I decided to start this because there were no San Diego groups ( thatI could find). My plan is to make it a general discussion of events and readings within San Diego County. So, please have fun with it, invite others. Basically, just go nuts.

And, yes, I took that photo. You like it?

---Daniel

Message edited by its author, Oct 28, 2009, 1:28pm.

Good photo! I took one of the skyline from the bay yesterday, but it wasn't as snazzy.

nice photo of our beautiful city... although I'm way out in El Cajon representin' East County!
thanks for starting the group...

oooh, that is a fantastic photo! I'm in 4S Ranch....

Warwicks usually has quite a few good readings, what other places are there that are also good?

TeacherDad, I'm out here in East County too! Glad to see I'm not the only one.
Beautiful picture! It's nice living in a city as great as this one!

well then: howdy! and welcome to LT...

Glad to see this group emerge. Does anyone know of a good, active ongoing book discussion group in the area? I live in North Park.

Personally, I know of no book discussion groups anywhere in San Diego...so, if anyone knows of any, feel free to share. Also...is there anyone out there willing to start one themselves?

Message edited by its author, Apr 21, 2008, 4:46am.

Lo' everyone. I'm out in Spring Valley, but glad to be here. I'm one of those commuter types though, so I get around:-)

8 > There are two groups in my area, although one looks as if it may disband. The first is an adult bi-monthly group at the 4S Ranch SD County Library -- I have never been but always planned to go, so I read the last two picks (Parchment of Leaves & Thirteenth Tale...I enjoyed both...not sure what the next pick is, I should check). The other group is a women's club in the community of 4S Ranch, but it looks like it may be done (me thinks it's because of the last pick....Pillars of the Earth....a good read, but LONG).

Message edited by its author, Apr 19, 2008, 10:44pm.

I'm in City Heights. Lovely picture!

Great idea bardsfingertips! Thank you for starting this. I'm in Ramona.

Message edited by its author, Apr 19, 2008, 10:04pm.

There's a discussion group in Scripps Ranch (http://srfol.org/srfol-discussion.htm), but I've never been. I just went to a discussion group in La Mesa a couple days ago with 15 attendees (book: The Time Traveler's Wife), but it's all women.

I know nothing about starting or maintaining reading groups, but I'd be happy to join if someone here wants to put one together.

For me, to get up and go somewhere after getting home from work in today's San Diego traffic is not appealing. For that reason I have never made it to any of Mysterious Galaxy's discussion groups even when the books have been favorites of mine. on the other hand 9firgive typos, broke my left wrist last weak and cant keyboard) I've participated for years in an online Women in SF group that started back when aol sponsored book groups. Sitting down at my computer and going to a specific chat room to discuss a specific book actually seems like a worthwhile use of such a room!

Yeah, traffic here is bloody terrible...

A great fantasy novel: "The day there was no Traffic in San Diego"

;-)

I'm in El Cajon/RSD myself.

ah, traffic... one of the prices we pay to live here...

and speaking of books set in/about San Diego, we should start a shelf in the Library...

I'm in La Mesa ... for now. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that I can find a new place to live sometime soon. Unfortunately, I'm way too busy to join any book clubs right now, but *shameless plug* if you're interested in readings, there's going to be a poetry reading on May 9th at SDSU. Mostly college and grad students, but it should be lots of fun!

Sad to say, you probably won't see me around here much - my internet is non-existent - but it's nice to know there are other bookworms around SD!

18>

Where at in SDSU? I live just a few blocks away.

I see we have another nice photo today.
It couldn't be more obvious were I am, could it?
And traffic... if I need to get on a freeway to get there, then I don't need to go there.

Yes, I took it from the rooftop of my work ;-)

Thank you.

17:
"and speaking of books set in/about San Diego, we should start a shelf in the Library... "

My tags "California" and "San Diego County" have vanished from my bio page for some mysterious reason, but they are still there in "show all tags."

I live on the eastern end of Mira Mesa with a not-so-lovely view of the ice arena parking lot. I'm lucky to have a flexible enough schedule to avoid traffic (most of the time).

