So I was cleaning up the kitchen tonight after dinner, and my mind wandered to one of the books I’m currently reading — Drop Dead Healthy by A.J. Jacobs — and how I wished I could attend one of his events (I’ve read and loved all of his other books). I live in the greater Chicago area, you’d think he’d make an appearance here right? Unfortunately we are not on the itinerary; according to his website he is flying over us from the East Coast to go to Denver and then to the West Coast, but not a Midwest appearance in sight (for now — I am holding out hope he will get here sometime).
Anyways so that got me thinking about other authors I’d like to see in person. Because I live near Chicago, I have been fortunate to see quite a number of authors (the major highlight was Margaret Atwood about nine years ago); but there are a few others, Mr. Jacobs included, who I think would be entertaining and/or fascinating to see and hear live. Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, would certainly be one; Nathan Englander, author of What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, is another. Hopefully one day they will make their way here.
Are there any authors you would especially like to see in person?
I would think that in Chicago lots of authors come by! Near where I live there aren’t that many author signings/talks but I could go to Amsterdam, which for US standards is around the corner, for me, it’s a it far on an evening.
I think I’ve seen a few of my favorite authors already, like David Mitchell, and some Dutch favorites. I am sure there would be lots of authors I’d see if they came this way. Let me think, Barbara Kingsolver, Jane Smiley (I would go to Amsterdam to see them!), Adriana Trigiani, Sharon Bolton, Ben Elton. Oh, loads, really!
Chicago is a bit far for me during the week as well, Judith, so I’d likely miss out on some authors even if they did visit the area; there are some bookstores in the suburbs though that put on great events and aren’t as far away from me.
I think I mentioned to you that I saw Adriana Trigiani several years ago and she was tremendously entertaining.
Yes, I’d love to see her! She sounds real good fun.
I would love to see Lionel Shriver, or Ian McEwan. I know that they are fairly big name authors and probably don’t make any appearances, but I would love to see them nonetheless!
Oh, Zibilee, the big name authors make appearances too, I think they are just much more selective. Lionel Shriver would be extremely interesting to see…
Paul F Wilson would be mine. If I had a magic wand I would love to share a table with young Hemingway. Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris planted a seed.