Which set of authors/books do you think are better?
What a great idea for a thread! Saw Sarah Vowell last night, and I’d buy her book based on that great cover.
Stewart’s authors are my favorite of his guests, followed by the politicians, then the pundits (the non-writing pundits), and somewhere at the bottom, the actors and musicians.
I’m not sure how to compare Oprah and Jon’s authors though. Jon’s authors are mostly non-fiction, aren’t they? Political writers and historians, and an occasional scientist-type?
I gotta say, I don’t think I’ve read a single book by Jon’s writers, and I’ve read most of Oprah’s. (This is where I say that I read most of those books before they were Oprah picks.)
Whose do you like better?
Jon Stewart’s guest authors? Just authors who’ve been on?
I’m upset that I missed Sarah Vowell. I have read her new book and I *love * it. I love Sarah Vowell with all my little heart.
I read both Jon Stewart’s books! Do they count?
The only Oprah books I’ve read are She’s Come Undone and The Corrections which she wound up un-picking. Judging from those two, I like Jon Stewart guest authors better.
AuntiePam: Thanks. I’m good for maybe three, sometimes four each year. I thought of this after he visited her show and was disappointed they didn’t touch on it.
Perhaps someone with better Googling skills than I can link up a list of recent Oprah Book Club books and a list of Jon Stewart’s book guests. I think you’re right that this is a fiction vs. non-fiction thread to some extent.
Which ones do i like better…? Truthfully? I haven’t been reading a whole lot lately. I’m currently (distractedlY) reading Barack Obama’s autobiography – but everytime I see an author on THE DAILY SHOW I always feel like “There’s a book I should be reading.” Bob Dole’s recent visit and tidbits from his autobiography sound interesting. Whereas with Oprah’s selections I’m mostly going, “Meh.”
That could be I’m impressed when I see authors talking about their work, or a reflection of an anti-fiction kick I’m going through.
I’m hoping contributors to this thread will help me sort it out.
I’ve definitely read more of Oprah’s picks (before she actually chose them, however), but my interest is always piqued by the authors Stewart features. If only he had more damn time with them all. I feel that way about the Daily Show in general. Two jokes, a thoughtful comment, and it’s cut to commercial. It’s almost as rushed as Politically Incorrect used to be.