Local bookstore chain, Cody's Books has just announced that it is selling itself to a Japanese chain. Current owner, Andy Ross, will stay on as President of Cody's. Meanwhile, the former flagship Cody's store on Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley that closed recently, prompting much hand-wringing, 60s nostalgia, and debate amongst armchair urban planners is now one of those temporary Halloween superstores. We are holding our breath for the ironic next phase of vacant large storefronts - the discount and overstock book emporium featuring Szechuan cookbooks for $5.99 and calendars of corgis and tropical golf resorts. more ›

Happy 50th birthday, Cody's Books, and rest in peace, Cody's Telegraph Street -- the most iconic branch of the Cody's Books triumverate is closing for good tonight at 8 p.m. Folks are pretty worked up -- two folks have written poems (scroll to end). more ›

Maybe it's just us but for some reason we read more in the summer than in the winter. It goes against expectations, sure, but something about the summer is just lazier than the winter. And as our ghostly white skin betrays, we hate sun, so it isn't all beach reading. Local bookstores are being helpful by providing a good slate of upcoming author events and we've picked a few faves below. Who are you going to see and what are you going to read this summer? Let us know in the comments. more ›

For the past two years, visitors to Telegraph Hill have had another attraction to sightsee, Twiggy the Mannequin. Decked out all glamtastically fab, the mannequin has been perched on the balcony of jazz singer Carol Peters' house on Telegraph Ave. Tourists took pictures of her, the neighbors adored her, Aaron Peskin praised her. She was oh so San Francisco. Last week, Peters put Twiggy up for sale on eBay, having been forced to get rid of her due to a neighbor's complaint about all the commotion Twiggy caused. Also oh so San Francisco. more ›