Book Talk: an author and a reading list

Politics and Prose is my favorite bookstore. The store does not just house books. It is known for an active and exciting schedule of Author Talks.

Jim and I stopped in to reserve our copy of the new Harry Potter book. Not thinking there was a "talk" on a Wednesday night we commented about the full parking lot and number of people walking in.

Upstairs chairs were set up. Robert Novak would arrive shortly to talk about his latest book, Prince of Darkness. We decided to stay - after we purchased the voucher for our Harry Potter ofcourse. We wanted to hear Novak's talk, not because we share his politics, but because we have often seen him on television. Here was a chance to see him in the flesh.

Novak was a charming, articulate speaker, not combative as he often is on the talk shows. He was delightfully candid in his opinions about the people of official Washington and what they get up to. He charmed us into buying his book - and why not when you think about it. Whether you agree with his politics or not he is giving an insider's eyeview of fifty years of our political history. The book is a tome, weighs a ton so not for the bedside table. I have read around in several chapters and the writing is fast paced, chatty and entertaining. Much like his newspaper writing.

When I am left alone without a syllabus my my reading is very eclectic. It certainly has been this month. Looking at my book stack I see that it has been charted by travel, gifts, random encounters, impulse and whim. A lot like my life.

Storytelling Tip: If you are looking for personal stories have you asked yourself how the stack of books you are reading came together? Do you have a story of your own hiding among those books?

My Book Stack this month:
From my bookshelf:

Harry Potter - Because of all the expectant hoopla about the impending release of the new Harry Potter boook, I took down my J.K. Rowling collection to browse so I would be refreshed and ready when I had the The Deathly Hallows in my hands. I did read The Sorcerors Stone but then switched to watching the movies. When I borrowed the movies from our grand-daughter Juliana, she gave us the first movie under the British title, The Philospher's Stone.

From the public library:
Donna Leon. Death and Judgment I relish most anything set in Venice. Check my blog Saluti di Venezia to see why. Donna Leon writes well crafted mysteries that hold your attention. The protagonist, police inspector Guido Brunetti is a likeable man, someone you'd like to know. Leon's descriptions of Venice are so vivid people conduct tours of the city based on her books.

Off the 50 cent cart at the library:A book for the plane to California
John Lescroart, The Hearing, a fast paced and involving murder set in San Francisco. Good writing and engaging main characters which I am delighted to find out reappear in other suspense thrillers. I am not an easy flier so an engrossing suspense thriller is a good companion. If its really bumpy I often just clutch it.

A gift;
My daughter Robin had saved this one for me.
Christopher Vogler The Writer's Journey (Mythic Structure for Storytellers and Screenwriters) Excellent primer on myth as a story form.

From browsing in bookstores:
Victoria Findlay, Color, From Kramer Books in DC. Interesting travel book exploring an intriguing subject. Don't you envy people who find topics that send them to exoctic places for their information?

Thomas C. Foster, How to Read Literature Like a Professor Accidentally touches this book on a remainder table at Barnes and Noble in Walnut Creek, CA. It is a good eye-opener for readers.