I love reading books located in the cities I am about to visit. But when it came to San Francisco and the Bay Area, I was really impressed by the wealth of choices available.
My colleague Walter Thompson confirmed this:
“I’ve lived in San Francisco for most of my adult life, and while I don’t have data to back it up, I think the city is overrepresented in literature: the number of songs, of novels, TV shows, and films set here is nothing short of astounding. imagination.”
I bought one as I began preparing for my week in San Francisco for Disrupt, and figured my colleagues had their own recommendations to share. Below is a list of books we love and hope you enjoy too.
Although we managed to select two books by the same author, our choices are very diverse, ranging from historical novels and non-fiction to science fiction. But they all have one thing in common: They have ties to San Francisco and the Bay Area. This is a great thread: as Walter noted, San Francisco is in a constant state of reinvention.
Book recommendation: “Tales of the City,” by Armistead Maupin
Who chose it: Karyne Levy, editor-in-chief TC+
What began as regular articles in the San Francisco Chronicle grew into a cultural phenomenon, spanning nine books and three decades. It follows the lives and loves of a group of unforgettable characters who live at 28 Barbary Lane, under the watchful eye – and genuine warmth – of their loving owner, Anna Madrigal. And a note for the curious: this address doesn’t exist, but the area it’s based on is known as Russian Hill (Macondray Lane, to be exact)!
Maupin does a wonderful job of capturing the city and its vibes from the late 1970s to the mid-2000s, using storylines that include real events (Jim Jones, the AIDS epidemic) and a cast of characters that you will love it immediately. Besides, I’m going to reread my collection starting this evening!
Book recommendation: “1906: A Novel,” by James Dalessandro
Who chose it: Walter Thompson, Editorial Director, Guest Contributor Program Manager
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