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If you could be best friends with an author, who would you choose and why?

If you could be best friends with an author, who would you choose and why?

Kimberly #questionnaire

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878 Answers

Neshiyqah

Brenda Wilkinson.. she wrote my favorite book ever, Ludell. I figure since my mom loved the book as well we all could talk about great things over coffee. It seems so fun in my head.

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Dustin

Emily Dickinson. I’m a strong introvert and I don’t think she’d expect much socializing. But I feel her letter writing game would be strong and when we did gather, it would just be to drink tea and read our respective books in front of the fire.

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Ginseng

She apparently had epilepsy, which had a lot to do with her isolating.

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Keren

If she were alive today I think I would like to be text buddies with her.?

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Amanda

Joe Hill because he seems genuine, funny, and can tell one hell of a story as he comes from good stock!

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Marie

I remember following Joe Hill on Twitter, before he was published and before people knew whose son he was. I always thought – this guy is hilarious!!!

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Amanda

@Marie he is! When he was publicizing Strange Weather he just seemed so approachable and fun!

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Eleanor

Wendy Corsi Staub – she’s my husband’s cousin!

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Felicia

I love her Italian-Queens books!

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Philana

Oh! I’ve read her Lily Dale books.

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Rae

Laura Ingalls Wilder because we are similar…

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Tamara

Stephen King! Hands down. Love his writing and his politics!

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Aimee

Me too!

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Anna

Elizabeth Gilbert, cause she seems like a nice person. And she’s funny too. And I love the way she writes.

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Amy

One of my best friends is an author, LOL!!

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Linda

Non-fiction living: Barack Obama Best Non-fiction not living Nelson Mandala or Eleanor Roosevelt Fiction living: J. K. Rowling Fiction non-living: Mark Twain Because I love smart, significant, humorous minds whose life’s work influences others to take the high road, not the low road. And I love people who have a social conscience.

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Linda

Also love J. K. Rowing because she takes no crap.

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Charlotte

Mark Twain. Life would never be dull and the stories over drinks would be amazing!

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Tara

Lewis Carroll. The man was a genius with such an imagination and gift for storytelling.

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Rose

None of them. I may love their books, but do not feel the need to go further than that. It’s the same with actors and artists. I don’t need to know what’s going on in their personal life to appreciate their skills.

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Amy

One of my friends is an author. I know a few other authors through her. They are people with friends and families. No one is suggesting stalking or anything

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Rose

@Amy geez. I didn’t even think of that. I’m just saying I don’t think of meeting authors, let alone who I befriend. I meant no disrespect. I just answered honestly.

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Rose

@Amy , I’m sorry you didn’t see the compliment in my comment.

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Shannon

Kurt Vonnegut, his dry, minimilist humor makes me laugh and think every single time.

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Linda

Probably Diana Gabaldon because not only did she write my favorite series (Outlander) but we’re close in age, she enjoys travel, whisky and wine and I think we could have some very interesting conversations. Plus she can be snarky which some fans don’t like but I find amusing.

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Mary

Stephen King.

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Sandra

Nevada Barr .. her Anna Pigeon books are set in different National Parks, and it would be fun to tag along with her when she was researching all the National Parks for her books.

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Lisa

Mary Shelley or Jane Austen

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Ginseng

Would have loved to be hanging out w Mary and Percy and their friends the night she decided to write Frankenstein.

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Donna

Pat Conroy or Rick Bragg

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Jj

@Andrew Because he helps abused children

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Jj

http://ldicp.org/

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Annestasia

J.K. Rowling because she breathed life into magic and showed that each and every one of us has magic inside.

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Beth

Jane Austen or Agatha Christie

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Deb

Adriana Trigiani. Met her last summer, what a hoot!!

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Dave

Mark Twain.

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Loretta

Me too

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Margie

Jane Austen, because she rocks?

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Lisa

Jane Austen and Harper Lee

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Ellen

Octavia Butler

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Ginseng

Yes!

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Stacy

Diana Athill or Pat Jilks, hands down.

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Debborah

In the past never Stephen King because I wonder about someone who can make up such scary stories, but now him because of his wonderful political comments.

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Marie

Patti Smith, because she’s an amazing reader, writer and musician.

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Cheryl

It’s a toss up between Adrianna Trigiani and Lisa Scottoline because I believe they would be as great as their characters and we could bond over Italian cooking and books.

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Amber

George R R Martin

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Chris

It’s a toss up between Neil Gaiman and Tom Robbins. Both awesome. I can just imagine sitting around, sucking a brew and shooting the breeze.

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Lindsey

Laurie Halse Anderson and Ursula K. Le Guin, because they are (were) both badass women who I would definitely learn a lot from.

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Barbara

Abraham Verghese. Author of Cutting For Stone.

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Patty

My father-in-law is an author (of history books)

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Karen

Barbara Kingsolver She’s led an interesting life and is a great writer.

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Kyra

Rainbow Rowell ❤️

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Nyeisha

Deborah Harkness…because she loves wine as much as I do. And I’d get the wine education of a lifetime. With a good dose of history.

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Marsha

Anna Quindlen

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Alice

Janet evanovich just because her characters seem so fun!

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Marie

She visits our local library about once a year. Seeing how many people enjoy her writing, I now want to see her.

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Alice

@Marie where do you live?

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Marie

@Alice I’m in the Verde Valley, in Arizona. She comes to Cottonwood library.

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Alice

@Marie wow, that’s very cool. Too bad I’m in Nashville ?

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Marie

That would be a long trip – lol. Many people do visit Sedona, Arizona, which also has a wonderful little library.

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Holly

I met her a couple of years ago, in Scottsdale. She did seem like a fun person. ?

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Maggie

@Marie, I’m in Bisbee. We have the oldest continuously operating library in the state. I would post a link to it but my phone is not letting me do it. Google “Copper Queen Library, Bisbee, AZ” and you’ll see what a great place it is.

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Holly

@Maggie I’m going to have to go there.

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Marie

@Maggie My daughter really likes Bisbee, will have to make a trip with her of visit the library, of course!

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Marianne

Laura Ingalls Wilder and Harper Lee.

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Sue

Ditto!

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Jim

Twain. He’s hilarious.

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Cynthia

And down to earth, practical and kind

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LeAnn

Elizabeth Berg because I love every book she has written.

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Judy

Anne Lamott

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Marsha

Oooh, yeah!

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LeAnn

Elizabeth Berg because I love every book she has written.

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Emily

Agatha Christie, because she was brilliant.

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Cindy

Tess Gerritsen – she spoke at our library a couple years ago. I could have listened to her for hours…she was so interesting.

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Gay

Christopher Fowler who has a fantastic imagination would be so interesting or one of my favorite historians David McCullough or Lynne Olsen

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Diana

Zadie Smith. I’ve loved her books and I love her take about culture.

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Atlanta

Stephen king because he can turn out great religious themes that don’t turn off non religious people.

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Janet

Danielle Steel, the first author I discovered when I had time for pleasure reading after finally finishing school ❤️?

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Arden

Jen Lancaster – she’s hilarious!!

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Kelley

Shakespeare and Twain!

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Alberto

When I was in high school late 1970s I must have read all of Sidney Sheldon … Great read back then and such an interesting author… ie The Other Side of Midnight

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Janet

I read all of his, too! I remember feeling very sad after he passed

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Alberto

I remember Bloodline, Stranger in the Mirror, Rage of Angels, the Naked Face, Master of the Game, If Tomorrow Comes … All in paperback that can fit in your back pants pocket. Then I read Belva Plain, Jacqueline Susann, Harold Robbins, Jeffrey Archer …. My high school buddies:-(

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Janet

@Alberto – I may have to read these again! ❤️?

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Rebecca

Diana Gabaldon – she’s FUN!

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Amy

@TTorrest. She’s me fave! ❤

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TTorrest

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Kathy

Jan Karon

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Laura

Ann Hood she writes the best books. Her book, ”Comfort” helped me through my grief after loosing a loved one.

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Sue

I heard her speak, and she’s wonderful!!!

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Karen

Ann Hood spoke at the Friends of the Library Luncheon and she was very interesting. Our book club also selected her book The Book That Matters Most.

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Nora

J.K. Rowling, because she has a wonderful imagination, a giving heart, and a sly wit. Or Harper Lee, because she wrote my all-time favorite book, and let it speak for itself. Also, she got to grow up with Truman Capote, and that’s not a bad childhood!

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Marie

I’ve always been fascinated by her relationship with Truman Capote. I don’t think I’ve seen him mentioned much – will have to remedy that!

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Nora

@Marie there’s long been a rumor that he actually wrote TKAM. Based on what I’ve read, I’m half-tempted to believe that’s true. Regardless, she would have been a helluva friend!

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Marie

He could have at least been very involved in the writing of it since I believe they were close at the time?

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Debborah

@Nora After reading Go Set A Watchman I think Capote could be the author.

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Marie

Sounds like a good thesis for a book.

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Nora

@Marie Go Set a Watchman was reportedly the rough draft that got turned into TKAM. I’ve not read it (nor will I), but from what I have read, it seems as if he had a very heavy hand in the editing, if not the complete rewrite. Those rumors were pretty widespread long before GSAW ever saw the light of day. The comparisons of the writing styles seem to confirm the long-held suspicions.

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Daisha

Stephen King and Margaret Atwood both so smart, woke and just cool

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Tina

Ray Bradbury, loved Fahrenheit 451. I love Stephen King but not his political views.

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Holly

Ray Bradbury got more conservative as he aged. Mostly, he just didn’t like politicians, but his writing was mostly liberal, including Fahrenheit 451. His main point of F 451 was that television was replacing people–and that it was teaching people to be mindless drones who couldn’t think for themselves. Books, however, are dangerous. ?

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Tina

@Holly so are mindless drones.

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Holly

?

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Desiree

Stephen King or Christopher Moore. They are both smart, funny and a little twisted.

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Karen

Elizabeth George–I’d like to help her explore settings for novels in England.

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Holly

J. K. Rowling

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Karen

David Sedaris and Sean Condon because both are able to take everyday occurrences and make them into hilarious stories. I love them both!

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Debborah

I heard Sedaris speak in Ann Arbor a number of years ago. He is very funny. My favorite story was about one of his friends who had a first date with a man who told he had problems with the “C” word. She responded “C–t”? He said, “No…commitment.” It was their only date. He is such a funny storytelller that I think you would never be bored.

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Karen

@Debborah, i have heard him a few times, too, and wven got to meet and chat with him. Love him! And Sean Condon, too.

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Marie

I can’t really limit myself to one. I think I’d be comfortable and would just have a good time with James Lee Burke, his daughter Alafair Burke and the rest of their family. On his Montana ranch. They both respectfully communicate with readers through social media.

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Elisabeth

jenny lawson!

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Dianne

Ms. Maya Angelou

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Debborah

Yes, I envy Oprah.

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Donna

Maya Angelou. Definitely Maya.

