The Week Ahead @ Book Passage

Among Bay Area bookstores, Book Passage in Corte Madera has one of the most active schedules going of author events, readings, classes and other literary happenings. In fact, it’s not uncommon for more than one or two author talks to take place here just about every day. And what's more, many of these events have a local connection. Looking at the week ahead, here are three events not to miss.

Sarah G. Allen discusses Field Guide to Marine Mammals of the Pacific Coast
-- Sunday, January 22 at 1 pm

Don’t miss local scientist Sarah G. Allen as she presents her Field Guide to Marine Mammals of the Pacific Coast: Baja, California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia (University of California Press, $24.95), a handy guide to the identification, natural history, and conservation of species which inhabit the spectacular coastal region we call home.

This interpretive field guide – which includes color illustrations, photographs, drawings, and maps – describes the various whales, dolphins, seals, and otters that are resident in, migrate through, or forage the waters from the Baja peninsula in the south to British Columbia in the north – with stops along the way in the waters off Marin County. And what’s more, this new book tells where and how to view these many fascinating creatures.

Algonquin Book Club Night with Naomi Benaron, author of Running the Rift
-- Tuesday, January 24 at 7 pm

Algonquin books, the fiercely independent publishing house that launched national bestsellers like Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and When She Woke by Hillary Jordan comes to Book Passage to showcase some of their new and forthcoming releases. Algonquin's director of marketing will share book club recommendations while also answering questions about writing and publishing in today’s ever changing literary landscape. Highlighting the event will be Algonquin debut novelist Naomi Benaron, who will introduce her Bellwether Prize winning novel, Running the Rift (Algonquin, $24.95) the Indie Next Pick for January. Book Passage favorite Barbara Kingsolver called this new book “Ambitious, beautiful, and unapologetically passionate.”

Those in attendance will have a chance to win $150 worth of Algonquin titles. As well, complimentary Algonquin catalogs and tote bags will be available, as will a sampling of wines which pair perfectly with Algonquin's full-bodied, hand-crafted, fiction.

Literary Luncheon & Chinese New Year Celebration with Ying Compestine
-- Friday, January 27 at 12:00 noon

Join multi-talented Bay Area author Ying Compestine as she presents Ying’s Best One-Dish Meals: Quick & Healthy Recipes for the Entire Family (Sellers Publishing, $18.95), a collection of delicious meals "Designed for working families who want to eat nutritious, home-cooked meals with fast-food timelines" (Contra Costa Times). Prepared for modern families short on time but wanting to eat healthy, these recipes allow readers to pull together satisfying meals in a snap.

Besides her many accomplishments as a speaker and food editor, the Chinese-born Compestine has also authored notable books for young readers including Revolution is Not a Dinner Party (2007), a winner of the California Book Award and the One Book/One County pick in San Mateo, and A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts (2009), which was chosen by the AARP as a Grandparent's Book for Children. Tickets are $35.00. Admission includes 3 courses, tea, and a signed copy of Ying’s Best One-Dish Meals. Call Book Passage to reserve a seat.

MORE INFO: Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., in Corte Madera. Call (415) 927-0960 or visit www.bookpassage.com for details.