The Dec. 6 Noon Edition panel at Viewpoint Books: Chapter Two in Columbus.
(Laura Baich)
Last Friday, WFIU's Noon Edition held its radio show at Viewpoint Books: Chapter Two in Columbus, Indiana. The panel included host Bob Zaltsberg, and featured best-selling author Michael Koryta, bookstore owner Beth Stroh and children’s librarian Lindsey Bailey.
Koryta is the New York Times-bestselling author. His books "So Cold the River" and "Those Who Wish Me Dead" have also been adapted into movies.
"The Backyard Bird Chronicles" by Amy Tan
"Her illustrations are gorgeous. The text is gorgeous. I think it's just a really nice gift book."
“The Last One at the Wedding” and “Hidden Pictures” by Jason Rekulak
"Jason's a wonderful writer. 'Hidden Pictures,' make sure to buy that one in hard copy. The pictures, the drawings, are actually very crucial. It's a nice, spooky read that you kind of dip into, and then three hours go by and you just can't put it down."
“The Anthropocene Reviewed” and upcoming “Everything is Tuberculosis” by John Green
"At next year's Oct. 24 Bloomington Book Festival, we have John Green coming down from Indianapolis. John is just an incredibly gifted writer. He's probably best known for his young adult novels that have sold millions of copies — 'The Fault in Our Stars,' 'Looking for Alaska,' 'Paper Towns.' Just a brilliant guy."
Author James Alexander Thom
"I think it's important to remember writers who are no longer with us. Back in his day, when he would drop an 800-page historical epic, those were publishing events. He was both a really kind, wonderful person and an incredible writer, so I would urge people to go back and find him."
“The Brothers Vonnegut: Science and Fiction in the House of Magic” by Ginger Strand
"While researching the book that I'm working on under the Scott Carson name, I ended up doing a lot of research about Kurt Vonnegut. I didn't even realize he had a brother. I found (this book) completely fascinating. So if you're a Hoosier and into nonfiction, I recommend that one."
“The Plot” and “The Sequel: A Novel” by Jean Hanff Korelitz
"It's a satire of the publishing industry, but it's also a great mystery. The sequel follows those events, and at one point there's a murderer who's thinking about a town where she could disappear. She thinks, 'What is that little town in Indiana that's famous for its beautiful architecture?' I love that reference to Columbus."
“Bunnicula” series by James and Deborah Howe
"Some of my favorite books as a kid. I thought those books were just so funny. I gave them to my niece a few years ago. She loved them. They hold up across time."
“When the Night Comes Falling: A Requiem for the Idaho Student Murders” by Howard Blum
"If you're a true crime person, he's writing very elegantly and well about those terrible murders in Moscow, Idaho."
Author Megan Abbott
"People are aware of her now, but the more people read her, they're going to end up being immediately impressed."
Author Ross Gay
"We're really excited to have Ross Gay involved (with the Bloomington Book Festival.) A wonderful writer, essayist, poet, just a wonderful person."
"Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry
"In terms of quick, deft character development, nobody ever did it better than Larry McMurtry. I reread 'Lonesome Dove' this year, and it is this big, sprawling epic with so many characters, so many points of view. He could come into a scene late, and so quickly you understood the dynamics through dialog and choices. That's how you hold a reader."
Author John McPhee
"He is just a wonderful journalist, and he gets down in the weeds. Everything he does is fascinating."
"Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama: A Memoir" by Bob Odenkirk
"He had such a bizarre career, starting as a writer for a Saturday Night Live, and then becoming the star of Better Call Saul, doing a lot of different things along the way."
“The Right Stuff” by Tom Wolfe
“Live From New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live” by Tom Shales and James Andrew Miller
"It's really quick, it's funny, but it's also it shows the drama and tension and the crazy stress of (that show.) And the film adaptation is coming out here shortly, so I'm excited to see that."
Beth Stroh
Stroh is the owner of Viewpoint Books in Columbus, Indiana.
“The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World” by Robin Wall Kimmerer
"I really appreciate this book so much. It's a beautiful book to gift to people. I think it reflects kind of an attitude that we have here at Viewpoint Books, and that is that we are grateful."
“Deep Calls to Deep” by Brandon Andress
"It's a series of reflections that you can use as a guide to better understand yourself and look at ways that you can relate better to others. He has been popular, also, for his fiction titles. Brandon would top the list for most-sold local authors."
“Wicked Columbus, Indiana” by Paul Hoffman
"It's related to the people in Columbus that you might not hear positive tales about. If you want to know the kinda-not-so-great backstory of our community, that's a really wonderful source."
“Rush of Ravens” by Abigail Brier
"It's an eight book series. She already has all of the other books outlined, but that's the first one."
“Xerus Galaxy Saga” series by E. A. Hendryx
“The Sword and the Sophomore” by B.P. Sweany
“American Modern: Architecture; Community; Columbus, Indiana” by Matt Shaw with photographs by Iwan Baan
"The number one coffee table book I would recommend to people this year. It's different from most coffee table books. It's all about Columbus, it's all about architecture, but it's about so much more. It's made in a very unique way."
“We Who Wrestle with God: Perceptions of the Divine” by Jordan Peterson
“All the Colors of the Dark” by Chris Whitaker
"There's some murder, there's small-town drama, there's prison escapes, all kinds of stuff in this book. The characters and their relationships are wonderful, and you get to follow their whole lives."
“Penelope Rex” Series by Ryan T. Higgins
"Anything by Ryan T. Higgins is a favorite of mine. I think it's because even for a young child, the characters become real enough that kids can relate to them."
“Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us” written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo
"You'll never look at a hedgehog again without thinking about the hedgehog in this story."
“An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s” by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Lindsey Bailey
Bailey is a children’s librarian at the Bartholomew County Public Library.
“The Book That Can Read Your Mind” by Marianna Coppo
"It's a really interactive, entertaining book, because it's basically a magic trick in book form. Guaranteed winner for kids who are reading picture books."
“Dog Man: Big Jim Begins” by Dav Pilkey
"'Dog Man' is the greatest thing in children's graphic novels right now. This one is a 'Batman Begins' parody. I'm really excited to read that one. A surefire win with kiddos."
“Wings of Fire” series by Tui T. Sutherland
“When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary” by Alice Hoffman
"If you have kids who like reading things that are more serious, (this is) a fictionalized prequel to the Anne Frank Diary, and it's actually been endorsed by the director of the Anne Frank House."
“The Cartoonists Club: a Graphic Novel” by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
“The Last Kids on Earth” novel series by Max Brallier
“Cleo and Roger Discover Columbus, Indiana” by Kimberly S. Hoffman
“Paletero Man” and “La Guitarrista, the Rock Star” by Lucky Diaz
“Fall Brings the Festival of Lights” by Deepti Vijaykumar
"It's a book about Diwali and celebrating that here in our community. We did an event last month with her at the library that was very well attended, and taught lots of kids about Diwali. Her son is actually the inspiration for the main character, and he was there. It was a great event. An absolutely wonderful read."
“Pretty Ugly” by David Sedaris and Ian Falconer
"If you like dark humor in your picture books, highly, highly recommend. Makes me laugh every single time I read it, but I'd take a look at it before you show it to a kid, just in case. The illustrations are something else — one of my favorites this year."
“Cher: The Memoir” by Cher
“From Here to the Great Unknown” by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough
