SavannahBuzz Cultured BOOK FEST TICKETS Local Current T.C. Boyle D E B O R AH F EING O L D Isabel Wilkerson David Baldacci J AMIES O N F R Y Kimberly Schlegel Whitman J O E HENS O N Bobby Deen A L E X AN D E R J AMES Tickets cost $10 each for opening night with Dave Barry, the keynote address with James Patterson, the lifestyle event with Bobby Deen and the closing address with David Baldacci. All ticketed events are held at SCAD’s Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St. Purchase tickets by phone at 525-5050 or online at www.savannahboxoffice.com. James Patterson Here Come the Scribes The sixth annual Savannah Book Festival mixes highbrow literature, offbeat humor and twisted whodunits for one of the South’s most intimate and engaging literary affairs. Page Turner Amy Paige Condon gets 10 questions with Pulitzer Prize-winning writer—and Savannah Book Festival opening act—Dave Barry. Savannah Magazine: What are your impressions of the Hostess City—and what are you most looking forward to seeing and doing in the Garden of Good and Evil? I don’t really have any impressions yet. But if I have to pick, I’m going with Evil. As the keynote speaker kicking off the sixth annual Savannah Book Festival, what can you tell us about the joys of book tours? Public speaking? Waking up in strange cities? Both of those are great, of course. Also, not having clean underwear. The title of your latest novel, Insane City, is a title that could apply as easily to Savannah as to your home base, Miami. How do you get to the heart of a place in your writing? I’m not really aiming for the heart. I’m 30 savannahmagazine.COM aiming more for the spleen. Or maybe the groin. But no essential organs. What criteria do you use to determine whether or not you like a city? One: Not taking itself too seriously. Two: Beer. Three: Not taking its beer too seriously. So, Insane City deals with the pitfalls of a destination wedding. Savannah has become the capital of destination weddings. Any advice for couples, such as how to avoid murders, cannibals, the smell of horsedrawn carriages? Wait—you have cannibals, too? I am rethinking this appearance. What advice do you have for the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift? After all, you did write Dave Barry’s Guide to Guys and you’re well-known for your annual Guide to Giving. The ultimate Valentine’s Day gift for a woman is something that has no conceivable use, such as candles or jewelry. The ultimate gift for a man is something that also has no conceivable use, but can be plugged in. Do you believe in soul mates? They are every bit as real as the Easter Bunny. Your novels have been described as darkly comic and suspenseful, like those of other Florida writers (Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey). Is there something in the water? Yes. Manatees. How do you think humor staves off the anxiety of modern living? I don’t know about the anxiety of modern living, but it sure staves off having to get a real job. Where do you keep your Pulitzer medal? Do you wear it on special occasions? It’s not a medal. It looks like a middleschool diploma. So it is basically unwearable. Something needs to be done about this. B ibliophiles, be aware! More than 40 celebrated and beloved authors will descend upon the Creative Coast Feb. 14-17 for the sixth annual Savannah Book Festival—bestselling thrillers James Patterson, David Baldacci and Dave Barry (amusing as ever, opposite) among them. Almost entirely free and open to the public, the SBF offers a good story for readers of every genre. Plot your own literary adventure. For the Nesters Native son Bobby Deen will join lifestyle expert Kimberly Schlegel Whitman on Feb. 15 for an afternoon of refined and BUYING BOOKS relaxed advice on entertaining. Savannah sweethearts Cheryl and Griffith Day will talk about The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook, named one of Amazon’s Top 10 cookbooks for 2012. And Holley Jaakkola and Kimberly Ergul will teach us how to celebrate, Savannah-style. For the Thinkers One of the festival’s main missions is to promote civil discourse. This year’s lineup fulfills that promise with Time magazine’s executive editor, Michael Duffy, and essayist, Nancy Gibbs; business and technology guru Daniel Pink; cultural columnist Leonard Pitts Jr.; ABC News’ senior White House correspondent, Jake Tapper; historian and biographer Evan Thomas; and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Isabel Wilkerson. For the Literati T.C. Boyle, Paula McLain, J.R. Moehringer, B.A. Shapiro, Mary Sharratt and Colm Toibin will lead us into imaginary worlds as far afield as the California Channel Islands, Jazz Age Paris and Istanbul. Memoirists Dr. Heidi Squier Kraft and Susanna Sonnenberg will surely enlighten and inspire with stories drawn from their personal experiences. Books will be on sale by Ex Libris Bookstore at Trustees Theater during all ticketed events and at Telfair Square for the free events. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the SBF. You must buy your books at the venues to have them signed by the authors. Book-signing procedures are available at www.savannahbookfestival.org. Risha Carnes Artist and owner, Extant Fair LISTENING » The Haunted Man by Bat for Lashes This new album offers the sweeping orchestration and emotionally rich pop “fix” I covet during the quieter, colder months. Like others who satisfy this craving for me—Kate Bush, Nico, Sade, Nina Simone— Natasha Khan fully earns her place within the enigmatic circle of righteous ladies. Reading » From Dawn to Decadence by Jacques Martin Barzun The great historian of ideas and culture presents his account of all the great works of the Western mind in the last five centuries. With a philosophical foundation, it spans topics like technology, cuisine, high art and pop culture, which I love to read about. SURFing » Materialwrld.com This brand new site based in New York City provides a look inside the closets of its members, from well-known fashion icons and bloggers to industry professionals. And you can purchase things directly from their closets! J AN U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 3 31
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