>REVIEWS
"Bret Harte—the writer, not the wrestler—helped found the literary convention of local color while living on the California coast. 150 years later, Mark Abramson—the writer, not the producer—makes his own contribution to that rich tradition by applying his verbal pointillé to San Francisco. In this first novel of an upcoming series, lovelorn Tim Snow becomes collateral damage after the collision of politics and partying… and love’s rôle in both. Clever and sexy with a ton of heart (and Harte)."
-- Instinct Magazine
"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? Provocative yet short, its title says it all--only wait much longer and it may be more like Subway Reading."
-- Brandon Aultman, HX Magazine, New York, NY
"Full of lively characters and wacky coincidence, this page-turning series aims to become the Tales of the City of the new millennium. In the popular imagination, the heyday of gay life is long gone, washed away by AIDS. But in this love song to San Francisco, Mark Abramson gives the lie to that myth, revealing the joy that still inheres to life in the City by the Bay. The quirky charm of San Francisco is alive and well, and living in the pages of Beach Reading."
--Lewis DeSimone, author of Chemistry
"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...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. 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. 'In spite of touching on serious issues, I think it's very important to keep them fun to read as well. They're just beach reading, after all!'"
-- Jim Piechota, Bay Area Reporter
"I just finished reading Mark Abramson's 'Beach Reading' and the only word I can think of to describe it is 'WOW!' It's a short book - only 193 pages - and each of those pages is a pleasure... 'Beach Reading' is a 'love song to San Francisco' and I felt like singing along as I read it. It seems that city on the bay has been the center of gay life forever and after reading this you will understand why."
-- Amos Lassen, Eureka Pride
"The first installment in Mark Abramson's Beach Reading series from Lethe Press 2008... is a tale firmly invested in San Francisco's gay culture, and has a charm because of this that is evident from the first lively page to the defiant last."
-- Steve Williams, Suite 101
http://americanfiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/review_of_beach_reading_by_mark_abramson