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Charlene

Eric Jerome Dickey.

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Ginseng

Hunter S Thompson

Anais Nin

Dorothy Parker

Allen Ginsberg

Harlan Ellison

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Marie

Wild times!

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Marie

PS: You have a great first name!

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Ginseng

@Marie yes, wild times with brilliant people!

And thank you.

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Ronda

Anne Tyler. I want to write like her when I grow up!

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Jennifer

Debbie macomber, nora roberts, Mary kay Andrews

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Shelley

Mitchener.

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Kathy

JK Rowlings. I want to see her world through her eyes

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Sarah

Flannery O’Connor and Carson McCullers and Edith Wharton and Henry James

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Marie

Intense!

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Sarah

@Marie They have all moved me deeply emotionally and changed my understanding of people and living.

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Marie

I understand. I’ve read and reread many of Flannery and Carson’s writings and they still bring me to tears, partly because the writing is so beautiful! It’s been a long time since I read Edith and Henry, but did read many and treasure them. BTW – My first name is actually Jeanne.

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Sarah

@Marie Nice!

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Marie

@Sarah People often question the spelling of it – my mother told me it is French.

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Sarah

@Marie Indeed it is the French feminine version of the name.

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Marie

Recently I saw someone with it tattooed on her. When I commented on it she said it was her girlfriend’s name and pronounced Jahna, with a soft J. Interesting.

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Christiana

Barbara Mertz

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Kathy

Dr Suess might be a hoot? I want to try whatever he was on?

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Angela

Shakespeare…because then I’d get to see the performances of all of his plays, which I love!!!

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Donna

Oh, how wonderful that would be!

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Jacqueline

I know, right? You probably tells the best stories at dinner.

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Donna

@Jacqueline how fun!

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Liz

Rick Riordan

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Pricia

I try not to confuse the art with the artist. Not because I’m smart but because even a slow learner learns.

But truthfully, I’d try to leave them alone so they could concentrate. And then they might not think I cared.

I used to think Salman Rushdie would be so fascinating to talk to but then when I read his memoir, I realized that might not be so.

Honestly, Keith Richard’s memoir revealed such a lyrical understanding of the universe and how music is an organizing principal. And then he seemed to finally prioritize and serve what truly defined him after having made some really horrific life choices – therefore I believe it would be really really beneficial to waste some time with him. Quite a coping mechanism in that one! And insights about how to come back to one’s true self. I was deeply impressed by his book. It was not what I expected at all.

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Susan

Oscar Wilde. I enjoy the company of intellectual wits.

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Cat

Poe, Twain, Tolstoy, Alcott, George Elliot…

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Janeen

Well, since my head is still spinning a little after seeing David Sedaris last Friday night, I would pick him. So funny and easygoing.

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Christal

I love him!

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Liz

His latest book is soooo good!

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Janeen

Mo Willems would be a close second for me.

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Christal

Jane Austen because her wit makes me laugh and her men make my swoon.

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Anne

Laura Ingalls Wilder

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Anne

Enjoy the history and family in a different ers

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Anne

@Anne era

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Yesenia

JK Rowling, her books helped me get through tough times growing up.

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Sara

Either Roald Dahl, because he is simply fabulous, or C.S. Lewis, because I don’t think I’d ever want him to stop talking.

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Melanie

Michael Connelly as to he writes about my neck of the woods, strikes me as being very laid back, and likes great music!

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Nyeisha

His books are awesome.

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Melanie

@Nyeisha Right! Have you checked out the show Bosch on amazon prime?

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Nyeisha

Melanie Stewart no i gave up Prime after college ?. I heard it’s good though.

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Melanie

@Nyeisha it’s worth checking out if you’re a Bosch fan!

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Nyeisha

@Melanie I’ll have to see if I can get someone Prime info and binge it

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Liz

The show is AMAZING!! Superlative casting!!

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Melanie

@Liz Oh yes! Someone else who has seen Bosch!

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Randi

Ray Bradbury! I love the way his mind works.

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Stephanie

Candace Bushnell – author of Sex and the City. Enough said! ? ?

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Liz

Cosmos for all!!

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Deborah

Maeve Binchy

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Deborah

Jane Austen, Anne Taylor, Mark Twain, Barbara Kingsolver, Diana Gabaldon. What a great book club we’d have!

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Toni

Carl Sagan and Stephan King, both brilliant and articulate.

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Merla

Jodi Picoult – we see the world the same way a great deal of the time. She is also a humble, kind person who keeps in touch with her readers.

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Marie

I appreciate that about authors.

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Roberta

Anne McCafferty. I loved her Pern books and she sang. I always wanted to sing.

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Trish

After hearing them in various interviews, I’m torn between Sarah Vowell and Max Brooks. We could commiserate on politics, visit historical sites, and laugh till it hurts.

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Eleni

e.e. cummings because seemed to understand the human soul

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Anne

Melanie Shankle I love her sense of humor conveyed through her writing, she’s relatable as we both grew up in the 80’s, and she has catchy book titles

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Dee

Barbara kingsolver, Nevada Barr, Ann Hillerman

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Liz

Kingsolver books are amazing!!

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Sheryl

Liane Moriarty. Her books are fun and thoughtful and I love her humour (that’s how the Aussies spell humour in case you think I spelled it wrong) ??

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Anne

Ree Drummond….sense of humor again, we both grew up in the 80s and catchy book titles…same as Melanie Shankle ?

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Alberto

Jules Verne …. And travel the world in 80 days, journey to the centre of the earth, from the earth to themoon, and twenty thousand leagues under the sea.

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Liz

Donna Tartt. Love her books!

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Holly

I’ve volunteered at the Tucson Festival of Books for several years now and I’ve met dozens of authors, including some mentioned here. They are almost all well-educated, well-informed, interesting people. Like most creative people, they tend to be liberal. I would love to be friends with almost all of them.

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Becky

Louise Erdrich

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Patti

Chris Bohjalien.

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Cheryl

Connie Willis. She is so funny, sweet, and kind. And intelligent, very intelligent.

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Alethia

Arthur Conan Doyle. I would want to be introduced to the person who inspired Holmes.

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Mary

Laura Hilldebrand

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Liz

The late Sue Grafton. Love her on so many levels.

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Joy

John Gresham, Belva Plain, Naomi Regan

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Denise

Mitch Albom Such an inspirational author?

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Kathy

Ann Lammott, I think. She’s an interesting woman and we share a lot of the same philosophy.

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Kathryn

Nora Roberts present day Laura Ingalls Wilder and Robert Louis Stephenson for my childhood favorites and probably Mark Twain

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Meredith

David Duchovny because, oh my goodness, you really have to ask why?

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Candace

Oscar Wilde

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Holly

Well, as a best friend I bet he would make your life interesting.

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Candace

As I would make his

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Shauna

I can’t even imagine

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Robert

I think I wanted to meet Mark Helprin, who writes on the urban fictional (or fantastical) scene, and has a train ride in Italy.

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Toni

Diana gabbledon , cause she visits the most beautiful countries .

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Sheryl

Margret Mitchell, William Shakespeare, Steinbeck……

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Robin

Steven King cause we have he same warped minds

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Toni

Really? He’s pretty freaky….

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Judi

J.J. Rowling.

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Margaret

Annie Lamott…I love her books and she’s had quite a journey…a veey interesting person. I wouldn’t mind some time with David Sedaris, too.

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Glenda

I have met Anne Lamott. She is just as real and funny in person!

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Jann

Sue Grafton

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Marie

I miss her.

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Angie

Dr Seuss! Creativity, imagination, and fun.

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Marie

Someone I’ve known since he was a preschooler, recently said he got his sassiness from Dr. Seuss. I loved it!

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Gageby

Judith Viorst

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Heather

Mark Twain, for the depth of his humor. I like to think I’d make him chuckle, too.

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Pattie

Oscar Wilde, Kurt Vonnegut and DH Lawrence.

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Cynthia

Good list!

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Lynne

Diana Gabaldon….because it would be fun to talk to her and discover how she works and writes!

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Diane

Either Susannah Kearsley because of how she blends history into her novels, or Anna Quindlen because I always gain a new perspective from her books, or maybe Tracy Kidder…so hard to pick just one!

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Theresa

Luv Anna Quindlen, Dorothea Benton Frank could be as much fun as her characters and Nora Ephron cause we’re both of that certain age

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Carole

Anna Quindlen for sure!

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Mark

Mailer, as if anyone could be Norman’s best friend.

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Berta

Stephen King, because he is just such a great writer and thinker.

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Patti

JRR Tolkien—he had such a huge imagination!

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Patti

I love him too!!

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Patti

Michael Cart the first one looks scary! I want to read more of CS Lewis.

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Patti

wow! Love those!

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Patti

that would be cool!!

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Stacey

Living: JK Rowling because I love her writing, her humanity and she seems like an amazing person to be around.
Deceased: Laura Ingalls Wilder, I would love to talk to her about her amazing life.

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Cindy

Agreed!

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Bonnie

Diana Gabaldon. she was very funny when I met her at a talk. would like to talk more..

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Christina

Oooo. C.S. Lewis. To talk with him about walking through Narnia, would be so awesome. I could talk with him for hours and hours.

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Sharyn

Diana Gabaldon living and Dorothy Dunnett of she were alive. My 2 favorite authors

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Laurie

Maybe Diane Keaton because I really liked her autobiography, her films and her interviews. Of course, I tend to feel that way every time I read an autobiography!

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Constance

Dorothy Dunnett, John Fowles, PD James, Elizabeth George

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Glenda

Barbara Kingsolver!

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Liz

Amazing writer. Loved The Poisenwood Bible.

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Glenda

@Liz, my favorite, of hers!

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Donna

@Liz I have not read this book but it’s on my list.

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Glenda

@Donna, prepare to be moved!

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Donna

@Glenda everyone tells me what an excellent book it is. I am reading Eunice, The Kennedy That Changed The World. Next, I am reading The Handmaid’s Tale. Then, I will read The Poisonwood Bible.

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Glenda

Donna, I read The Handmaids Tale a long time ago and it is terrifying! Good luck!

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Sheryl

Just finished a reread of Poisonwood Bible

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Glenda

@Sheryl, considering same, now. Its been a long time. Did you enjoy the second read?

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Donna

@Glenda that is what my friend just told me today when I went over to her house to visit her.

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Glenda

@Donna, I haven’t been able to watch it on Netflix. Partially bc it seems too possible in our current political climate.

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Donna

Glenda Standish that is the truth, isn’t it? My friend is Lakota Sioux and we had quite a discussion about the background of the book. I told her not to tell me too much because I want to read it! She has been a social worker and also a midwife so she has some interesting experiences.

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Sheryl

@Glenda yes perhaps even more for two reasons: 1: I can better appreciate her beautiful writing and the unique voices of her characters. 2. because I have a better understanding of the history and cultures of African nations.

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Nicki

charles bukowski <3 he'd be a great drinking buddy, hemingway too, i guess most authors...

