If there's a "must read" for people interested in Oakland, it would have to be Oakland: The Story of a City, by Beth Bagwell. In order to fully understand Oakland in the present, it helps to know the story of the people and events that shaped it. As Living in the O blogger Rebecca Saltzman says, "it should be required reading for anyone who cares about Oakland." Unfortunately for Oakland supporters and history lovers, it's been out of print for many years, but thanks to the Oakland Heritage Alliance, not only is it back in print, but it's been updated to bring the story of Oakland up to the present.

Independent San Francisco Bay Area publishers Freedom Voices announced this week the acquisition of publishing rights for "Sugaree Rising" - Bay Area author, journalist and political columnist J. Douglas Allen-Taylor's first novel.