A Phone Call From Paul

Parul Sehgal is a book critic at The New York Times. She was previously a columnist and senior editor at The New York Times Book Review. Her work has appeared in the Atlantic, Slate, Bookforum, The New Yorker, Tin House, and The Literary Review, among other publications, and she was awarded the Nona Balakian Award from the National Book Critics Circle for her criticism. She has been a featured speaker at TED and teaches at Columbia University and the Center for the Humanities at CUNY. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ocean Vuong is the author of the critically acclaimed poetry collection Night Sky with Exit Wounds and the New York Times bestselling novel On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous. A recipient of the 2019 MacArthur "Genius" Grant, he is also the winner of the Whiting Award and the T.S. Eliot Prize. His writings have been featured in The Atlantic, Harper's Magazine, The Nation, The New Republic, The New Yorker, and The New York Times. Born in Saigon, Vietnam, he currently lives in Northampton, Massachusetts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Garth Greenwell is the author of What Belongs to You, which won the British Book Award for Debut of the Year, was longlisted for the National Book Award, and was a finalist for six other awards, including the PEN/Faulkner Award, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice, it was named a Best Book of 2016 by over fifty publications in nine countries, and is being translated into a dozen languages. A new book of fiction, Cleanness, is forthcoming from FSG in early 2020. His fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, A Public Space, and VICE, and he has written criticism for The New Yorker, the London Review of Books, and the New York Times Book Review, among others. He lives in Iowa City.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lewis Hyde is the author of Trickster Makes This World: Mischief, Myth, and Art and The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World, as well as a book of poems, This Error Is the Sign of Love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imani Perry is the Hughes-Rogers Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, where she also teaches in the Programs in Law and Public Affairs, and in Gender and Sexuality Studies. She is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and spent much of her youth in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Chicago. She is the author of several books, including Looking for Lorraine: The Radiant and Radical Life of Lorraine Hansberry. She lives outside Philadelphia with her two sons, Freeman Diallo Perry Rabb and Issa Garner Rabb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maaza Mengiste was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A Fulbright Scholar and professor in the MFA in Creative Writing & Literary Translation program at Queens College, she is the author of The Shadow King and Beneath the Lion's Gaze, named one of the Guardian's Ten Best Contemporary African Books. Her work can be found in The New Yorker, Granta, and the New York Times, among other publications. She lives in New York City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode of A Phone Call From Paul, Paul Holdengraber and Sarah Broom discuss her memoir, The Yellow House, the Kei Miller and Peter Turchi epigraphs in the book, the influence of Toni Morrison on her work, and how people underestimate reading work that makes you feel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode of A Phone Call From Paul, Paul Holdengraber and John Waters discuss his new memoir, Mr. Know-It-All (or as he describes, a "self-help book for lunatics," what he's reading this summer, and his experience working for Mary Oliver at her bookstore in Provincetown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of A Phone Call With Paul, Paul Holdengraber speaks with David Ulin about the dramatic changes in Los Angeles, the literature of the city, and his work on Joan Didion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of A Phone Call With Paul, Paul Holdengraber speaks with Robert Macfarlane about his new book, Underland, the pleasures and necessities of walking, the threshold experience of the underworld, and the longing for the language of trees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of A Phone Call With Paul Paul Holdengraber speaks with Nathaniel Kahn about Larry Poons, playing dumb while interviewing documentary subjects, the relationship between capitalism and the art world, and where art's true power and purpose lies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of A Phone Call From Paul, Paul Holdengraber speaks with Deborah Eisenberg on "Bartleby the Scrivener," the dire political state we live in, the virtue (and adventure) that lies in difficulty, the commodification of art, and why she enjoys writing in front of a brick wall. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of A Phone Call From Paul, Paul Holdengraber speaks with Sameen Rushdie about racist attitudes towards food, food as language and a means of connection, the senselessness of a divided world, and the Rushdie family's Christmas traditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of A Phone Call With Paul, Paul Holdengraber plays music from Terry Tempest Williams' childhood and talks to her about beauty, the twin elements of joy and sorrow, and the power and importance of the human voice. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of A Phone Call From Paul, Paul Holdengraber reaches Alexander Chee in Italy and asks him about mentors (and mentoring), his favorite Italian writers, virtues great and small, and the need for fiction to address the violent reality we live in. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the American writer about skipping high school and growing up in California. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the American journalist and author about her new book on the 1986 Los Angeles Public Library fire, the future of libraries and public spaces, and the smell of books. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the American poet about the #MeToo movement, why they applaud hating poetry, and the beautiful devastation of New York City. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the Argentine-Canadian translator and essayist about his library, his relationship with Jorge Luis Borges, and why no one reads Rudyard Kipling any more. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the American poet and cultural critic about Susan Sontag, Marcel Proust, and quote-o-mania. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengräber and the American writer Joyce Carol Oates discuss writing about politics, future dystopias, and boxing (a favorite subject for both of them). For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the award-winning author Ursula K. Le Guin on the blurring of fact and fiction, the problem with celebrities, and the anxiety of influence. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the writer Maggie Nelson about how Proust inspires guilt, the disillusionment of youth, and how aging is a spectacular adventure. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the writer and historian Simon Winchester about his latest book on turbines, how Jan Morris changed his life, and how we need Philip Larkin more than ever now. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the writer Chris Abani about the refugee experience, the timelessness of James Baldwin, and the paradox of love. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the writer Jesmyn Ward about her latest book, "Sing, Unburied, Sing," the art of the profile, and reading history. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the writer Marlon James about why he hates the word inspiration, why writing is work, and xxx. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the playwright Wallace Shawn about his new book, Night Thoughts, the infinite appetites of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, and what's in store for civilization. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the essayist and novelist Pico Iyer about the attention economy, the depth and graciousness of Leonard Cohen, and reading Proust on his terrace. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to New York Times Book Review editor Pamela Paul about her new book, "My Life With Bob," the relationship between authors and readers, the Invisible Institute, and the sad fact that you're never finished reading—or writing. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the mentalist Derren Brown about his new show, "Secret," the skeptical mindset of his profession, and reading between the lines. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to the memoirist Michael Frank about his new book, "The Mighty Franks," the lives we could have led, and searching for the truth in our own past. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengräber talks to the poet Sjon about the importance of travel, keeping your audience awake, classical Nordic literature, the Future Library, and articulating the world. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paul Holdengraber talks to Dani Shapiro about the grueling nature of book tours, the difficult task of writing while reading, the “unthought known,” and… marriage. For more visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this wonderful conversation from the podcast vault, Geoff Dyer and Paul Holdengraber travel back to a time before President Trump (summer 2016) to talk art, writing, Kerouac, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Karam talks to Paul Holdengraber about pain, despair, and the enduring power of great writing.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maira Kalman talks to Paul Holdengraber about the search for meaning, finding your limits, and the pleasures of being a mother and a grandmother. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edmund de Waal and Paul Holdengraber discuss the uses of darkness, the necessity of bravery in art, and much more. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Auster talks to Paul Holdengraber about the nature of the unexpected, the nature of the self, and the cruel nature of Donald Trump. Auster's new novel, 4 3 2 1 is available January 31 from Henry Holt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Civil rights lawyer and activist talks to Paul Holdengraber about justice, race, America, and the importance of books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

W.S. Merwin and Paul Holdengraber discuss the pleasure of literary discovery, the joys of paying attention, and much, much more. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Berger talks with Paul Holdengraber about President Donald Trump, the emptiness of American political commentary, desire, place, and how the hell to keep going. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Holdengraber talks to Isaac Mizrahi about storytelling, looking back at life, and the joys of art. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Junot Diaz talks to Paul Holdengraber about death, pain, the joys of teaching, and the magic of the library. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret Atwood talks to Paul Holdengraber about technology, magic, and Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this charming conversation the great travel writer Jan Morris talks to Paul Holdengraber about the religion of kindness, her love of Trieste, and plays one of her favorite records (bonus: there is whistling). For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of Paul Holdengraber's conversation with Etgar Keret, the pair discuss the relationship between writers and readers, rediscovering books with your children, and how to get slapped at a book signing. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part one of their conversation, Etgar Keret and Paul Holdengraber discuss real estate, time travel, and the pleasures of artistic collaboration. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second part of her conversation with Paul Holdengraber, Tracy K. Smith talks race in the Obama years, trying to find a vocabulary for love and tolerance, and the brilliance of Lucille Clifton. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part one of their conversation, the poet Tracy K. Smith talks with Paul Holdengraber about God, death, parenthood, and loving children the way we love books. For more, visit LitHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of their conversation, Werner Herzog and Paul Holdengraber discuss the most important things a filmmaker must learn, the (first) time a b-movie cowboy lived in the White House, and the art of forgery. For more, visit LItHub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices