L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016 www.italoamericano.org 12 L'Italo-Americano T h e l o v e o f w o r d s h a s f u e l e d m u c h o f T e r r y Tazioli's 40-year career. H e ' s b e e n a p r i n t r e p o r t e r , newspaper editor, television producer and news assignment editor. He's also co-author of a N e w Y o r k T i m e s b e s t s e l l e r , " V o l c a n o : T h e E r u p t i o n o f Mount St. Helens." Currently, Tazioli is co-host of a public b r o a d c a s t i n g p r o g r a m a b o u t books and writers called Well Read, where he shares the spot- light with Mary Ann Gwinn, The Seattle Times book editor. Well Read airs on more than 250 public television stations, about 84 percent of the market. It's a show for people who love words, enjoy reading and relish lively conversations with some of the world's most provocative voices. During the half-hour for- mat, Tazioli interviews a writer for the first half and co-host Gwinn follows up with related reading recommendations. We caught up with Tazioli recently to ask him more about books, authors and his own career. You've interviewed authors from Pulitzer Prize winner Jon Meacham to Irish writer C o l m T o i b i n . H o w d o y o u prepare for the program? Before an author comes on, I m a k e a p o i n t o f r e a d i n g t h e entire book. I'm terrified of being with an author and not knowing his or her work. Even if I had read the book previous- ly, I take the time to read parts of it again. Writers spend years c r e a t i n g t h e s e w o r k s , a n d they've done me a huge favor by coming on the show. In my mind, it's a disservice not to read what they've written. I've since found out that is not the norm for television interviewers. How many books do you read a week? I read at least one book a week, more often two. I read the book of that week's interviewee and, if there is time, something else that person has done. We work all year long, piggyback- i n g o n w h e n e v e r a n a u t h o r comes to town. It's a madhouse from August to early December when most books come out. We tape day or night, weekends or weekdays, and do roughly 40 shows a year. What was one of your most memorable interviews? I interviewed Gloria Steinem recently about her new book, "My Life on the Road." What a s t u n n i n g w o m a n . S h e i s 8 1 years old and still at it! She trav- els the world about half the year. In fact, she came to the studio right from the airport, toting her overnight bag. Steinem has real- ly mastered the art of listening. RITA CIPALLA Terry Tazioli takes television viewers inside the hearts and minds of today's writers She was fully engaged in our conversation, listening intently to every word I said. When I asked her what she w a s m o s t p r o u d o f , s h e s a i d there were lots of things she feels good about, but she won- dered if her best is yet to come. That answer stuck with me, and made me think a bit more about living my life in the future. W h a t o t h e r i n t e r v i e w s stand out? D a v i d M c C u l l o u g h , w h o released his book on the Wright Brothers last year, was one of the smartest and kindest people I've ever interviewed. After the show, he invited me to dinner at his house the next time I'm in Boston. Salman Rushdie was also very funny and very nice. Of all the authors I've inter- viewed, only Rushdie, and on different occasions, Erica Jong and Tavis Smiley, went out of their way to thank everybody on the crew, and I mean everybody. T h a t k i n d o f t h o u g h t f u l n e s s made an impression on me. Can you recommend any Italian authors? Niccolò Ammaniti is one. He burst onto the publishing scene in 2001 with his book, "Io Non Ho Paura" (I'm Not Scared), which was later made into a movie by Gabriele Salvatores. In 2007, Ammaniti won the Strega P r i z e , a p r e s t i g i o u s l i t e r a r y a w a r d i n I t a l y , f o r h i s b o o k "Come Dio Comanda" (As God Commands). I also recommend Dacia Maraini, who won the Strega Prize for "Buio" (Dark). O f c o u r s e , E l e n a F e r r a n t e ' s four-book Neapolitan series is very popular now, too. S u r r o u n d e d b y a l l t h e s e amazing writers, do you think you have a book in you? I used to think I did, but these people scare me, they are that good! I know I am not supposed to think this, but I think: Could I even come close to what they have achieved? On the other hand, we all have stories to tell about ourselves, our families. It's important these stories be told. Speaking of families, tell us a bit about yours. My father's family is from o u t s i d e L u c c a a n d m o v e d t o Seattle. Growing up, I visited my Italian grandparents nearly every weekend. It was there I learned to cook, and my grand- mother and I would read books together. My mother's side was German from the Midwest. Your show has been so suc- cessful. What makes you suit- ed for this work? I like to read all genres of writing and I'm fascinated by how successful writers approach their craft. I love getting inside people's minds and hearts, deep d o w n w h e r e t h e s t o r i e s l i e . These stories are what we are all about, every one of us. I'm also curious and outgoing, and love talking to folks. Sometimes it's h a r d t o s t a y f o c u s e d o n t h e work, but to be honest, I would- n't trade it. Journalist and author Gloria Steinem was interviewed recently about her new book, "My Life on the Road," by Terry Tazioli, co-host of public television's Well Read. (Well Read) SEATTLE ITALIAN COMMUNITY

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