Fallbrook Library to host five authors, eight books

FALLBROOK – Five San Diego county authors will appear at a two-hour author event, Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. in the San Diego County Branch Library in Fallbrook. Admission is free.

Authors Oyuki Aguilar, Renee Barnes, Sarah Bates, Dr. RH Gutierrez and Suzette Valle will discuss their books and autograph copies bought in advance or at the event.

The Sport of Parentingby Oyuki Aguilar contains 29 beautifully written letters of wisdom, teachings and memories. Aguilar wrote the book as a love letter to her daughter and son when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but the sentiments are for everyone. In Parade magazine, Aguilar said, “Parenting is like a sport, and we are all winners because it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s how you play the game and if you try your best.”

Children’s book author Renee Barnes will discuss Kanatipillar’s New Shoes (Tales from the Evergreen Wood Book 1) and Kopan and the Honeybees (Tales from the Evergreen Wood Book 2). Barnes said, “All the forest creatures share in a variety of situations and challenges that keep children anticipating their next adventure.” The author has created lively characters that share in one adventure after another. Both books are illustrated by Barnes.

Sarah Bates’ latest novel, The Lost Diaries of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, follows the journey of the famous suffragette from childhood to her marriage to Henry Stanton. Bates wove historical details through Stanton’s factual memoir to arrive at the colorful account of Stanton’s early life. Twenty-One Steps of Courage tells the story of a soldier’s attempt to follow in his father’s footsteps until the path he walks abruptly ends. “I write stories about courageous people who stand up to conflict and survive,” Bates said.

Martial arts expert Dr. RH Gutierrez’ memoirs recount his traveling and training in martial arts. Cereus and the Rarest Thing is based on his odyssey to Okinawa, Japan, dubbed The Island of the Happy Immortals by the Chinese. Gutierrez spent three months at the Okinawan Shogun Ryu Karate and Yamane Ryu Bojisu. Off The Rails follows a train trip up the California coast to study martial arts where along the way Gutierrez comes to terms with his parents’ American Dream.

"In a world of too little family time, Suzette Valle's book, 100 Movies to See Before You Grow Up, has great movie choices that bring families closer," said "Movie Mom" Nell Minow. Valle focuses on entertainment as a primary source for family bonding and creating memories: watching movies and TV shows together, sharing meals, and most importantly traveling together. 100 Movies to See Before You Grow Up has sold over 60,000 copies and is a featured Scholastic book choice. Valle also hosts the popular website, mammarazziknowsbest.com.