From Sept. 7-14, Oakland bookstore Diesel will temporarily transform into Brokeland Records, the main location described in Michael Chabon's new novel Telegraph Avenue.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author has rooted his latest work in the East Bay music scene of 2004, where an independently owned Brokeland is struggling for survival amidst a corporate competitor. Early critiques of the book have been positive; New York Times book critic Michiko Kakutani calls it "an amazingly rich, emotionally detailed story."
The first 200 customers to pre-order a signed book through Diesel will be invited to a special event with Chabon and a surprise guest on September 12. A raffle to benefit the non-profit writing programs at 826 National includes a chance to win an eight-track player from Chabon's personal collection.
Incidentally, Diesel is located on College Avenue rather than Telegraph, but don't let that real life detail deter you from exploring this fun, fictional locale.
