Patrick Whitehurst's Blog, page 15

Whitehurst’s Top 5 Reads of 2016

From tripping out with Tarzan and the Ant Men, to starting Marie Kondo’s book on tidying up, it’s been a year of diversity and perhaps a bit of quirky inclusion. My print book collection grew in 2016, which came as a surprise due to my Kindle attachment issues, and the number of books started and not finished (sorry, Kondo) grew as well. This means 2017 will be the year of finishing things I started. Fingers crossed.  I did, however, manage to finish 14 books. Below are the top five books I couldn’t stop thinking about after reading the last page.


Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

There’s a little book shop off Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey, California, that reminds me of this book whenever I walk by the place. With a splash of fantasy, a squirt of Da Vinci Code, and a bit too much techy talk, Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore features a mysterious society, the depths of Google, and the wonder of musty old books stacked high to the ceiling. Set in San Francisco, but with a trip to the Big Apple thrown in, former techie Clay gets an adventure of a lifetime when he leaves his web design gig for a job at a dusty old book shop found next to a skanky strip club. I looked forward to this book every time I sat down to read. You might too.
Find the book here .


Mentats of Dune by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert
The second book in their “Schools of Dune” trilogy continues the spicy space opera adventure begun by Brian’s father, Frank Herbert. While the writing style in the new Dune books (and there are a lot of them) differs from Frank’s style, I look forward to each and every one. So much so I read them in doses, so not to run out of material. Anderson and Herbert have penned a number of standalone novels and trilogy novels that fill out the intensely vibrant cosmos found in the Dune universe. With the conclusion of the Schools of Dune trilogy, their work in the universe will end. At least for now. I, for one, am already looking forward to their return. Mentats of Dune features the story of Vorian Atreides, who works to make peace with his family’s sworn enemies in House Harkonnen. Characters from the other trilogy novels also make appearances, such as the villainous Erasmus and zealous Manford Torondo, as do the Fremen of Arrakis, not to mention sandworms. It wouldn’t be awesome without a sandworm or two of course. If you like Dune as I do, then get into these books.
Find the book here .

Inferno by Dan Brown

Just in time, since I missed the movie in theaters and still had a few weeks in 2016, I snatched the latest Robert Langdon (number four in the series, number three in the movie series) from my book shelf and set to work before the movie hit the digital rental service. It wasn’t hard to devour this one. Like Da Vinci Code (number two in the series, number one in the movie series), I had a hard time putting this book down. Langdon is back in killer nerdy, confused form in this one, only getting the clues but not the bullets and action smacking the walls around him. He’s knee deep in Dante lore, in Florence, in Venice, in death masks, and in plagues. This equated to a page turner in my book. I ended by Googling when Brown planned to pen the next in the series (number five in the series, maybe number four in the movie series, depending whether or not Howard gets around to doing The Lost Symbol), so that means it was good.
Find the book here .


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two by John Tiffany, Jack Thorne, and J.K. Rowling
I wasn’t sure I was ready for a new Harry Potter story (popularly called HP, right?), especially not one that would read weird. I was sure it would too, being that it was a play and not a novel at all, but after finding the rhythm of the story, I totally fell in love with it. I was back in the world of magic and Muggles in a flash. Being that I was already an adult when the series began, reading the Cursed Child made me feel like a younger adult. The story itself, with time travel and Harry’s kids, kept me enthralled until the end, definitely a worthy addition to the HP canon. I have to add, however, that I would love to see this made into a film. The fanboy in me, though I understand Rowling’s motivations and wishes, prays she will pen another novel in the series, because I would flip out.
Find the book here .

The Irish Bride Series: The Innocents Book 1 by Jaime Lorie Goza

Say hello to Grace, a young and innocent Irish lass (not to mention a new face to add to the grand tradition of Irish literature), whose life is rough, but also quirky and amiable at times. While not one who devours everything Irish, being Irish myself has led me to more than my fair share of books set in the Emerald Isle. This book fits into that collection quite well.  This book served as a fun distraction for reading time and makes for a good addition to anyone’s shelves, whether or not they’ve touched that goofy Blarney Stone thing.
Find the book here .

BOOK REVIEW: The Innocents by Jaime Lorie Goza

Irish literature holds a special place in my heart. It’s likely my own Irish heritage plays a part in that love, being that I have an undisclosed helping in my DNA. But it’s not just that. Everyone loves reading about the simple things, the struggles born of poverty, and the quaintness of rural life – narratives not restricted to those with Irish eyes of course. But Irish literature has all this, and Jaime Lorie Goza, the author of The Irish Bride Series, nails it in her prose.

If you want the Irish experience, to bask in the warmth of simpler (and a tad bit crazier) times, you can’t go wrong with this series.

She dives right in with “The Innocents,” book one of the series, by introducing us to Grace, a young Irish lass on the verge of learning that which we readers know full well – that being Irish is full of mental and physical anguish. It’s tough and it hurts, but whimsical and quite charming at times. There’s magic in every breath we take and every move we make, as someone once said. That magic can be found in the first of Goza’s memorable series when we delve into the story of Grace, Jacob, and her very Irish family.

Those who love all things Eire will find much to love in this fictional tale, just as they’ve loved others in the genre, from Claire Fullerton’s “Dancing to an Irish Reel” to, yes, Frank McCourt’s seminal “Angela’s Ashes.”

Check out the book here !

See Goza's website here .

In Curmudgeon available for a limited time

(Oct. 8, 2016) In Curmudgeon is a collection of essays, rants, short stories and more that acknowledge the dreary side of being alive (something so many writers are afraid to explore and so many excel at doing). In Curmudgeon takes the philosophy in narrative writing that not everything is meant to be, not everything ends happily, and not everyone finds joy in simple things.Available on Amazon, in both print and digital, for a limited time. Click  here . 

NEWS: Three authors talk shop at Old Capitol Books on Oct. 16th

(Monterey, Calif.) – October is a spooky kind of month, thanks mostly to the ghosts, goblins, vampires and Minions that run around asking for treats every Oct. 31. It’s a time for thrills and mystery, often of the supernatural variety. Mysteries and suspense, of a more urban kind, will be on the menu Sunday, Oct. 16, at Old Capitol Books in downtown Monterey. The event, from 3-5 p.m., features a trio of great writers, including acclaimed author Dietrich Kalteis, whose new book, “House of Blazes,” will be released on October 11th from ECW Press. The new book follows Levi Hayes as he attempts to get back what’s his in pre-quake 1906 San Francisco. Kalteis is also the author of the books, “Triggerfish,” “The Deadbeat Club,” and “Ride the Lightning,” and more than 40 short stories. He’s been featured in The National Post and Publisher’s Weekly, as well as other publications.
Joining Kalteis are authors JoAnn Smith Ainsworth and Patrick Whitehurst. Whitehurst, a Seaside resident, is the author of the books, “Monterey Noir” and “Monterey Pulp,” available digitally from Deerstalker Editions. The books feature homeless detective Barker, who lives beneath Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. Whitehurst is currently working on the third book in that series. Ainsworth is the author of several novels, including the Operation Delphi paranormal suspense series, which includes the books, “Expect Trouble,” and “Expect Deception” and features the character Livvy Delacourt. She’s currently at work on the third Operation Delphi novel.
Old Capitol Books is located at 559 Tyler Street in downtown Monterey. For more information on the event, visit Old Capitol Books online at oldcapitolbooks.com.
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REVIEW: Your Wilder Nature connects readers to nature’s pulse

Learn how to connect with nature, and through it, connect with yourself.

Author Daian Hennington makes it easy for those of us unaccustomed to the natural world in her new book, “Your Wilder Nature: A Field Guide to Tracking the Soul.” Here we learn to connect with the beauty of nature, in its most simplistic forms, by learning how to connect with ourselves.

Not that connecting to the world around us is always that easy, which is where Your Wilder Nature steps in.

Besides carefully scripted writing, Your Wilder Nature offers a wonderful assortment of images by Big Sur artist Gerald Webber and Hennington’s purposeful, guided explorations. For some, this well-crafted book will serve as a naturalist’s guide to the world and perhaps, a guide to the world inside your very soul.

From journaling to meditation, this book offers a variety of insights and rich prose taken from Hennington’s own life experiences. She is, after all, both an eco-therapist, a clinical social worker, not to mention an established writer.

