Wednesday, July 30, 2008

About Books, August 2, 2008

Roxane Orgill, author of "Dream Lucky: When FDR was in the White House, Count Basie was on the radio and everyone wore a hat...," is a music critic and author of books for children and young adults. "Dream Lucky" is her first book for us older folks. And a unique book it is... a riff on the politics, sports, religion, painting and music of 1936 to 1938. Reacquaint yourself with the likes of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Max Schmeling, big bands, Jacob Lawerence, Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart and many others.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm

Friday, July 25, 2008

About Books, July26, 2008

Benjamin Wallace's "The Billionaire's Vinegar: the Mystery of the World's Most Expensive Bottle of Wine" traces the history of some bottles of Bordeaux believed to have been purchased by Thomas Jefferson. The book is filled with interesting characters from wine collectors to wine sellers to wine crooks. You'll learn about elaborate wine tastings, wine auctions, and wine provenance. Wallace told me the book has been optioned by Hollywood.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm

Thursday, July 17, 2008

About Books, July 19, 2008

Tony Horwitz's "A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World" covers the often forgotten years of American history before the Pilgrims. Reading it you will learn about the Vikings, Christopher Columbus, Spanish explorations from Florida to the Southwest, settling of Roanoke etc. The book is a lovely combination of the history of places discovered before the Pilgrims and current times in those places.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

About Books, July 12, 2008

Therese Fowler, author of the novel "Souvenir," grew up in Milan, Illinois and now lives in North Carolina. This is her first published work. The story, set in Florida, is about Meg Powell, a successful doctor in a less than wonderful marriage with a teenage daughter who exhibits poor judgement at times. There is also the vital presence of Meg's first love, Carson McKay. Therese's goal was to write fiction that is commercial as well as literary. I think she met her goal and hope she continues to write.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm

Friday, July 4, 2008

About Books, July 5, 2008

Philip Fradkin, author of "Wallace Stegner and the American West," went to great lengths to research his book. In addition to doing all the normal research, he physically visited all the places where Stegner ever lived. The result is a very revealing picture of Stegner as a writer, a teacher and a conservationist. As an Iowan and a small part of Augustana College, it was interesting to me to read about Stegner's years at the University of Iowa and his short experience teaching at Augustana. You will have to listen to the interview to learn why his stay was short.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm