Haven Kimmel made her only appearance on the program 18 years ago to talk about her first novel "The Solace of Leaving Early." Kimmel, a native of Indiana, came through Dayton on book tour that day to discuss her rather unusual fiction debut.
We had a lovely chat that afternoon. After we did the interview I heard from several listeners who said that they loved Haven's voice. One of the great joys of interviewing authors in person can take place after an interview is completed and we have a few moments to talk off the record. That is also the time when I can ask authors to autograph their books. When the conversations have gone well writers will often take the time to write really nice inscriptions. After the delightful time I had with Haven Kimmel I was really looking forward to seeing what she wrote in my copy of her book. After she left I flipped open the book to see. She had written her name. That was it. No inscription. I was flabbergasted. I still am. I Googled her recently and it looks like she hasn't published any new books in quite some time. She's such a great talent. I wonder what she has been up to?
Book Nook Bonus: An interview with John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats for his album "Tallahassee."
We had a little extra time to fill on the show so I pulled out an interview I did 19 years ago with one of the more literary songwriters you'll ever find. John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats joined me on the telephone from Ames, Iowa to talk about his first record release on the 4AD label. In the years since we did this interview Darnielle has published a novel. I was never able to book an interview with him for that. This conversation was recorded during the decade in which I was the music director at WYSO. Back in those days I talked to lots of musicians as well as authors on the program.
The Book Nook on WYSO is presented by the Greene County Public Library with additional support from Washington-Centerville Public Library, Clark County Public Library, Dayton Metro Library, and Wright Memorial Public Library.
