1:00 PM: Thursdays
Bookwaves/Artwaves presents in-depth interviews with authors of fiction and narrative non-fiction, delving deeply into political and social issues, literary technique, and the life of the author, along with interviews devoted to theatre and film, and archive interviews from Bookwaves and Probabilities. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Richard Powers discusses his latest novel, “Playground,” which focuses on Big Tech and AI and has just come out in trade paperback. Bebe Moore Campbell (1950-2006) in a newly digitized interview recorded in 2001 discusses racism and minority mental health and her novel, “What You Owe Me.” Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
From the Archive: Mystery writer Thomas Perry (1947-2025), who died on September 15, 2025, discusses his career in this 2006 interview, which has not aired in eighteen years; Gay icon, novelist and memoirist Edmund White (1940-2025) who died on June 3, 2025, recorded during the tour for his best-selling novel, “The Farewell Symphony.” This interview was recently digitized and not heard for over a quarter century. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Fund Drive Special: Nora Ephron (1941-2012) in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded November 21, 2010, while on tour for her book, “I Remember Nothing.” Known as one of the finest screenplay writers Hollywood ever saw, she is best known for such films as Silkwood, When Harry Met Sally, and Sleepless in Seattle. Her final film was Julie & Julia. A playwright and essayist, her influence is still felt in the entertainment business. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky and Laura Prives.
Stephen Greenblatt, Shakespearean scholar and Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University, discusses his book “Dark Renaissance: The Dangerous Times and Fatal Genius of Shakespeare’s Greatest Rival,” along with thoughts on politics in America today, the destruction of American science, political violence and other themes. Also: A review of “Shucked” at the Curran Theatre through October 5, 2025. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Robert Jay Lifton, who died on September 4, 2025 at the age of 99., was a psychiatrist and author who studied the psychological causes and effects of wars and political violence. In this interview recorded in 1999, he talks about cults, in partricular Aum Shinrikyo, the group that loosed sarin gas into the Tokyo subway system, snd about the nature of war and trauma. He was interviewed by Richard A. Lupoff and Richard Wolinsky. This interview was digitized, remastered and edited in September 2025 by Richard Wolinsky and is heard in its entirety for the first time. Also: An excerpt from an early interview with the late horror and fantasy author Chelsea Quiin Yarbro (194202925) who died on August 31, 2025 at the age of 82, discussing her vampire hero, Count Saint-Germain, and a review of ‘Eureka Day” at Marin Theatre through Sept. 28, 2025. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Two from the Bookwaves Archive. Jim Harrison (1927-2016) discusses his career and his novel “Return to Earth,” recorded in 2007. New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean discusses her books “Rin Tin Tin” and “The Orchid Thief” in this interview from 2011. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Carl Hiaasen is a novelist best known for writing humorous and satiric crime thrillers set in Florida. His latest novel, “Fever Beach,” satirizes the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, corrupt nepo Florida Congress-critters, and rich right-wing geriatric billionaires. Until 2021, he was a regular columnist for The Miami Herald, appearing every Sunday to discuss political and social issues. He is interviewed by host Richard Wolinsky.
Erik Larson, best selling author of “The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War” just out in trade paper, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky.
John Barth (1930-2024), America’s master of metafiction, died on April 2, 2024 at the age of 93. He talks about his career and his writing with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff in an interview conducted in 2001 while on tour for the novel, “Coming Soon.” Also: An excerpt from a 2014 interview with short story master Lorrie Moore, and a review of “The Return,” a Golden Thread production at the Garret at the Toni Rembe Theatre through August 24, 2025. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Nature writer Rob Macfarlane discusses his latest book, “Is A River Alive?” which takes us to three different kinds of rivers – a cloud forest in South America, a dying river in India, and an undammed river in Canada. He also discusses the state of environmental issues today. Also: A review of “My Fair Lady” at San Francisco Playhouse through September 13, 2025. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
