Book Me, Please! - Ep. 7: An in-depth interview with ‘Price Is Right’ viral video star Danielle Perez, along with Hannah Gansen, and recommendations for books by Joe Hill and Meg Wolitzer.

Ep. 7: An in-depth interview with ‘Price Is Right’ viral video star Danielle Perez, along with Hannah Gansen, and recommendations for books by Joe Hill and Meg Wolitzer.

Explicit content warning

05/10/15 • 65 min

In episode seven we get our first big “celebrity” interview when we’re joined by internet sensation Danielle Perez from the infamous ‘Price Is Right!’ viral video in which she won a treadmill, despite being in a wheelchair. In this in-depth interview, we find out what it’s like to “go viral”, and the surreal circumstances that lead from a funny game show “fail” to her video appearing on huge media outlets such as ‘The Huffington Post’, ‘World Star Hip Hop’, ‘Reddit’, and eventually going viral around the world before finally landing her on the stage of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ All in the span of 48 hours! It’s been a crazy week for Danielle and we get to hear all about it in this, her first full length interview since the madness began.

Eventually we do get to the books, and we’ve got some great ones to recommend. The very funny Hannah Gansen recommends the books of Joe Hill, including ‘Heart Shaped Box’ and ‘Horns’, and Danielle recommends ‘The Interestings’ by Meg Wolitzer, a fascinating look at what it means to be creative, what it takes to live a happy life, and the difficulties that arise when you desire both.

Joe Hill - William Morrow - ISBN 978-0-06-114793-7 (Heart Shaped Box)

Meg Wolitzer - Riverhead Books - 978-1-59448-839-9 (The Interestings)!

Joe Hill - William Morrow - ISBN 978-0-06-114793-7 (Heart Shaped Box)

Meg Wolitzer - Riverhead Books - 978-1-59448-839-9 (The Interestings)!

Previous Episode

Ep. 6 - Books by Seth Godin, Christopher Hitchens, and Jim Earl are discussed by comedians Steve Earl, Troy Conrad, and Jim Earl.!

On episode six we go deep and discuss a collection of obituaries, a book about how to improve your life with mythology, and a book that explains why “religion poisons everything”. Funny stuff! But really, in the hands of these hilarious comedians, Steve Rosenfield, Jim Earl, and Troy Conrad, it’s a surprisingly fun and informative show. We start with Jim Earl’s hilarious book of fake obituaries, “Mourning Remembrance”, which gets my highest recommendation, which is that it ”Belongs on the back of every toilet in America”. Next, we discuss a very interesting book about creativity, ‘The Icarus Deception’, with Troy Conrad, the man behind one of comedy’s most creative hit shows, ‘Set List’. And finally, we delve deep into the genius mind and compelling career of Christopher Hitchens, whose book ‘God Is Not Great’ explains everything you need to know about organized religion, and a lot about Steve Rosenfield’s career choices.! !!

“God Is Not Great” - Christopher Hitchens ISBN - 978-0-446-57980-3 Pub. Atlantic Books!!!

“The Icarus Deception” - Seth Godin ISBN - 978-1-101-61230-9 Pub. Portfolio/Penguin! !!

“Mourning Remembrance” - Jim Earl - http://morningremembrance.com - Amazon - Kindle!

Next Episode

Ep. 8: Books by Mario Vargas Llosa, Garth Stein, and Gene Wilder are discussed by comedians Kurt Weitzmann, Nick Cobb, and Heather Thomson.

In episode eight we have a touching tale told by a dog, a literary heavyweight from South America, and a fascinating look at the life, and loves, of a beloved comedy actor. We begin by getting an update on a very worthy cause, Margaret Cho’s “Be Robin” Project, inspired by the life and good works of legendary comedian, the late Robin Williams. From there we dive into an interesting array of books, starting with ‘The War At The End Of The World’ by Mario Vargas Llosa, considered one of the Pulitzer Prize winner’s best works, that tells a story from history that still resonates today. Next up, we look at the novel ‘The Art Of Racing In The Rain’, a heartfelt story about what it means to be a good human, as told from the perspective of “man’s best friend”. Finally, we take a look at a memoir from one of my favorite comic actors of all time, the multi-talented Gene Wilder, who’s ‘Kiss Me Like A Stranger” not only recounts his life and career, but also his thoughts on creativity, being an artist, falling in love, and living a happy life.

HEATHER THOMSON - ‘Kiss Me Like A Stranger: My Search for Love and Art’ - by Gene Wilder
St. Martin’s ISBN - 0-312-33706-3

NICK COBB - ‘The Art Of Racing in The Rain’ - by Garth Stein
Harper Collins ISBN - 978-0-06-153793-6

KURT WEITZMANN - ‘The War At The End Of The World’ - Mario Vargas Llosa
Farrar Straus & Giroux ISBN - 978-0-312-42798-6!