Tony Brasunas

Delighted to announce I’ll be reading from Double Happiness at the Alameda Free Library on Tuesday evening, May 5.

If we translate “Cinco de Mayo!” into Chinese we have “Wu yue wu hao!” There will be celebrations, festivities, and a surprise giveaway.

The library is doing an “Armchair Travel” reading series, and I’ve been asked to read as the closing event of the series. So although I thought my final two events were the two Bay Area events in January, here’s another chance to get a taste of Double Happiness and to meet me at an event. I’d love to see you there!

Tuesday, May 5
6:30pm : Reading & Signing
Alameda Free Library
1550 Oak Street
Alameda, CA
Full Event Info > 

The book is out. The hardcover, paperback, e-book, and even audiobook are now in the world, taking adventurers and armchair travelers on rugged journeys to China.

It’s time for this blog to shift slightly in focus. While still offering occasional updates on the publication of Double Happiness, and sharing my thoughts on the ever-changing world of writing and independent publishing, I’ll also be offering my thoughts on China, travel in general, and the inner life of learning and happiness I’ve been leading since coming back from China. And maybe some other topics too, if the inspiration strikes.

What do you think?

The old layout and design served me well for many years. Now it’s time for something new. In one of my lives I’m a software engineer and web designer. Let me know your thoughts on this new design. Try out the revamped comments section below.

Connecting with you throughout the country on this tour has been so fulfilling and fun that it’s hard to believe it’s coming to a close. But next week at Books, Inc., in Alameda, and later this month, at Green Apple Books in San Francisco, we will approach the end of the Double Happiness Book Tour.

These final two events, both in the Bay Area, should both really be great. Please come support our local independent bookstores for my only East Bay and San Francisco readings:

Friday, January 9 (EAST BAY)
7pm : Reading & Signing
Books, Inc.
1344 Park St, Alameda
Full Event Info > 

Saturday, January 24 (SF)
4pm : Reading & Signing
Green Apple Books
506 Clement St., SF
Full Event Info >

Until then, trust yourself, have fun, take chances,
Tony

As I mentioned during the Kicksarter, the number 8 is considered “lucky” and “happy” in China, and it is connected with the character for Double Happiness. In honor of the luckiness of 8, for these eight days, December 18-25, Double Happiness will be half free!

Gifts out of gratitude for anyone who would enjoy an adventurous and redemptive journey through the Middle Kingdom:

The Audiobook

Yes! It’s my pleasure to announce that after dozens of hours in a recording studio in Berkeley, CA, and after the hardcover, paperback, and e-book have been out for many months, the final format of Double Happiness is nearly here! I will write more about this in future posts, but to answer your basic questions:

• Yes, I read the book myself and tell the story for your listening pleasure.
• Yes, I pronounce the Chinese terms and words for you.
• Yes, it’s the unabridged whole book.
• Yes, it’s a wonderfully professional production. A double gratitude to the pros at Live Oak Studio.
• Yes, it’s availabe on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. 

Update: It’s now published and available on Amazon and should be in iTunes and Audible any minute now as well!

Here it is: The Amazon Page >

January Events!
December will soon turn into January and with it, the book tour will wrap up. I’ve had so many wonderful events and so much fun connecting with you throughout the country, it’s hard to believe the book tour is coming to a close. There are a couple of final events left, and they should be great, so if you are (or will be) in the Bay Area, I will be doing my final reading events in January. Please come and support these wonderful independent bookstores. My only East Bay and San Francisco readings will take place:

Friday, January 9 (EAST BAY) 
7pm : Reading & Signing
Books, Inc. 
1344 Park St, Alameda
Full Event Info > 

Saturday, January 24 (SF) 
4pm : Reading & Signing 
Green Apple Books 
506 Clement St., SF
Full Event Info >

That’s the news from Double Happiness land for now.

Double happy holidays to all,
Tony

As I write this, the “Storm of the Decade” is apparently brewing directly over Marin County, California. Assuming the city of Corte Madera survives, I’ll be appearing at the wonderful Book Passage bookstore and cafe this Saturday afternoon at 4pm.

I would be delighted to see you there, to share storm survival stories, and to read a story to you about a wild journey through China.

Food and drink available for purchase in the cafe.

Saturday, December 13 (MARIN)
4pm : Reading & Signing
Book Passage
51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera
Full Event Info >

After taking me to the Midwest, the East Coast, the Northwest, and down to LA (twice), the Double Happy Tour, this journey to share a journey sponsored by my generous Kickstarter backers, is now taking me home. It’s a warm and delightful feeling, as the cold winter air blows in, to be able to share Double Happiness in person with readers and friends close to home.

After an event at the truly wonderful Changing Hands Books in the Phoenix area on Nov. 30, I’ll be in Marin County, reading at the Bay Area’s famous Book Passage in Corte Madera on Dec. 13. I look forward to sharing Double Happiness with you soon if you’ll meet me in Arizona or in the Bay Area.

I’m also planning another Bay Area event after the first of the year as well. Check this space soon for further details.

Sunday, November 30 (PHOENIX)
2pm : Book Signing
Changing Hands Books
6428 S McClintock Drive, Tempe
Full Event Info >

Saturday, December 13 (MARIN)
4pm : Reading & Signing
Book Passage
51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera
Full Event Info >