurant is still around, it will give the reader/diner a good idea of whether or not they're interested in eating there.(less)
This was (for me – I scare easily) a seriously frightening mystery story, and it has some satisfying depictions of women’s friendships and some romanc...moreThis was (for me – I scare easily) a seriously frightening mystery story, and it has some satisfying depictions of women’s friendships and some romance also. I loved the twists in the plot and I thought the ending was inspired. I did feel sad at parts as there were some very serious sub-plots. It was suspenseful and fun to read. The first in the Women’s Murder Club mystery series and my favorite one of the ones I’ve read. Good San Francisco and San Francisco area descriptions.(less)
This was a fascinating and amazing exhibition. Brilliant idea: The photographer took photos that had been taken immediately after the 1906 San Francis...moreThis was a fascinating and amazing exhibition. Brilliant idea: The photographer took photos that had been taken immediately after the 1906 San Francisco great earthquake and fire, figured out precisely where they had been taken (no easy task given how much change there’s been in 100 years) and then took photographs from the exact same vantage point 100 years later in 2006. (I have to say one of my favorite parts of the museum exhibit isn’t in the book. There was a computer program that enabled the visitor to superimpose the 2006 photo over its 1906 counterpart up to 100%. Really amazing, especially since I live in San Francisco and know many of the locations.) But the photos in this book stand on their own. Helpful maps of photograph locations are given. And there’s unusually good text for an art book, including pieces about the photographer & his work on this project and essays by 2 great authors: Philip Fradkin & Rebecca Solnit. A beautiful and educational book.(less)
The Spellmans are one of the most unconventional dysfunctional families ever in a book, and they are hilarious. They are outrageous and over the top a...moreThe Spellmans are one of the most unconventional dysfunctional families ever in a book, and they are hilarious. They are outrageous and over the top and have very peculiar ways of showing love. This delightful book is really, really funny, if you have a weird sense of humor, which I guess I do. It is interesting that what I’d consider disturbing and child abuse in real life can, in a book, cause me to feel affection for all of the characters and send me into frequent peals of laughter.
The friend who recommended this to me knew I’d love it, because when we were young, we did a bit of “detective work” of our own.
This is for the most part a joyous romp and one of those just for fun reads. A bonus for me is that it takes place in San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Except!: Toward the end it gets very serious in three sub-plots and does so in a way that feel incongruous with the rest of the story, even though for one instance the reader is warned what will happen from practically the beginning of the book. One of these three sub-plots I did enjoy, the other two not so much as one was sad and the other (at least temporarily) heartbreaking.
I do wish the story had remained fun throughout. However, there are two more Spellman family books currently available and I am eager to read them.
The author even manages to have a bit of fun with the acknowledgement pages and the author profile in the back of the book.
This is a unique book and I recommend it if it piques your interest as it did mine. I just took some time to get to it; I’m glad that I finally read it. (less)
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