Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Ready for the FoB: Favorite Books of L.A.


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When I think of the month of April, besides the annual bloodletting involved with state and federal income tax preparation, this time of year has a decidedly literary bent for those of us who love reading. I'm referring to the upcoming and annual L.A. Times Festival of Books. It really is a large, one of kind event where books and authors take center stage big time on the campus of U.C.L.A. The collegial setting seems to bring out a huge number of local readers and draws others from across the country. Last year, I got to meet book blogger Jen in her first foray out here to cover this event (and that was a real treat). And because of her, and the nature of the web, last year's event led to further connections with writer/blogger Naomi, who just so happened to recommend a book panel post by the blogger known as Pop Culture Nerd (who was also there and lives in the southland).

Following all these folks on the internet then led to friendships and further connections to a host of others I now read on a regular basis. This now includes the spirited reader and social butterfly, Christine. All of this makes for lively conversations flying through the ether. Jen is soon to be heading to SoCal from Ohio once more to attend this year's FoB, and Christine will be making her first visit (leaving a day later from Nashville) to be present at the book event, as well (though, she's already familiar with L.A.). So, it promises to be a much bigger happening this time around in 2010. The coordination of the when and where's for this group is already in full swing. I'm sure we'll have a brainstorming session during Friday's annual Pre-FoB party at The Mystery Bookstore. We'll be primarily plotting to see how we can 1) covertly abscond Naomi, Novel Whore, and Lesa temporarily away from Ohio, New York, and Arizona (respectively) and into LaLa Land orbit for next year's book occasion, 2) find our missing and dear friend Corey Wilde, and 3) figure out why the publisher continues to hold back Don Winslow's great sequel to The Dawn Patrol, The Gentlemen's Hour, from U.S. readers. In the meantime, Pop Culture Nerd already started the Festival of Books sneaks by linking us to the recent Jacket Copy blog interview of author T. Jefferson Parker and his annual attendance at the festival. I thought JC's last question for the local  author fit well into this week's forthcoming festivities. So, I'll use his response for a couple of posts this week to stay in that celebratory spirit:
"Do you have a favorite book or movie about Los Angeles?"
TJP's favorite L.A. book: True Confessions. And a good choice it is -- one I'd expect from the SoCal native…

This post has been updated and moved to my current blog, which can be found here.

19 comments:

  1. Those are all great choices and if I made a list most of 'em would be on it. Now, what are your fave films of L.A.?

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  2. The L.A. Movie post will be up tomorrow, and I know you'll have some great ones to add to it, too. Thank you kindly, J.D.

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  3. Ahhh this is a great post! I need to be hidden away in a suitcase somehow and squired to LA for the FoB! I may have to start planning for next year just to avoid feeling desolate stuck in NYC. 

    Christopher Farnsworth of the upcoming vampire novel BLOOD OATH is on a "bloody fiction" panel, talking about blood and guts and fiction and I highly suggest you get there if you can... Since I'm going to be living vicariously through all of your blog posts, tweets and twitpics, I beg you to update constantly!!

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  4. Michael!

    That's so nice.  Hmm.  I'll have to see if this works next year, since I'm already going the Tucson Festival of Books, and Left Coast Crime in March.  My college roommate even lives in LA, so I'd have a place to stay, and she tried to talk me into going this year.

    I'll see what can be arranged for next year.

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  5. Well, you covered most of my favs there, but have you read any of the Fiddler and Fiora series, Michael? I'm reading the first one now called JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE. I'm liking it a lot, and really liking the way the author, A.E. Maxwell (a writing husband/wife team) use music analogies throughout the book. It doesn't rank as high as L.A. Requiem, but nothing does! ;)

    Can't wait to see you soon!

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  6. I second all of your choices, but would add Ellroy's "The Black Dahlia" as well. 

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  7. If we can continue to grow the number of bloggers, like you NW, coming to this event, it only will make it better. That Fiction, Bloody Fiction panel sounds so cool. Unfortunately, my teen son and I will be at the Comic Books: Indie and Beyond panel at noon. :(  Perhaps Christine, who'll still be there come Sunday, can make that. The Farnsworth novel sounds good. Maybe I can catch up to him if he's signing at one of the books booths. Do you know his FoB plans? Thanks, NW.

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  8. A roommate here and a place to stay? Sounds like it's meant to be, Lesa. I hope to see you next year! Thanks, Lesa.

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  9. I haven't read that series, but it sounds like I should. Looking forward to our lunch and Pre-FoB party on Friday, Jen. Thanks.

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  10. I know you're a big time Ellroy enthusiast, Jeff. I've heard great things about The Black Dahlia and The Big Nowhere. He and Joseph Wambaugh are in their own panel this year and the group of us will be attending it. I know you're up north, but have you ever come down for this? Thanks, Jeff.

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  11. Hooray! Party time is almost here!

    Great post, Michael. I went down your list and thought, "Definitely, uh-huh, check, yup," and so on. (Haven't read the Wambaugh ones, though.) Bet your film list is going to be awesome.

    Looking forward to seeing you, meeting Jen & Christine (they both get around, don't they?) and stalking some authors! Got my ninja clothes & stealth boots all ready to go. 

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  12. I know you're set for this, PCN. Thank you.

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  13. Unless I missed something, I don't think there's a conflict, so I picked up two tickets for the Fiction, Bloody Fiction! :)

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  14. I am so excited about this weekend!   8-)

    I feel like a crime fiction delinquent, of the books you've listed, I've only read the Crais and Connelly books.  (Does seeing the movie adaptations for L.A. Confidential and Get Shorty get me any partial credit?)  Really must remedy that.

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  15. Thanks so much for this wonderful post, Michael!  Can't wait to see Jen and meet you and PCN! [Not to mention, as a bonus, we'll get to meet Lady le0pard and at least one of the cubs!  ;) ] 

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  16. For those movie adaptations, oh yes. You get the partial credit :) .

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  17. It's going to be great weekend at the FoB. Weather-wise and company-wise. Thanks, Christine.

    p.s., the whole clad will be there come Sunday, Christine.

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  18. <span><span>
    <p>Great post, Michael, and I'm looking forward to the film list. You've reminded me again that I must read Wambaugh, and I never knew I should have read  True Confessions. So add that to my list.
    </p><p> 
    </p><p>You guys are going to have so much fun. Wish I thought I'd be there next year but my one commitment in  2011 is to Bouchercon. Maybe 2012?
    </p></span></span>

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  19. <span>Bouchercon</span> 2011 is the place most of us will meet, first-time and again. We can't miss that one--especially with RC being the man of the hour. FoB for 2012 would be great, Naomi. The important thing is...


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    Thank you for you kind word, Naomi  :)

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