Robert Crais: To Write in L.A.
“The Los Angeles Times determined we have 114 separate and distinct neighborhoods here in Los Angeles. The city has posted several hundred blue signs naming far more. L.A. is a mash-up of uncountable, diverse neighborhoods spread over 465 square miles; hard and soft, painted in colors from concrete gray and security bar black to putting lawn green and jacaranda snowfall purple; beautiful, mysterious, dangerous, welcoming neighborhoods, soundtracked by the music of more languages than you or I or even the Los Angeles Times can count.”
Novelist Robert Crais draws from perspectives both near and far to uncover a city rich in mystery and opportunities in his recent piece for the L.A. Times and the Festival of Books that took place over the weekend, A Story to Find on Every Street.
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The Stand Audiobook Review
There was a time, decades ago, I read every single Stephen King book being published. Nowadays, I pick and choose between the more recent stuff of his, but that’s not any reflection toward him as an author. It’s more about what my tastes in reading are at this stage in my life — and it’s not unusual they’ve shifted over the years. No matter. Without question, this author has been influential in my life. If he wasn’t, I’d not seek his newer works or go back to re-read his early books. There’s only a handful of writers that I do that particular thing with, and re-watch the TV/film adaptations of his novels (sometimes referred by me as the good, the bad, and the ugly). Read more 
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Los Angeles: Recommended Viewing
Previous: Recommended Listening
As I finish my look at the wonderful gift my bride of 23 years gave me for our recent wedding anniversary, this is the third and last entry that reviews the particularly intriguing addendum titled “Selected Los Angeles Viewing/Listening/Reading” that lies within the publication. The photographic Taschen book, Los Angeles, Portrait of a City is a marvelous work written by Harvard PhD. and USC Professor Kevin Starr and David L. Ulin, books editor for the L.A. Times.
Edited by Jim Heimann, it incorporates some gorgeous history-laden photographs for the City of the Angels, the place my family and I call home. It is its own highlight and worth discussion. For this one, I’ll showcase their viewing collection, one that has what it is to be L.A. firmly in its sights, theater screens, and in the hearts of movie goers. I’ve included the IMDB links for the films on their list, as well as the authors remarks for each on the film roll call. What are your thoughts regarding this list? And what would you add, if you could?
For those who are interested, here’s their viewing breakdown by calendar period:
Los Angeles: Recommended Listening
Previous: Recommended Reading
As I continue my look at the wonderful gift my bride of 23 years gave me for our recent wedding anniversary, this is the next entry that looks at the particularly intriguing addendum titled “Selected Los Angeles Viewing/Listening/Reading” that lies within the publication. The photographic Taschen book, Los Angeles, Portrait of a City is a marvelous work written by Harvard PhD. and USC Professor Kevin Starr and David L. Ulin, books editor for the L.A. Times.
Edited by Jim Heimann, it incorporates some gorgeous history-laden photographs for the City of the Angels, the place my family and I call home. It is its own highlight and worth discussion. For this second entry, I’ll showcase their listening collection, one that has what it is to be L.A. firmly in its sights (and ears). I’ve included links to the songs on YouTube when available. For my faves on their list, I’ve included the authors thoughts on those below on their list entries. What are your thoughts regarding this list? And what would you add, if you could?
For those who are interested, here’s their listening breakdown by calendar period:
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Los Angeles: Recommended Reading
I consider myself pretty damn lucky for a number of reasons. I have a wonderful family and live in a place where I’d want to move, if I wasn’t already here. Plus, I’m married to the love of my life — one who gives gifts that really hit home. For our recent wedding anniversary, she-who-must-be-obeyed graced me with another. This time with a photographic Taschen book, Los Angeles, Portrait of a City. It’s a marvelous work written by Harvard PhD. and USC Professor Kevin Starr and David L. Ulin, books editor for the L.A. Times, that incorporates some gorgeous history-laden photographs for the City of the Angels.
I’ve been slowly going through it, savoring the images and past found within. Yet, as an addendum, the authors, along with editor Jim Heimann, amassed an intriguing section titled “Selected Los Angeles Viewing/Listening/Reading” in the work. It is its own highlight and worth discussion. I thought I’d call attention to each of these items in separate posts, including the authors thoughts on some of their list entries. For this first one, I’ll showcase their reading collection, one that has what it is to be L.A. firmly in its sights. What are your thoughts regarding this list? And what would you add, if you could?
For those who are interested, here’s their reading breakdown by calendar period:
