Best Books About San Francisco

A poetic novel that explores love, relationships, and self-discovery. Follow John Brown, a successful yuppie in 1980s San Francisco, as he navigates through life after meeting Liz through a personal ad. Along the way, John meets a range of characters with their own ideas of "self-actualization." But when Liz falls for his best friend, John is left to continue on his journey of self-discovery. A highly regarded novel by a literary household name.

This beloved series begins with a groundbreaking novel that takes readers on a journey through San Francisco. With memorable characters and a comedic tone, this book captures an era and a way of life that changed society forever. It's no wonder it inspired a Netflix series and is considered a PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick.

A group of four Chinese immigrant women in 1940s San Francisco play mahjong and share stories of their pasts in "The Joy Luck Club." Their daughters, who lead modern American lives, initially dismiss their mothers' advice until they face their own inner crises and discover how much they've inherited from their mothers' pasts. Amy Tan's insightful and poignant examination of the complex relationship between mothers and daughters reveals secrets and intertwining ties that will keep readers engaged in this tale of intrigue and mystery.

Discover the hidden gems of San Francisco with this engaging book that takes readers on a walking tour of the city's 49 different sites. From the seedy alleys of Tenderloin to the breathtaking sea cliffs at Lands End, the author offers a natural and human history of the city. This love letter to San Francisco encompasses its past, including the Spanish missionary era, the gold rush, the Beats, the hippies, and the dot-com boom. Get ready to fall in love with the city by the bay all over again.

"Valencia" is a riveting tale of one girl's quest for love and adventure in San Francisco's vibrant dyke scene. Experience a year in the life of Michelle Tea, as she navigates the drama-filled Mission District and encounters a cast of unforgettable characters: from knife-wielding Marta, to Iris, the beautiful boy-dyke, and Magdalena Squalor, the ex of Michelle's tormented poet-girlfriend. This fast-paced memoir illuminates the ups and downs of radical sex, heartbreak, and sisterhood in a world of girls.

This memoir takes readers on a journey filled with unnerving characters and extreme behaviors. The author recounts his childhood spent subservient to and rebelling against his wealthy, distant father, his society butterfly turned peace promoter mother, and his demon of a stepmother. The author's unflinching sentences keep his story moving quickly, making it a compelling and human read.

A mysterious 24-hour bookstore in San Francisco catches the eye of Clay Jannon, a former web-designer. But the absence of customers buying books is just the beginning of strange occurrences. Digging deeper with the help of his friends, Clay unravels the secrets hidden inside, leading to a thrilling adventure beyond the bookstore's walls.

A young boy and his family move to Alcatraz Island, where his dad works as an electrician for the prison. He joins a community of other kids whose parents work on the island and live surrounded by criminals. Life is anything but ordinary in this unique and unforgettable setting.

Infinite City is a breathtaking reinvention of the traditional atlas, exploring the many layers of meaning in the San Francisco Bay Area. Rebecca Solnit's research, accompanied by 22 gorgeous color maps created by artists, writers, and cartographers, find seemingly unlimited landmarks and treasures, connecting Eadweard Muybridge's motion-picture technology to Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo. Discover the cultural geographies of the Mission District, the culture wars of the Fillmore, and much more, inviting us to search out the layers of San Francisco that carry meaning for us, or to discover our own infinite city.

Discover the enchanting world of San Francisco through the eyes of a rumbling cable car! From the crookedest street in the world to the Peking ducks in Chinatown, this children's classic immerses readers in the cosmopolitan flavor and breathtaking landscape of the City by the Bay. Illustrated by Miroslav Sasek, this timeless book captures San Francisco's vibrant spirit and is sure to dazzle both kids and adults.