Tagmashing "fiction" and "San Diego" gives this list (not that I've read any of these): http://www.librarything.com/tag/fiction,...

that's quite a list, I'd better get started...

there's also Wambaugh's Lines and Shadows which apparently my father-in-law (rest his soul) helped research/inspire as one of SD's finest...

Bards: My office is on the top floor of the old comerica bank tower (600 B St) and your photo is identical to my view.

I am in the Darth Vader tower if you can guess which one that is ;-)

I wonder if I have had you as a costumer when I worked at the now defuncted Scott's Gourmet Sandwhiches about three years ago....

The Baja chicken sandwich was my fav.

We could do a book group right here online and then meet in person a couple of times a year, just for fun, rather than meeting every week like a traditional group. We'd save on gas and avoid traffic and still feel a sense of getting to know our neighbors...

As in get enough people to join up and get a vote going for the next book of 2 weeks and then discuss it at the end of said two weeks?

Sounds good.

Yes. I've been in online groups and they work well! Although the spread between choosing and completion is usually a little longer than two weeks - maybe three. Figure some people will want to check the book out from the Library or fish for a cheap copy on Ebay.

Then you can set up a thread for discussion and people only join after they've finished, so as not to spoil it for themselves.

The only problem with LT is a lack of polling function, but perhaps we can come up with something.

Book groups are fun. They get you to read things you would not have picked up on your own and we get to know each other a little at a pace that accommodates almost every schedule and every location.

some of the groups here have used polling, linking it to it from their "what shall we read?" thread -- not that i know how to do any of that stuff, but I believe it's do-able...

19 - it'll be at Scripps cottage, pretty much in the middle of campus. I believe the reading starts at 7 (I should know these things, since I'm going to be reading!!), but I'll have to double check on that.

Well, very good! Thank you for the info.

If it is tonight, that's too bad for me. I cannot go. I have a hot date ;-)

Heres a list of book clubs from the county library system:

http://www.sdcl.org/PDF/SDCLBookClubs.pd....

I would like to be in an online book group, and meet in person sometimes too!

I live in La Mesa and I am new to SD.

Bards: thanks for starting the group! I hope your date was terrific.

Since I'm not really familiar with San Diego, but I assume most of you are, this is the perfect place for me to ask: have any of you ever been to the San Diego Symphony?

I got asked to the symphony, but I have no idea how fancy it is. The only one I've ever been to is the Hollywood Bowl, but I would hate to show up in jeans for a nice event! Any advice?

Being that it is San Diego, and San Diego tends to be pretty casual, you will probably see some people with jeans on. If I were going, I'd probably dress it up a bit more...nothing too fancy though.

Message edited by its author, May 9, 2008, 9:52pm.

StarGazer72, I would go dressy casual. Slacks and a nice shirt; non-dressy skirt and blouse. Nothing too fancy at all.

I love the #38 reply -- online, most of us are "Pat" so we have to cover male and female bases in our comments...

and yes, being very SoCal even at the Symphony, don't be surprised at shorts and flip-flops...

I love the new picture! My favorite part is the flag that is being flown over our beautiful city!

Hey all, thanks for the advice. TeacherDad, I didn't even think of it that way! Hehe. I don't do skirts, so pants and a nice shirt worked for me. :)

I don't do skirts either, but more importantly -- how was the symphony?

Thank you. It is a series of photos that I took on the roof of the building I work in. My only regret is that I had to lower the quality so much in order to fit it on our page.

:-D It was wonderful. They had some people who acted out the story of how Dvorak came to America and played songs that had influenced him, then the New World Symphony, which was beautiful. Much fun.

I live in Carlsbad, but work downtown (AT&T building). However, I'm lucky to be able to take the Coaster to and from work, so I don't suffer from road rage.

We have a BookCrossing group in this area which meets monthly. Several of the BC members are also LT members. If you're interested I'll let you know when the next meeting is scheduled. We generally meet at Panera Bread in Vista.

Message edited by its author, Jun 1, 2008, 7:51pm.

Who is going to Comic Con this year?

We'll be there! Took the boys to their first one last year, and they're already excited (and saving money) for this year... might even take The Wife and my 6-yr old, they were quite jealous...

