Rita Dove discusses her book, “Through the Ivory Gate.” She describes the protagonist, Virginia King, and her exploration of her creativity. Dove goes on to discuss the plot and reads an excerpt about a doll. She also talks about the...
Amis, Kingsley - Family; Partington family; Novelists, English - 20th century - Biography
Martin Amis discusses his book, “Experience.” The book is about life and what one goes through every minute of the day. Amis talks about his father, Kingsley Amis, his nomadic childhood, and family. He also talks about becoming a writer and...
Assimilation (Sociology) - Fiction; Interracial marriage - Fiction; Genetic engineering - Fiction; Fate and fatalism - Fiction; Ethnic relations - Fiction; Male friendship - Fiction; Race relations - Fiction; Immigrants - Fiction; London (England)...
Zadie Smith discusses her book, “White Teeth.” Martinson begins by describing the scene at the beginning of the novel and asks Smith about the title of the book. Smith responds by saying that teeth reoccur in the book and that teeth are...
Runners (Sports) - Fiction; Marathon running - Fiction; Middle-aged men - Fiction; Overweight Men - Fiction; Doppelgängers - Fiction; Businessmen - Fiction; New Jersey - Fiction; New York City Marathon - Fiction
Alan Zweibel discusses his book, “The Other Shulman.” He begins with how the novel is incredibly autobiographical with a few minor changes. He talks about the importance of marathon running and its connection with overcoming fears and...
Jews - Persecutions - Russia - History - 19th century; Jewish soldiers - Russia - History - 19th century; Jewish children - Government policy - Russia - History - 19th century; Russia - Armed Forces - Recruiting, enlistment, etc. - History - 19th...
Larry Domnitch discusses his book, “The Cantonists.” He begins by explaining the name of the book and how the cantonists were a group of Jewish boy soldiers who were forced to fight for the Russian army under Tsar Nicholas I. He then goes...
Braverman, Kate; Authors, American - 20th century - Biography; Los Angeles (Calif.) - Biography
Kate Braverman discusses her book, “Frantic Transmissions to and from Los Angeles.” Martinson asks Braverman to read an excerpt from her book about traveling and friendship. Braverman then talks about what life was like moving to New York from...
American wit and humor; Dating (Social customs) - Anecdotes; Dating (Social customs) - Computer network resources
Margo Kaufman discusses her book, “1-800-Am-I-Nuts?” She begins by talking about how men and women act differently when they are sick, and tells a story of her husband’s outrageous behavior. She talks about going to the market and bargain...
Science fiction - Authorship; Authors, American - 20th century - Biography; Bradbury, Ray, 1920-
Ray Bradbury discusses his book, “Let’s All Kill Constance,” and Jerry Weist’s biography of him, “Bradbury: An Illustrated Life: A Journey to Far Metaphor.” Martinson begins by reading an excerpt from “Let’s All Kill Constance.” ...
Short stories, American - Women authors; Short stories; Lovesickness - Fiction
Suzanne Greenberg discusses her book, “Speed-Walk.” The interview begins with Greenberg reading an excerpt from her book about divorce and children. She talks about how her book is a compilation of stories about loneliness, desperation, and...
Leora Krygier discusses her book, “When She Sleeps.” She begins by explaining the plot of the book and introducing the American and Vietnamese characters. Martinson asks Krygier to read a passage from the beginning of the novel. Krygier then...
Boys - Fiction; Men - Fiction; Los Angeles (Calif.) - Fiction
Alan Rifkin discusses his book, “Signal Hill.” He begins by describing how living on the outskirts of Los Angeles inspired his stories. He talks about children of divorced families and the psychological trauma that they can grow up with. He...
Dating (Social customs) - Fiction; Single women - Fiction
Eric Garcia discusses his book, “Cassandra French’s Finishing School for Boys.” He begins by saying how he wanted to write a novel from the point of view of a young woman although he initially had some challenges with getting into...
World's Fair (1939-1940 : New York, N.Y.); World's fairs
Miles Beller discusses his novel, “Dream of Venus.” He begins by explaining how it’s a story of the 1939 World’s Fair which took place in New York. He describes how he wanted to write the book as a non-traditional narrative with many...
Drum - Performance; Drum set music; Music experimental
David Yoken visits Connie Martinson and plays a percussion piece. He discusses how he brought several different international percussion instruments. He shows his bongo drums, wind chimes, a gong, and an altered set of castanets. He plays an...
