At my surprise 50th birthday party in late December of 2004, my partner, Chip Carman -- with a lot of help from my friend Kelly Newell -- gathered 70 of my friends for a fun evening of theatre at Off Broadstreet Theater in Nevada City, California. Each guest, plus many friends from around the country who could not attend, were asked to send me a favorite book to first read, then release via bookcrossing.com.

During the spring of 2004, I will start registering and releasing each of the 65 books in the historic Sierra foothills gold country towns of Nevada City and Grass Valley. Each book has a letterpress bookplate designed by my friend Katy Hight (with Chip's art direction) and printed by Full Circle Press especially for my birthday.

I personally want to express my gratitude to my loving partner, Chip, and to all my friends who sent me their best books. As a kid who hid out in the public library, this birthday present was truly spectacular!