I like Lisa See a lot, though I haven't read any of her recent books. (If you like her, check out Anchee Min, too -- she hasn't written a single book I haven't loved.)
Great minds think alike? No, I haven't read VERA, I'll have to check it out as it looks like something I'd enjoy reading. Thanks for the recommendation.
Love this post! Just off the top of my head 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac spends a good part of its wordcount in the Bay Area. There's also 'The Maltese Fiction' if you're in more of a hardboiled mood!
I've heard of both of these books, but I didn't know enough about them to know they have a SF connection. I'll have to check them out. Thanks for the recommendations.
Oooh, I’ll be reading this for sure. Love the legacy of SF. Sadly, the city is in such decline. Hope it recovers as it’s one of the most iconic urban locales on the planet.
I love your focus on books set in San Francisco, a city I called home for a number of years and visit often. Amy Tan’s Joy Luck club is a huge favorite, as is Lisa See, many of whose books I’ve read and enjoyed. A See novel I particularly like is The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, which, if I remember correctly, has a San Francisco connection at the end, though it mostly takes place in a remote tea-growing village in China. On Gold Mountain, her book about her family’s multigenerational and intermarried history in California, is also fascinating.
I can't wait to go back again with no specific plans and no deadlines, just some time to do what I want, when I want. I can't wait to retire next year.
Thanks for the recommendation. I've seen it before, but haven't read it. Why, oh why, do there have to be so many good books to read and so little time to read them? A readers dilemma for sure.
What a terrific theme! I loved being reminded of See's and Tan's books but also loved learning about The Nature of Fragile Things and The Bohemians. I love books that bring us closer to a place and time.
I like Lisa See a lot, though I haven't read any of her recent books. (If you like her, check out Anchee Min, too -- she hasn't written a single book I haven't loved.)
Super, I'll check her out also as I do enjoy See's books. Thanks for the recommendation.
Funny that we both posted about historical fiction set in SF today. Have you read VERA by Carol Edgarian?
Great minds think alike? No, I haven't read VERA, I'll have to check it out as it looks like something I'd enjoy reading. Thanks for the recommendation.
Love this post! Just off the top of my head 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac spends a good part of its wordcount in the Bay Area. There's also 'The Maltese Fiction' if you're in more of a hardboiled mood!
I've heard of both of these books, but I didn't know enough about them to know they have a SF connection. I'll have to check them out. Thanks for the recommendations.
Great list, Gayla!
'I Hotel' by Karen Tei Yamashita is a (largely) SF-based novel I'd recommend.
I have never heard of this author before. The e-book is on sale so I bought it. I can't wait to read it. Thanks for the recommendation.
Oooh, I’ll be reading this for sure. Love the legacy of SF. Sadly, the city is in such decline. Hope it recovers as it’s one of the most iconic urban locales on the planet.
I look forward to visiting it again, but how sad that's declining. I think this describes many large cities.
I love your focus on books set in San Francisco, a city I called home for a number of years and visit often. Amy Tan’s Joy Luck club is a huge favorite, as is Lisa See, many of whose books I’ve read and enjoyed. A See novel I particularly like is The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, which, if I remember correctly, has a San Francisco connection at the end, though it mostly takes place in a remote tea-growing village in China. On Gold Mountain, her book about her family’s multigenerational and intermarried history in California, is also fascinating.
I believe I have all of See's novels, I just haven't read them all yet. I haven't read On Gold Mountain yet, but I'm looking forward to reading it.
Loved Fragile Things! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh, I agree, I loved it too. It is probably my favorite of hers that I've read. I still have two more to read to become a completist.
My other favs are A Fall of Marigolds and As Bright As Heaven.
I miss Northern California. No matter how many times I visited San Francisco it was always like a new adventure.
I can't wait to go back again with no specific plans and no deadlines, just some time to do what I want, when I want. I can't wait to retire next year.
I love The Joy Luck Club! I also enjoyed her book called The Valley of Amazement. I recommend it. :)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17383934-the-valley-of-amazement
Thanks for the recommendation. I've seen it before, but haven't read it. Why, oh why, do there have to be so many good books to read and so little time to read them? A readers dilemma for sure.
What a terrific theme! I loved being reminded of See's and Tan's books but also loved learning about The Nature of Fragile Things and The Bohemians. I love books that bring us closer to a place and time.
Thanks for being here Betsy.