Review
The first volume in Mark Abramson's Beach Reading series pits a brokenhearted, barhopping Castro hero against a seething homophobe, set against the backdrop of a colossal dance party honoring 80s music legend Sylvester. Call it literary levity on overdrive, but it's also a sunny, campy, quick-witted gem, and a sheer delight.
Abramson, a Castro-area resident for 30-plus years, is among the newest local writers to emerge with books set in and about San Francisco. The storyline is a simple one. Tim Snow, a waiter and a regular fixture in Castro and South of Market bars, lives a semi-normal life in his beloved Upper Market abode, with the exception of getting stoned too often and attempting to circumnavigate his ex-boyfriend, who keeps popping up. The gay community is abuzz with anticipation for the star-studded Sylvester tribute party, but a nasty anti-gay organizer is planning a protest nearby that same night. Counterintelligence is carefully planned with Tim and Company, with a few subplot surprises thrown in.
Abramson knows well of what he writes. He migrated to San Francisco from Minnesota back in 1975, and enjoyed the friendship of John Preston, a former Advocate editor, as well as a livelihood comprised of bartending and dance-event producing. It was a completely different Castro back then, he says.
Forthcoming books in the series will focus on contemporary subjects such as gay marriage, the side effects of HIV anti-retroviral drugs, identity theft, and open relationships. But Abramson intends on keeping everything on the lighter side. --Bay Area Reporter
Abramson's first in a series of books to come, this charming tale takes place in that shining homo beacon in the bay--San Francisco. Whether it's celebrating disco queernery, battling homophobia or getting over that pesky ex, this book's got you covered. And who ever said that protests were unflattering? --HX Magazine
Abramson, a Castro-area resident for 30-plus years, is among the newest local writers to emerge with books set in and about San Francisco. The storyline is a simple one. Tim Snow, a waiter and a regular fixture in Castro and South of Market bars, lives a semi-normal life in his beloved Upper Market abode, with the exception of getting stoned too often and attempting to circumnavigate his ex-boyfriend, who keeps popping up. The gay community is abuzz with anticipation for the star-studded Sylvester tribute party, but a nasty anti-gay organizer is planning a protest nearby that same night. Counterintelligence is carefully planned with Tim and Company, with a few subplot surprises thrown in.
Abramson knows well of what he writes. He migrated to San Francisco from Minnesota back in 1975, and enjoyed the friendship of John Preston, a former Advocate editor, as well as a livelihood comprised of bartending and dance-event producing. It was a completely different Castro back then, he says.
Forthcoming books in the series will focus on contemporary subjects such as gay marriage, the side effects of HIV anti-retroviral drugs, identity theft, and open relationships. But Abramson intends on keeping everything on the lighter side. --Bay Area Reporter
Abramson's first in a series of books to come, this charming tale takes place in that shining homo beacon in the bay--San Francisco. Whether it's celebrating disco queernery, battling homophobia or getting over that pesky ex, this book's got you covered. And who ever said that protests were unflattering? --HX Magazine
Product Description
Beach Reading is the first title in Mark Abramson’s exciting new series of gay romantic novels, set in romantic San Francisco—all with a taste of adventure, a touch of magic and lots of San Francisciana.
Gay tourists are arriving in San Francisco by the planeload for the “party of the decade” at the Moscone Center, a tribute to the late disco star Sylvester. On the same night as the dance party, evangelist Arlo Montgomery is bringing his nationwide crusade against gay rights to the Civic Auditorium a few blocks away. And Tim Snow’s activist friends are planning a protest.
For Tim, the fun—and the intrigue—are just about to begin…
Gay tourists are arriving in San Francisco by the planeload for the “party of the decade” at the Moscone Center, a tribute to the late disco star Sylvester. On the same night as the dance party, evangelist Arlo Montgomery is bringing his nationwide crusade against gay rights to the Civic Auditorium a few blocks away. And Tim Snow’s activist friends are planning a protest.
For Tim, the fun—and the intrigue—are just about to begin…
