Metro's Literary Quarterly

Cover: Big Brother is You, Watching
Science-fiction author David Brin says the erosion of personal privacy is not to be feared, as long as the peepholes extend in both directions.

The Wired Canon: Jacking in, and off, to the new digital library of Wired magazine.

Time Release: Repressed-memory and product-tampering themes add real-world depth to Martin Smith's new thriller.

Punk: The Illustrated History of a Music Revolution: Adrian Boot and Chris Salewicz chronicle the Sex Pistols and the British punk invasion.

Darkest England: Christopher Hope attempts a modern fairy tale.

Book Beat: Upcoming readings and literary events.

News: Full Exposure
Ever have the funny feeling you're being watched? With cameras pointing at the roadways, guarding ATMs and peering from the corners of stores, you probably are.

Profits of Swoon: In which we discover that the holiday devoted to love­and retail greed­has absolutely nothing to do with a saint named Valentine.

Public Eye: Mayoral rumors.

Polis Report: Would you drop everything for a cheap flight to Vegas this weekend?

Raye of Sunshine: Black history is a yearlong project for South Bay engineer-turned-comedian Carl Raye.

Straight Talk: Comedian Paul Mooney dissects race in America at SF show.

San Jose Edition: The soul greats of New Edition leave a San Jose crowd sweating.

Close to the Chesnutt: Athens, Ga., singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt knows that life is more important than stardom.

Esteem Players: The Offspring still think that life is worth living on 'Ixnay on the Hombre.'

War of the Sexes: Luther Vandross turns on the women and leaves the men cold at the Paramount.

Beat Street: Hip-hop heavies turn out in droves for 10Bass T show.

The Far Country: Captives and captors forge a close bond in 'Prisoner of the Mountains.' Plus, a web-exclusive interview with Russian director Sergei Bodrov

Going Postal: Every maid has her day in 'La Cérémonie.'

When Harry Met Kate: Australian 'Angel Baby' shines with intelligences.

Big Gumshoes to Fill: 'Maltese Falcon' and restored 'Big Sleep' both star Humphrey Bogart but are as different as San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Only the Shadow Conspiracy Knows: Is this the year's silliest movie?

French Twist: Andrew Pham explores the Menlo Park's Le Pot au Feu, an unpretentious French restaurant where diners can order a one-course or five-course meal.

Vegging Out: Meatless "meat" dishes abound at Campbell's Tasty Vegetarian Cuisine.

Attic Antics: Does the death of Marvel herald a comic-book renaissance?