What author would you like to have a holiday meal with?
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I would love to have a holiday meal with Sharon Penman!
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Linda Fairstein
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I would have to say Pat Conroy. I have loved his books with the glimpses into his own life that they contain. His writing is poetic and beautiful. I recently saw him on the Today Show where he was plugging his new southern cooking cookbook. He demonstrated some of the recipes, and they sounded different and delicious. Therefore, I think he'd be wonderful to have for Thanksgiving dinner.
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I would like to have dinner with J. California Cooper.
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First choice: Tracy Chevalier
Second choice: Dan Brown
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I would love to have David Von Drehle who wrote Triangle: The Fire That Changed America over for the holidays. He has written a very intelligent and fascinating book about an infamous garment factory fire that occurred in New York City in 1911. It highlights the sociology and political climate of that era, and brilliantly interweaves the drama of the tragedy of the incident into the book. Mr. Drehle did a tremendous amount of research and presents a comprehensive and engrossing story and brings to life a piece of history that has long been forgotten. I would love to share dinner with him and hear about how he went about gathering his research and what about this subject inspired him.
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I would love to invite Janet Evanovich to dinner.
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A holiday meal with Stuart Woods would be a fabulous treat. He has such a unique way of telling a story (and the stories themselves are very good), I would expect to enjoy every moment.
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Russell Banks and Philip Roth
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Tony Hillerman
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David Baldacci. He seems like a self-deprecating, down-to-earth guy who tells good stories!
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Danielle Steel
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I would like to have a meal with Andrew Vachss, author of the Burke books. I think he is fascinating and his work on behalf of children is wonderful.
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Patricia Cornwell, even though she always deals with dead people.
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Patricia Hampl
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I would invite Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, Maeve Binchy and Joyce Carol Oates.
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I'm torn between Ruth Rendell and James Lee Burke. Maybe I could double the menu and have them both.
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I'd love to spend a holiday with Lorna Landvik. She's a riot!
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I think it would be fun to sit down at a meal (and a bottle of good wine) with any of the following: Walter Cronkite, Nevada Barr, and/or Kathy Reichs.
Elinor Nuxoll, Spokane, WA
Al and Tipper Gore would be my first choice. They are fun and I know I would have a feeling of being with family --- their son and daughters and grandchildren. I'd want to ask what their next books will be about, whether by Al, Tipper or both of them. And I'd ask their opinion on what to do to assure a fair and honest election in 2006 and 2008.
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Fannie Flagg
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Barbara Kingsolver
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Tom Clancy
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Sue Grafton
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J. R. R. Tolkien
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I would invite Diana Gabaldon.
Jeanine Cronin
I would like to have a holiday meal with Sharyn McCrumb. I love her Ballad novels.
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If I could invite one author to dinner, I would invite Maya Angelou. She is a brilliant, articulate woman and I know we would have the most amazing discussions. Just sitting next to her would make me feel more intelligent.
Jana
My favorite living author to invite for lunch would be Patricia Cornwell. If I could invite a deceased author for lunch it would be John F. Kennedy. I have so many questions for both!
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Carl Hiassen
S.V. Date
Tom Dorsey
That would be an unforgettable Florida Thanksgiving.
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Evan Hunter, aka Ed McBain
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I would like to spend the holidays with Richard Paul Evans and his family because I would love to have his passion for the holidays and the holiday spirit present in my home.
Stewart Munroe
W. E. B. Griffin, William E. Butterworth, or Alex Baldwin, but I don't want to slow down the next book no matter who he says wrote it.
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Dan Brown
Vivian Watts
I would like to have a holiday meal with Jodi Picoult and David Baldacci. They are my absolutely favorite authors and I read about 100 books a year. I like Picoult because she deals with controversial and thought-provoking issues. And I like Baldacci because he is a great author from the great state of Presidents, Virginia!
