http://66.225.205.104/1008vowell.mp3
If you're a fan of This American Life, then you're probably familiar with the work of journalist Sarah Vowell. She contributed to the program for 12 years. She'll be at a book store in Raleigh this evening. Still, WFAE's Greg Collard was given an opportunity to talk to Vowell in advance of her visit. He learned that she's more focused on books these days, and not just her own. Sarah Vowell is no longer a regular contributor to This American Life. These days, she's more focused on books, and she's written several. The most recent is called The Wordy Shipmates, which examines the Puritans and how they impact America today. It's now out on paperback. She's a on tour promoting the book, but she's also on a campaign to save books. "I have a newfound zeal for not just talking about my book in selling it but talking about books in general and trying to sell books," Vowell says. And by books, she means the analogue kind, books you hold and read cover-to-cover. Google is trying to create a massive digital library and bookstore. A court settlement with publishers and the Authors Guild would have paved the way for the project, but that deal was officially derailed yesterday in a court hearing. We spoke to Vowell before that court hearing, but it's safe to say she's happy with the results. "Maybe books in bookstores are dying, but I'm going to go down fighting. There's something about a book. It's just such a perfect format. It's like a banana. I don't know why it needs to be improved upon. I'm on the stump." Given that she's on the stump, our conversation stuck to politics(click here to listen to the rest of our conversation with Sarah Vowell). Note: If you happen to be in Raleigh this evening, you can see Sarah Vowell at Quail Ridge Books and Music at 7:30 p.m.