My husband is going. Our cousin is Freddie E Williams II and he comes out every year for it the past few years so we go sporadically thoughout the entire event. I don't do good with crowds so I let them enjoy the days and hear all about it in the evenings when they come home.

So, the newest member of the group is Mysterious Galaxies Bookstore, mgbooks.

If any of you have not heard of this bookstore, they specialize in Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Mystery; or, as they put it: "books of Martians, Murder, Magic and Mayhem".

So, if this is the sort of fiction that interests you, check 'em out.

Being the avid readers that we all are, is anyone going to attend David Sedaris next week?

Nope. I heard about it, but I can't meet authors anymore (invariably I say something idiotic in my nervous state).

Oh, he's performing, not meeting.

If you called reading from your book performing ;-)

My bad. I thought I heard he was signing.

I feel like I'm missing out on something, because a lot of people seem to really like David Sedaris but I found his book, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, kind of grating. I just felt like the narrator/author was looking down on everyone (even when he was self-deprecating about this quality) and just being mean. I didn't think it was funny. Are his other books any better or will I dislike his style in any?

I read most of one of his books, Naked, and I thought it was just okay with some really funny observations mixed in.

What I really like is less his words and more of his readings of his words.

As an NPR personality, I think he is great. Therefore I love hearing his voice speak his stories.

To me it's like reading a Simpsons comic book: what's the point if I don't have the voices?

Message edited by its author, Jun 26, 2008, 12:54am.

Completely switching subjects here....

I'm not sure if any of you have ever used the "Buy For Me" feature on the SD County Library website, but I just used it, and I'm thrilled to say that they bought 6 copies of the item I requested...woohoo! It only took them 2 weeks to order it, from the time I submitted my request to the date of order. It was the Peter O'Toole Masada miniseries -- not something I would ever buy myself, but having just gone to Masada in Israel, I really wanted to watch it.

I hardly ever come across something (book or movie) that the library system does not have, but when I do, I'm glad to know that the order feature actually works. :)

I just found a really cool used book store called Book Off.

Here's the page I added for it:

http://www.librarything.com/venue/32775/...

Cool. I'll have to check it out. How is its science fiction section--large or small?

well, that is the one issue they have: they sort of clump everything that is fiction together. But you'll be amazed as to how clean it is. It is a Japanese company that runs it, actually. Thus resulting in everything being half Japanese and the other half English. They also have a bunch of used DVDs and CDs (and most of their CDs are actually imported versions of English-language artists). It is a really neat store.

56 - I frequently use that feature on the city library website, but my suggestions are only taken up a quarter of the time.

59 - Is that the little shop located inside and to the right of the Japanese grocery store or am I thinking of something else?

Message edited by its author, Jul 7, 2008, 4:02pm.

To the right, directly nextdoor to Staples. It's rather large.

Message edited by its author, Jul 7, 2008, 4:26pm.

I see - we're thinking of the same plaza but not the same store (the little shop I was thinking of in Mitsuwa has magazines and who knows what else since I haven't actually stepped inside). Book Off must be somewhat new then. It has been awhile since I've been to that plaza, but I would have noticed something that big.

Message edited by its author, Jul 7, 2008, 4:45pm.

Yeah, not the shop inside of Mitsuwa, although that one is rather neat to browse through even if I get funny looks for pretending to read Japanese ;-)

Message edited by its author, Jul 7, 2008, 5:18pm.

Did we happen to grab everyone in San Diego on librarything? No one has joined in a few days now.

What happened to our site? It looks funny.

>65
I'm getting it too. At first it was okay, then I got the giant font, then I got the text being very narrow on the side of the page. And in between all those "page cannot be displayed." It keeps changing every time. Probably the site and not exclusive to us.

Yeah, I first saw it on the American Postmodernism group.

So, the San Diego Book Fair, 3rd annual, is taking place on Oct. 3rd and 4th at San Diego's City Community College. Is anyone planning on going? I went the first year, and it was right after a series of rain... It was interesting...there were a few booths of "extreme" politics. But, if you are an avid collector of books, or want to meet some new authors you might have never heard of, go check it out.

Here's the address: http://www.sdcitybookfair.com/

Message edited by its author, Sep 25, 2008, 1:08pm.

What is extreme politics bardsfingerips? :)

Stands full of Communist Newpapers ;)

It think it is called "The Daily Worker".

Well see, they are ahead of their time! Little did we know that the housing bubble came with a socialism balloon payment at the end.

Too true, too true :-)

Is anyone going to the Escondido Renaissance Faire? Here's the website: http://www.goldcoastfestivals.com/escond...

Too many $$. Otherwise I'd stop by to check it out.

Here's what I am doing on Monday:

http://www.sandiegoshakespearesociety.or...

:-)

How fun! I'm jealous.

If you like Shakespeare, bardsfingertips, you might like The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. I just finished the mp3 and it was great - it's a modern day Hamlet.

Message edited by its author, Nov 13, 2008, 3:30pm.

I am going to get all preachy on you people, so I am sorry about that.

Do you remember that photograph of the beach that I posted on this site as our group's photograph? It was, as I had said, taken from the Chula Vista Nature Center.

My girlfriend was watching the news last night and informed me that it is under serious threat of closing based on a report she saw (like, what isn't under threat these days?).

Anyway, if anyone here has gone there, you would know that is it a beautiful, educational venue that is worth taking the family.

If you haven't gone, perhaps you can take the time to go and see what it's all about.

Here is the web site.

http://www.chulavistaca.gov/City_Service...

And here is a news story about it:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro...

So all of you know, I have no affiliation with The Chula Vista Nature Center, nor do I even live in or around the city of Chula Vista. I am just a fan.

Thanks for reading.

Message edited by its author, Dec 5, 2008, 3:30pm.

Ah man... that's been on our list of places to go for years now, guess we'd better move it to the top!
Thanks for the heads up...

I've never been, but my daughter's field trip group is going there in January (since it may be the last opportunity!).

Happy Holidays, everyone! Thanks for participating in this group and adding so many posts & insights.

Please be safe as the year closes down and starts anew.

This has nothing to do with books unless you are a fan of the Alice books of wonderland, but I should tell everyone that in Balboa Park this weekend is the Fungus Festival.

Here's the info I found in City Beat:

If you dig mushrooms, you’re in for a treat this weekend: The San Diego Mycological Society will host its 12th annual Fungus Fair. Amid displays of hundreds of different kinds of mushrooms and mushroomanalia, experts will be on hand to identify any specimens you might bring them. Learn new mushroom recipes, try mushroom-prepared food and purchase mushroom souvenirs. For $5, they can even help you make your own mushroom-growing kit. The Fungus Fair will go down in Room 101 of the Casa del Prado from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22. Suggested donation: $1. www.sdmyco.org, 760-753-0273.

Oooh, I want to do THAT! Thanks, bard.

I decided to do events for this week.

Here are all the book events that I know of via the San Diego City Beat.

I am going to try and do this every Wednesday or Thursday. But don't fault me if I forget ;-)

WHITNEY STREIBER
Streiber discusses Critical Mass.
Date Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009 - Thu
Time 7 P.M.
Place Mysterious Galaxy Book Store

WAYNE ANDERSON
Anderson discusses The Six Key Habits of Health, followed by a seminar on weight related illnesses. Book signing at 6 p.m., seminar at 7 p.m.
Date Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 - Fri
Time 6 P.M.
Place Hilton Mission Valley

ROSEMARY HARRIS AND KATE CARLISLE
Harris and Carlisle discuss their respective books, The Big Dirt Nap and Homicide in Hardcover.
Date Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 - Fri
Time 7 P.M.
Place Mysterious Galaxy Book Store

DAVID R. BROWN
Brown reads from his book Memoirs of a Drag Queen, followed by a question and answer session.
Date Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009 - Sat
Time 1 P.M.
Place Rubber Rose

CRAIG MULLANEY
Mullaney discusses The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier's Education. See website for registration.
Date Monday, March 2, 2009 - Mon
Time 7 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
Place Neurosciences Institute
Cost $25.00
http://revelleforum.ucsd.edu/

