The Friday, December 5 book review will feature Sascha Feinstein, the Robert L. & Charlene Shangraw Professor of English at Lycoming College.  

Dr. Feinstein will discuss his most recent book, Writing Jazz: Conversations with Critics and Biographers, which compiles interviews with 14 distinguished authors conducted since 1999. The talk will address the process of interviewing, from preparation to editing. What makes for a successful interview? What do you do if the person doesn’t talk much? What if they talk too much? Jazz will inevitably be part of this presentation—an appreciation for the music will obviously enhance the experience—but the goal will be to engage anyone interested in meeting truly engaging people and documenting those encounters.

Dr. Feinstein has taught at Lycoming College since 1995. In 1996, he founded Brilliant Corners: A Journal of Jazz & Literature, which he still edits. His twelve previous books include two poetry collections (Misterioso, winner of the Hayden Carruth Award, and Ajanta’s Ledge, finalist for the Philip Levine Prize), two memoirs (Black Pearls: Improvisations on a Lost Year and Wreckage: My Father’s Legacy of Art & Junk), and another interview collection (Ask Me Now: Conversations on Jazz & Literature). His last book review for the Friends of the Library was in December 2018, when he discussed his books Wreckage and Understanding Hans Hofmann as an avenue into the nature of abstract expressionism.

The review begins at 12:15PM in the Lowry Room of the Welch Family Wing of the James V. Brown Library with a Q&A from 12:45-1:00PM. Complimentary snacks and bottled water will be available. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own lunch. Reservations are required due to space considerations.  Please call the library at 570-326-0536 or use the library’s online reservation calendar (calendar.jvbrown.edu) before 3:00PM on Wednesday, December 3.  Parking is available in the public lot off Market Street, adjacent to the Welch Wing.