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Elaine

Toni Morrison or Doris Lessing, because of their brillant minds,loving suffering hearts and depth of experience. I’ve heard both lecture live and was spellbound both times, in different ways.

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Adelheid

Joss whedon

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Susan

Jon Krakauer or Barbara Kingsolver. Both have written books I have loved and long remember.

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John

Jules Verne- what a visionary

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Susan

How about a novel’s character? I choose Kinsey Milhone. 🙂

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Linda

As a character, I would like to befriend Munch Mancini from a series by the late Barbara Seranella because I love complex, troubled, but resilient characters. ( Like Andy Sipowicz from NYPD Blue or Scarlet O’Hara.) Except for the resilience and a strong sense of justice, this character couldn’t be more different from me. Since the author died early, I will sadly never get to know Munch Mancini any better. (That is why I was so surprised and thrilled when Ann Hillerman picked up her dad, Tony’s series and did his characters justice.)

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Susan

@Linda I googled the author and character that you referenced; sounds interesting I’m going to check out the books!

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Linda

@Susan Start with No Human Involved. I loved all her books. They are largely auto-biographical. Unfortunately, her early life style lead to a sadly premature death.

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Linda

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Seranella This article is very sketchy and incomplete, but it is a start.

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Donald

Meeting John Steinbeck, Author

It was late summer 1966, I had just finished two very difficult military schools back-to back; Special Forces Enlisted Training Group and Artillery Officer’s Candidate School. I was finishing up a third very difficult course at the Monterey Language School on the coast of California.
Upon graduation from the language school I had orders directly to the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam. I was in superb physical condition and ran ten miles every morning along the beaches at Monterey and along the spectacular coastal residential roads before classes.
On the weekends, I would drive along the Pacific Coast Highway looking for rest stops where I could rappel down the cliffs and free climb back to the top. One Saturday I found a beautiful site over-looking a cliff dropping down to a crescent shaped beach. There was a FOR SALE sign off the main highway and a paved road leading back to where the flat foundation from where a house or cabin had been. A couple of cars were parked off to one side hidden from sight and I could hear surfers talking on the beach about a hundred feet below.
I checked out the cliff and decided to rappel down it using the back bumper of my 1966 Mustang as an anchor. I free rappelled down the cliff and spent a few minutes on the private beach enjoying the sea air and watching the kids surf.
There was an old stairs on the side of the cliff the surfers used but I decided to practice free climbing back to the top and found out halfway up the foot and handholds were unreliable and I had a difficult time. When I reached the top I saw a man sitting on an overhang watching me. He had a short beard and was hold an apricot French poodle. Behind him was a maroon and black Rolls Royce, I assumed was his. The look, the dog and the car all spelled homosexual to this very arrogant highly trained Special Forces second lieutenant.
He smiled and said hi. I nodded and started retrieving my nylon climbing rope. He made small talk about rappelling and I said as few words as possible trying to ignore him. He mentioned his son was in Vietnam and had taken a discharge and stayed over there as a Buddhist monk. I gave him the high-eyebrows indicating to him I did not approve of hippies or the peace groupies. He smiled and told me he was trying to get a passport to visit Vietnam. I found that interesting and we talked for a few more minutes and then I suddenly realized—seeing him sitting on the rock with the dog—“Travels with Charlie”—I had just read the book.
He saw the light come on in my eyes and his whole demeanor changed—he now was the one becoming aloof. When I asked him, “Aren’t you John Steinbeck…” He nodded and turned to leave. I tried talking to him but he went over to his Rolls Royce and drove off.
I read every one of Steinbeck’s books from “Grapes of Wrath” to “Travels with Charlie.” He was my favorite American author.
It was a very hard lesson; one should be treat strangers with kindness. It took a few more encounters before I learned that lesson.

Don

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Donald

P.S After reading thousands of books. Now I write novels! https://www.amazon.com/MYK-Prince-Vends-D-Zlotnik/dp/1520123213/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1528490811&sr=1-1&keywords=MYK%3A+Prince+of+the+Vends

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Susan

Amazing story! Thanks for sharing. I grew up in the SF Bay Area and John Steinbeck has always been one of my favorite authors. The Grapes of Wrath is one of my favorite books of all time.

0
Georgia

Rowling.

0
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Maria

Chris Almeida & Cecilia Aubrey because they are fantastic people. They interact with fans. I love their stories.

0
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Erin

Nora Roberts I love her books and her In Death series she writes under the name J.D. Robb ??

0
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Colline

Ann Rivers Siddons
I identify so well with so many of her characters

2
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Cyndi

Octavia Butler because she knew things!

0
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Carrolyn

Terry McMillian

1
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Jacqueline

Diana Gabaldon (Outlander): her writing style has influenced my sentence structure.

1
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Jennifer

Maria Semple because I like how her brain works.

0
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Arvid

Mark Twain, because he sounds like a well travelled person.

1
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Sue

Anne Tyler

3
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Denise

Anita Shreve

3
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Donna

Ben Franklin or Ernest Hemingway

1
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Lisa

Daphne du Maurier or Frank Peretti

0
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Sandy

Patricia Cornwell as I love her mind and all its mystery solving abilities.

2
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Martha

Diana Gabaldon

1
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Pat

Mark Twain…

3
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Misty

Me too!

0
Veronica

Mary Roach (non-fiction). She is so smart, and interesting, and funny!

4
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Kathryn

Karen Kingsbury because she is so inspirational.

0
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BaJa

Wally Lamb
The last line of his book THIS MUCH I KNOW IS TRUE
“ Out of the rich loam of forgiveness grows love”

4
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Cathy

I loved that book. He spoke at my granddaughter’s high school graduation this past Thursday. It was also his 50th class reunion from the same school.

1
Carolyn

Anne Rice. We both love her books!?

1
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Donna

Pat Conroy

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Janet

Yes. I think we could talk about almost everything.

1
Donna

@Janet, and eat some low country shrimp with iced tea ?

3
Janet

@Donna Sounds good to me. ?

2
Marie

Mary McCarthy

0
Donna

@Donna ,sweet tea for sure.

1
Terry

Richard Russo

2
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Gayle

Louise Penny because she is someone I feel I would be able to relate to comfortably.

7
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Ramani

David Sedaris, he would keep me laughing.

5
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Jane

I would have loved to have been friends with Nora Ephron! So funny, so wry, and managed to find the humor in some really bad times.

6
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Pat

Maeve Binchy – loved her books and sad to know we will not have any more –

3
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Jean-François

John GRISHAM. Because he writes about a work world he used to live in. Wecould have talks about law, firms, law cases and such.

2
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Catherine

William F. Buckley, erudite and wise.

2
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Staci

John Kennedy Toole

0
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Kristi

Anne Lamott

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John

Jeffery Archer, he just has a great way to tell a story. He would interesting to sit and chat with.

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Flor

Isabel Allende – I love her use of magical realism and culture.

4
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Cami

Carl Hiaasen. I am also a native Floridian. He and I would totally get each other.

2
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Liz

His books are amazing. His columns are too. Good pick.

0
PA

Dan Simmons. I just think he would be a fascinating person to know.

0
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Liz

Walter Mosley.

0
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Anita

I think Janet Evanovich would be great fun. I also agree with the comments above on Pat Conroy. You could have a great long talk with him about books and food.

2
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Karen

Liane Moriarty – love the way she keeps the reader off guard until the very end of her books and she seems like she would be fun to hang out with!

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Cynthia

Mark Twain!

4
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Sharon

Mark Twain

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Juliette

I’m not sure I would want to. I’ve already learned the hard way that knowing more about an author can ruin my reading experience. At least with the living ones, so I think I would choose a dead one, probably Roald Dahl. Or R.A. Lafferty. They both have the type of imaginations where I think we would all “get” each other.

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Donna

Also, Jason Reynolds. He’s my current favorite author of YA. He’s smart and has a great voice. Every book makes me think and brings me to tears.

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Richard

Harper Lee. Or Larry McMurtry

0
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Carmen

Mary Alice Monroe…I’d love to spend time with her in the SC lowcountry on sea turtle patrol.

1
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Marylou

me too

1
Faith

Louise Penney

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Pat

Pete Hamill..he has his finger on the pulse of what makes Americans American …. oour immigrant ancestors

0
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Sarah

L. Frank Baum or Roald Dahl.

2
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Diane

So many, so many….John Meacham.

2
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Jim

Probably Hemingway, not that I like his books that much, but I think he probably would know where all the interesting bars and restaurants are.

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Ami

Mo Willems – his characters bring kids so much joy and they’re so funny! It seems like he doesn’t take himself too seriously and he is aware of the great trust children have placed in him.

1
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Catherine

Alice Munro! She passed away, but every short story she wrote resonated with me on some level. She wrote with clarity and an understanding of her characters beyond the superficial, leaving the reader to form their own opinion?

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Ginseng

Oh, I loved The Lives of Girls and Women.

0
Patty

John Irving

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Lydia

Me too!!

0
Judy

Dorothy Wordsworth.

1
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Cecelia

Fiona Davis…because I really like her books.

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Michelle

Louisa May Alcott. She was so ahead of her time. She came from a family that believes in abolition, social acceptance, and strong women. She was a feminist before it existed! She lived life by her own rules. I am always fascinated by the Alcott family, Louisa in particular. I’d love to have a conversation with her!

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Annie

I converse occasionally with my fave author and she responds. No, seriously!

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Stacy

When I was in high school, I wrote to Pamela Des Barres several times, and she replied! This was pre-internet, so all through the mail. So cool.

1
Annie

That’s so amazing!

0
Ginseng

I wrote mail to Carolyn Chute once to her publisher and she responded and was happy to correspond…

I ended upfeeling shy after and then… time passed… and so, we didnt become pen pals. But, her letter was <3

0
Patricia

Virginia Woolf b/c her intellectual curousity and the conversations we would have would be dynamic.

2
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Erin

Maeve Binchy or Anne Rivers Siddons

2
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Annie

Yes!

1
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Lorie

@Elizabeth, she writes and she cooks.

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Jay

C. S. Lewis. I love The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, The Space Trilogy, and The Screwtape Letters. It would be amazing to talk to him, he had such a brilliant mind. I know I could learn so much from him. Plus, he was part of the Inklings. Maybe he would introduce me to his friends!

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Linda

My favorite author. Love the story of his life and his marriage. He was brilliant. The Screwtape Letters is excellent.

1
Gayle

Peter Reynolds. I love the messages of his books ( children’s). The artwork is simple and unique, but the words themselves paint emotions and life experiences beautifully. Read THE DOT. Then you’ll understand.

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Terry

Anne Patchett. Love her books and she owns a bookstore in Nashville!

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Catherine

We’re going to Nashville in a few days. Good to know?

1
Donna

@Catherine, Parnassus is the name of the bookstore.

0
Charon

Jen Lancaster and Laurie Nautro both crack me up.

