Longtime friend and editor of Bookworm, Alan Howard, returns to host this episode, the last of 10 shows to journey through Bookworm’s 33 years and offer a retrospective look at Michael’s accomplishments on behalf of writers and readers. For decades Michael has read almost all of a writer’s work, not just the book which has been most recently published. Howard has watched writers glow as they realize that they’ve been seriously witnessed by the ultimate Bookworm. All of the writers on today’s show have become friends of Michael’s and of Bookworm. We’ll hear from rock band Sparks (brothers Ron and Russell Mael), Art Spiegelman, Françoise Mouly, Ann Beattie, Susan Sontag, and Dennis Cooper.

Longtime friend and editor of Bookworm, Alan Howard, returns to host this episode, the last of 10 shows to journey through Bookworm’s 33 years and offer a retrospective look at Michael’s accomplishments on behalf of writers and readers. For decades Michael has read almost all of a writer’s work, not just the book which has been most recently published. Howard has watched writers glow as they realize that they’ve been seriously witnessed by the ultimate Bookworm. All of the writers on today’s show have become friends of Michael’s and of Bookworm. We’ll hear from rock band Sparks (brothers Ron and Russell Mael), Art Spiegelman, Françoise Mouly, Ann Beattie, Susan Sontag, and Dennis Cooper.

Longtime friend and editor of Bookworm, Alan Howard, returns to host this episode, the last of 10 shows to journey through Bookworm’s 33 years and offer a retrospective look at Michael’s accomplishments on behalf of writers and readers. For decades Michael has read almost all of a writer’s work, not just the book which has been most recently published. Howard has watched writers glow as they realize that they’ve been seriously witnessed by the ultimate Bookworm. All of the&nbsp;writers on today’s show have become friends of Michael’s and of Bookworm. We’ll hear from rock band Sparks (brothers Ron and Russell Mael), Art Spiegelman, Françoise Mouly, Ann Beattie, Susan Sontag, and Dennis Cooper.

Friends of Michael

Acclaimed novelist, poet, and essayist <a href="https://www.taolin.us">Tao Lin</a> (“Taipei,” “Shoplifting from American Apparel”) speaks about growing as a writer, and growing his idea of himself in a book, including his latest, “<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/547887/leave-society-by-tao-lin/">Leave Society</a>,” about the blurred lines between life and fiction.

Acclaimed novelist, poet, and essayist Tao Lin (“Taipei,” “Shoplifting from American Apparel”) speaks about growing as a writer, and growing his idea of himself in a book, including his latest, “Leave Society,” about the blurred lines between life and fiction.

Acclaimed novelist, poet, and essayist <a href="https://www.taolin.us" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tao Lin</a> (“Taipei,” “Shoplifting from American Apparel”) speaks about growing as a writer, and growing his idea of himself in a book, including his latest, “<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/547887/leave-society-by-tao-lin/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Leave Society</a>,” about the blurred lines between life and fiction.&nbsp;

Tao Lin’s ‘Leave Society’ shifts the author’s perspective to love and kindness

Author Zac Smith speaks about the extreme juxtaposition of the very short, dense, and clipped stories in his new book, “Everything is Totally Fine.” He says that by removing a lot of exposition, he was able to create intense emotions in a small space. His energetic and thoughtful stories of absurdity and minutiae are things that could not be said any other way, and usually don’t get said. Plus, special guest Tao Lin explains why “Everything is Totally Fine” inspired him to reopen his <a href="http://muumuuhouse.com/about.html">Muumuu House</a> imprint after it was closed for more than ten years.

Author Zac Smith speaks about the extreme juxtaposition of the very short, dense, and clipped stories in his new book, “Everything is Totally Fine.” He says that by removing a lot of exposition, he was able to create intense emotions in a small space. His energetic and thoughtful stories of absurdity and minutiae are things that could not be said any other way, and usually don’t get said. Plus, special guest Tao Lin explains why “Everything is Totally Fine” inspired him to reopen his Muumuu House imprint after it was closed for more than ten years.

Author Zac Smith speaks about the extreme juxtaposition of the very short, dense, and clipped stories in his new book, “Everything is Totally Fine.” He says that by removing a lot of exposition, he was able to create intense emotions in a small space. His energetic and thoughtful stories of absurdity and minutiae are things that could not be said any other way, and usually don’t get said. Plus, special guest Tao Lin explains why “Everything is Totally Fine” inspired him to reopen his <a href="http://muumuuhouse.com/about.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">Muumuu House</a> imprint after it was closed for more than ten years.

Zac Smith’s ‘Everything is Totally Fine,’ the book that reopened Tao Lin’s Muumuu House

In two new novels, Joyce Carol Oates has created disturbing male narrators. How do such dark creations affect the author's life?

In two new novels, Joyce Carol Oates has created disturbing male narrators. How do such dark creations affect the author's life?

Joyce Carol Oates: Zombie and What I Lived For

The Hundred Secret Senses
Amy Tan, an instinctual writer, discusses the gradual steps she has taken toward mastering the craft of novel-writing.

The Hundred Secret Senses Amy Tan, an instinctual writer, discusses the gradual steps she has taken toward mastering the craft of novel-writing.

Amy Tan

The politics of gender. When Theodore Roszak re-writes Mary Shelly, is he committing an act of gender aggression?

The politics of gender. When Theodore Roszak re-writes Mary Shelly, is he committing an act of gender aggression?

Theodore Roszak: The Memoirs of Elizabeth Frankenstein

A conversation with Rick Moody about the literary values of Generation X.

A conversation with Rick Moody about the literary values of Generation X.

Rick Moody: The Ring of Brightest Angels around Heaven

Kaye Gibbons  Sights Unseen (Putnam) A child searches for its mother in three of Kaye Gibbon's novels. What is the significance of these quests?

Kaye Gibbons Sights Unseen (Putnam) A child searches for its mother in three of Kaye Gibbon's novels. What is the significance of these quests?

Kaye Gibbons

Jay Gummerman Chez Chance (Pantheon) Gummerman speaks about the lives of the disenfranchised dreamers in this, his first novel.

Jay Gummerman

The Liar's Club The award-winning poet discusses the structure of her autobiography.  Does her poet---s ear affect the telling of a life?

The Liar's Club The award-winning poet discusses the structure of her autobiography. Does her poet---s ear affect the telling of a life?

Mary Karr

Another You is Ann Beattie's richest, most-complex novel to date...

Another You is Ann Beattie's richest, most-complex novel to date...

Ann Beattie: Another You

Phosphor in Dreamland An exploration of the underside of fantasy: its politics, psycho-sexual elements and its internal geography.

Rikki Ducornet

Under the Feet of Jesus Viramontes talks about the Latina writer's obligation to choose art and truth over political correctness.

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