Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Reviewing The New York Times
Writers and book-lovers gathered in Bryant Park for The New York Times Great Read on Sunday. The goal was "A Celebration of Books," but the theme should have been "Acting Classes For Authors." I suggest shy or monotone authors hire appropriate people to impersonate them at readings: Chick lit writers can check Sarah Jessica Parker's availability; sci-fi authors should use William Shatner.
The highlights of the event came from authors who brought their work to life, like Isabel Rose (The J.A.P. Chronicles) who read dialogue from her novel in a thick New York accent. Wearing a tank top and jeans, the young author had the audience howling with her tale of a Jewish mother urging marriage and pregnancy. The protagonist protests that Madonna gave birth in her forties, until her mother tells her, "You're not Madonna. And nice Jewish girls don't get pregnant by their trainers!"
Rose receives the award for Funniest Excerpts, followed by L.A. Times reporter J.R. Moehringer. In a perfectly conversational tone of voice, the handsome Pulitzer Prize winner read about growing up fatherless in Manhasset. His memoir, The Tender Bar, told tales of a reclusive grandfather who suddenly "turned into Clark Gable." Gigi Anders also poked fun at her family, with an air-piercing Cuban accent, entertaining the crowd as she read from Jubana!: The Awkwardly True and Dazzling Adventures of a Jewish Cubana Goddess. In her childhood, her mother took her to a mental hospital and told her to "play with the patients." It was enough to make you want to cancel Mother's Day.
While the event marked the seventieth anniversary of The New York Times Bestseller List, not every author present held the distinction of being on the list. But as author Seth Godin (All Marketers Are Liars: But Great Marketers Tell Stories We Want to Believe) pointed out, "Dale Carnegie's book sold 40 million copies, and it was never reviewed in the Times."
(This article was published on Beatrice.com. Ron Hogan, author of The Stewardess Is Flying the Plane, runs Beatrice.com, the prestigious website known for its daily commentary on the book industry.)