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Toure and Kenji Jasper
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Winston Churchill
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Patricia Cornwell. Every time I finish one of her books, I eagerly anticipate the publishing of her next one. When I enter a bookstore or library, I head to the Mystery section and look for her books. She is one of the best mystery novelists I have ever read. Her heroine also enjoys her home and preparing good food, so I think she would appreciate a good meal as well as we do!
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Kinky Friedman, as the stories would just keep on coming. I hope I wouldn't choke on a turkey bone. Maybe he would bring the I man along with him.
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I'd invite John Edward for dinner!
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This is a hard question...I would like to invite several!!!
OK...Diana Gabaldon. I just loved her books!
Anup Sinha from Rancho Cucamonga, CA
I would say Michael Crichton. I've read a lot of his books, but the one that had the most impact on me personally is Travels, which is somewhat of an autobiography. All good novelists are observers and experiencers of life, but he takes it to a different level and has a special insight. I also have a lot in common with him as far as background (former medical students), which would make a conversation all the more enlightening.
Joan in Mobile, AL
Diane Mott Davidson for Thanksgiving (she can cook!)
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Author? Janet Evanovich or Carl Hiaasen
Character? Grandma Mazur, of course!
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John Sandford
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Stephen King would be the writer invited to a holiday gathering. When meeting him at a book signing, he was down to earth, friendly and kind. He is an individual who has made more then a living writing. Never meeting him before when he was a struggling writer, one assumes money has not changed him. He and his better half would fit in fine at our holiday gathering.
Ann
Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb. I have never met her, but I've gotten the impression from others who have that she knows how to deal with her fans and would be gracious.
Eileen A. Stone, Virginia
I would invite M.C. Beaton. I would love to meet the woman who writes both the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series.
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I would love to have a meal with Nora Roberts or Maya Angelou.
Patricia Cantrell
The author I would love to have a holiday meal with is Stephen King. I absolutely love all of his books, I have read them all. He would be very interesting company to have for dinner. I would love to talk to him about all of his work and see what he has to think about a lot of everyday things. He is my all-time favorite author.
S. Weber
In my dreams, I would like to sit down for dinner with Jane Austen. I also see myself having Holiday meals with James Michener, Charles Dickens, Anya Seton, and Toni Morrison.
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I would love to have a holiday meal with Anne Rice or Father Andrew Greeley. Both authors fascinate me with their books. I love a lot of authors but I would love to have a conversation with either one of these two authors because I would love to find out how they get their inspiration to write.
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Definitely Stephen and Tabitha King. Can you arrange it?
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I would like to invite Jan Karon, author of the Mitford series books. With some of the "oddball" characters she writes about, she wouldn't be intimidated to sit down with my crazy crew. The second person is Pat Conroy. I always wanted to have a "sit down, chew the fat" session with him, so he is invited as well.
Linda Jacobs Atamian
The author I would most like to have dinner with is Margaret Drabble. And if they were still around, John O'Hara and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
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I would love to have a holiday meal with Janet Evanovich.
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Emeril Lagasse
Lenore, Montgomery, AL
I would love to dine with Adriana Trigiani. With all that Italian heritage, I can imagine what a fabulous feast we would have! Plus, she's great to talk to (I got to meet her at a booksigning - delightful lady!).
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Elizabeth George
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I would like to invite Bernard Cornwell and his wife. He lives in Massachusetts near my summer home and has written sailing stories, so I assume he likes sailing. We could go sailing here. He has a wide range of interests and makes history come alive. He could probably tell me stories of my present area. No lack of conversation during the visit. Maybe I could convince him to write stories of this area. I don't have any family coming this year, so you can pass the word along to him.
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I would love to have Dean Koontz for the holidays and a holiday meal.
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I would love to have a holiday dinner with Chris Bohjalian. I recently met Chris at a signing for his new book Before You Know Kindness at the Deerleap Book Shop in Bristol, Vermont. He is a wonderful speaker and storyteller, and was very appreciative of and gracious to his audience. (I brought my entire collection for him to sign.) He also has a great sense of humor and doesn't take himself too seriously. He spoke of his wife and daughter, of his life in Vermont, and of the importance of reading to children. My favorite book by Chris is The Law of Similars, but I have thoroughly enjoyed everything he's written.
Donna Waterford, WI
Definitely it would be Jeff Shaara. I love his writing and have actually seen a very long interview with him. I would love to have a long conversation with him over a good meal.
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I would like to invite Robert B. Parker for dinner...and have him do the cooking!
Anonymous
Janet Evanovich
Kristine K.
The one author I would like to have a holiday meal with is Stephen King. I think he would be fascinating to talk to about a variety of subjects.
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Nora Roberts. She is my favorite author. I love all of her stories.
Carol Holliday
There are several! Okay, if I have to pick ONE, I would say Edna Buchanan. I have always known the name, but just recently "discovered" her writing. I read everything on her website, and several interviews with her, and would like to get to know more about her.
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I think I would like to have Thanksgiving dinner with Janet Evanovich. She would be a very enjoyable guest because she has a marvelous sense of humor. Believe me, at our Thanksgiving dinner, a sense of humor is vital!
Pat Read
I think I'd like to have Diana Gabaldon over for dinner. My husband and I are real historical buffs and I think the conversation would be exhilarating.
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It would be fascinating and a learning experience to have a holiday meal with Ray Bradbury. I almost feel I could and should invite him to ours, since his books were so valuable to me when I was a seventh grade English teacher. He brightened up students' learning about figures of speech and they loved Dandelion Wineand The Martian Chronicles almost as much as I did.
Diane
I would love to have dinner with Tony Hillerman. And if you could bring Agatha Christie back, that would be wonderful.
Kathryn van Rooyen
I'd love to have a meal with Jodi Picoult! I think she is a brilliant writer, and the topics she chooses to write about are ones that are also dear to my heart. I get her newsletter, and she is so personable and friendly! Sadly, I live in the southern Appalachian Mountain region and she doesn't come here for book signings. I'd love to meet her!
Mary from NC
Without a doubt, Stephen White!! I'm a huge fan of his series, think he is an awesome storyteller and believe he's a pretty good cook too!
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Janet Evanovich. I'd have her tell me more about Morelli.
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I would invite Alicia Chudo, author of And Quiet Flows the Vodka, because of her depth of knowledge and biting sarcasm and irreverent sense of humor. The conversation and laughter would never falter.
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I would like to invite Anita Shreve and Jodi Picoult to dinner.
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That's easy, Maya Angelou of course!
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I would love to have dinner with Alice Hoffman. I love her books and would love to talk to her about them.
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Great question! There's no question in my mind that I would like to share any meal with Wally Lamb, author of I Know This Much Is True and She's Come Undone. I was totally captivated by the nearly 1,000 pages of the former book and was surprised at what I came to understand from the latter book. I enjoyed them both so much that I also listened to the audio versions, which added to my appreciation of his stories and his message. The audio reader, a notable actor and reader for numerous books, was able to interview Wally Lamb and stated that I Know This Much Is Truewas also one of the most captivating books he had ever read. From my perspective, Lamb was able to fuse together a multi-generational, multi-cultural tale in a setting of Southeastern Connecticut (an area I've always loved and one that is undergoing much change that is relevant to the story and to us all) that drove home the importance of three powerful, beautiful themes. She's Come Undone wasn't an easy read and I wondered about a man writing from a woman's perspective about some of the tragedies and joys in her life; once again, Lamb made his point loud and clear: Love conquers all, always, all ways and forever.
