Andrei Codrescu discusses his book, “The Blood Countess,” which is about the life of his ancestor, Elizabeth Bathory, known as the Blood Countess. Andrei weaves two stories together, one that takes place in the 1590s, and another that is more...
World War, 1939-1945- United States;
World War, 1939-1945- Personal narratives, American;
United States - History - 1945- - Biography;
Japan - History - 1945- - Biography
Jerry Yellin discusses his autobiography, “Of War and Weddings.” He begins by explaining that he was a pilot during World War II who bombed Tokyo, and now his son is marrying a Japanese woman. He talks about how he got into the Air Force and...
Carol Higgins Clark discusses her novel, “Iced.” She begins by explaining that the book follows her lead character, private investigator Regan Reilly. She talks about how she set her book in Aspen, Colorado and focuses on art theft in small...
Roger Hayot discusses his book, “Dinner at the Authentic Café.” He begins by explaining that he opened the Authentic Café in Los Angeles, which serves Moroccan-themed cuisine. He talks about how he got his start in the food business by...
American wit and humor; Euphemism - Humor; Language and culture - Humor; Dating (Social customs) - Humor
Chris Cerf discusses his book, “The Official Sexually Correct Dictionary and Dating Guide," co-authored by Henry Beard. Cerf talks about male professor eye contact, the political construct of masculinity, and feminism. Other topics discussed...
Serial murders - Fiction; New York (N.Y.) - Fiction
Caleb Carr discusses his novel, “The Alienist.” He begins by defining the word ‘alienist’ as a pre-20th century name for a psychiatrist. The novel is set in 1896 New York City, where young men are being forced into mafia-controlled...
Rollene Saal discusses her book, “The New York Public Library Guide to Reading Groups.” She begins by explaining that the New York Public Library started their reading groups for women who had children and wanted to read together. She talks...
African Americans - Biography; Racially mixed people - United States - Biography; Racism - United States; United States - Race relations
Barack Obama discusses his book, “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance.” Obama shares his family’s background and its influence in his life. He tells of his mother’s emphasis of instilling a strong African and African...
Alexander, Shana;
Ager, Milton, 1893-1979;
Journalists - United States - Biography;
Musicians - United States - 20th century - Biography
Shana Alexander discusses her autobiography, “Happy Days.” She begins by explaining that she is the daughter of famous composer Milton Ager, and her mother was a screenwriter for MGM Studios. She talks about her early life and how her parents...
Presidents - United States - Election - 1992;
United States - Politics and government - 1989-1993
Mark Miller discusses his book, “Quest for the Presidency, 1992.” He begins by describing the 1992 Presidential Election between the candidates George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Ross Perot. He talks about his experience as a reporter for...
Laura Kalpakian discusses her novel, “Cosette.” She begins by explaining that her book is a sequel to Victor Hugo’s famous novel, “Les Misérables.” She talks about how her book can stand independently from the original, and the reader...
Bradlee, Benjamin C.;
Journalists - United States - Biography
Benjamin C. Bradlee discusses his autobiography, “A Good Life.” He begins by explaining that he was the editor of the Washington Post during President Kennedy’s assassination, the Pentagon Papers, and the Watergate scandal. He talks about...
Philanthropists - United States;
Philanthropists - United States - Finance, Personal;
Community development - United States - Finance
Claude N. Rosenberg discusses his book, “Wealthy and Wise.” He begins by explaining that his book is about the benefits of donating to charities while you are still alive. He describes how tax returns can continue benefiting a person...
City and town life - Fiction;
Social classes - Fiction;
Irish - Australia - Fiction;
Prejudices - Fiction;
Immigrants - Fiction;
Australia - Fiction
Thomas Keneally discusses his novel, “A River Town.” He begins by explaining that his book is about an older man who decides to adopt a troubled young girl. He talks about different methods that police use to solve murders in Australia. He...
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) - Public opinion;
Public opinion - United States;
Jews - United States - Attitudes;
Judaism - 20th century
Michael Berenbaum discusses his book, “After Tragedy and Triumph.” He begins by explaining that he is the Project Director of the Holocaust Museum as well as a professor of theology at Georgetown University. He talks about the construction of...
Williams, Jim, d. 1990;
Trials (Murder) - Georgia - Savannah;
Savannah (Ga.) - Social life and customs;
Savannah (Ga.) - History
John Berendt discusses his book, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” He begins by explaining that his book is about Jim Williams, a famous Georgian who was also convicted of murdering a young boy. He discusses how he ended up in...
Copeland, Ian, 1949-2006.;
Concert agents - Biography;
Rock music - History and criticism
Ian Copeland discusses his autobiography, “Wild Thing.” He begins by explaining that he toured all over the world with the rock band The Police, because his brother Stuart was the drummer. He describes his early life growing up in Lebanon,...
Cooks - Fiction;
Mafia - Fiction;
Restaurants - Fiction;
Cooking - Fiction;
New York (N.Y.) - Fiction
Anthony Bourdain discusses his book, “Bone in the Throat.” He begins by explaining that his book is about a young sous chef who gets involved with the mafia in New York City. He explains his own career as a chef and that he graduated from the...
Gerber, Merrill Joan - Family;
Authors, American - 20th century - Family relationships;
Mothers and daughters - United States;
Older women - United States;
Cats - United States
Merrill Joan Gerber discusses her book, “Old Mother, Little Cat: A Writer’s Reflection on Her Kitten, Her Aged Mother… and Life.” She begins by explaining that she often writes stories about her family that are both fact and fiction. She...
Allende, Isabel - Family; Allende family; Authors, Chilean - 20th century - Family relationships
Isabel Allende discusses her book, “Paula.” Allende says that the book is a memoir about the death of her 28-year-old daughter, Paula. She shares stories about her family’s exile and living in Lebanon and Chile. Allende goes on to discuss...
