Courtesy of google.com
The month of May marks a new beginning for Just Read it and for me. Just Read it is the 10 minute YouTube video program Susan Stoner and I have co-hosted over the last 4 years. During each show, a Portland, Oregon author joined us to discuss a book from the New York Times Best Seller list In May, however, I’ll be flying solo. Susan, author of the Sage Adair historical mysteries, and her cameraman hubby are off to conquer new worlds.
When viewers join me next, they’ll meet my new production crew: Rob Hoffman and Dennis Maxwell. The two have put their stamp on the visuals by adding 3 cameras and new graphics. Brad Mersereau’s composition Bein’ remains our musical theme, however. People will still know us by our sound.
To ease into the transition when we filmed last winter, two familiar authors joined me before the cameras. Suzy Vitello is the creator of the young adult novel, The Moment Before. Dan Berne penned The God of Second Chances, which is also fiction. Together, we put Barbara Ehrenreich’s non-fiction bestseller, Natural Causes under the microscope. Her take on modern medicine inspired a lively discussion on whether or not invasive testing added to or subtracted from the quality of life.
To be sure, the topic was on serious matters, but the three of us managed a few laughs. Frankly, at 82, I haven’t much choice but to laugh.
Later, in July, two different guests will join me to discuss Amor Towles’s novel, A Gentleman in Moscow. September takes me and two other local writers on a journey to an idyllic Italian village still burdened by the scars of World War II: The Tuscan Child, by Rhys Bowen.
Because we operate on a two-month schedule, I encourage readers to subscribe to the series. Don’t miss upcoming programs. In time, our book recommendations will seem as necessary as air.
(First published 5/3/19)