Specifically in regard to a holiday meal, I'd like to share that with Tony Hendra, author of Father Joe: The Man Who Saved My Soul. Though it's been more than a month since I finished, I still find I am reminded on a daily basis of thoughts he shared. I know I've been touched by a person who had the guts to share all the peaks and valleys of his life so that we would know more about His life. The catalyst for all of this wonder is a quiet but profound monk who knows that despite all the mistakes we make and tragedies we incur in our lives, we all have the ability to know love and to share our love. Tony Hendra was fortunate to realize Father Joe's gift and he's chosen to share that gift with us all. The themes can be, at times, a bit mature, but I'm certain to share this book with others (with my own "Father Joe's") for Christmas. Wouldn't it be something to share Christmas Dinner with Tony Hendra? Absolutely! But, if given the opportunity, I might opt for Easter instead, since he tells such a wonderful, true story of renewal and the promise of the greater glory to come.
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Janet Evanovich or Nicholas Sparks
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I'd love to invite Elinor Lipman to Chanukah!
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Janet Evanovich
Nancy Frazelle
The first guest on my list would be you, Carol. You have "a way with words" and would provide wonderful company, and I am truly thankful for your newsletter!
I would round out the table with Mary Kay Andrews for her southern realness, recipes and spirit; Jasper Fforde for his incredible usage of Lit and Wit; and J. K. Rowling for her wonderful imagination and references to things mythical, the basic premise of good over evil, and for bringing a new generation to the library to READ!
Y'all come on over! We'll eat around 4:00!
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Kurt Vonnegut
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I would like to invite Maya Angelou because she is such an interesting individual. I would like to talk to her about her many experiences and her philosophy of life.
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James Michener, if he were still alive, and Isabel Allende
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Tom Wolfe
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Les Roberts. We both live in the Cleveland area, and he writes about Cleveland. I've read all of his books (the Cleveland series anyhow) and I've heard him speak; he seems like an interesting guy.
Rosalie Tidwell Oliver
Linda Bloodworth Thomason. I think she is one of the most interesting women in our nation today. I also think she would be great fun to be with at a Thanksgiving dinner table. I believe she would be thankful and glad to be there. A good time would be had by all.
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Sue Monk Kidd! And I would be sure to tell her that I gave copies of The Secret Life of Bees to all of the 12 females on my Christmas gift list, ages 9 through 66. The book was a hit with all and I'd like to thank her for that.
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For an absolutely fun time I would invite author Kinky Friedman to a holiday meal. What a blast that would be!
T. Shaw, Scottsdale, AZ
I would love to have Alice Munro at my Thanksgiving dinner table. She is able to take the mundane life existence of her ordinary characters and make it fascinating reading. I would love to have a conversation with her to see what she is like as a "real" person. I bet she has a great sense of humor. I adore her writing and would like to tell her so...over mashed potatoes and turkey.
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John Grisham
Joyce
John Grisham would be my choice of an ideal guest for a holiday meal. His books show intelligence, great sense of humor, sharp observation skills, and an interest in people. All of his books that I have read have been interesting and the kind of book that you do not want to put down until you have finished the last word in the last paragraph on the last page. His Christmas books have shown that he actually enjoys and understands the holiday season and its unique traditions. In other words, Mr. Grisham would be a very welcome guest for our holiday meal, or any other day.
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I would dearly love to have a holiday meal with Tony Hillerman. His books are so well written, and his characters are so real, that when I am on an Indian reservation, I catch myself looking for Leaphorn and Chee. What I know of native American culture, I have learned from Hillerman's books. I just know a holiday meal with him would be the best holiday meal ever.
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Amy Tan
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I would invite Susan Wittig Albert.
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Sue Monk Kidd
Debbie Price, Elkhart, IN
I would invite Garrison Keillor. To hear all about Lake Wobegon over a nice dinner would be like a dream come true!!
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Ayn Rand. I love her style of writing and her books keep me interested until the last word. She would be a delightful companion at dinner and would never be at a loss for words. It would be a pleasure just to listen to her, as anyone who writes like she does must have a million wonderful things to talk about.
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I would love to have a holiday meal --- or any meal --- with Jan Karon. I LOVE her Mitford series. Surely she must be as delightful as her books!
