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

Two artists find themselves in an inexplicable and unhappy marriage in Christine Schutt's new novel written in hypnotic prose.

Two artists find themselves in an inexplicable and unhappy marriage in Christine Schutt's new novel written in hypnotic prose.

Christine Schutt: Prosperous Friends

A conversation with cast members about this revelatory new take on F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great Gatsby."

A conversation with cast members about this revelatory new take on F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great Gatsby."

Scott Shepherd and John Collins: Gatz

David Mitchell traces the consequences of greed from the beginnings of imperialism far into the future and the end of civilization...

David Mitchell traces the consequences of greed from the beginnings of imperialism far into the future and the end of civilization...

David Mitchell: Cloud Atlas

Novelist and social critic Chris Kraus on her latest novel, where romance and social redemption collide in post-Patriot Act America.

Novelist and social critic Chris Kraus on her latest novel, where romance and social redemption collide in post-Patriot Act America.

Chris Kraus: Summer of Hate

Graphic novelist Chris Ware stretches the notion of the book to fantastic proportions in his latest publication...

Graphic novelist Chris Ware stretches the notion of the book to fantastic proportions in his latest publication...

Chris Ware: Building Stories

Craig Nova's fourteenth novel conveys readers into dark and discomforting realms of the unseen, where human organs are harvested for sale on the black market...

Craig Nova's fourteenth novel conveys readers into dark and discomforting realms of the unseen, where human organs are harvested for sale on the black market...

Craig Nova: The Constant Heart

British novelist Martin Amis discusses how a writer makes a good character endearing when readers want to root for the villain in his new work.

British novelist Martin Amis discusses how a writer makes a good character endearing when readers want to root for the villain in his new work.

Martin Amis: Lionel Asbo

Susanna Moore is interested in the things her characters don’t know. Her new novel is a story of innocence and dread.

Susanna Moore is interested in the things her characters don’t know. Her new novel is a story of innocence and dread.

Susanna Moore: The Life of Objects

British writer, Lawrence Norfolk on his new novel of historical fiction and how his desire to write about love and need relates to his epicurean tale of appetite and hunger.

British writer, Lawrence Norfolk on his new novel of historical fiction and how his desire to write about love and need relates to his epicurean tale of appetite and hunger.

Lawrence Norfolk: John Saturnall's Feast

Former US Poet Laureate, Robert Hass explores certain obsessions in his first collection of essays.

Former US Poet Laureate, Robert Hass explores certain obsessions in his first collection of essays.

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