Love or Let Die—In theory, Valentine's Day can be the most joyful time of the year. In practice, it's usually a full-on psychological nightmare characterized by extreme levels of loneliness and torment. But you don't need to let it get you down. Show Cupid who's boss by entering the Alibi's Third Annual Valentine's Day Card Contest.
There's no better time for an accounting of a year gone by than at the birth of new one that just popped purple and screaming from the loins of Mama Time. This year, I've decided to confine my top 10 arts moments (largely) to local arts. It wasn't easy to narrow this down. It never is. I know I left plenty of things out, but I'll pay my dues for that in the next life. Hopefully, the Lord will have mercy on my art-lovin' soul.
Amy Tan's latest novel, Saving Fish from Drowning (Putnam, hardcover, $26.95), pulls a fast one on readers. It begins with a story about how Tan was inspired by a real-life San Francisco socialite named Bibi Chen. Then it asks us to believe her latest novel is narrated by Chen from beyond the grave. Only gradually will readers realize that there was no Bibi Chen.