1
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Elaine

Erma Bombeck. Could always use another sweet, funny friend.

6
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Tina

That’s a hard one!

1
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Marianne

Samuel Clemens/ Mark Twain. The man was brilliant and ahead of his time. Plus, what a wit!

3
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Charlotte

Barack obama, my most admired leader

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Barbara

Jane Austen or Shel Silverstein….

3
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Tamara

Samuel Clemens or Agatha Christie

2
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Julia

Ken Follett

1
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Patty

Anne Lamott

4
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Liz

JK Rowling

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Pat

Margaret Mitchell, Cathy Gohlke, Ellen Marie Wiseman…..the list is endless!

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Becky

@Helen , I would love to be her best friend. She seem down to earth and of course I would get to read her books before anyone else!!

1
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Bobbie

Ken Foley his books are good to read.

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Donna

Christopher Moore…such an interesting mind and sense of humor

4
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Catherine

Sebastian Barry! Fabulous writer. “The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty”.

1
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Liz

Will Schwalbe- he leads to more great book recommendations- found David Halbertstam and “A Prayer for Owen Meaney” and many more by reading “The End of Your Life Book Club”

1
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Andrea

Wow, just too many to pick just one!!

1
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Krista

Dave Pelzer

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Wendy

Fannie Flagg because her books are like comfort food.

6
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Brittani

Diana Gabaldon, just seems like a woman I’d like to drink whiskey with

1
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Robyn

Louise Penney because I’d like to know how she came up with the lovely Armand Gamache and three pines! How does she knock out a decent book once a year.

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Catherine

She lives in area very much like three pines, she’s said, and with a number of local characters to draw from. Of course, she puts her own spin on them. I love her books.

3
Andrea

Jane Austen

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Karla

Mat Johnson

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Julie

Anne Tyler, because she makes such quirky, but relatable characters. Neil Gaiman because I love his versatility, his humor, and his voice. Also, he comes with bonus Amanda Palmer, whom I admire.
The more I think about it, the more authors I want to know.

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Nancy

Cheryl Strayed. I admire her humanness, fortitude, versatility, and honesty.

2
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Laurie

My daughter has crossed paths with her in Portland and I think she lives at least part of the time in the same area of the city. Fun fact. Relatable author.

1
Angie

Debbie Macomber. She seems like such a sweetheart.

4
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Gigi

David Sedaris….I mean come on, this guy is awesome!!

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Gigi

Heathery Lynne gah!!! Yes!!!! Which one do you have? The new Calypso has gotten great fanfare. Read Alan Cumming’s review in the NYT to get a feel for it. I also loved Naked. Me Talk Pretty OneDay is a must…

1
Gigi

Heathery Lynne enjoy!!! He’s an American Treasure

0
Diane

Stephen King

3
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Marie

Karen White… She’s funny, loves my beach

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Brooke

I love Karen White books!

1
Kerry

Ann Patchett: heard in person & is wildly funny, opinionated, smart, charming, immensely generous with her knowledge-views — owns indie book store!

4
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Jude

I’ve always thought I’d bump into Barbara Kingsolver and we’d

2
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Judy

Would love to be her neighbour!

1
Katie

Amy Tan because she is the coolest author ever and her words speak to me

1
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Mary

There is a book, The Grand Tour, mostly letters written while she was on tour around the world with her first husband in 1922–Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Canada. She and her husband were among the first Europeans to stand on a surfboard. It was pretty interesting. She had an adventurous spirit.

1
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Paula

Apostle Paul

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Patty

It’s between Louise Penny and Kate Morton. Great question!

1
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Kay

John Steinbeck – he was interested in everything and fearless!

2
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Bonnie

Wally Lamb, Chris Bohjalian- they just seem to care a lot about people and be interesting.

0
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Lynn

Wendell Berry

2
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Stephanie

Louise Penny because I have met her and she is a fun person.

2
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Kathy

Living: Barbara Kingsolver. Gone on: C. S. Lewis

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Susan

Margaret Atwood, in hopes that some of her wisdom would rub off on me.

1
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Amber

Agatha Christie. She’s my favorite old time mystery author

2
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Anna

Me too! ❤

1
Jerlanda

Jane Austen!!! Then, we could go to parties together, have interesting conversations about life and love and proprietary while trying to make out peoples character!!! ??

6
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Anne

Anne Lamott

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Patrice

Pat Conroy

5
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Mary

Nora Roberts- would love to sit and talk about where she gets her ideas and maybe if we got to be real great friends she’d take me along on her Irish holidays!

2
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Cate

I’d love to go to the Kentucky Derby with her!! ☺?

0
Mary

@Cate That would be fun too!!

1
Paul

John Irving

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Nan

David Rosenfelt because he is a fanatical dog lover. Tim Dorsey because Serge is very creative and Linda Howard because the steam oozes from her books .. does she experiment first?!!

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Karen

Karen Kingsbury because their would never be a dull moment.

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Sheilah

David Sedaris, he’s hilarious and insightful

2
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Anne

Ann Patchett. She is everything I admire in a woman and I love her writing.

4
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Amy

Diana Gabaldon

3
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Linda

There are so many to choose from. If she were alive I would go with Agatha Christie, but since she isn’t I would like to be friends with Karin Slaughter.

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Angela

Barbara Kingsolver

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My

Shel Silverstein. His offbeat humor. My boys and I love reading his poems. Jacques Prevert too. Same reason

2
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Debra

Dean Koontz. Possibly Jim Butcher.

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Mags

Oscar Wilde, because it would be so much fun!

3
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Carole

Erma Bombeck…she had a way of making ordinary things funny.

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Deborah

Great choice!

0
Marie

Graham Greene

0
Laurie

I think she was the one who wrote about her grandmother giving children dog treats for cookies and the grandmother wore her girdle upside down and backwards insisting it fit better that way???

3
Anne

Erma declared herself a member of the ‘see America unintentionally club” because she got easily lost. I always loved that way of reframing.

3
Shirley

Anna Quindlen

4
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Marsha

Me, too!

1
Tracy

Christopher Moore, Fredrik Backman or Nick Hornby. I love their works and we have enough in common and I think I’d really enjoy hanging out with them.

1
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Angela

Louisa May Alcott, Stephen King,

2
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Linda

Nora Ephron…..for the humor and feminism….in that order.

3
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Mary

Kurt Vonnegut

3
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Patricia

Barbara kingsolver.

2
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Cathy

Louise Penny. I’d love to sit with her in the Bistro chatting and drinking tea by the fire.

1
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Ramie

Hemingway… what a ride that would be!

2
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Patricia

Also JK Rowling. She’s an amazing woman.

3
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Tonia

Agreed!!

1
Janet

Harper Lee, or Jennifer Weiner … talk about 2 ends of the spectrum !?

2
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Marion

Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austen

2
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Laurie

Maya Angelou – she’s so strong !

3
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Jody

Christopher Moore, he makes me laugh.

2
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Sandra

James Mitchener

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Sam

Mark Twain
Needs no explanation

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Ramie

The bonus would be that he was also friends with Tesla.

1
Jody

Also, I love cats and he had hundreds of polydactyl cats. I am sure he would have given me as many as I wanted. ?

0
Sheri

anne tyler because of her loveable characters

2
Sam

@Ramie indeed

1
Kyle

Most definitely…David McCullough or Doris Kearns Goodwin

6
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Jill

Judy Blume. No, Eric Carle. Wait, Ann Patchett…or Patricia Polacco. No, Beverly Cleary. Nooe. Can’t pick just one…

3
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Nora

I’ve met Patricia Polacco. She is a lovely and very funny lady.

0
Kerry

.

0
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Alberto

D.H. Lawrence ….

3
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Becky

It’s hard to narrow it to one, but if I had to, off the cuff I’ll say Neil Gaiman quite possibly – he’s always come across in readings and interviews as funny and relatable, and he’s a compassionate and endlessly interesting person.

6
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Cat

To spice things up a bit… Xaviera Hollander! Would love to visit with her in The Netherlands!

3
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Kerry

Barbara Kingsolver. She seems like she would be calming

3
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Leslie

Stephen King, I want to know how his mind works.

4
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Becky

Another great one. He’s so freaking hilarious. I used to subscribe to Entertainment magazine back in the day, just to read his articles at the back of the mag.

4
Nancy

Kate DiCamillo. She’s a noticer…she pays attention.

3
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Toni

David Sedaris…also for the humor.

6
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Amber

I’ve been wanting to read his books so bad! I just need to do it

0
Toni

@Amber I started by listening to them on audio. Once his voice and delivery are in your head you can read…but the listening experience is SO GOOD!

1
Becky

@Toni agree! He is hilarious, and I read everything in his voice now. I’ve been lucky enough to attend two of his readings, too!

1
Amber

@Toni I’ll have to do that then! Thanks!

0
Sharon

Diana Gabaldon

2
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Kelsey

Wow…have to think about that…..I think I would want to be friends with Jill Shalvis. She always has so much humor going on in her books and so much realism like I can see her personality in the books

0
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Mary

Dean Koontz because he’s got dogs?

7
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Mary

I also really like his books, I’m not that shallow❤??

0
Judy

Am, Jane Resh Thomas.

0
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Anne

Lisa Genova because she’s knowledgeable about diseases.

0
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Barbara

Jennifer Haigh

1
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Shanon

Diana Gabaldon and Jane Austen

3
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Anita

Danielle Steele because when I want my crazy world to slow down and don’t have to have a lot of concentration I can read one of her books and be placed in a somewhat non reality world.

0
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Shannon

@Amy
@Nancy
@Amy
@Katharine
I admire these ladies very much.

2
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Bobbi

Steven King. He has to be a cool guy, because he gets all his demons out of his system.

3
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Karen

I just finished looking at all the different authors people selected and I would say some very excellent choices. I would like to pick a fiction and non fiction. I would like to select Allan Eckert and Jodi Picoult.

0
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Kristen

Brene Brown. 🙂 Her books changed my life.

4
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Peggy

Anna Quindlen. I’ve read several of her books as well as interviews and op-eds written by her, and I think we might have common ground. Her books One True Thing and A Short Guide to a Happy Life are among my favorites.

5
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Marsha

She was my first choice, too.

1
Donna

Mine also.

2
Tammy

Kelly Corrigan

1
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Pat

Maeve Binchy, Nora Ephron, Irma Bombeck, Pat Conroy -sad that they have all been taken too young

3
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Susan

I would go a different route @Peggy and pick Armistead Maupin. So we could have brunch together in San Francisco and gossip and people watch!

4
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Peggy

Sounds irresistable. What do you suggest I start with? Tales of the City? I haven’t read him, but I just checked out his website, and I’m ready!

0
Susan

The first book – tales of the city. I read them in my 20s and it occurred to me they may not be so terrific now. MASTERPIECE did a series in them back in the day starting Laura Linley. Loved it. Heard they were doing a remake.

1
Donna

This would be SO much fun! Loved the series in the Chronicle. Books are even better.

