I started reading this book and found that it was not for me. I didn't think it was fair to review a book I didn't finish.

I loved this book. I'm not an Angeleno, but I grew up just South of LA in part of the greater pacific megalopolis, so I consider it my spiritual big city home. And so it's unsurprising that I utterly loved this book of essays on the hidden or forgotten history of LA and the connections between such disparate elements as Disney and Playboy; SF fandom and Charles Manson; the Aerospace industry and cults; the busy busy ports and the refined architecture and design in the hills above; the repressive police and the flowering of art and creativity and culture from the contact of innumerable cultures and subcultures. The essay on Gidget was one of the most fascinating things I have read all year. Lunenfeld has the ability to make cultural and historical connections, to put icons into context, and to remind us that LA is far more than Hollywood.

Below are a few (somewhat) brief, $.02 opinions about books I've read or listened to recently but don't have time, inclination or opportunity to review in full. Their appearance in this recurring piece generally has little to nothing to do with merit. Many of these books I enjoyed as much or more than those that got the full court press. I hope you'll consider one or two for your own TBR stack if they strike your fancy whether they struck mine or not.

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POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF PANDEMIC BRAIN


City at the Edge of Forever, by Peter Lunenfeld

I was really looking forward to this look at the history of Los Angeles as a city of alchemy, using various cultural touchstones (Gidget, Joan Didion, the Manson family, etc.), but was quickly put off by the author's haughty and condescending tone. This is from the description--"Lunenfeld constructs an urban portrait, layer by layer, from serendipitous affinities, historical anomalies, and uncanny correspondences." Just me? In any event, it was a no go. There are too many books about Los Angeles I have waiting on the shelf to dig into to go too far with this one.

I ran an interview with the author of this book in our 11 newspapers and websites. I ran an interview with the author of this book in our 11 newspapers and websites. I ran an interview with the author of this book in our 11 newspapers and websites.

I am assigning an interview with the author Peter Lunenfeld that will run in 11 newspapers and websites. I am assigning an interview with the author Peter Lunenfeld that will run in 11 newspapers and websites. I am assigning an interview with the author Peter Lunenfeld that will run in 11 newspapers and websites.

I really wanted to like this one, but I felt the chapters were uneven at times. Some were really strong, and maybe it was because of my interest in those specific topics covered, and I had a hard time connecting with others. This is not a bad book at all, and I know that many will enjoy it. The writing style itself is solid and well-done. I am not sure why this book and I did not click.