Why We Write About Ourselves

If you like reading memoirs, you’ll like “Why We Write About Ourselves,” a book that tells us why 20 memoirists do write about themselves.

Among the people sharing their stories are Sue Monk Kidd, Ayelet Waldman, Nick Flynn and James McBride.

Honest, compelling and funny, the book really does give the reader an insight into the writer’s mind. They answer questions like “how true is true?” and how much they should write about other people.

Waldman, for example, writes, “If you’re not uncomfortable and scared while you’re writing, you’re not writing close enough to the bone.”

If you don’t like reading memoirs, this book might lead you to making a trip to that genre.

“Why We Write About Ourselves” is edited by veteran editor Meredith Maran, who is currently working on another memoir of her own.

You can listen to my talk with Meredith Maran here: WESB.com/on-demand. Click on LiveLine for 01-27-16.

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From Scratch: The Uncensored History of the Food Network By Allen Salkin

You can hear by fun interview with Allen Salkin by going to WESB.com/listen, clicking on "Local Programs" and scrolling down to "LiveLine 10-09-14 From Scratch: The History of the Food Network."

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The Bus on Jaffa Road By Mike Kelly

I love non-fiction books that read like novels because they're so much easier to get through, and they keep my attention better. "The Bus on Jaffa Road" reads so much like a novel that, at times, I forgot it's a true story.

Being a journalist, I hate to admit that I don't know as much about terrorism, counter-terrorism and all its facets as I should, but "The Bus on Jaffa Road" helped me gain a better understanding.

You can hear my interview with Mike Kelly at WESB.com/listen. Click on the "Local Programs" tab and scroll down to "LiveLine 10-08-14 The Bus on Jaffa Road."

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Salt, Sweat Tears By Adam Rackley

The Men Who Rowed the Oceans

Happy Book Birthday!

Not only is this a gripping (true!) adventure story, it includes beautifully poetic descriptions of Rackley's time on the ocean. Besides his story, it features stories of the men who went before him, including the first man who ever finished the journey.

You can listen to my conversation with Adam Rackley here.

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Island By J. Edward Chamberlin

How Islands Transform the World

The premise of Professor Chamberlain's book is this: Large or small, flat or mountainous, barren or beautiful, far out at sea, or close to shore, islands are a central part of the world we live in. And since so many of our thoughts and feelings have an island counterpart, they may well define what it is to be human.

You can listen to our conversation here.

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Non-Fiction-Palooza Coming Up

I'll be sharing interviews with the authors of these books soon:

Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good
Jesus on Trial
Dr. Mutter's Marvels
The Boys in the Boat
Salt, Sweat, Tears
for goodness sex
The Sense of Style

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Lynne Cheney on 'LiveLine'

It's not very often that a reporter from Bradford, PA, gets a chance to interview the wife of a former vice president of the United States, so I was thrilled and honored to speak with Lynne Cheney earlier this week about her new biography of the fourth president of the US.

You can listen to our conversation by going to WESB.com/listen, clicking on the "Local Programs" tab, and scrolling down to today's date (05-15-14).

Eliot Ness: The Rise and Fall of an American Hero By Douglas Perry

Award-winning writer Douglas Perry not only chronicles Eliot Ness's legendary pursuit of Al Capone, but continues the largely unknown story of Ness's time as Public Safety Director in Cleveland, where he achieved some of the greatest successes of his career, including rooting out corruption in the police department and taking on the Mob, and instituting what is today considered textbook policing.

And, yes, Perry writes about Ness's time in Coudersport, where he died at the age of 57.

You can hear my interview with Douglas Perry by going to http://www.wesb.com/listen/, clicking on "Local Programs," and scrolling down to today's show (02-27-14).

For more information you can go to http://DouglasPerry.net.

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Dancing Through It By Jenifer Ringer

Former New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Jenifer Ringer gives a behind-the-curtain look at the world of classical ballet, along with her private -- and sometimes public -- struggles.

She writes about her faith, an eating disorder, getting fired from the ballet and "Sugarplumgate," when -- after she'd conquered her eating disorder -- a critic reviewing "The Nutcracker" wrote that her Sugarplum Fairy looked as if she'd eaten one sugarplum too many. But that opened up a discussion on weight issues and got her an appearance on "Oprah."

She also writes about her family and, in our interview, talks about her future plans now that she has retired from the ballet. "Dancing Through It: My Journey in the Ballet" also includes many beautiful pictures any ballet fan will love.

You can listen to my chat with Jenifer here.

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