Chat here about authors

[Alias Reader]

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: No, Alias, I will not be reading this book about Oprah, as I do not like the woman.

I just enjoyed reading how Kelley did her research. I am a voyeur in that respect. I love reading about how aut..."
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I think Kelly is known for uncomplimentary books, so you may like it ! :)

One of the features on C-SPAN Book TV that I love is when they have their In-Depth 3 hour interviews with authors. They usually have the author give a tour of the place where they write. Some give a tour of their bookshelves. And most tell their writing schedule.

John Dean was on this past weekend. He gave a tour of his writing office in his home. He gave his daily schedule. And noted that he now reads his 3 newspapers online. He also uses a program that he can dictate into his computer so he doesn't have to type. He said he suffers from carpel tunnel so that helps him a lot. He also has a stepper in his office that he uses to take exercise breaks and get his circulation moving. He has a alarm on his computer to tell him to take a break and exercise. He does this because he said he has a great facility to concentrate and will be working on his book for hours without moving. He also said for his new book, because of the new Apple iPad, he is thinking multi platform. With the new iPad he can link to various things. He was very high tech. He also said he wouldn't be able to put out a book a year if he had to do it the old fashion way. ( write out by hand versus a computer and also having to go to the library to do research) It was a fascinating interview.

** You can view the John Dean program and other interviews on your computer. Go to www.bookTV.org

[Alias Reader]

I see that The New Yorker has a story on Kelley and her new Oprah book.

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics...

[JoAnn/QuAppelle]

thanks for the info about the Dean interview. Love that kind of stuff!

[JoAnn/QuAppelle]

Here's an interesting item about Oprah:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reli...

I guess this art gallery owner did not sign one of Oprah's confidentiality agreements!

[JoAnn/QuAppelle]

Many of us have enjoyed Jacquelyn Mitchard's books over the years. Poor lady has fallen on hard times but she is fighting back.

http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index...

[JoAnn/QuAppelle]

I am cleaning out my computer files and just came upon this interesting 2008 interview with Elizabeth Strout. There are a couple of audios included.

http://www.themorningnews.org/archive...

[[deleted user]]

I've been reading various chapters of many library books. Most of them are based on the reconstruction of South Carolina during 1875 and 1876. Research can be so boring; especially, when you don't find what you're looking for. I'm also trying to find out about the Militia back then. Were they the same as "Federal Troops?" There doesn't seem to be much written on the subject, even on the internet. Does anyone know anything? I hope this comment isn't that out of place.

[JoAnn/QuAppelle]

I know nothing about this topic....good luck finding info! I never knew an author who did not like research...they all seem to find it the equivalent of a "treasure hunt".

[[deleted user]]

JoAnn, unfortunately, I'm only happy when I find the treasure. Thanks to those at Goodreads, I've finally found something that's leading me in the right direction.

Best regards,
Deborah

[Debbie]

Sheila Roberts an author, has said on her facebook account that she is on Goodreads, so if you see this hi, if not we are here. She has written 3 or 4 books, chick lit, but all have been great.

[Isabelle]

I love the author Samantha Bruce-Benjamin who is the author of a new book called The Art of Devotion about four women on an island in the Mediterranean Sea in the 1920s and 30s. Beautifully written, very reminiscent of old school writing, but I was most impressed by her author video which is posted on her author page. She worked as an editor with some very important writers and their influence certainly is reflected in her beautiful writing style. I would thoroughly recommend looking into the book. The reviews, too, are very encouraging for her future.

[JoAnn/QuAppelle]

The voyeur in me loves to read about authors' homes, too. This is by Ann Patchett, about where she lives.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/gar...

[JoAnn/QuAppelle]

One of the best books I have ever read is Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It turns out that she got her Masters in writing in the same program in which my daughter is getting hers, at Johns Hopkins. Laura found out that she is speaking on Friday at a nearby college and is planning to go. How I would love to be there! She is one powerful writer.

[JoAnn/QuAppelle]

Laura loved hearing Adichie speak. She said she was so composed and beautifully spoken and interesting. And gorgeous too! Laura bought Purple Hibiscus which we will both read.

[JoAnn/QuAppelle]

Voyeur that I am, I loved reading this and seeing the photos of things in Nora Ephron's apartment!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/mag...

[Reeves]

I am a voyeur too. I confess also to liking all the attention focused on Ephron lately. This article. The review of her book in the NY Times Book Reviews. I also bought Town and Country,a magazine I have never purchased before because there was a gorgeous picture on the cover of Ephron and Ina Gartner(my twin). The article was a funny girl friend kinda conversation between the two.
In a snarky way I am glad she keeps getting mileage out of her divorce story with Bernstein!

[JoAnn/QuAppelle]

R. wrote: "In a snarky way I am glad she keeps getting mileage out of her divorce story with Bernstein! .."

hahahaa

Thanks for the tip on the T and C article. I have never bought it either. I just found the cover photo of the two gals:

http://julierantsandraves.com/tag/ina...

[Reeves]

Thanks...I am emailing this to my other gal pals!

[JoAnn/QuAppelle]

nice article about Dean Koontz and Trixie:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/0...

[Alias Reader]

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "nice article about Dean Koontz and Trixie:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/0..."
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Thanks for the article, JoAnn. I had no idea he was the the 6th most profitable author.

I have A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog on my TBR list.

If you are into the horror genre, his book
Watchers is very good.

I've also read
Strangers
Whispers

I remember that I enjoyed them all. But it was so long ago, over 20 years, that I no longer recall the plots.