Inspired by the California landscape, Where Light Take Its Color from the Sea reveals a writer s nuanced appreciation of place and exhibits his mastery of style. From the cupola of his house in Santa Cruz that radiant city by the sea Houston introduces us to subjects closest to his heart: the timeworn candy store across the street, the light-trimmed mountains by the sea, and his forebears journey to California. This selection of essays and short stories, drawn from forty years of writing, is always thoughtful, always truthful, at times playful, and invariably original and engaging.