Hi Everyone-

Hope you've all had a good week. Before I go into the book I want to talk about for this week, I'd like to pass on an anonymous (and perhaps unintended) recommendation. I was at the gym last week and saw a woman on what I can personally attest is an absolutely torturous piece of cardio equipment with a huge grin on her face looking as though she hadn't a care in the world--and totally absorbed in what she was reading. I managed to catch a glance and saw it was The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig. We now have it in paperback, and I can't say I've yet had a good look at it, but testimonials that authentic don't come along every day. It's clearly worth investigating.

As for what I'm working on: We have a wonderful forthcoming Buyer's Choice called (deep breath) Conversations with the Great Moviemakers of Hollywood's Golden Age at the American Film Institute. It's edited by George Stevens, Jr., son of the director, and it features interviews with thirty-two, well, great filmmakers of every stripe: directors, producers, cinematographers, cameramen, and screenwriters. It features everything from great silent and sound director Raoul Walsh explaining his involvement with perhaps Hollywood's most famous and morbid practical joke (I won't elaborate here; read the book): "There was a lot of laughing water around in those days"; to the brilliant Howard Hawks explaining that he taught new actress Lauren Bacall how to be insolent in the movies by sending her out to insult people on the street (she started with Clark Gable!). If you're not already a fan, trust me: moviegoing lore of the golden age reads like Greek mythology. It's almost too good to be true. And in case you're worried about being limited to American filmmakers, the book winds up with interviews with overseas greats Jean Renoir (my personal favorite), Fellini, Bergman, and Satyajit Ray. It really is a treasure trove, and I'm looking forward to continuing to work my way through it. It should be hitting our stores next week, so keep an eye out and support two local institutions at once: Olsson's and the AFI!

Talk to you again next week,

Joe Murphy