0
Denise

David Sedalia. I’d be laughing all day long.

2
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Denise

Whoops. Sedaris – auto correct

1
Marsha

Wouldn’t he be fun to hang out with!?

1
Denise

@Marsha – Yes! I’m reading his latest book of essays now. They make me laugh out loud.

1
Marsha

My husband is reading it now and says it’s really funny. I love his sense of humor.

1
Jo

California Cooper. I have loved her books for some time – very realistic

1
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Janis

Mark Twain. He makes me laugh yet has deep thoughts about mankind.

4
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Cindy

Fannie Flagg

9
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Gelene

Lisa See – I would love to travel around with her while she is doing research for her books.

4
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Toni

Glennon Doyle or Brene Brown

1
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Deirdre

No one K know will be surprised when I say Colum McCann.

0
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Teresa

Elizabeth Berg. She loves dogs and books.

3
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Angie

Any one of the Apostles.

1
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Kay

Louise Penny

2
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Lauren

J. K. Rowling. Love her philanthropy and sense of humor.

1
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Julie

Susan Elizabeth Phillips

1
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Erica

Oscar Wilde. I love how he says things, even though I disagree with many of his philosophies. That would make for some fun debates.

0
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Susan

Jodi Picoult

1
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Shanta

Margaret Atwood. I love her books and her vision.

2
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Cathy

Dean Koontz because of his great novels and more importantly his love of dogs!

1
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Loretta

Jane Austen

4
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Denise

Anne Rice

0
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Kim

Jim Butcher

0
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Bev

Depends on the decade

0
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Liz

This is the best response.

0
Gwenette

Sarah Addison Allen — I love her writing; I find it very lyrical.

0
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Kathy

I love that she made your list. Her Garden Spells is one of the best and most memorable novels I’ve read in recent years.

0
Charlene

Neil Gaiman. He’s funny, he’s a compassionate human being, uses his fame for good, and his wife would be pretty wild to get to know too. Loved her book.

3
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Melissa

Judy Blume or David Sedaris

2
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Susan

David Sedaris is hilarious!

2
John

I would be friends with George R R Martin, so I could say to him “quit fooling around, George, and finish the books.” Or I could help him if he was stuck.

6
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Hillary

Please call him and get that friendship going!

0
Kelli

I don’t think he’s ever going to finish the series.?

0
Jean

Elmore Leonard and J. K. Rowling

0
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Jane

Mary Kay Andrews

3
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Becky

This goes way back ..,Pearl S Buck! Loved The Good Earth. Love to learn about her life as a missionary ..

3
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Tracy

John Irving—so wise; Tom Robbins—so clever and quirky; Margaret Atwood—a prophet.

1
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Christine

I’d have to say Jen Turano. She is hilarious. If not her then Lisa Scottolini. Also hilarious

0
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Deanna

Steven King , I think he would be a blast to hang out with .

6
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Janet

He had or has a band too.

0
Deanna

@Janet , I have read that . I saw him years ago when he did his Motorcycle book tour . He just came off as a really cool guy .

1
Beverly

Castle

1
Reply
Donna

Anne Lamott

5
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Donna

Shannon Ellis
I so enjoy her humor and her spirituality.

2
Luana

Stephen King. although I don’t read his horror stories any more, his posts are smart and personable.

1
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Jo

Even further back than Buck – Elsie Jeanette Oxenham. We have the same sense of fun. Also Georgette Heyer.

0
Reply
Shana

Harper Lee to pick her brain

1
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Aprilleigh

Stephen King – anyone with a mind like that is someone I’d love to know.

3
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Kerry

Laura ingalls wilder!

6
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Kathleen

George RR Martin

0
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Sue

Me too and we would make him sit down and write !

1
Ruth

James A. Michener, I would love to be involved with the research that goes into his books.

2
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Constance

Neil Gaiman. Love his humor and ideas

5
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Jeri

Stephen King. Whenever I read an interview with him he sounds like a cool guy to hang out with.

2
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Mary

I have given your post a lot of thought. Who would I like to meet? I have come to the conclusion that I really do not want to meet any author as I am afraid my perception of them would be crushed.

2
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Trina

Michael Crichton

4
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Dorianne

I can’t decide! Lol. Samuel Clemens, Maya Angelou, Bill Nye, Stephen King, J.R.R. Tolkien…..too many.

1
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Janet

Why not have them all over. Great discussion time. But what would you give them to eat??

0
Dorianne

@Janet I would make my Grandma’s baked Mac n Cheese, my Nana’s frozen whiskey sours, and the family pudding pie recipe. Sounds simple but it’s a meal to linger over.

2
Janet

Great. Those whiskey sours will loosen them up. Have fun.

1
Mariana

Omg! I would love to be friends with Bill Nye. NDT too!

2
J.a.

I would have loved to meet and hang out with John Steinbeck, spent time with him in Monterey, Pacific Grove, King City, etc. It would have been great fun to meet some of his interesting friends such as “Doc” and some of the boys on Cannery Row. Also would have loved to travel with him and Charley. When I first visited Monterey 30 some years ago I did encounter several people who had known him. At that timethere was no museum, but several of the store owners on Cannery Row had items and momentos from him or relating to him, in the backs of their stores for his fans to view. This included original notes, manuscripts, etc. So interesting!

9
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Sharon

Sunny and cool today in Pacific Grove

1
Jettye

Maya Angelou. She was an awesomely interesting woman. I loved everything she ever said & wrote.

2
Reply
Sheri

Peter Mayle. So I could listen to all his stories about living in Provence. ❤️

1
Reply
Milly

Pat Conroy

5
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Lynn

Yes. I’m torn to choose!

0
Vicki

Steve Berry

0
Reply
Maura

David Sedaris or Maya Angelou

3
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Stephanie

Diana Gabaldon because she’s so smart ?

3
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Sally

I was going to say Deborah Harkness for the same reason!

0
Jeanne

Too many to name just one.

1
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Robert

For an author on the Great America Read, I would like to meet JK Rowling. She shares an Anglican faith, and we have Alsatian heritage which is not straightforward. Think, Franco-Prussian and how do you do homage to both French and German.

1
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Jennifer

Mary Alice Monroe

1
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Rosemary

Louise Penny because she is so down to earth. In addition to well traveled, brilliant and humble, to name a few.

7
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Mary

Exactly who I would pick!

1
Melissa

Toni Morrison

0
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Nancy

Jane Austen, of course.

4
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Jennifer

Jen Lancaster because I would be laughing…a lot!

1
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Kim

Jodi Picoult. Her stories are well researched, relevant and thought provoking.

4
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Melynda

Barbara Kingsolver!

5
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Gail

Writers lead a lonely life, but if possible, maybe Sue Monk Kidd, Barbara Kingsolver too.

1
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Wendy

Laura Ingalls Wilder, even though she is no longer around. I have so many questions for her and have admired her since I was a kid.

6
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Ashley

Robert Reich and Richard Russo.

3
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Luana

Oh yes, Richard Russo

2
Ashley

Oh, and Raymond Chandler and Michael Connolly (the Bosch mystery novels).

0
Susan

David Foster Wallace RIP ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

0
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Vicky

Wilber Smith!

0
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Sherwon

Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird. I loved her sense of place, her characters, Scout and Jim. Everything was so true, correct.
I love to hear her sister talk, accent. I have even been to Monroeville,Alabama to the cemetery where she and her family are buried.

2
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Sherwon

I also liked Eudora Welty and The Optimist’s Daughter. I really appreciate A Worn Path by her. She knew her Time and her Place, Mississippi in the mid-1900’s, and I guess a lot like it is today.

0
Sherwon

I would have liked to meet Jack London.

3
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Beatrice

@Sharon because of her subject matter.

1
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Judith

C S Lewis… what amazing discussions you could have!

6
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Tracy

Mark Twain!

7
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Carol

Margaret Mitchell

1
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Angela

Edgar Allen Poe or Rudyard Kipling or Tolkien, so many hard to pick one! Lee Child, David Balducci?

3
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Shirley

James Herriot

6
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Marsha

His books are so good!

0
Stacy

I just wish he was my dogs’ vet. Lol.

3
Shirley

I agree, you can tell he cares about the animals.

2
Sherwon

I really liked James Herriot too!

0
Betsy

Ernest Hemingway!

2
Reply
Rachel

David McCullough

3
Reply
Cass

Robert Litell

0
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Christine

P G Wodehouse

2
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Christine

And Charles Dickens

2
Debrah

W.A. and J.A Johnstone

0
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Lana

Pat Conroy. He could also cook

8
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Regina

I ❤️ Pat Conroy! What a great reason to choose him. I have his cookbook, and the Shrimp and Grits are my fave.

1
Kathy

Anne Lammott. A woman who tells the truth, even on herself, unflinchingly, and yet has a talent for seeking the best in herself and others.

8
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Donna

So true! With a touch of humor and a lot of humility.

1
Jennifer

J.D. Salinger…

3
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Marsha

I’d like to ask him about Holden Caulfield!

2
Kerry

Sure? Do you know anything about him as fully described by spurned lovers [e.g. most notably Joyce Maynard] & recent biographers–? Best friends with a notoriously anti-social? Maybe think could be The Transformative Change in his disposition / personality?! … I certainly adored FRANNY/ZOOEY & basically all of JDS minuscule output. … I could maybe want to be best friends with a character or two of his imagination!

0
April

Adriana Trigiani and Sarah Addison Allen because they both seem very approachable compared to some of my other favorite authors. I love how they both write. Adriana Trigiani is so family-oriented in her stories and Sarah Addison Allen has such an enjoyable way in which she writes her stories.

1
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Mary

Daniel Silva. He knows the stories behind the story.

2
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Hillary

Christopher Moore because I think he would just be so fun.

3
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Colleen

He’d be a d!ck, but it would be awesome.
I’d imagine that going out for drinks would turn into a pun-tastic time.
People watching and hilarity would certainly ensue.

1
Robbie

Rick Bragg – Love his books and love to hear him speak!

3
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Susan

Bill Bryson because he’s hilarious.

3
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Susan

Jon Krakauer because he is so smart and I love his writing.

4
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Jean

Mark twain

5
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Mariana

I’d like to be friends with him, but I have enough friends who are bad with money and alway in need of a loan.

0
Sally

I’ve had chances to do that. It can be very disappointing.

1
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Marna

Sadly, yes.

0
Gageby

Isn’t that the truth?

0
Marcia

J.K. Rowling, for her marvelous mind…

3
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Amy

Ian McEwan…then I could learn all things British!!!

1
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Annette

Susan Elizabeth Phillips because of her humor and sense abilities. She must be great as a friend

0
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Linda

How to pick just one!

2
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Carla

F. Scott Fitzgerald and Earnest Hemingway!

3
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Ginseng

Hehe. But they didnt get along at all! If you had to pick one only, which one?

2
Carla

To pick only one! it was hard enough to pick my top two favorite would-be friends! I don’t think i can pick! ?

