Imprinting on total strangers.

[p_m_cryan]

When last we entered my study to see what the Technomantically Prescient Bookshelves.... OF DOOOOM!!!! would manifest to me as "need to re-read, right now" offerings, I wanted a memoir, but my shelves outvoted me.

This time, they cooperated. They pushed out Craig Ferguson's AMERICAN ON PURPOSE, and it was the absolutely right thing to re-read

Comments

[penpusher]

I am an unabashed Ferguson fan, and I hoped that somehow he would move up to Letterman's time when Dave retired, but they wanted a younger guy who might be able to keep up with Fallon, so, Colbert it is.

But personally, Ferguson is the most human and thoughtful of all the talk show hosts, specifically because of all that he has been through, and his world view is completely informed by all of what he's experienced. I wonder how many celebs have, on the sly, come to him for advice and counsel? I bet more than a few!

[p_m_cryan]

There is a mention in the book of at least one celebrity who sought him out for counsel.

Johnny Carson used to have a list of people for whom he'd "stop the world" to have on his show when they were in town. He'd postpone the Pope or the President if someone on that list had a narrow window to appear on The Tonight Show.

Craig Ferguson is on my own personal "stop the world" list. If I had a chance to have him sign or speak at my bookstore, you'd bet I'd stop the world.

[solstice_singer]

I find things go much better when one obeys the call of the bookshelves.

[p_m_cryan]

The bookshelves usually don't steer me wrong. However, there are times when I see the sheer amount of angsty books from the 1990's and wonder "Why did I enjoy reading THAT!!??!!"

[c_maxx]

Rereading is one of the great treasures of life.

Have you all had a bit of a phenon at the store over Ancillary Justice? There has been a bit of one at my Lj friends' pages... am considering reading it yet again to pick out more of the details still unsure of. Another Massachys'un asakiyume interviewed Leckie for her Lj.

And have not been able to resist pushing CJ's RIMRUNNERS just to stir up the mix.

Will have to ck out American on Purpose, and Ferguson (?).

Hmm... CapsLock instead of silly buttons, ummm

[p_m_cryan]

Very pleased to meet another bibliophile!

We've seen an uptick in sales of ANCILLARY JUSTICE, but it's not yet reached what I would call a "phenomenon"... We'll see what happens in August.

It's been a while since I've done a Cherryh re-read. Might be time!

[halfshellvenus]

I love Craig Ferguson, and really enjoyed that book. It was somewhat meandering and had more about his problems with drugs than I'd expected (more a general than directed biography, despite the title), but his need to become American and all that it stands for came out loud and clear.

Not to mention his resolve not to drink or do drugs again. I can see why he so values what giving them up has brought him.

[p_m_cryan]

His eyes tell the story of what he's been through. Even at his silliest, there are times when the smile doesn't reach his eyes.

[agirlnamedluna]

I've visited NYC as a teen, it does take a hold on you.

[p_m_cryan]

It's a wonderful and terrible place, as most magical realms are.