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Young Professionals of Los Angeles (YPLA) chair Narine Zardarian, author Mark Arax and YPLA secretary Rita Grigorian at the June 3rd bookreading event at Pasadena's Vertical Wine Bistro.
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Young Professionals of Los Angeles Host Mark Arax, Author of 'West of the West: Dreamers, Believers, Builder and Killers in the Golden State'
| Date: |
6/16/2009 |
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| Contact: |
AGBU Press Office |
| Phone: |
212-319-6383 |
| Fax: |
212-319-6507 |
| Email: |
press@agbu.org |
By Aleen L. Khanjian
Pasadena, California - Award-winning author and journalist, Mark Arax, joined the AGBU Young Professionals of Los Angeles (YP LA) on June 3, 2009 at Pasadena's Vertical Wine Bistro to discuss his new non-fiction book, "West of the West: Dreamers, Believers, Builders, and Killers in the Golden State." Arax captivated the crowd of 70+ Young Professionals as he shared valuable anecdotes of his personal history, with legends like William Saroyan, while growing up in Fresno. Guests were also moved by Arax's friendly nudge at his fellow Armenians to take risks, and leave a footprint on American media, as well as the literary world.
"Everyone clenched their books in their hands as they eagerly awaited the opportunity to chat with Arax and watch him sign their books," says Rita Grigorian, a member of the Professional and Cultural Events Subcommittee of YP LA. "After briefly skimming the book, the attendees realized that Arax's book gives even native Californians a new perspective on their home state," Grigorian says.
Arax's book penetrates the minds of its readers and allows them to see that reality can often be far more gripping and far more imaginative than fiction. In fact, "West of the West" upends the old stereotypes of California--earthquakes, fires, celebrities, and good weather--and to write about the latest migrants from Mexico, the tree-sitters of Berkeley, Bay Area conspiracy theorists, an Armenian fast-food giant's infamous fall, and Humboldt County's mammoth marijuana economy.
Arax tells the remarkable stories of these engaging characters who contributed to the evolution of our nation's richest and most mystifying state. The book is woven together by brutally raw stories that harmonize only where myths and memories collide.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians on six continents.
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