READ ACROSS AMERICA
Warwick's Bookstore hosts this free Dr. Seuss reading event. Includes refreshments and giveaways.
Date Monday, March 2, 2009 - Mon
Time 4 P.M.
Place Warwick's Bookstore

ANDY GRIFFITHS
Griffiths discusses Mascot Madness!
Date Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - Tue
Time 6:30 P.M.
Place Barnes & Noble Mira Mesa

AZIM KHAMISA
Khamisa discusses The Secrets of the Bulletproof Spirit: How to Bounce Back from Life's Hardest Hits.
Date Wednesday, March 4, 2009 - Wed
Time 7:30 P.M.
Place Warwick's Bookstore

Another local event:

Community Used Book Sale (sponsored by RCC)

When: Sat, March 7, 8:00am – 2:30pm

Where:Rite Aid Parking Lot at 6405 El Cajon Blvd.

Description:

The Rolando Community Council (RCC) sponsors a community Used Book Sale on the 1st Saturday for each month (*weather permitting*), from 8:00 am - 2:30 pm held at the Rite Aid Parking Lot at 6405 El Cajon Blvd. (in front of the College Post Office) at the corner of El Cajon Blvd and Art St. Books may be donated by bring them to the book sale and dropping them off with a volunteer. All proceeds go to the Rolando Community Council (RCC) which supports the community through its contributions and and events such as thr Rolando Street Fair. For more information, please see: http://www.rolandovillage.com/community-...

I posted a separate topic for events in San Diego concerning Books and literature.

Feel free to post anything else you all may come across.

Thanks!

Are there any other photographers in this group?

I have decided to take some classes at City so that I have a piece of paper that supports what I already know about.

Anyway...I just want to know if there are any photographers, professional or amateur.

Thanks.

Very much amateur, if you count the 8000+ photos I've added to FindAGrave and the 70 LT Venue photos, and the pics I bore the heck outta my Facebook and MySpace friends with. ;-)

Did take a few b&w darkroom evening classes in the early '80s.

I can hardly believe how many people we have in this group!

Makes me happy!

Well, I have been really busy as of late, hence why I have not been updating the local happenings.

Anyway, please keep this group alive. I will be checking in and posting whenever I possibly can :-)

Hey, everyone!

So, this last Tuesday, I went to Upstart Crow book store (if you have not been, I recommend it. Keep the indie bookstores alive!) to attend a monthly event put on by the San Diego Shakespeare Society. It's a very casual reading of a selected play held every first Tuesday of the month. The event has a director to provide commentary between scenes. Then whoever wishes to read can just raise their hands and provide a role for the part.

This last play was Henry IV, Part One.

Anyway, I highly suggest anyone to go, especially if you have a fun-loving attitude toward's the Bard's works.

Here is the website for the event: http://www.sandiegoshakespearesociety.or...

Here is the site for the book store: http://www.upstartcrowtrading.com/aboutu...

I hope at least a few of you will attend, or even becomes members of the Society.

That sounds very interesting. I would totally try it if it were on a different night. I have a standing appointment on Tuesday nights that I can't get out of; but if I ever do I will keep this in mind.

Hmmm, is it at all like the nightly productions of Richard III in the Thursday Next books? Sounds like fun!

Speaking of bookstores, I would never have guessed that the UCSD Bookstore would have such a bitchen selection of surfing books. The best I have found south of LA. It's worth the hassle of finding parking (which is free on weekends and the bookstore is open on Saturdays).

Friends of the Library in Allied Gardens will hold their Fall Book Sale on Saturday, October 31, from 9:30 - 1:30 at the Benjamin Library, 5188 Zion Avenue, San Diego.

Message edited by its author, Oct 26, 2009, 10:13pm.

I created a new group for Genre fiction: http://www.librarything.com/groups/sandi...

That Shakespeare casual reading thing is taking place tonight at Upstart Crow.

Check it out!

http://www.sandiegoshakespearesociety.or...

Tonight is Merry Wives of Windsor, (directed by Sophia Sproule and Cherie Peacock)