Hennington conveys a solid sense of place in her sharp, no nonsense writing. It’s beautiful without trying to be. For a writer, that natural style is often hard to come by. Nature is what this book is all about, reconnecting with it, yearning for it, and loving it. And her love of nature shows. Perhaps it shows because she knows it’s within all of us to discover how spectacular the natural world can be.

Click here to order your copy.

Gulls and Goobers

My unfinished gull paintings. Someday, gull. Someday. This guy posed for these two photos after I promised him he would be famous. Gulls have been on my mind lately. Why I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I have these two paintings in the living room that I haven’t finished yet. Maybe it’s because the babies born this season in Pacific Grove are beginning to stretch their wings and take flight, yet they still lower their heads and call out for their parents to feed them. The one I saw today, gray and large, stood in the middle of the road pecking at a to-go cup lid. After it decided the lid wasn’t worth its time, the gull turned and began to strut away toward Central Avenue. Only the lid wasn’t done with it. A slight gust of wind, not enough to sway a branch or lift a skirt, blew over the lid and made it roll toward the gull as it walked (they kind of strut though, which I think I said already). The gull flipped out, thinking the lid had come to life and was chasing its ass down. I couldn’t help but laugh. It was a cute sight. The simplicity of it all hit me. And that felt nice. Maybe I’ve been thinking of them because they get a bad rap. I’ve always been a fan of the underdogs. So many may dislike them, but they’ve won me over.They might be on my mind because of a Facebook post. I recently learned the book “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” was the best seller the year I was born. This led me to want to read it. Can you believe the book is $11.99 for a digital download? Must be a special read I suppose, and my Facebook friends seemed to think it is.

It could be a gull’s relationships fascinate me, its upbringing, how they all cling to California’s coastal cities with flippered tenacity; these things are so different than what we do. Some of it’s the same, but so much is different. Gulls hardly even bother to make much of a nest for their offspring and they’re a fierce lot. They communicate like crazy and seem totally okay with sharing the sidewalks and roads with us, though there aren’t a lot of us who could say the same. Maybe they’re not all that smart, but some are, and I find myself hard pressed to look away when I watch them interact. Human relationships veer and careen in so many directions, often leading to dead ends, often leading to some quiet spot where clothes are rarely worn and moaning speaks louder than promises, and often there’s shouting - the best ingredient for the best sex, the best novels, and the best telenovelas. Sometimes human relationships stay right on the course they were meant to take, despite the best efforts of the intellectual minds involved. For whatever reason, I find the simpler model the better one. 

This isn’t to say people watching at the Monterey Fairgrounds won’t be a blast this year, but I bet I’ll notice the gulls hanging out waiting for some food to fall. And plenty of food will fall. They’re not that stupid.

The gulls are perfect for us.

SHORT FICTION - Finding the Squee Spot

“The cutest thing we’ve seen all day!” Social media said.

“But wait a minute,” Uploader said. “How can we top baby sea otters?”

Social media screamed in orgasmic bliss. “Oh my God, they’re so darn cute! Sharing, liking, trending!”

“Got it. How about baby sea otters with fluffy white kittens? Put them in a plastic pool together or something. Feed them all fish.”

Social media’s eyes grew as big as saucers. “Fluffy kittens with baby sea otters? Love, happy emojis, liking, sharing, trending!”

Uploader’s shoulders slumped with disappointment. “There is no way in hell we can top that. Our metrics can only go down from here. Engagement will drop.”

“One of the kittens licked the baby sea otter! SQUEE!”

Uploader’s face lit up with excitement. “I know. Koko the gorilla, baby sea otters, and kittens. Get Koko and put her in the pool. She’ll pet them and stuff. We’ll film it.”

“OMG. SQU…”

Uploader exploded with the best idea yet. “But wait, instead of the pool, throw them in a flood zone, like in Louisiana or something. Have them get rescued from the flood waters by some dudes in a raft.”

Social media could barely contain its indignation. “Terrible. What brave men to rescue these poor creatures. Sad face emojis, hearts, liking, trending!”

Uploader's face grew dark. “There’s nothing left. Nothing at all. Except… maybe…”

Social media climaxed. “Firefighters? Baby sea otters? Fluffy white kittens? Koko? All dancing together to a mix of David Bowie and Prince songs? Have I died and gone to heaven?! LOL! SQUEE! Liking till my finger breaks! Love emojis till there’s a cure for cancer! Trending till even George Stephanopoulos sheds a tear of joy. Sharing every day of the rest of my life.”

