Guest Picks: Oscar Hijuelos
Oscar Hijuelos shares some of what he's been reading and watching lately after appearing on The Leonard Lopate Show.
What have you read or seen over the past year that moved or surprised you?
Havana Gold by a Cuban writer named Padura. It's noir with literary chops - and, in some ways, reminded me of Mambo Kings (so it must
be good!)
What are you listening to right now?
Musically, just this morning, to the piano jazz of the late and great Ray Bryant. But usually, I've got my same stack of CDs playing on repeat -
Cuban music, jazz, Bach, and something called "The Church Bells of England."
What's the last great book you read?
Great is something I rarely encounter in books, but lately I've been reading the historical novels of Ross Leckie, about Hannibal and Scipio
Africanus (not great, but enjoyable enough.)
What's one thing you're a fan of that people might not expect?
Antiquities; I love the auctions, when they're on; but, while I have developed exquisite taste - I don't buy. (Translation: can't/don't spend
those kinds of bucks.)
What's your favorite comfort food?
Unfortunately, just about anything, but, in a pinch, I will go for chicken
- even once wrote a children's story called "Poultrymorphosis" about a kid who eats so much chicken, he turns into one!!!
