The island's most established bookstore has a tradition of bringing some of the most influential and interesting authors from all over to the island. This year, the independent bookseller has possibly their most exciting lineup ever - featuring writers as diverse as national security reporter for the LA Times Bob Drogin discussing his new book Curveball to May Pang presenting her photodocument of her time as John Lennon's girlfriend - Instamatic Karma.
Nicole Galland addressing a SRO crowd at a recent event for her new book "Crossed"
Dawn Braasch took over as event coordinator for the Bunch of Grapes when Ann Bassett retired last September. Since then she's made an effort to track down and entice many authors of note for the summer season, while throwing in a good mix of locals and part-time Vineyarders.
Some of the authors on the summer lineup that she's really excited about are psychologist and feminist Carol Gilligan and award-winning poet and biographer Honor Moore who will talk about her memoir of life with her bishop father. Samuel Shem, whose first novel, says Dawn, is considered required reading at all medical schools, will introduce his June release "The Spirit of the Place" and Lama Surya Das will answer "The Big Questions"
Also on the lineup are summer residents Alan Dershowitz and Kate Feiffer, as well as bestselling authors Madeline Kunin and Philip Bobbitt, among many others.
Barash notes that author's enjoy coming to the Vineyard because of its reputation as a very literary community, as well as the obvious appeal of a Vineyard visit. She also comments on what a widely diverse pool she has to choose from among talented locals and part-time Vineyarders, as well as other authors with Vineyard connections. She remarks that the Clinton's probably drew the largest crowd ever to a Bunch of Grapes event, and that one of her favorites from last year was Thomas Ricks discussing his Iraqi War expose Fiasco.
However, the recent Vineyard transplant gets just as excited when talking about lesser-known authors whom she has discovered. Last year she was handed a copy of Sandra Yukster's memoir about growing up on a commune in the 60s. Although it was one of many books she is asked by individuals to consider, and she put it aside for quite a while, says Barash "Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down." Now Notes from Nethers is one of the many fascinating books the public will be introduced to at the Bunch of Grapes summer series.
Plum TV will feature many of these authors on Today on the Vineyard and the MorningNoonandNight show prior to their appearances at the Bunch of Grapes. So check the website often to find out which exciting authors, musicians, politicians and other influential visitors we're interviewing each week.
This weekend check out Sally Gunning discussing her novel Bound, set in 18th century New England. Next up - Thomas Dresser talking about the 1940s murder case that inspired his true crime book Mystery on the Vineyard. Click here for a complete list of Author Events 2008.
Add your comments...