Uploader had no words. It was over. The Internet broke.

WRITING NEWS - Old Capitol Books author discussion in October

I’m very excited to announce I will be joining authors Dietrich Kalteis and JoAnn Smith Ainsworth for a special event at Old Capitol Books in Monterey, CA, on October 16th, from 3-5 p.m. We’ll be discussing our assortment of books and talking about all things literary. Dietrich is launching his new book, “House of Blazes,” which I look forward to reading. I hope to see you there!
Read more about this event here!

WRITING NEWS - Old Capital Books author discussion in October

I’m very excited to announce I will be joining authors Dietrich Kalteis and JoAnn Smith Ainsworth for a special event at Old Capital Books in Monterey, CA, on October 16th, from 3-5 p.m. We’ll be discussing our assortment of books and talking about all things literary. Dietrich is launching his new book, “House of Blazes,” which I look forward to reading. I hope to see you there!
Read more about this event here!

Pairing Booze and Books

Pairings. It’s what’s for dinner. Or with dinner. Or it’s just totally in now to know about these kind of first world shenanigans. A good wine paired with a specific dish - described more as an art form than a scientific recipe - or a good craft beer (like an American lager with grain dishes) are the rage these days. On top of that, pairings have gone past culinary delights and into fine cigar pairings, which naturally led me to wonder what booze would go well with what books while I digested orange chicken and puffed on a Cuban.

I came up with a list of alcohol that would go well with my own books, naturally, and thought I’d share it:


Williams – Strong Whiskey
Here you have a town like no other, full of mountain men and survival. Can you think of anything other than whiskey? A smooth brand, Maker’s Mark perhaps, is recommended for this photographic trip into the history of the Gateway to the Grand Canyon.



Grand Canyon’s Tusayan Village – Bloody Mary
This pairing may not seem intuitive, but it stems from a personal story. Thirteen years ago I worked all too briefly on the local railway, which tugs visitors up and down the country from Williams to the South Rim. My favorite part of the job? Making drinks. Entertaining the tourists proved to be more difficult, but I can still smell the Bloody Mary so many of them ordered on the rails. When I wrote about the history of Tusayan years later, I could often picture that train going by and that hit me like a… freight train. To me, it’s the drink of Tusayan.





Monterey Noir – Red Wine
Bring a sense of noir into your mysterious mind by pairing the adventures of Barker and his pack of dogs with a decent red. A cabernet sauvignon from local Monterey winery Pierce Ranch Vineyards would go well with these short, pulpy tales. Barker, who himself is a mix of Tarzan and Sherlock Holmes, carries a sense of classic pulp noir, told from a relaxed energetic demeanor. For that, red wine is fine.




Monterey Pulp – White Wine
You’re sitting on a beach, maybe Asilomar or Del Monte, somewhere near or within Monterey Bay. Your bare feet enter the sand. Sun bakes your cheeks. It’s time to read. For that, paired with Barker’s exploits, you need a nice glass of white, maybe a chardonnay from Ventana Vineyards.



Talk Jock Twits – Stout Ale
Maybe it’s because Josh White drank quite a few in the pages of this book, or that I did myself when I worked in a small town radio station, but nothing less than a strong, lip curling ale sounds right when delving into the antics of talk radio, whether we’re talking about national radio or regional radio, you need strong beer to make it better. Try something bitter from The Grand Canyon Brewing Company.







Mantula - Irish Coffee
Irish whiskey, strong coffee, some brown sugar, cream. This is the edge found in the pages of Mantula, but in liquid form. Get that jolt of power. Get that crazy on. But sip slowly, make it last, and you may just find yourself as changed as Doug himself. I may not have written it, but I always felt he had a bit of the blarney in him anyway.





In Curmudgeon (forthcoming) – Cognac
If you’re going to publish a collection of essays and rants, acknowledge the dreary side of being alive (something so many writers are afraid to explore and so many excel at doing), then why not do it in style. Nothing goes down like aged brandy, especially when talking about the run down, ragged world we all share. I’d go with Hennessy.




Be sure to check out this awesome, comprehensive list of booze and book pairing when you’re nice and drunk.