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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2009 > January > 01 > Entry
the best and worst of 2008
New Year’s Day provides some quiet time to reflect on the events of the past year. I have been recalling the good times and the bad.
Here are some of the things that impressed me during 2008……
That hurricane fed windstorm we had last fall was awe-inspiring and agonizing. Mother Nature can really send us messages. Are we paying attention?
I did a number of interviews for the Dayton Daily News and WYSO Public Radio. My favorite interview was with Aleksandar Hemon, the author of THE LAZARUS PROJECT. I loved the book, it turned out to be my favorite novel of the year. Talking to Hemon about it was an absolute pleasure. His personal story is amazing. So is his ability to write.
My worst interview experience was my non-interview with Hugh Hefner. There’s a book out that is a celebration of “Mr. Playboy.” I had actually encountered Hefner briefly in Los Angeles earlier this year. When presented with the opportunity to interview him I thought that I should. Unfortunately, I wasn’t dealing with a publicist from the company that published the book. I was dealing with a PR firm that had been hired to book interviews. I have had some frustrating experiences over the years dealing with this kind of situation. This was one of my worst experiences ever. Finally I told the publicist at the PR firm that I was no longer interested. Yesterday I got a voicemail from a woman at Playboy asking me if I wanted to interview Hugh Hefner. It never stops….I have not returned the call yet.
My literary highlights from last year were many. I loved going to a party at Larry King’s House in Beverly Hills and meeting the guest of honor, Ted Turner.
That happened during the Book Expo America Conference. What a place for people watching! I had brief chats with Henry Winkler, Gary Hart, and Ted Turner. I had lunch with Stephen Cannell. I stood right next to Barbara Walters, Jamie Leigh Curtis, Ernest Borgnine, Stan Freberg, Alec Baldwin, Larry King, and Dr. Ruth. It was a delightfully bizarre weekend.
This blog has been incredible. Thanks to all of you for reading it. It has been great fun to read all your comments and to have dialogues on so may subjects and issues.
And here is my fantasy book outing for 2009:
“Book lovers will relish the Vilnius Book Fair Feb. 12-15, the largest in the Baltics. Colleen McCullough, Frank McCourt, John Irving and dozens more will read and sign books during the fair, to be held at the Lithuanian Exhibition Centre (Litexpo). (The Chicago Tribune)
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: booms and busts
Comments
By vick
January 3, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this
That’s OK, LMJ. I only knew of Mr. Freberg because I had a fabulous history teacher who turned me on to Freberg’s hilarious record albums long after they were popular….By lmj
January 2, 2009 5:05 PM | Link to this
I just want to make clear that I am BARELY old enough to remember Mr. Freberg, but I do. His parody of The Twelve Days of Christmas, the Ann Miller commercial for the now gone Heinz Great American Soups (Betty, why do you have to make everything such a big production?). I read his first book. I’m waiting impatiently for the next part.By vick
January 2, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this
Wow! I hope Freberg finishes part two soon….I love his humor.By edo
January 2, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this
Freberg wrote a book some years ago “It Only Hurts When I laugh” a bio Part One… Part Two has never appeared, maybe it will take 30 years like his History of the United States, Part Two…By vick
January 2, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this
I’m impressed that some of you remember Stan Freberg. It was a total shock to see him there. He’s no spring chicken…By edo
January 2, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this
I agree with lmj… Stan Freberg!… didn’t you murmur “Rumble, rumble, rumble… mutiny,mutiny,mutiny”… a true comic genius.By vick
January 2, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this
LMJ, Raoul…thanks for reading and for your input. I really appreciate it!By Raoul
January 2, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this
Vic - rubbing shoulders with all those celebrities has not changed you for the worse. Keep up all the interesting stuff you do, and have a wonderful New Year.By lmj
January 1, 2009 7:31 PM | Link to this
Stan Freberg! Envy, envy, envy, envy. Happy New Year, Vic.