1
Mariana

Your are going to have to stock up on booze.

0
Kathy

Just off the top of my head, Mary Shelley. So young, so brilliant. But next Laura Ingalls Wider, I never could get over her and Ma spending all day to make the butter. I love the prairie life stories, she told them so lovingly.

6
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Diane

Harper Lee. She understands friendship.

9
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Stephen

Dave Barry would be a great choice for me.

10
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Liz

Carl Hiaasen too!

1
Cathryn

Lauren Groff. I heard her speak at the 2016 National Book Festival, and I just felt a personal connection. That and I am in total awe of her ability to write. Second up would be Richard Russo. Basically for the identical reason listed above!

3
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Martha

Margaret Atwood

4
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Moira

Pat Conroy because he wrote books that broke my heart and I loved the way he wrote

8
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Cathryn

I’m with you there. I only wish we were related…

1
Liz

Craig Johnson of Longmire fame. Reincarnation of the mythical cowboy poet.

5
Reply
Robin

Karen kingsbury

0
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Bonnie

Kurt Vonnegut. Because I think he lived in my head. But then so did Douglas Adams, but in a different way. There are several authors I feel that way about. I just know the sense of the ridiculous struck us in the same way.

5
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Mary

Barbara brown Taylor

2
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Mark

Steven King, Pat Conroy, Ernest Hemmingway, James Joyce. . . Why do I even try?

4
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Diane

Louise Penny because she seems to think similarly to me, although I know I’m only basing that on her books given I don’t really know her.

6
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Jennifer

If you go to their websites they have some interviews. I have listened to some on youtube. And c-span books. It is interesting to hear them talk after having read their writings.

4
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Pat

Dick Francis…I cherish his characters. They are such courageous and vulnerable people.

1
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Anne

I met Dick Francis at a book signing – he was so nice and gentlemanly. I read his books over and over.

0
Nemo

Janet Evanovich…I think she must be hilarious.

4
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Laurie

I’m sure you’re right!!!

0
Mary

Nemo, my son in law!s last name is ‘Leacy, pronounced same as yours (he’s from Ireland). Maybe related?

0
Nemo

Sorry, I’m not a social media fan, joined just for this group, those are my dogs names ?

1
Cheryl

I talked informally with Connie Willis at a book signing a few years ago, so I know she is an unassuming and friendly person as well as a great writer.

1
Reply
Bobbi

John Dufresne, for his compassion and humor. He’s not bad-looking, either.

1
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Mariana

Madaleine L’Engle, Bell Hooks, Mindy Kaling. Madaleine for her imagination, honesty, and opened mind. Bell Hooks, becase she thought me what Love looks like, and what it isn’t. Bell Hooks makes me want to be a better person, and gives me courage. Plus she wouldn’t let me get away with shit. Mindy would make me laugh, I would benefit from her sense of style and I feel we could just chill out and be awesome brown chicks.

2
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Jodi

George Martin

0
Reply
Jennifer

Mark Twain

6
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Jennifer

Shannon Ellis, I know I would.

1
Nancy

Shannon Ellis
Me by all of the aforementioned!

1
Pat

O. Henry

1
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Marna

I love the twists his writing took. I wonder if his own life was the same.

0
Pat

O. Henry’s life was filled with twists and tragedies. It is without to read a biographical article about him. Did you know that one of his childhood homes is in Greensboro, NC?

0
Marna

@Pat, thank you. I’ll look for a biography.

0
Diane

Jodi Picolt

0
Reply
Catherine

Jeff Zentner because I would love to learn how to be a better author from him and he seems really cool based on his Twitter

1
Reply
Megan

I think Elizabeth Berg would be an awesome friend for me

6
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Kathy

She is wonderful

1
Sue

Anne Lamott

5
Megan

@Sue yes!!!!

1
Sue

Wally Lamb, Elie Wiesel Toni Morrison -too many to choose

3
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Heather

Jen Lancaster because she’s snarky and hillarious! Or Neil Gaiman because everything he writes is unbelievably beautiful.

1
Reply
Susan

JK Rowling

2
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Kathy

Anne Tyler, she just seems like a kindred spirit.

6
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Elizabeth

Fern Michaels, her renditions of getting the bad guys always gets to me. I love her list of characters that appear in all the novels. Like reading about old friends and catching up with what they are doing. Fern helps to get bullet proof vests for dogs and has started schools and nursing homes. She is a caring individual

1
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Tanya

Emily Bronte. I am sure if we’d lived in the same place and time in history, we would be friends because I get her intensity. I also think Lucy Maud Montgomery would have been a fun friend because her stories have such an upbeat outlook. Perhaps being friends with both of them would be a nice balance!

4
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Kristy

Maeve Binchy. Her observations of the people, places, and things around her and then she weaved it into a perfect story was a talent I want to know.

12
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Denise

Such a loss to the literary world when she passed away.

1
Sherwon

Loved her work!

0
Marilyn

Hard to choose. Maybe Jacqueline Windspear (Maisie Dobbs series is amazing). Or JK Rowling. Or maybe Judy Blume. On the other hand, Janet Evonavich would probably be fun to hang around with…

0
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Cynthia

Kate DiCamillo ~ She has incredible wisdom, a gentle heart, and she expresses herself so eloquently.

9
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Tamara

Andy Weir because he has a great sense of humor and he would be fun to talk to about space and sci-fi.

0
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Peggy

Allende

1
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Kerry

Heard her recently in person. When giggly in love (as was couple months ago), is delightful. But often enough grumpy in interviews. I do adore HOUSE OF SPIRITS (even though w.e.i.r.d.l.y. she has said not a ‘magical realism’ writer. Hmmmmm).

0
Roslyn

Living – Stephen King. Dead – Maya Angelou

4
Reply
Bonnie

John Steinbeck!

5
Reply
Lois

I haven’t read Travels with Charlie. Will add to my tbr list!

1
Sherwon

Harper Lee.

5
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Sherry

Ann Patchett. I’ve heard her speak on NPR about reading, books, business – intelligent, aware, giving. You’d never be at a loss for warm, heartfelt yet direct/helpful advice! And the laughs! ?

2
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Sherry

And Ursula LeGuin! She would help you understand how to be a better human.

2
Patty

Anne Lamott

6
Reply
Jean

Nancy Turner (These Is My Words) – I love her writing and the way she tells the story of what her character went through. She understands perseverance despite hardship.

1
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Chana

Sister Souljah and JK Rowlings. For sister, her book “The Coldest Winter Ever.” Was just classic! I can read it over and over and learn something new each time about life. For JK Rowlings; a single mom with imagination who became a sensation and encouraged millions to read and use the imagination. Hats off to both POWER women. BTW, I’m reading Harry Potter series now, on book one and wow.

6
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Kay

MJ Rose, Karen White, Lauren Willig, Beatriz Williams, Susanna Kearsley, Sarah Addison Allen,Louise Penny, Jacqueline Winspear, Stephanie Laurens, Eloisa James,, Julia Quinn, and Grace Burrowes and of course Deborah Harkness…now that: is my idea of a stellar group of friends!

2
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Claire

What if you had to pick one?

0
Kay

Eloisa James

0
Anne

Louise Penney yes

2
Reply
Jules

Harlan Coban

0
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Marianne

Jodi Picoult, Kristin Hannah, Laura Ingalls Wilder to name a few.

2
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Kim

Kristin Hannah or Pat Conroy.

1
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Kelly

Oh way too many! But since she passed and championed literacy, I would love to have known Barbara Bush! Dig her faux petals too!

Right now Id love to know Sharon Creech!

1
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Cristina

Alexander McCall Smith! Met him at Books and Books, Coral Gables, and he is just as funny as his First Ladies’ Detective ?️‍♀️ Agency series.

4
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Jennifer

Edgar Allan Poe.

3
Reply
Nancy

Scott Turow

1
Reply
Heidi

Mark Twain

7
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Eleanor

Ken Follett. Read and enjoyed so many of his books

3
Reply
Lois

Dana Fuller Ross (James Reasoner) I love his wagons west series. He brings the pioneering trails to life.

1
Reply
Marie

C. S. Lewis

3
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Kathy

I want to go to Perelandra! It’s too hot and dry here in Tulsa!

1
Kelly

Great art!

1
Claire

Gail Carriger. She has a wonderful imagination

0
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Kelly

Oh I also think Tolkien would be a great person to know!

3
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Kathy

Jack Lewis #1. G. K. Chesterton. Madeleine L’Engle. Sojourner Truth. Harriet Beecher Stowe.

1
Kathleen

As a young person I was captivated by Andre Norton and Piers Anthony. Later by Ann McCaffery and Margaret Atwood. The written word is about an internal life….I wonder if they are as captivating in external life.

3
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Hannah

Awesome! I don’t see people mention Andre Norton very often but I love her books! She is the one that got me started on science fiction when I was young and to this day, hers are some of my very favorite.

0
Kathleen

@Hannah Same for me on both. Her books I remember best..

1
Jerry

J.K.Rowing. Beautiful, smart, rich and alive.

2
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Annette

Susan Elizabeth Phillips. For Her wit and compassion

0
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Leslie

Rosamunde Pilcher….the heroine of ‘The Shell Seekers’ was a real ‘free spirit’…takes one to know one!

4
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Marsha

That’s one of my most favorite books! She would be wonderful to meet.

0
Luana

The Shellseekers is one of my favorite novels too! Kindred spirits.

1
Margaret

Definately Annie Lamott. I love her sense of humor..snd we’ve been through similar life experiences.

5
Reply
Kaye

Louisa May Alcott. She was so ahead of her time.

10
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Lisa

CJ Box because we could visit about his books while being in his beautiful home state of Wyoming that he writes about….love his books

2
Reply
Jerry

My second choice would be Anis Nin. What a woman, Truely her own person, and she liked her men.

1
Reply
Mary

Julia Alvarez because she understands the Latino experience from the mid- 20th century and can craft amazing stories around the political and social conflicts of that era.

2
Reply
Adrianne

Douglas Adams

2
Reply
Marilyn

Joan Didion. I’d have SO many questions!?

4
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Jane

Yes!! Good one

1
AnnMarie

Fannie Flagg or Adriana Trigiani

3
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Morgan

Adriana Trigiani is a HOOT! I got to meet her in NYC a few years back and she gave me a big hug and told me she was so happy to see me…and had never met me. So, yeah she’d be a great pick I think!

2
AnnMarie

Yes, Morgan. I’ve seen her a few times at book talks and she makes me laugh so much.

2
Loretta

Stephen King because he is a hoot

5
Reply
Shelley

Anna Quindlen, love her writing and heard her speak a few times. Sharp and upbeat.

6
Reply
Marilyn

I’ve been devouring her every word since she used to write an occasional column for Newsweek. Brilliant woman!

5
Marsha

She used to have a column in the newspaper back in the 80’s when her kids and mine were little. I got hooked on everything she wrote. I was sorry when her column in Newsweek ended. I got to hear her in person once and she was just awesome!

