Alta Journal -California Cook Club - Lisa See

 

I love attending virtual author events! I've attended several of the monthly California Book Club virtual events over the years. I've really enjoyed attending these live events from the comfort of my own home. The authors selected for each month's California Book Club are phenomenal!

On Thursday, December 18, 2025, Lisa See was featured for December 2025. She discussed her book On Gold Mountain and about her family's history.

Great episode! I've added the video footage from the event for you to watch if interested!

Alta Journal - California Book Club - Amy Tan Discusses Her Book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles!!

 

Wow, what a treat it was to listen to author, Amy Tan, discuss her nonfiction book titled, The Backyard Bird Chronicles during

Alta Journal's monthly live California Book Club event!!

Something like 1800+ people from around the globe showed

up for this virtual author event!!

Apparently, The Backyard Bird Chronicles was never originally supposed to be published... Amy Tan's was behind on a novel she was writing, so her editor (or was it her publisher?) wanted to see her birding journals... From there, it was decided her birding journals should be published and the rest is history.

During the live event, the audience sees Amy Tan sitting in her rooftop garden in Sausalito, California which is where she started her birdwatching and journaling in 2016. It was cool to view where Ms. Tan began her birdwatching adventure. See the below photo.

I now want to read The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan and have added it to my ever growing reading wishlist!

Do you enjoy attending author events/signings in-person or virtually?

Have you attended any author events/signings recently?

Alta Live - Leigh Bardugo - Author Event

 

I love these weekly 30 minute Alta Live events!!

This week's Alta Live virtual event featured author, Leigh Bardugo.

Leigh Bardugo discussed her creative writing process

and answered audience questions at the end of the interview session.

I enjoyed this excellent live event.

I have yet to read anything written by Leigh Bardugo.

I may just pick up a copy of her novel, The Familiar, to read

in the future.

Have you read anything written by Leigh Bardugo?

If so, which book(s) do you recommend reading by Ms. Bardugo?

Alta Journal's California Book Club Featuring Author, Ishmael Reed and His Novel, Mumbo Jumbo

 

I've become a huge fan of Alta Journal's California Book Club over the years. They offer a superb selection of amazing author guests lined-up throughout the year. One author each month is featured in the California Book Club and the author is joined by host John Freeman along with a guest moderator/interviewer.

On Thursday, April 17th, from 5-6pm PDT, author, Ishmael Reed discussed his novel, Mumbo Jumbo and answered questions from guests attending virtually.

This was a fun virtual event to attend. I've been meaning to read Mumbo Jumbo for a few years now and I'll have to grab it and read it for sure now.