You’ll never explore the city center the same way after devouring this vibrant tale of resilience and self-discovery. Romance and tragedy novel lovers, this one is for you.
Published in 1899 and set in San Francisco, the novel follows a local couple as they struggle to get by in the early days of the city. We’re going way back in time with this classic. McTeague: A Story of San Francisco by Frank Norris So without further ado, head to your local bookstore or library and pick up a few titles-and get ready for the city of St. There’s something for everyone on this list. And meandering down Haight Street takes on new meaning with Joan Didion’s prose in my head.ĭon’t like history books? Don’t stress.
My track workouts at Kezar Stadium are that much more epic now that I know it used to be the home of the 49ers. But those that I have paged through have fundamentally changed the way I see and understand the city and have deepened my appreciation for its history, challenges and beauty.
Now, I’ll admit I haven’t made it through the list in its entirety-in part due to the pressures of a monthly book-turned-trivia club that often dominates my free reading time. So the theme of 2022’s collection was obvious: Books about my current city, which I would soon be diving straight into as a reporter for The Standard. Late last year, I moved from Half Moon Bay to San Francisco. I, on the other hand, get a bunch of books. It’s a mutually beneficial tradition-he gets to share in our love of reading while continuing to exert his influence over my life, even now that I’ve long moved out from under his roof. Every year, my father gets me books for my birthday.