4
Monica

Alexander McCall Smith

3
Reply
Renee

James Herriott, because I work in vet medicine and we could swap stories.
Mary Roach because she keeps me in stitches.
Anne Tyler because she makes the most mundane things in the world interesting.

3
Reply
Gageby

Herriot for sure.

0
Elba

A Spaniard writer: Arturo Perez Reperte. He wrote the book The queen of the South. I believe USA has a series based on that book. But I hated that book. He has a lot of beautiful books.

0
Reply
Amy

Patrick Taylor…Irish Country Doctor Series. He tells a good story, and shares great Irish recipes! Yum!

4
Reply
Deborah

Maeve Binchy or Fannie Flagg

2
Reply
Jerry

Sharps Rifles, about twenty books in the series. Great military read.

0
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John

Is that Bernard Cornwall? John and I have read most of them, loved them!

1
Marsha

@John His Civil War Starbuck Series is really good!

1
Jerry

@John yes, that’s the author. I was sad when the story was finished, I wanted it to go on and on.

0
Jerry

@Marsha I’ll look into that series now.

0
John

@Jerry I loved Sharpy and the way he did things, I pictured him like Dirty Harry.

1
Marsha

@Jerry this is thge first one.

1
John

@Marsha I will look for it, thanks

0
Peggy

Beatrix Potter.

3
Reply
Jennifer

Charlotte Brontë…because her life (and those of her sisters) was so fascinating. I became interested in them after visiting their town of Haworth in Yorkshire, England. Such a bleak setting and much food for the imagination.
Also, JK Rowling and Elizabeth George.

2
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Beth

Stephen King, Charles de Lint and Alison Weir

0
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Shelley

Mark Twain…he was a funny, generous, true friend, intelligent, sarcastic kind of guy…what talks we could have…and he loved his family and he loved cats.

5
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Shelley

Michael Cart where can I read this about him? I’ve read his autobio but it would hardly be in there…

0
Kathy

Ernest Hemingway.

1
Reply
Shannon

Pat Conroy…

7
Reply
Samantha

Stephen King

4
Reply
Carrie

Maeve Binchy. I loved how I felt like I was right there with all of her characters almost from the first page of each book.

5
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Pat

Marvel Binchy is one of my top 3 fiction writers. I have bought and read everything she wrote. Her books are timeless classics. They do no rely on any ‘hook’ or contemporary mechanism to draw the reader into the story, just excellent plotting enacted by richly endearing characters. A great writer.

3
Carrie

@Pat I agree!

0
Jo

I loved her earlier books and kept buying the later ones but I didn’t enjoy them as much and have now decided part with all but the ones I really enjoyed.

1
Katherine

I don’t even have to think about that one—Samuel Langhorne Clemens! I love to laugh and so did he! I’m a little bit mischievous and cantankerous. So is he. He was the great noticer. I imagine spending time with him sitting side by side on a park bench simply noticing. ❤️

11
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Laurie

My grandmother’s cousin’s husband always made me think of Mark Twain because of his Southern drawl, story telling, jokes, kindness and charm. He smoked cigars and I loved that scent. He had a crazy small dog that would get excited about dogs walking by and jump through the living room window breaking a square glass pane. He said it happened so often the hardware store knew the exact dimensions and that size ready for him when he called in his order. Uncle Truman and his wife Meryl were fabulous! He said in school they only studied the Confederate victories and he was in his late teens when a northerner told him the South had lost the war.

5
Shelley

KATHERINE, my choice too and I didn’t even have to think about it, he’s always one I would loved to have met

0
Bobbi

@Laurie Wonderful memory. (Of course, Mr. Clemons was a cat person.)

1
Laurie

@Bobbi Yes, Uncle Truman remained a dog person. The last time we visited he had a “show dog” an Airedale, that had been trained to be in films and commercials. His nephew had a job connected with entertainment management and heard the dog was going into retirement so he gave him to Truman. The dog was very well behaved for a very elderly guy in his 90s to manage. They walked around the neighborhood chatting with everyone. He had lived there since 1850 and that was the late 1980s.

2
Bobbi

@Laurie You should write a memoir of your uncle. I would read it! <3

3
Shelley

@Bobbi I was just about to add that…

1
Shelley

About him being a cat person

0
Katherine

@Laurie what marvelous memories!!! Thank you for sharing❤️

0
Katherine

@Bobbi I agree!!!

1
Shelley

@Laurie thanks for sharing…love your tale

0
Bobbi

@Shelley http://npg.si.edu/blog/mark-twain-cat-dad-extraordinaire

1
Shelley

@Bobbi thanks, looking it up now

1
Shelley

@Bobbi just finished reading it, I’ve read Twain’s autobiography but see I’m going to add another book to my tbrl…have you read the bio by Paine?

0
Bobbi

@Shelley No, but one of my favorites is Justin Kaplan’s Mr. Clemmons and Mark Twain. I also want to read William Dean Howells’ My Mark Twain.

1
Shelley

@Bobbi yes, read Howells’ years ago, they were great friends…havent read the Kaplan, but will add to my burgeoning list, thank you

1
Shelley

@Bobbi I’m sure you know Twain helped Pres. Grant get his memoirs published when Grant was dying to leave money for his family who were in bad shape financially. I always admired Twain’s generosity and faithfulness as a friend.

3
Laurie

@Bobbi I wish we had smart phones then and I could have recorded all his witty comments, anecdotes of his youth, his years of being a traveling salesman, his devotion to his wife, the loss of their daughter at an early age due to a congenital heart defect that now is an easy surgical fix. He and his wife took us to a live country music tv show and he knew Cliffy Stone, the MC and Molly Bee who was a child star in the LA area. I guess I should write what I know since my Dad and I are the only ones left from that summer we lived in a suburb of LA.

3
Shelley

@Laurie yes write, Laurie, write!

3
Lori

Diana Gabaldon. She is a zoologist but even better, writes with such detail and depth without weighing down the reader. I have heard her read and she has such wonderful character. I think life would never be boring!

6
Reply
Janet

Tim O’Brien

4
Reply
Maura

He’ll be guest of our Peters Township Library Foundation on Wednesday November 7. If you’ll be in the Pittsburgh area, join us. He’s phenomenal!

0
Janet

@Maura Thanks. I’m in Colorado.

1
Anyte

Yes,maybe Diana gabaldon…

4
Reply
Alison

J.K. Rowling

2
Reply
Mona

Nalini Singh

0
Reply
Dean

James Lee Burke or Stephen King. I’d ask Stephen King to explain the turtle and spider at the end of IT.

1
Reply
Melissa

Either @Mark, Sergio Aragones, or @Richard and @Wendy because they are totally cool.

0
Reply
Charmon

Ann Patchett. I love her books

3
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Robin

Jen Lancaster – she is hysterically funny! Great personality. Obviously brilliant mind, and yet she is so down to earth normal. I like that.

1
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Bonnie

I would have chosen Robert Parker , may be rest in peace !

1
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Tina

Brenda Novak

0
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Maya

Jane austen because her books are amazing and she’s the queen of writing.

4
Reply
Lynda

Margaret Atwood

2
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Jan

Ursula Le Guinea. So kind, so smart and so funny.

0
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Gale

I’d love to hang out with Wendell Berry-so much to learn from him.

0
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Michele

I so agree!!! The community spirit!! So in Awe!!

0
Francie

David Sedaris.

8
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Laurie

Absolutely!

0
Colleen

Karen Robards ! What a mind !

0
Candace

Met him once at a book signing after a show. Fabulous

2
Stacey

Yes!

0
Gayle

Louise Penny, I adore her books and from reading her newsletters I feel we would relate to each other well.

2
Reply
Candace

Oscar Wilde. Stephen King. Jane Austen.

1
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Candace

Of course, David Sedaris!

2
Virgie

Dean R Kootnz for his psychological thrillers

Sharon mcCrumb for her beautifully written Appalachian stories

Stephen king just for the SCARE of it

3
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Shelley

King is also a very funny guy. Love his sense of humor

0
Loretta

I don’t know Sharon McCrumb, but I definitely agree with Koontz and King.

1
Shelley

@Loretta she’s a wonderful writer

1
Loretta

@Shelley, I’ll have to check her out.

1
Virgie

@Loretta she is my very favorite
Appalachian Aurthor.
Got to meet her a few yews back. That was a big deal for me

2
Shelley

VIRGIE McCoy, that was nice I bet, seems like she’d be easy to talk with

0
Virgie

A couple of my favorites
Was:
Frankie Silver (highly recommend)
Tom Dooley. (Another I highly recommend .
We researched book these books then visited the area each was written about n the grave sites

0
Shelley

@Virgie that sounds highly interesting…love doing those type of literary/historical things. Whenever I go on a vacation or maybe just a weekend trip I try to add something literary to my list of things to do and see, doesn’t always work out but it’s wonderful when it does.

0
Virgie

Tom Duley on his on his grave his epitaph read, ”
Tom Duley
Hanged May xxxxxxxxx
(gravestone was broken)
Hanged for the murder of
Laura Foster

1
Shelley

@Virgie yes I see it’s Duley, well the first 2 letters anyway

0
Lana

So glad I saw this. i have forgotten about Sharon McCrumb. I used to read her books.

0
Shelley

@Lana I did too and reading @VirgieMccoy’ s comments make me realize how much I miss her books.

0
Loretta

@Virgie, meeting her must have been so exciting for you. That’s wonderful! Lucky girl!

0
Virgie
1
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Virgie

My daughter Billeena also loves to read. We both also love to travel…
So we have done several of these

2
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Dawn

Laura Ingalls Wilder. She was a fascinating woman.

5
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Susan

Can I have one from the past? Agatha Christie would have been fascinating in so many ways I think. Imagine travelling around with her and sitting with her when she dreams up those plots?

9
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Myriam

Tara Westover

0
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Elba

Barbara Taylor Bradford, Pat Conroy and Patricia Cornwell.

0
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Virgie

Yes I do that too.
We call these our literary quest…. we also do a lot of historical things like this

1
Reply
Gail

What’s your favorite?

0
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Gail

Finished The Riding Sea recently. It was very good, but it did not talk about global warming, which the title suggests. I loved Ghost Ship, another of his…

2
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Smith

Pearl S. Buck…never read much and she lived in my neighborhood..Hilltown, P.A.

0
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Gail

I think she is buried in Arlington VT.

1
Smith

@Gail wow never would’ve guessed

0
Robin

Karen kingsbury

0
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Diane

Jodi Picolt, Stephen King and Michener

2
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Gageby

How I miss Michener.

0
Stacey

So many. Jim Kjelgaard to hear about his adventures. Diana Gabaldon because she is so amazing and would be a great conversationalist.

4
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Liz

Soooo. . .had no idea what this photo was about. A Google search turned up an intriguing story!! Do you think he did it??

0
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Sandy

@Tina, who is a delightful friend of mine!

