What's Wrong Mr. Mayor?

It seems like our esteemed mayor Michael Harris is now avoiding our interview. Apparently he wants this library issue to disappear. Word from his representative was that he would have a conversation with me but not an interview. When I responded with the fact that whether it was an "interview" or "conversation" the details would still end up on our blog, all communication stopped.

For those unfamiliar to the history of this, supposedly our mayor was to grant our blog an interview concerning the recent budget cuts to the Pleasant Hill library. Cuts that have made our library amongst the worst as far as hours and staffing in the entire Contra Costa County system. For those who have attended our library in the past month the affects of these cuts are very tangible. The lobby looks like a mess, there are long lines for help, and it takes two to three times as long to get a book you placed a hold on. I mean no disrespect to the librarians and volunteers who work there, they are all doing an exceptionally fantastic job with what they can do, there is just not enough manpower and hours to accomplish these tasks. Our once brilliantly efficient library seems now to run like a dilapidated warehouse in some 19th century slum village. All that was asked of our mayor was to clarify the causes and solutions to this problem.

Now, I would like to give the mayor the benefit of the doubt and say that he was simply too busy, but too much time has passed to stay with that conclusion. I am very disappointed in the mayor as I'm sure we all are. Unfortunately, it is growing clearer by the day that not only do we have a mayor who appears to be anti-education, but now appears to be anti-press. Like I wrote before, I feel as though he wants us all to forget about this issue and pretend it never happened.

Well, guess what mayor Harris, you will find we educated lot do quite the opposite in these situations. We have all read Animal Farm and 1984 and we know our alphabet past the letter C and we will not forget when laws and policy are changed. Remember mayor Harris...all voters are equal, but some voters are more equal than others.

Library Book Givaway!

Its that time of year again! Christmas (or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa) in August! The Pleasant Hill library is having their annual book giveaway next week! This is the event in which literally thousands (maybe tens of thousands) of books are available for anyone to take.

These are books of all genres and age level. And there is no limit to the amount you can take! Two years ago I took about 500 books to add to my school's library! Outside of the Super Bowl and the last day of school there is no other day of the year I look forward to more!

Here are the details!

August 17th - September 4th (excluding Sundays) from 9 am to 5:30 pm. Used books no longer needed in the collection available to you while supplies last.

Location:Contra Costa County Library, Shipping and Receiving Area

Interview With Local Authors: Simon Wood

How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?

I’ve lived in the Bay Area for around ten years now. I’ve lived entirely in the east bay in and around Richmond and El Sobrante.

When did you get your first book published?

My first book, ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN, was first published in 2002 by a small publisher then picked up a big publisher in 2007.

What type of books do you write?

I write about ordinary people put in extraordinary situations. Sometimes the dilemmas they face are of their own making and sometimes they're just good people in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Why do you write?

Because I have to. There are stories, ideas and themes I want to write about and I feel so passionately about them that I have to commit them to paper. It would be criminal not to…

How involved are you with the community?

I’m a Bay Area chapter board member of Mystery Writers of American and a past Bay Area president of Sisters in Crime. These two organizations work to help nurture and promote mystery writers. I’ve also spoken at a large number of county and city libraries throughout the Bay Area.

What challenges have you faced as an author?

I’m dyslexic and pretty much steered clear of the written word for most of my life. With the help of my wife, I taught myself the basics of creative writing and the rest is history. I have a pretty unorthodox way of getting my work down on paper.

Who were some your influences as a writer?

I’m a huge fan of pulp writers, Raymond Chandler, Lawrence Block, Reginald Hill, but I would say my major influence is Hitchcock. His eye for detail and human frailty and showing us the hero in all of us has had a massive influence on me. I think it shows up a lot in the scenarios in my books and short stories.

What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

I was always in awe of the fantastical as a child so the books I always promote are the Chronicles of Narnia, Norman Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth and a book which isn’t very well known over here, but is in England -- Stig of the Dump.

What do you think is the best way to get young people excited to read?

Introduce them to books that fire the imagination. There always seems to be a push towards certain classics and while that’s fine, people (young or old) need to find stories they love. So let them read whatever’s popular -- graphic novels or even adult books, or whatever. It doesn’t matter as long as they're reading and discovering the power of storytelling. One of the best times with books I had was when a school teacher let us read whatever we wanted as long as we could discuss the book. It was very empowering. Also remind kids that without books we wouldn’t have TV or movies. The human race can't live without stories.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Raymond Chandler, James M Cain, Cornell Woolrich, Reginald Hill, Lawrence Block, Jeffrey Deaver’s short fiction, Dorothy L Sayers, Barbara Vine, Ian Rankin, Patricia Highsmith, James Herbert, Stephen King, Richard Russo, Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, Richard Stark, Jim Butcher, just to name a few.

