Reports on the impending Death of Books have been greatly exaggerated. With the onset of technological aids in every Nook and cranny, books can be consumed in so many ways — via headphones or iPhone, eBook or app — we have multiple options for consuming knowledge, or at least the latest installment in our favorite vampire trilogy.
For this feature, we talked to a cross-section of enthusiastic local readers, from rock musicians to professors to a City Councilwoman, plus CL's own writers and editors, to find out what books have kept them turning the pages this year. (We didn't limit their choices to books published this year, just titles they've read; and in a few cases, we heard about books these busy people are planning to read, if they ever get the time. The list includes representatives from two indie booksellers (Mojo Books & Music and Bluebird Books Bus), and there are many more estimable shops on both sides of the bay, from Inkwood to Haslam's, ready and waiting to help you pick out the perfect book. Click on the covers in the bookshelf below for our readers' capsule reviews.
Also, look for our food and music editors' recommendations in: "Four must-have books for the newbie and the well-seasoned cook." "Tomes for all tastes" "Music to your eyes" and the follow up "Further Reading"
This article appears in Dec 15-21, 2011.