Whether in a farflung vacation spot, a local beach or park, or a sunny spot at home, summertime beckons readers to spend some time with a good book. Peninsula authors have it covered — even for those who want to write a book of their own. Below, find a sampling of new and recently published works by Bay Area authors and upcoming book events.
In this section, YA author and Los Altos High School Librarian Gordon Jack talks about the personal inspiration for his debut adult novel, “Poppy Montgomery Gets Even.”
WIth his memoir, “Those Who Travail and Are Heavy Laden,” labor lawyer and Stanford University professor William B. Gould IV shares his perspective on being part of history-making events, including bringing the boys of summer back from a strike that saw a rare cancellation of the World Series — and offers timely insight on labor rights and civil rights policies that may now be in peril.
Upcoming and recently published books
‘Ideal Life’
Who doesn’t want a do-over in life for big mistakes, an opportunity to go back and fix little awkward moments or even just a chance to use that clever comeback you thought of hours later? Redwood City-based New York Times bestselling author Evelyn Skye gives those heady powers to the protagonist of her new novel. In “Ideal Life,” Talia Morgan acquires a magical watch that can rewind time, which could really come in handy in getting her life back on track after her neuroscience startup fails. The watch lets Talia rewind the last 24 hours and change whatever she wants in that time period, but she soon learns that the temptation to “optimize” everything in her life with a replay doesn’t make things as perfect as she hoped.
To be published Aug. 18; Simon & Schuster
Skye will appear Aug. 22 at Fireside Books in Redwood City
‘The Art of How Dogs Sleep’
From their famous loyalty to their boundless enthusiasm and friendliness, dogs always have plenty to teach us humans, even when they’re just getting some shut-eye. With her debut picture book, “The Art of How Dogs Sleep,” local author and illustrator Alison Kim pays tribute to canines’ disarming penchant for being able to nap just about anywhere at any time and in just about any pose. In playfully examining the many ways that pups enjoy getting their rest, the book also serves as a bedtime story encouraging the youngest readers to follow dogs’ example — as perhaps we all should.
Published April 21; Little, Brown and Company
Kim will appear Aug. 23 at Linden Tree Books in Los Altos
‘Firewalkers’
The city by the bay has long been a favorite target of CGI catastrophe in movies, but what would it be like if the worst descended upon us all? The sci fi-fantasy novel “Firewalkers” imagines a post-apocalyptic San Francisco where two siblings eke out a living as bounty hunters. They hail from the previously tight-knit Walker family, scattered by a cataclysmic combination of war, pestilence and brutal storms, with other siblings hiding out in remote Alaska or simply wandering the world. It takes another brutal blow — the murder of their father — to reunite them, but the Walkers run afoul of a scientist and his crew of genetic misfits, leading them on a journey through both curious realms and dangerous outposts. “Firewalkers” is the debut novel of Tyler Martin Hanley, a name that’s likely familiar to longtime readers of the Palo Alto Weekly and its sister publications. Hanley was on the Weekly’s editorial staff for over a decade, writing and editing features, film reviews, opinion pieces and other stories.
To be published Aug. 9; Barnes & Noble
‘The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide’
As home to Stanford University and the birthplace of Silicon Valley, the Peninsula is blessed with an abundance of braininess, but for those who’d like to share that knowledge more widely, being an authority in any particular field doesn’t automatically make it easy to write a book. That’s where Elizabeth Dougherty aims to help. The Palo Alto editor and book coach’s newest work, “The Complete Expert-to-Author Guide,” co-written with Marisa Solis, offers practical, step-by-step planning for anyone, whether it’s an educator or an entrepreneur, to transform their expertise into a nonfiction book. The guide provides key tools for writing and structuring a book, and insights into the publishing world.
Published June 16; Simon & Schuster
‘The Mind Electric’
Neurologist Pria Anand combines medicine, memoir and literary storytelling in her debut book “The Mind Electric: A Neurologist on the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains.” With the book — which encompasses patients’ experiences from hospitals in Boston to communities in India, the Caribbean and West Africa — Stanford alum Anand examines how cultural narratives influence the treatment of neurological illness and considers whose stories have historically been overlooked. She offers an accessible introduction to contemporary neurology and raises broader questions about empathy in medical practice.
Published June 10; Simon & Schuster
Events
Story’s the Thing
The latest in Kepler’s Story’s the Thing series features readings by four Northern California fiction authors, including one with a story that couldn’t be closer to home: Lindsay Kent drew on the history of Menlo Park and the surrounding area for her psychological thriller “My Twin the Murderer.” Vanessa Hua also used the Bay Area as a setting for new novel, “Coyoteland,” about an affluent suburb where the new family on the block soon find it’s not just the wildlife that’s territorial. Also featured will be Grant Faulkner, who collaborated with photographer Gail Butensky on “something out there in the distance,” a novel made up of interconnected stories about a road trip through the desert, and J.P. Lacrampe whose novel “Valet,” finds a helper robot and its human on an adventure.
Aug. 6, 6 p.m., at Kepler’s Books; free admission; keplers.org.
To the Moon and Back: Love Across Eons and Galaxies
Why does love in its many forms, whether romantic, platonic or the bond between family members, often seem to be a key component of compelling storytelling? Linden Tree Books hosts a panel discussion with YA fantasy authors T.A. Chan (“The Celestial Sea”), Samantha Chong (“Prodigal Tiger”) and S.G. Prince (“If All the Stars Go Dark”) that explores the theme of love in literature. Following the discussion, guests can take part in space and literature themed trivia, complete with prizes, and enjoy a simple craft. The event also includes a book signing with the authors, who all published books this year
Aug. 14, 6 p.m., at Linden Tree Books, 265 State St., Los Altos; lindentreebooks.com/events-calendar.
Storytime at the Anderson Collection
No one is too young to appreciate art, as the Museum Minis program for families at Stanford’s Anderson Collection demonstrates with its storytime series. This special event for children ages 0-5 and their families will feature two age-appropriate books that introduce children to the basic elements of art, such as color and texture, and highlight some of those elements in work on view at the Anderson. Guests can also enjoy a light snack and time to make friends. This is a monthly event, with other upcoming dates scheduled through November and into 2027.
Aug. 17, Sept. 21, Oct. 19 and Nov. 16, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Anderson Collection, Stanford; free; events.stanford.edu.
South Asian Literature and Art Festival
This annual event held at Menlo College highlights literature and art from the sub-continent and its diaspora, bringing together established authors and emerging voices. The two-day festival will explore South Asian literature, arts and culture through 22 panel discussions, book and poetry readings, art exhibitions, dance performances, a bookshop, art vendors and food trucks. Featured authors will include National Book Award finalist Karan Mahajan, Nobel Prize winner in chemistry Venki Ramakrishnar, bestselling author Shobhaa De and tech founder Vinita Gupta. “Global Gaze; South Asian Soul” is this year’s theme which “reveals stories that are deeply rooted in place yet resonate far beyond borders,” according to an event description,
Sept. 26-27 at Menlo College, Atherton; tickets are $75 single day or $140 for two days;.salafestival.org.
