Mailbox Monday: Valley of Genius by Adam Fisher

I got one new book last week, how about you?



Valley of Genius: The Uncensored History of Silicon Valley (As Told by the Hackers, Founders, and Freaks Who Made It Boom) by Adam Fisher

So, I have no connection to Silicon Valley, but I do have a policy of buying books if my friends write them. Or, in this case, if my friend's brother writes one. And now that it's here, I have to say it has captured my attention. It's a real insider look at a world I know nothing about.

Thanks for joining me for Mailbox Monday, a weekly "show & tell" blog event where participants share the books they acquired the week before. Visit the Mailbox Monday website to find links to all the participants' posts and read more about Books that Caught our Eye.

Mailbox Monday is graciously hosted by Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, and Martha of Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf.

Weekend Miscellany: Cocktails and Books

We kicked off the weekend last evening with a home date. Cocktails and snacks and a long-awaited break from the hot weather. We had our favorite "house cocktail" --  tequila martinis, served “club style” this time.

Now after a Saturday morning trip to the farmers market, I'm settling in for an afternoon with a good book before my neighborhood block party.

I’m reading Persian Nights by Diane Johnson and enjoying it very much. Published in 1987, it is set in 1978 Iran, right before the overthrow of the Shah. The main character is the American wife of a supposed-to-be-visiting doctor who goes on to Iran without him when an emergency keeps him in California.

With all the world history that has passed since, I can’t imagine the story being written the same way now.

Any other Diane Johnson fans? I loved her three France books, Le Divorce, Le Mariage, and L'Affaire. Have you read this one? What’s your favorite?

Great weekend!

Book Beginning: I Know Now by Cinda Stevens Lonsway

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAYS

THANKS FOR JOINING ME ON FRIDAYS FOR BOOK BEGINNING FUN!

MY BOOK BEGINNING

The sound of the squeaking front door makes me turn.

-- I Know Now: A Woman's Healing: Violence to Victory, Trauma to Truth by Cinda Stevens Lonsway. This memoir tells how the author survived a violent attack at age 19, struggled to heal from that trauma when she became a mother, and how she finally found what she calls "sacred insight."

Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author’s name.

EARLY BIRDS & SLOWPOKES: This weekly post goes up Thursday evening for those who like to get their posts up and linked early on. But feel free to add a link all week.

FACEBOOK: Rose City Reader has a Facebook page where I post about new and favorite books, book events, and other bookish tidbits, as well as link to blog posts. I'd love a "Like" on the page! You can go to the page here to Like it. I am happy to Like you back if you have a blog or professional Facebook page, so please leave a comment with a link and I will find you.

TWITTER, ETC: If you are on Twitter, Instagram, Google+, or other social media, please post using the hash tag #BookBeginnings. I try to follow all Book  Beginnings participants on whatever interweb sites you are on, so please let me know if I have missed any and I will catch up.

TIE IN: The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice is a natural tie in with this event and there is a lot of cross over, so many people combine the two. The idea is to post a teaser from page 56 of the book you are reading and share a link to your post. Find details and the Linky for your Friday 56 post on Freda’s Voice.

YOUR BOOK BEGINNING

Author Interview: Kai Nicole

After her years of dating experience, discussions with girlfriends (and men), and what she read on social media, Kai Nicole realized that she approached dating differently from other women. Her upbringing and personal approach to life gave her the mental freedom she thinks many women do not feel when it comes to dating. So she wrote Date Like a Woman, "key strategies to simply enjoy the art of dating."

Kai Nicole recently talked with Rose City Reader about her book:

How did you come to write Date Like a Woman?

After seeing so many discussions on social media about how women were having problems with their dating lives I decided to sit down and try to address as many of the problems as I could.

You have a law degree and worked in law, entertainment, and high tech. How did your professional background lead you to write a book about dating?

It didn’t. It is totally separate. I think that there is a very real need for women to look at the reasons why they may be having so many problems in dating. The book was a separate undertaking altogether although my experiences helped me in writing the book.

What makes your book different than the many other How To guides to dating?

My book, Date Like A Woman, has a fresh, non-sexist perspective on dating. It is written from a woman’s point of view, not some male guru’s. It teaches women to enjoy dating and is not goal oriented to “landing a husband.”

Who is the intended audience for your book?

Women! Of course, men will read it because they are nosey and want to know what women are thinking.

You have an excellent blog and website, and are also active on Twitter and Instagram. As an author, how important are social media for connecting with your readers?

Social media is key, especially as a first time author. I am proud to say that women who have read my book, love it!

Did you think of turning your dating expertise into fiction and writing novels?

I am currently writing a movie script based on the book.

What did you learn from writing your book or writing your blog about dating advice that most surprised you?

There are a lot of people struggling with dating and relationships, more than I thought. And, a lot of people are lonely, way more than I knew.

What is the most valuable advice you’ve been given as an author?

“Keep going, never give up. People love good books.”

Who are your three (or four or five) favorite authors? Is your own writing influenced by who you read?

I can’t say that my writing is influenced by them, but since I am/was a huge science fiction fan, I of course, love J.K. Rowling. Two more of my big favorites are Isaac Asimov and Barack Obama.

What are you reading now?

Right now I am reading for different reasons, The Last Black Unicorn, by Tiffany Haddish, and The Zebra Murders, Prentice Earl Sanders and Bennett Cohen.

What are you working on now?

I am very excited to be writing a movie script for Date Like A Woman.

THANKS KAI!

DATE LIKE A WOMAN IS AVAILABLE ONLINE, OR ASK YOUR LOCAL BOOK SELLER TO ORDER IT.

Teaser Tuesday: Burglars & Blintzes by Morgan C. Talbot

Ashley leaned forward, putting her elbow in a bit of leftover whipped cream on her plate. "You have to let me come with you."

-- Burglars & Blintzes by Morgan C. Talbot. Pippa Winterbourne owns a B&B for mystery writers on the Oregon coast and, like all good amateur sleuths, finds herself solving mysteries on the side. This second book in Talbot's Moorehaven Mysteries series finds Pippa chasing skeletons and possible pirate treasure.

Read my earlier author interview with Morgan C. Talbot.

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by The Purple Booker, where you can find the official rules for this weekly event.