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I would invite David McCullough. He has such a vast knowledge of history and has written books that are among my all-time favorites. Also, if you've ever heard him speak in person or on television, it's obvious that he is a brilliant conversationalist. He would put everyone at ease while inviting them to join the conversation.
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Pat Conroy
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My author would be Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. She writes across so many genres and is such a researcher. It would be a perfect opportunity to "pick her brain"!
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Billy Collins, poet extraordinaire. (But if I could choose someone who is no longer living and could stock enough booze to keep him happy, I'd say F. Scott Fitzgerald!)
Jodi
I would most like to eat a holiday meal (or any other kind) with Stephen King. I love the way his mind works, the way his tales paint such vivid pictures, and indeed the way he sees the universe.
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I would enjoy a holiday meal or any other time with Barbara Kingsolver, one of the most erudite writers of our time.
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John Saul
Eleanor
Janet Evanovich. I think that she would be funny and enjoyable.
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I would like to have a holiday meal with author Philip Gulley, author of If Grace is True.
MLM in Tacoma
The author I would invite for the Christmas holiday would be Jan Karon. This choice was made with no hesitation, first and only choice! I have loved all her books in the Mitford series and feel personally acquainted with the characters she has almost brought to life, and that includes "Aunt Fanny" from another of her books. So bring them with you, Jan! I also feel that she would have the deepest sincerity of this Christmas season, the real joy of the birth of Jesus that we are celebrating.
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Eleanor Hibbert, who wrote as Victoria Holt/Philippa Carr/Jean Plaidy --- although I know she has died. I have read all of her Victoria Holt & Philippa Carr books and many of Jean Plaidy. I have always considered her Queen of the Gothic Novel at different levels of fictionalization for each of her pseudonyms. My mother, sisters and I waited for her books to come out each year and gave each other many of them for birthday and Christmas gifts. She provided many, many hours of enjoyable reading for all of us!
Brenda Snell
Jill Conner Browne is an author I'd like to have dinner with. I love her books and would love to meet her in person.
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Anita Shreve
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Maya Angelou
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Norman Mailer, without a doubt!
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Garrison Keillor. He would give an all-American perspective to our typically Southern dinner party.
Marlie Warren, St. George, Utah
I'd love to spend a nice, quaint meal and a good cuppa joe with my new friend Patty Friedmann. She's written several books that I've enjoyed and through the process we've become good email buddies.
Jan, West Hills, Calif.
The author I would most enjoy sharing a meal with is Jodi Picoult. I find Jodi's novels very thought-provoking, especially her latest novel My Sister's Keeper, the story of a baby born in the hope of saving a sibling.
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The writer I would most like to share a holiday meal with is Gore Vidal.
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Don DeLillo and Thomas Pynchon would make my dinner life complete, with Tom Wolfe and Jonathan Franzen for dessert.
Katherine Leebrick
The author I'd most like to have a holiday meal with is Pat Conroy. In addition to being a wonderful author and a fascinating man, he cooks!
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Neil Gaiman would be my holiday dinner guest of choice merely for his incredible mind. As a writer it would be great to talk with him about craft.
For sheer fun, though, I'd have to choose Christopher Moore.
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I would love to have a holiday dinner with Janet Evanovich.
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I would like to a holiday meal with Janet Evanovich and Barnaby. ( Who knows? Maybe Stephanie and Grandma will be there too.)
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Stephen King, no contest.
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I would invite Maya Angelou. This woman is full of wisdom, inspiration and sincerity that I have never seen so much in any other author. It would be a great gift to share a holiday with her.
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My choice would be Mitch Albom. After reading both his books and recommending them to friends and family; actually buying them and giving them away, I would love to sit down with this man, one on one, and hear more about Morrie and Eddie. I think Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven are two of the most heartfelt books I have ever read. I challenge anyone who doesn't come away from reading these books somehow changed for the better.
Anonymous
I would invite Patricia Lewin, author of Blind Run and Out of Reach. I have been involved with Pat's site for a while now. In fact, I won a copy of Blind Run through her site. I have enjoyed getting to know Pat through her board and our emails, and I class her as a friend rather than "just" an accomplished author from afar!! But I would love to be able to sit down with her over a lovely meal and relax while having a good chat. Maybe one day we can do that.
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I would invite Philip Roth and Russell Banks to dinner. Russell is a neighbor and a wonderful author --- why do you never feature his books? The Darling is outstanding! Philip Roth was a classmate in college --- The Plot Against America is fantastic.
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Rebecca Wells
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Wilbur Smith
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I'd invite Janet Evanovich for the holidays. I just suspect that there's more than a little "Stephanie Plum" in her.
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My answer would have to be Iris Johansen. I love her book, she is a great author.
Madeline
I would invite any author who has written a cookbook so that he/she could cook for me.
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Nicholas Sparks
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I would invite Toni Morrison.
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Charles Frazier
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Margaret George
Teresa Henson Mitchell, SD
Bertrice Small
Dan Rainwater
Jeff Shaara. He has written a number of superb books on the Civil War, Revolutionary War, and now one on WWl. All are great reads, well written and very compelling.
Sharon C
I would invite Janet Evanovich. I think she would be tons of fun at a holiday gathering...she seems to have sense a great sense of humor!
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I'd invite Christine Feehan so we could talk about her Dark series and her wonderful vampires. I have the entire series that I could get autographed by her at the same time.
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Barbara Kingsolver
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Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie and Edgar Allen Poe. Think it could be arranged?
Anonymous
The author I'd like to have a holiday meal with is Penelope Stokes.
Sherry Anspach
I would like to have a holiday meal with Rick Bragg and learn what he is doing these days and what he is working on presently.
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Janet Evanovich would be such fun...she would probably manage to find some way to wrap a body in the turkey! But also Laura Lippman, who is so gracious and interesting that she would make a delightful dinner guest.
Lesa Cepluch
Judith Merkle Riley and/or Stephen King
Non-living authors: Dinner at Haworth with the Brontes
Sue from Western Massachusetts
Absolutely, positively Ruth Reichl, editor-in-chief of Gourmetmagazine and author of Comfort Me with Apples.
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Janet Evanovich. If she is anything like her characters, she would fit in fine with my family.
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I would love to have a meal with Margaret Atwood, an intelligent and wryly humorous woman.
Endorra
I would invite David Liss to my holiday party. He would be a welcome addition to my table and I am positive he would enhance the conversation immensely.
Wendy McMorine
My guest would be Janet Evanovich. Great food and hilarious conversation!!
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There are so many, but I think I would choose Sue Grafton as she is so down-to-earth
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JA Jance. She's great!
Kim Thomas
I would love to have Marsha Moyer come over for the holidays. My sisters and I are "dying" to get our hands on her next Lucy Hatch book. We would have a great time. When we have e-mailed her in the past, she has always taken the time to respond. It would be a hoot.
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No contest - Pat Conroy!!
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The author we'd most like to have join us for the holidays is Katherine Valentine. Her Dorsetville stories indicate what a charming and interesting person she is --- someone we would really like to know. Her characters and plots seem very real, in the best tradition of Ballykissangel or Andy Griffith's Mayberry. I enjoy the mystery and suspense genre, and would welcome an outing with Michael Connelly or Tami Hoag, but my first choice during the holidays would be Ms. Valentine.
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Charles Dickens. I love A Christmas Carol.
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The author who I would like to have dinner with would be Pat Conroy. I love his books except for his last one. One of my favorite books of all time was The Great Santini, where Conroy portrayed a tragic father/son relationship. In his last book he has suddenly made peace with his father. I would like to know how and why this has happened. Perhaps a novel in finding forgiveness for a parent would be a great one. It is hard to believe that such an abusive parent is suddenly pardoned.
Robyn Lee
I would like to have a holiday meal with Sandra Brown.
