My California: Journeys by Great Writers

by Donna Wares (Editor), David Hockney (Artist), Pico Iyer (Introduction)

Fly-fish the pristine waters of the Owens River. Step up to the microphone in a California honky-tonk. Surf the biggest waves California has ever seen. Mingle with ducks in an urban oasis. Roller skate through L.A.'s Union Station. See California through the eyes of 27 of the state's finest writers. All of the contributors to MY CALIFORNIA donated their work so proceeds of this book can benefit the California Arts Council, an agency forced to suspend school writing and arts education programs in 2003, and on the brink of extinction because of the state's financial meltdown. Join contributing authors: * Michael Chabon * Thomas Steinbeck * Dana Gioia * Matt Warshaw * Patt Morrison * T. Jefferson Parker * Edward Humes * Mark Arax * Deanne Stillman * Rubin Martmnez * Percival Everett * Kathi Kamen Goldmark * Mary Mackey * Gerald Haslam * Aimee Liu * D.J. Waldie * Hector Tobar * Firoozeh Dumas * devorah major * Carolyn See * Chryss Yost * Anh Do * Derek M. Powazek * Daniel Weintraub * David Kipen * Veronique de Turenne in a good read for a good deed!!e

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays

208 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

I'm the editor of the L.A. Times Book Club.

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brought me right back home... absolutely loved it.

[Elise Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who believes in California as a source of and inspiration for - not just good, but GREAT writing. The best are included here, all authors with impressive credits, but more importantly, authors with unique connections to the state. Short pieces by 27 Californians, about the many and varied regions, ethnicities, moods and tremors that comprise California, include Dana Gioia, Gerald Haslam, Aimee Liu, devorah major, Carolyn See, Michael Chabon, and San Francisco Chronicle book critic, David Kipen. All these authors contributed their work in 2003 so that the volume benefits the California Arts Council. I bought it years ago, and it took me all this time to get to it! It's still current! But don't let it take you that long!

[Veronica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Benicia does a "one book on e community" thing where they try and get people in town reading the same book. I am reading it as part of that and selected it as the 1st book for my workplace book club.

Basically, I liked the stories that I could relate to. Like the ones about places I´ve been so I could imagine and feel the story. But overall, I wasn´t too into it.

[Katrina Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Love California, and all of it's amazing areas. Some great stories here of memories and beauty living and visiting "great western paradise". Quick read, feel good read! Go to these places!

[Jen Bojkov · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this eclectic mix of stories about California- especially when I knew about the areas in the stories. This one is worth the cost- the proceeds all benefit the California Arts Council and helps them fund programs in schools.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun collection of essays/stories about California - and for a good cause.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty quick read, I just took my sweet little time. Many essays are extremely quick and short. My one complaint is that it did, at least to me, have a slight slant toward SoCal.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed these essays by California writers. Some of the essays are quirky, some quite informative; most are just excellent.

[Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 2020 read. A collection of essays by well-known authors who live/lived in various places across California. Much enjoyed. The Sacramento piece was especially nice.