0
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Charmon

Barbara Kingsolver
Love her writing.

4
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Denise

Anita Shreve. Loved the moral issues she presented in her books.

0
Jennifer

Mark Twain, he’s a master of prose.

1
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Dean

Excellent choice

0
Jennifer

Michael, wow! I have never heard this about him. I’ll have for look into that! I adore him for many reasons, including his criticism of religion and slavery.

Although you can never truly know a person, even best friends, I’m curious to see the proof. I do not support pedophiles!

1
Jennifer

Michael Cart ?

1
Linda

Well Jane Austen if our lives intersected but today, hmmmm. Kristin Hannah or JK Rowling.

1
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Andrea

Oh, how to choose? Ummm, Laura Ingalls Wilder. I would like to know what she didn’t put in her books. Why did she not write about Pa’s various careers in town? Why did Pa not buy a pig in DeSmet so they could raise and butcher their own meat like they used to? What was it really like when Mary lost her sight? Carrie is portrayed as frail and timid, but she went on to have a career (very brave of her); how did that come about? What was it like to live through so much technological change-from covered wagons to airplanes. What did she think of all the world events surrounding her lifetime-end of the Civil War, settling the West, WW1, the Great Depression, WW2, post-WW2 America?

2
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Trish

I know that BETTY MACDONALD would be probably the best company;plus she lived out Seattle way and I could go and visit her and she’d show me her garden- and !! since this is pure fantasy anyway , maybe I’d get to meet her mother ( the model , they say , for Mrs. Piggle Wiggle .

3
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Laurie

Now that would be incredible ?

0
Kay

I love Mrs. Piggle Wiggle

1
Stacy

Nabokov seems fun. So does Fitzgerald.

0
Reply
Deborah

Doris Lessing – I would love to just be able to sit with her and converse.

2
Reply
Sara

JK Rowling

7
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Susan

John Kennedy Toole

0
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Kelly

I want Fred Roger’s to be my dad or uncle! He isn’t most known for his books, but such a great man!

5
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Nancy

and not just your neighbor, right!!

0
Kelly

He could live next door too, he was so inspiring!

0
Sarah

We need more Fred Rogers in the world. I admit I didn’t watch the show when I was growing up but when I see a clip on youtube I find myself smiling.

1
Kelly

The movie about his life is very sweet!

0
Andrea

I cried when he passed away. I still cry thinking about it.

1
Dean

Edgar Allan Poe.

3
Reply
Bobbi

As a drinking buddy? Kind of gloomy dude.

1
Dean

@Bobbi I’ve been in the gutter on a few occasions

1
Mary

Louise Penny.

3
Reply
Gay

David McCullough

4
Reply
Kim

Great choice! He would be on my list.

0
Ila

Harper Lee

2
Reply
Colleen

Karen Robards . . . love her books! Exciting, unique, spooky, funny, you name it.

1
Reply
Nell

Truman Capote. But I would only party and dance with him and let him tell me stories. And never, ever tell him anything about my personal life!

6
Reply
Gageby

Wendell Berry.

1
Reply
Charmon

Doris Kearns Goodwin would be fascinating to meet.

10
Reply
Lana

Yes she would.

1
Reply
Bob

Jodi Picoult

7
Reply
Yvette

Barbara Taylor Bradford. Just love her story writing and think it would great to see how her mind works

1
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Ruth

Erma Bombeck, though no longer living, not only brings back memories of my mother’s laughter, but would definitely brighten my day with her funny stories.

5
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Patti

oh definitely her

0
Brian

Mark Twain. He would be fun to hang out with – never at a loss for words.

7
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Andrea

Louise Penny. But can I want to hang with the cool guy, Uncle Stevie King, too?

3
Reply
Sheryl

William Shakespeare

4
Reply
Mary

Rudolfo Anaya because he can get to the heart of the matter and tap into the depths of the Latino experience.

1
Reply
Mary

…and Zadie Smith because she is so, so cool!

1
Reply
Monica

Mark Twain. I would love to sit around and listen to his stories.

5
Reply
Linda

Meg Wollitzer. addresses relationships in different situations, love her humor…smart writing

0
Reply
Ramona

SE hinton

1
Reply
Becky

Bailey White of “Mama Makes up Her Mind” and “Sleeping at the Starlight Hotel”. I wrote her a letter after reading and loving Mama and she wrote back! On the old fashioned typewriter that she mentions in the book! So I feel we really are friends!

3
Reply
Colline

Used to love hearing her on NPR

0
Mona

Nothing with strings. I too loved her on NPR radio.

0
Trish

O , Boy !!!

0
Reply
Donna

Children’s author Beverly Cleary. She published books every calendar year, but one, for decades, both in series and standalones. Her Ramona books touched me the most: comical, heartwarming, heartbreaking all within a single chapter. Covering the trials and tribulations of a middle class American family, Ramona was the bright, misunderstood child heroine who meant well …and most often, but not always, did so. ❤

2
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Trish

My daughter , Lela ( LEE- LAH ) won the ” Ramona Look – a like Contest ” back in the eighties- , ha ha , if I knew how, I’d post her photo !!

2
Reply
Donna

Oh, NEAT, Trish! ?

0
Nancy

Did not know that! Darn!!

0
Reply
Rachael

Francine Prose

0
Reply
Maria

Anne Rice

0
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Peggy

Agatha Christie, love her mysteries

2
Reply
SallyAnn

Patricia Polacco. She is so sensible.

1
Reply
Laura

Hemingway would have been fun in a bar. But I also like English mystery writer Ruth Rendell AKA Barbara Vine. She is so witty. I bet she would be fun.

1
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Christine

Charles Dickens. It’s my favorite time period. I love his characters. They are people we can all relate to.

2
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Donald

I was fortunate enough to have met my favorite American author. It was late summer 1966, I had just finished two very difficult military schools back-to back; Special Forces Enlisted Training Group and Artillery Officer’s Candidate School. I was finishing up a third very difficult course at the Monterey Language School on the coast of California.
Upon graduation from the language school I had orders directly to the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam. I was in superb physical condition and ran ten miles every morning along the beaches at Monterey and along the spectacular coastal residential roads before classes.
On the weekends, I would drive along the Pacific Coast Highway looking for rest stops where I could rappel down the cliffs and free climb back to the top. One Saturday I found a beautiful site over-looking a cliff dropping down to a crescent shaped beach. There was a FOR SALE sign off the main highway and a paved road leading back to where the flat foundation from where a house or cabin had been. A couple of cars were parked off to one side hidden from sight and I could hear surfers talking on the beach about a hundred feet below.
I checked out the cliff and decided to rappel down it using the back bumper of my 1966 Mustang as an anchor. I free rappelled down the cliff and spent a few minutes on the private beach enjoying the sea air and watching the kids surf.
There was an old stairs on the side of the cliff the surfers used but I decided to practice free climbing back to the top and found out halfway up the foot and handholds were unreliable and I had a difficult time. When I reached the top I saw a man sitting on an overhang watching me. He had a short beard and was hold an apricot French poodle. Behind him was a maroon and black Rolls Royce, I assumed was his. The look, the dog and the car all spelled homosexual to this very arrogant highly trained Special Forces second lieutenant.
He smiled and said hi. I nodded and started retrieving my nylon climbing rope. He made small talk about rappelling and I said as few words as possible trying to ignore him. He mentioned his son was in Vietnam and had taken a discharge and stayed over there as a Buddhist monk. I gave him the high-eyebrows indicating to him I did not approve of hippies or the peace groupies. He smiled and told me he was trying to get a passport to visit Vietnam. I found that interesting and we talked for a few more minutes and then I suddenly realized—seeing him sitting on the rock with the dog—“Travels with Charlie”—I had just read the book.
He saw the light come on in my eyes and his whole demeanor changed—he now was the one becoming aloof. When I asked him, “Aren’t you John Steinbeck…” He nodded and turned to leave. I tried talking to him but he went over to his Rolls Royce and drove off.
I read every one of Steinbeck’s books from “Grapes of Wrath” to “Travels with Charlie.” He was my favorite American author.
It was a very hard lesson; one should treat strangers with kindness. It took a few more encounters before I learned that lesson.

https://www.amazon.com/MYK-Prince-Vends-D-Zlotnik/dp/1520123213/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1528490811&sr=1-1&keywords=MYK%3A+Prince+of+the+Vends

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Peggy

What a wise man you are to admit a fault and the way you learned from it. Love Steinbeck. Travels with Charlie led me to read Blue Highways by William Least Half-Moon, another excellent book.

2
Jerry

I met a man named Westly Dennis in 1963 . He was John Steinbeck’s book Illustrator and lived in Va. he was a truly pleasant man he asked me what I was doing in Va. I told him my story and ended it with, then I’m going to Cape Cod and find a summer job, to which he replied take this name and go see him. He is the owner of the Cape Codder hotel. I did, and was hired on the spot as a cocktail waiter. I have read and enjoyed all of Steinbeck’s books.

0
John

What a wonderful story, thanks so much for sharing it.

0
Joyce

Charles Dickens. His books were deeply interesting and told his stories where character growth and relationships were the best. My favorite is still David Copperfield.

0
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Kelly

I would love to meet Kevin Brockmeirer. I have read seveal of his books including A Brief History Of The Dead, The Illumination. He has interesting subject matters in his stories & I still find myself thinking about them years after I have read the books. I would love to have a philsophical discussion with him!

0
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Heather

Great question. Have no idea how to narrow it down. Louisa May Alcott, Kurt Vonnegut, Pearl S. Buck.. I could go on forever

0
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Terri

How could you pick just one. I’d like to have been a silent guest at the Algonquin Round Table in the 1930’s-40’s. Or maybe a fly on the wall at that famous weekend pot party at Lord Byron’s estate where they regaled each other with stories, and Mary Shelly offered her “The Modern Prometheus”, a.k.a., Frankenstein.

0
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Terry

I “met”Ernest Hemingway while doing research on “The Sun Also Rises” for my M.A. He’s not as bad as one might suppose, though alcoholism definitely has its down side. A truly tragic life in many ways.

“TSAR” is a rich book, though. Don’t believe him when he says, “The End.” Like “Siddhartha,” it takes rereading to get past the simplicity

0
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Lee

Robert A. Heinlein who wrote about women who were scientists, brilliant, literate, physically adept champions.
Good role for teenage girls. His wife was the template for these characters.
( Yes a bit sexualized)

0
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Trish

I would love to have coffee and cigarettes ( I quit in 1974 ) and maybe a martini with Shirley Jackson in her kitchen in Vermont -a tirelessly fascinating and brilliant writer –

2
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Katheryn

Miguel de Cervantes.

0
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Tammie

Stephen King

1
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Miranda

James Alexander Thom. To discuss US history, to learn from him…it would be incredible!

0
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Linda

Stephen King. What an imagination he has!

0
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Sharon

Neil Gaiman. Because, well, because Neil Gaiman.

1
Reply
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