
Just back from Jim and Judy Tolbert's splendid second annual all-day
Baja Book Event--- readings (I read my translation of
Araceli Ardon's story from
Mexico: A Traveler's Literary Companion), book signings, and cheese-stuffed bacon-wrapped Medjool dates! This all took place on Sunday at the gorgeous, brand-spanking-new--- they had just painted the sign the day before---
Baja Books & Maps showroom, which is just outside San Jose del Cabo's downtown. The line-up included
Yours Truly,
Bruce Berger,
Michael Mercer,
Wendy Rudell, Garth Murphy, and
Ed Vernon. The readings were in the palapa-shaded upstairs deck, overlooking the sea. Alas, at the end of the afternoon, I had to hit the highway La Paz and so missed Ed Vernon's slide show, but I have his magnificent book,
"Las Misiones Antiguas"--- a photographic and written record of every single mission and several "visitas" on the nearly one thousand mile-long peninsula. This is truly a major contribution to the
literature on Baja California. New books to read: Bruce Berger's
Facing the Music, Garth Murphy's
The Indian Lover, and Wendy Rudell's
The Raw Transformation. Jim and Judy, you are bringing something very special to Los Cabos.