BOOKS
August 21, 2005
Rankings are based on a Times poll of Southland bookstores. *--* SO. CAL. RATING Fiction 1 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (Riverhead: $14) A writer returns to Kabul to rescue the son of a childhood friend. 2 The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (Penguin: $14) A teenage girl is haunted by her mother's death. 3 Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (Vintage: $12) An autistic teen seeks out a killer.
TRAVEL
March 4, 1990 | DON WUDKE, Wudke is a Los Angeles free-lance writer.
'Japan Solo," by Eiji Kanno and Constance O'Keefe, offers ways to enjoy the cultural riches of Japan and is supported by 193 comprehensive maps. This self-help guide challenges readers to take advantage of economical or deluxe transportation, restaurants and accommodations without having to join a costly tour group. It also provides tips on how to check baggage, communicate, change currency and where to find restrooms. Included is a collection of conversation cards (Warner Books: $14.95).
NEWS
December 24, 1993 | CINDY LaFAVRE YORKS
While children around the world anticipate Santa's arrival in the wee hours of Dec. 25, veteran shoppers cannot wait until the morning of Dec. 26. Revved up by coffee and armed with Christmas cash and a well thought-out plan, these early birds begin their attack in the earliest hours of the morning in search of the proverbial worm. But just what is being sold at after-Christmas sales? Shoppers at Neiman Marcus can expect reduced prices on cashmere and novelty sweaters.
TRAVEL
September 9, 2007
Instead of blasting your way to Mammoth on U.S. 395, slow down; there now are more reasons to enjoy the drive. A new Eastern Sierra Cultural and Heritage Alliance map details 20 sites to visit along California's mother road, including national parks, museums and visitor centers such as Death Valley National Park and the Mammoth Ski Museum. To entice visitors to dally at as many sites as possible, the alliance has started a Passport Stamp Program, and the rewards for a stop are free items.
TRAVEL
June 24, 2001 | SUSAN SPANO, TIMES STAFF WRITER
I don't care much about jewelry or perfume or shoes. Linen is my passion, which I indulged on a window-shopping trip to Paris in May. To me and those like me, Paris means D. Porthault, a linen heaven of a shop that Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis favored.