Barbara Lane is the new book columnist at the San Francisco Chronicle. Following a career in journalism with KPIX-TV (where she worked with LCI’s David Landis), KGO-AM and KRON-TV, Barbara served as the director of lecture and literature at the Commonwealth club of California and director of arts & ideas at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco. LCI speaks to Barbara as she returns to her first love – print journalism.
Tell us a little bit about your background – and how you came to love books
I’ve always loved to read. My earliest memories involve me sneaking away to enjoy a book. And not just the heavy stuff. Even the teen romance novels when I was an adolescent – loved them!
You’re doing a book column for the SF Chronicle now. What’s a columnist’s job like – and how does it differ from a reporter’s job?
A columnist ideally has a personal take on a topic and some passion around it. This doesn’t mean navel gazing – the best columns combine real information with emotional involvement.
Of the many local authors living here in the Bay Area, who are some of your favorites?
Wow. We’re so rich in great writers here: Rebecca Solnit, Andrew Sean Greer, Michael Chabon, Ann Lamott, Arlie and Adam Hochschild, Yuyun Li, Anthony Marra, Daniel Mason, Vendela Vida, Peter Orner, Ann Packer, Mary Roach, and many more.
Finish this sentence. When I’m not reading books, I am…
Hiking in the hills, doing yoga, looking for, eating, and cooking with great produce, hanging out with friends, spending time with my son.
Most unusual thing about you that might surprise people?
Hmmmm. I love country music. And beef jerky on a road trip…even Slim Jims.
Do you have a question for Barbara? Comment below or contact her at [email protected]
Barbara Lane can’t remember a time when she didn’t have her nose in a book. Books have played a large part in her career in print and broadcast media, as a producer and on-stage host, as current director of events at Copperfield’s Books, and as a literacy tutor. She’s the unofficial book whisperer to an ever-growing group of fellow book lovers who seek her recommendations for everything from holiday reading to suggestions for convalescing moms and book-adverse nephews.
Also, this week, LCI has been named a top public relations company by DesignRush. Bravo, team!
Thanks, Barbara – yes, this area is known for great writers. I’ll add Matt Richtel and some of my favorite short-form writers Peter Fish and Ben Marks!
Barbara – it’s so great to see you pursuing your passion. Terrific for you, but even better for the Chronicle and for those of us who are readers. Keep up the good work! Cheers, David
So many authors – so little time. Thanks for sharing Barbara!
Great answers, Barbara! I, too, love country music, much to the bafflement and dismay of the rest of my family. So I indulge mostly when I’m on my own in a rental car in cities across America where they actually have country radio stations!
I came to a love for reading books later in life. Go figure. I’ll have to check in on some of your recommendations.