Midmorning Weekend for September 19, 2009

Jane Hamilton
Author Jane Hamilton
Photo by Kevin Horan

Midmorning Weekend revisits some of the best recent conversations from the daily call-in program.

Segment 1: How our fast culture hurts reading

Reading is losing the competition with other media for our attention says the book editor of the Los Angeles Times. He found it difficult to find space in his mind to allow him to concentrate on books.

Guests:

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David Ulin: Book editor for the Los Angeles Times.

John Freeman: Acting editor of Granta, a magazine that surveys fiction.


(Original Program)


Segment 2: Jane Hamilton's take on the modern romance novel

Author Jane Hamilton is best known for books that depict tragedy and human frailty. She departs from that formula in her new novel, "Laura Rider's Masterpiece," a dark comedy about a bored wife with literary aspirations and her attempts to create art from life.

Guests:

Jane Hamilton: Author of "Laura Rider's Masterpiece." Her previous books include "A Map of the World" and "The Book of Ruth."

(Original Program)


Segment 3: Political memoirs, fact or fiction?
Political observers are anticipating the release of the memoir of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy. Will the memoir reveal new details about the personal life and struggles of the late senator, or merely recount his storied political career?

Guests

Thomas Larson: Author of "The Memoir and the Memoirist" (2007). He also teaches workshops on memoir writing.

David Greenberg: Associate professor of journalism and media studies and history at Rutgers University. He is the author of "Nixon's Shadow: The History of An Image."

(Original Program)