Rushdie is Best of the Bookers

It's been reported elsewhere, but Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children has been named the greatest book of all friggin time, er Best of the Bookers. When Rushdie read at Vroman's, someone asked him to comment on winning the Booker for Midnight's Children. He quoted Kingsley Amis, who, upon winning the award late in his career for his (in my opinion) superb The Old Devils, commented "I've always hated this award, but I've just changed my mind."

Salman Rushdie at Vroman's

Salman Rushdie was at Vroman's on Saturday. I was surprised by how many people saw him on stage, then said, in hushed tones, "I'm surprised he's just out in the open like that, with those people after him." This is a big misconception about Salman Rushdie, that he's an endangered species and very serious guy, hidden away behind tinted glass and whisked off to do the occasional Charlie Rose appearance. Nothing could be further from the truth. He's a very easy-going guy, and really, really funny.

After reading from his new book The Enchantress of Florence (signed copies available at Vroman's!), he told several amusing anecdotes, but I like this one about how he first became a writer (unfortunately, a young audience member sang a little ditty right behind the camera for almost all of Rushdie's answer, so you'll have to be diligent if you want to hear the story, which includes a little jab at V.S. Naipaul). Again, I apologize for the Blair Witch-ness of the video clip. Consider it an indictment of the USC Graduate School of Cinema and Television (or just chalk it up to my ineptitude on a camera meant primarily to take still photographs).

While we're on the subject, if anyone went to the Town Hall event which featured Rushdie in conversation with Carrie Fisher, could you explain to me why Carrie Fisher? I'm not trying to be a smart-ass (no, really), but what's the connection?

It's Not Everyday You Get To Meet the Booker of Bookers

While everybody else on the net seems contractually obligated to recommend you go to the Salman Rushdie event on Monday night (an event that costs $20, by the way), I'd like to point out that tomorrow evening, Vroman's will be hosting the Booker Prize winning author in our courtyard. For free (well, if you want to get a book signed, you need to buy it from us, but the reading and talk is completely free). Now, Carrie Fisher won't be there (or, she might be, she just won't be on stage), but Salman Rushdie will be here tomorrow. For free. Which event would you rather go to, the one that costs $20 or the one that's free? That's what I thought.

And it's free.