I recently found a new, to me, cable TV station: RLTV. I though RL was an abbreviation for “Relax” TV. Well, it actually is “Retired Living TV.” Regardless, they broadcast a program called “Bookmark,” which I find informative, as well as, entertaining. My cable carrier broadcasts the program on channel 245; I caught a recent program on Friday evening at 10 p.m.
Hosted by Daryn Kagan, who was a news anchor on CNN, the show is all about books. Last Friday’s program, which was a rebroadcast of an earlier show, featured an interview with Ann Leary. Under discussion was Leary’s last book “The Good House.” She discussed her writing process and her personal and professional background. It was a lively, fun interview.
David Nasaw, author of “The Patriarch” a recent non-fiction book about Joseph P. Kennedy, was also interviewed. He discussed how the Kennedy family came to him and asked that he write their father’s biography. He expressed concern to the family because he was uncertain that what he found in his research would not please them. They gave him the green light to go ahead. He feels his truthful book corrects some false ideas that the public had about the Kennedy patriarch.
In addition to author interviews, the program has a segment figuring film critic Jeffrey Lyons. He and the host compare some films with the books they are based on and evaluate whether the film versions do credit to the novels.
This hour-long show also goes to book conventions and other on-site locations that have books as their theme. Catch it if you can. It is worthwhile.