What are some of your favorite books?

If I was marooned on a desert island, I would want THE LONG GOODBYE (Raymond Chandler), LOVE ON A BRANCH LINE (John Hadfield), THE STRAIGHT MAN, (Richard Russo) and A SIMPLE PLAN (Scott Smith) with me.

Do you have a website we can visit?

www.simonwood.net

Where can we find your books?

In most bookstores or online. Some of my books and short stories are appearing electronically for the Kindle and other e-readers. My website has links to local bookstores, real and virtual.

Link +

Thanks to a recent suggestion I looked into the library's "link +" system. I haven't yet ordered anything on it, but I definitely plan to do so in the near future. The service is incredibly simple to use. You just log in using your CCC LIB card number and name, you pick the system you are affiliated with (CCC Public) and the library in which you'd like to pick up your selection. Here's some more detailed info on the service!

* LINK+ is a union catalog of contributed holdings from participating libraries in California and Nevada.

* Patrons from member libraries electronically request an item not available in their own library and it is delivered to them for check-out.

* LINK+ is available to authorized patrons of the participating libraries.

* LINK+ may be accessed directly at csul.iii.com or while using the local catalogs of participating libraries.

* Books and media may be borrowed if they are listed as "available" in the union catalog.

* An item may arrive at the requestor's library in 2 to 4 days. Books and some media will be held for up to 10 days. Selected media will be held for up to 5 days.

* The loan period for books and some media is 21 days with one 14-day renewal. The loan period for selected media is 7 days. No renewal is allowed for media selected for 7-day loan.

* There is no charge to request or borrow LINK+ materials

CCC Library on Facebook!

I've been trying to find an excuse to cancel my Facebook account for a while now...it seems as though I'll have to wait a little longer. The Contra Costa County Library is now on Facebook. If you become a fan of the CCC LIB you will recieve updates on upcoming events (including the annual book giveaway!).

Become a fan of your CCC Library!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Contra-Costa-County-CA/Contra-Costa-County-Library/72467750817

Found it!

Yesterday I posted that I could not find the book Enemy Mine by Barry Longyear. Well lucky for me (assuming its a good book) I found it! In a final effort I searched paperbackswap.com and there was a copy available. It should arrive in a few days. I can't wait to read it!

Thank you to everybody who gave suggestions!

For those who are unfamiliar with paperbackswap.com you can visit their website or read about it from an earlier posting of ours:

http://pleasanthillbookclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/paperback-swap.html

Interview With Local Authors: Alfred J. Garrotto

How long have you lived in the Bay Area? Which parts?

I have lived in the Bay Area since 1972. I've resided in Lafayette, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, and Pittsburg.

When did you get your first book published?

My first book, Christ in Our Lives, was published by Winston Press (Minneapolis, MN) in 1980.

What type of books do you write?

I write both fiction and nonfiction. In addition to Christ in Our Lives, my nonfiction books include Christian and Prayer (1981), Christians Reconciling (1981), and The Wisdom of Les Miserables: Lessons From the Heart of Jean Valjean (2008). I am currently writing a second volume in the "Wisdom of Les Miserables" format.

Between 1996 and 2007, I published five novels: A Love Forbidden (Picasso Press, 1996), Finding Isabella (Genesis Press, 2000), Circles of Stone (Hilliard & Harris, 2004), I'll Paint a Sun (Genesis Press/Kensington, 2007), and Down a Narrow Alley (2007, Lulu Press, Inc.). I have a baseball novel on the back burner, waiting for its time.

Why do you write?

Writing allows me to release a lifetime of reflection on major issues that all humans experience. I firmly believe that there is truth in fiction. So, whether I write novels or nonfiction the goal is the same: to tell the truth as I see it and experience it.

My secondary reason for writing is to leave a legacy to my daughters and grandchild(ren). I want them to know me better and remember me through my writing.

How involved are you with the community?

I'm quite involved in the Central Contra Costa County community. As a lay minister on the pastoral team of Christ the King Parish, Pleasant Hill, I am directly involved through various programs that help people learn more about themselves and their spiritual side. I also offer support to the parish's many outreach programs that attempt to meet the needs of local community members, particularly those in need of material, psychological, and spiritual assistance.

You are a former President of the Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers club, can you tell us the function of the club and what types of things go on at these meetings?

In 2009, the California Writers Club is celebrating its 100th year of promoting excellence in writing. Originally founded by a group of celebrated local authors, including Jack London, the organization provides a place for professional and aspiring writers to meet, network, and improve their written communication skills. The club meets monthly for lunch from September through June, usually on the second Saturday. Our Mt. Diablo Branch has over 150 members. At our meetings, guest speakers (published authors, editors, literary agents, publishers, etc.) who have achieved success in the literary industry share tips and ideas on how we can improve our writing and achieve greater success. Visit our website at http://www.mtdiablowriters.org/.

