Arts & Culture

San Diegans Getting Out In The World By Reading At Home

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Pat Finn / Producer

Published March 24, 2020 at 9:00 AM PDT

This story was published more than 4 years ago.

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Getting Out In The World By Reading At Home

Are you tired of binge-watching ‘“Call the Midwife” or “Peaky Blinders?” Are your kids bored with “SpongeBob?” A great antidote to television overload is that old standby, a good book. Whether physical or virtual, there are lots of choices in both content and access.

So many choices; so much time.

Now that most of us are stranded at home, a great way to take our minds off unemployment, lurking viruses, and a tanking stock market, as well as entertain cranky kids, is by getting everyone engrossed in a good book.

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In this segment, freelance journalist Seth Combs lists books he finds worth your time, including some by local authors like Don Winslow, author of many acclaimed crime novels; and Matthew Quirk, a former reporter for The Atlantic and best-selling thriller writer.

But what about the kids, especially now that the libraries are closed? The libraries are very much on it, says Ady Huertas, supervising librarian for San Diego Public Library's Youth and Family Services, with a slew of programs, including the San Diego Public Library's Stay In Story Time Facebook group; an on-line reading challenge; and e-books and audio books, among others.

Bookstores are finding ways to get reading material to their customers. Here are a few:

"Sandcastle Tales" is a children's bookstore in Del Mar
"Mysterious Galaxy" in Clairemont features mystery/crime/science fiction
"Bluestocking Books" in Hillcrest features most everything
"The Book Catapult" on Juniper St., general interest

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Maureen Cavanaugh

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Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

What do you want to hear host Jade Hindmon talk about on Midday?

Pat Finn

Pat Finn previously served as a producer for KPBS Midday Edition and KPBS Evening Edition. Finn began her career in broadcasting at KTLA and KCET in Los Angeles. In 1979 she became KPBS’ Public Information Director, then Director of Advertising and Promotion, Program Director, and Director of Broadcasting. She oversaw the station’s local and national productions, including the one-hour documentary Los Romeros: The Royal Family of the Guitar, and Child Protective Services, a one-hour look inside the San Diego County agency responsible for the welfare of at risk children. Both programs also aired on public television stations nationwide. Finn has earned honors from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

See stories by Pat Finn