Authors on the Air: Hitman; The Graveyard Book; Breathing the Fire
by Diane Patrick -- Publishers Weekly, 10/31/2008
Today, Oprahchats with Grammy-winning David Foster, author of Hitman: Forty Years Making Music, Topping the Charts, and Winning Grammys (Pocket, 9781439103067, $26; Phoenix unabridged CD, $29.95).
On The Bob Edwards Show, Neil Gaiman digs up The Graveyard Book (HarperCollins, 978-0060530921, $17.99; unabridged HarperAudio, $29.95). From PW’s starred review: “A lavish middle-grade novel, Gaiman's first since Coraline, this gothic fantasy almost lives up to its extravagant advance billing. The author riffs on the Jungle Book, folklore, nursery rhymes and history; he tosses in werewolves and hints at vampires — and he makes these figures seem like metaphors for transitions in childhood and youth.”
Tonight on The Late Show with David Letterman, Saturday Night Live writing alum and Thurber Prize winner Alan Zweibel reveals Clothing Optional: And Other Ways to Read These Stories (Villard, 978-0345500861, $22). PW starred its review, saying “comedy fans will appreciate Zweibel’s range, as well as his ability to convey tender moments. Many humor books are consumed and forgotten; this is one to read and revisit.”
Authors on this weekend’s Book TV:
Maya Angelou, whose latest is Letter to My Daughter (Random House, 978-1400066124, $25; RH Audio unabridged CD, $25), her first original collection of writing to be published in ten years. From PW’s review: “From the mellifluous voice of a venerable American icon comes anecdotal vignettes drawn from a compelling life and written in Angelou's erudite prose. The wisdom in this slight volume feels light and familiar, but it's also earnest and offered with warmth.”
CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier recalls Breathing the Fire: Fighting to Report---And Survive---The War in Iraq (Meredith Books, 9780696238376, $24.95; Tantor Media unabridged CD, $34.99).
Cognitive scientist and bestseller Steven Pinker considers The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature (Penguin, 9780143114246, $16; Penguin Audio abridged CD, $39.95).
Wall Street Journal columnist John Fund, author of Stealing Elections, Revised and Updated: How Voter Fraud Threatens Our Democracy (Encounter, 978-1594032240, $19.95).
Atlantic Monthly editor Matthew Yglesias, with Heads in the Sand: How the Republicans Screw Up Foreign Policy and Foreign Policy Screws Up the Democrats (Wiley, 9780470086223, $25.95).
Journalist Joseph Farah chooses None of the Above: Why 2008 Is the Year to Cast the Ultimate Protest Vote (WND Books, 978-1935071013, $16.95).
Blogger and Music for America co-founder Michael Connery speaks Youth to Power: How Today's Young Voters Are Building Tomorrow's Progressive Majority (Ig Publishing, 978-0978843137, $14.95).
Due to the nature of live programming, scheduling is subject to change.
Booksellers can order these titles through Ingram at ipage.
For information about author appearances on these shows and others as well as listings of book mentions and book reviews, visit TitleSmart at www.titlesmart.com.
Authors on the Air is compiled by Diane Patrick. To be included in this compilation, email author appearance information to DPatrickPW@aol.com (at least TWO days in advance, please).