Are you still a member of the club?

I have been a member of CWC Mt. Diablo for 13 years and currently serve on the board of directors. I am Programs and Website Chair.

What challenges have you faced as an author?

The biggest challenge I face is in marketing my work. I'm not a famous author, therefore I need to take advantage of every opportunity--like this one--to get my work out before the public. I am building an online platform by maintaining a growing presence on the web. I have a website: http://www.blsinc.com/garrotto.htm. I blog at http://wisdomoflesmiserables.blogspot.com/. I'm on Facebook and Twitter. My books are available through all the major online booksellers (and some minor ones). I take every opportunity to do author events (signings) at local bookstores. I'm available to speak to writing and service groups and book clubs. For most authors, marketing is an ongoing challenge, but an essential effort.

Who were some your influences as a writer?

The greatest influence on my writing is Ron Hansen, bestselling author of Exiles, Atticus, Mariette in Ecstasy, and other great novels, and the nonfiction Faith and Fiction. Ron showed me that I could express my religious/spiritual beliefs in novels. Following his model, I have done my best to discuss important life issues in my fiction, as well as my nonfiction writing.

What types of books would you recommend for young readers?

I don't write for the youth market, but I'm quite interested in promoting reading (and writing) among our youth. I say to young people, "Read anything that interests you."

What do you think is the best way to get young people excited to read?

I wish I knew. My own children--now adults--were not devoted readers growing up, even though their dad was a writer. In their post-college adulthood, they are beginning to discover the pleasure of reading for their own enjoyment.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Victor Hugo has to hold first place for me. Les Miserables is my all-time favorite novel. My reading tastes are pretty eclectic, from spirituality to World Wars I and II fiction. My favorite spiritual writer is Ronald Rolheiser (The Holy Longing, The Restless Heart). A favorite war novelist is Jeff Shaara (The Rising Tide, The Steel Wave). I'm leaving out a host of fine writers whose books have entertained and inspired me.

What are some of your favorite books?

I've kept a record of books read since 1999 and average over 30 books a year (not a lot by some standards, but a lot for me). Anyone interested in seeing my favorites of the last decade can search on my name on Shelfari (http://www.shelfari.com/). I also have a complete list of my best reads since 1999 on my website at http://www.blsinc.com/favoritebooks.htm.

Do you have a website we can visit?

http://www.blsinc.com/garrotto.htm

http://wisdomoflesmiserables.blogspot.com/

algarrotto@comcast.net

Where can we find your books?

My books are available for sale at Amazon.com and other online booksellers.
I offer autographed copies through my website.

Several of my novels are in the Contra Costa County Library system.

Bonus!

I found that The Time Machine is on the 1001 books to read before you die list! Once I finish the book I will have read 35 books on this list (sad, I know).

Here is a link to the list:

http://www.listology.com/list/1001-books-you-must-read-you-die


Enjoy!

Donde esta Enemy Mine?

Anyone know where I can find a copy of the book Enemy Mine? Its not in the library system! It sounds like a cool premise and since Time Machine is only 122 pages I'll definitely have time to read one or both of secondary books this month.

And the movie of the month is...

Waltz With Bashir!

For All of the "To Kill A Mockingbord" Fans Out There

The current issue of the New Yorker has a fascinating article on the politics of the Tom Robinson trial. I thought you might all enjoy reading this since in a poll we had a few weeks back 33% of you chose it as your favorite high school book.

View the article here:

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/08/10/090810fa_fact_gladwell

The Time Machine: Enriched Classic

Unless you are familiar with 1895 British society, you may want to check out the enriched classic version of The Time Machine. The book is full of notes that give you insight to all of Wells' inside jokes and his mocking of the popular culture at the time. I have found it very useful so far and thought the rest of you who are reading this might also appreciate the extra information.

Teach an Adult to Read

I like to think that one of the missions of this blog is to help promote and improve literacy at all age groups in our community and beyond. I currently came across a program at our local library that I would love to share with all of you.

It's called Project Second Chance, and it is a part of the CCC Library's Adult Literacy Program. They are currently looking for volunteers to help tutor these brave people who are fighting for a second chance at reading. For as much as we love to read, I think it is our duty to help others share in this love.

Tutor training hours are:
Wednesday Sept. 23rd from 6:30-8:30
Saturday Wednesday 26nd from 9:00-3:00
Saturday October 3rd from 9:00 to 3:00

All 14 hours are required to become certified to tutor.

For more information please visit www.ccclib.org/psc

THANK YOU!!!