This selection of California-inspired reads is as diverse as the state itself: From a rollicking romance with some SoCal flair to sprawling nonfiction accounts of natural wonders to cookbooks from acclaimed Bay Area chefs, this collection of recent releases has something for every bookworm on your list.
Death Valley by Melissa Broder, $27
Experience the mystical allure of California’s high desert by way of an unexpected hero’s journey. From the author of Milk Fed and The Pieces, Death Valley follows a narrator who travels from Los Angeles to the Mojave Desert to escape her grief. Things get fantastical when a strange-looking cactus provides a magical portal into a mystical world.
The High Sierra: A Love Story by Kim Stanley Robinson, $19
Kim Stanley Robinson, a Davis native dubbed a “Hero of the Environment” by Time, first explored the Sierra Nevada Mountains in 1973. The experience left an awe-inspired mark, and he’s returned more than 100 times since. This love letter to the mountains is a nonfiction account of their history, weaving geological and historical events with personal stories.
The Klamath Mountains: A Natural History by Justin Garwood and Michael Kauffmann, $30+
One of North America’s last untamed places, the Klamath Mountains run up the sparsely populated northern California coast into southern Oregon. With beautiful illustrations and photographs, this stunning hardcover is part coffee table book, part engrossing history—and a perfect gift for an explorer at heart.
The Creative ACT: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin, $32
A meditation on what it means to be an artist, The Creative ACT is a New York Times bestseller from famed music producer Rick Rubin. The Malibu-based Grammy winner has worked alongside everyone from LL Cool J to Adele. This series of essays is designed to help deepen and nurture our relationship with our creative selves.
The World in a Wine Glass by Ray Isle, $50
For the oenophile friend forever on the hunt for the next great bottle, consider this release from Food & Wine’s Ray Isle. Comprehensive in its scope, the 706-page tome takes readers on a tour of the world’s best wine regions—including a deep dive into California—while lending practical tips for discovering artisanal, thoughtful, and exceptional wines.
Almost Somewhere by Suzanne Roberts $22.95
In 1993, Suzanne Roberts had just finished college when her friend suggested they hike California’s John Muir Trail. When she agreed, she never imagined that the 28-day hike would change her life. Part memoir, part nature writing, part travelogue, Almost Somewhere is Roberts’ account of their experiences confronting bears, snowy passes, and broken equipment amid the incomparable splendor of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Rintaro: Japanese Food from an Izakaya in California by Sylvan Mishima Brackett, $40
Chef Sylvan Mishima Brackett trained under Alice Waters and now crafts traditional Japanese recipes with a California twist at his celebrated San Francisco restaurant Rintaro. If you have an ambitious gourmand on your list, this beautiful volume is sure to please. Even better, splurge for the gift package, which includes a signed copy of the book and essential ingredients from The Japanese Pantry.
Tanya Holland’s California Soul by Tanya Holland, $50
Oakland-based chef Tanya Holland is known for her creative California spin on soul food, served first in her flagship Brown Sugar Kitchen. Chef Holland’s recipes here are inspired by the early 20th-century migration of African-American families from the South to California. Think zucchini-scallion waffles with pecan romesco and honey lavender chess pie.
Asada: The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling by Bricia Lopez and Javier Cabral, $40
Peppery, smokey, spicy, and charred—there’s nothing like traditional asada hot off the grill. This book celebrates the delicacy, while helping home cooks recreate the flavors from their favorite taqueria. Lopez is the co-owner of Guelaguetza, a Oaxacan restaurant in Los Angeles, while Cabral is a food culture writer hailing from the San Gabriel Valley.
Kiss Me, Mi Amor: Love & Tacos by Alana Quintana Albertson, $17
When a smooth-talking fast-food chain heir meets the eldest daughter of a traditional Mexican-Californian farming family, sparks fly and tempers flare. This romp of an enemies-to-lovers romance (a modern retelling of The Taming of the Shrew) takes readers through a love story set in Santa Barbara, as well as San Diego’s La Jolla, Barrio Logan, and Encinitas.
What It Takes to Save a Life by Dr. Kwane Stewart, $29
Feeling burned out by his veterinary career, San Diego resident Dr. Stewart happened upon a homeless man and his dog. On a whim, he offered his services for free—and the idea for Project Street Vet was born. This memoir takes readers through the vet’s journey across California, transforming lives along the way—including his own.
City of Trees, City of Shadows by Rachel L. Ertassi, $38
In this thrilling page-turner from a debut novelist, a killer is on the loose in Sacramento, terrorizing the residents of Midtown. The mystery fan in your life will enjoy the twists and turns—a ride that’s especially fun for anyone with Sac-Town ties.
Being Henry: The Fonz…and Beyond by Henry Winkler, $30
Behind the leather-jacket sporting Fonz is a beloved actor who became defined—for better or for worse—by a single role. Winkler’s heartfelt book takes readers through his struggles with severe dyslexia and unexpected fame. Great for Happy Days fans, Arrested Development aficionados, or anyone who loves a good Hollywood memoir.
