Tonight was pretty amazing for me. I went to Warwick’s in La Jolla, CA (10 miles north of San Diego) to see Andre Aciman (Call Me By Your Name, Out of Egypt, Eight White Nights, False Papers, Alibis, and Harvard Square, and the editor of The Proust Project) in conversation with Beth Accomando (Reporter for KPBS and Cinema Junkie Podcast). I case some of you don’t follow me on Instagram you might not know that I am obsessed with Call Me By Your Name. I have see the movie many times and read the book. To say the book changed my life is an understatement.
After seeing Andre Aciman in such an intimate setting I love him and his writing even more. Accomando asked him at one point if he ever thought Call My By Your Name would be made into a movie.
No, never. It took 8 years after they decided to do the film to make it happen. Directors came and went but when Luca Guadagino came on board as well as James Ivory I just hoped they would stay.
Andre (yes, I call him by his first name because I feel he would want that) told us aspiring writers to “read the classics.” He also told us to “Find a writer and mimic their style. Then find another and mimic theirs. This is like trying on sneakers. You have to try on many sneakers before you find your right fit. But don’t ape them too long. That would not be good. Also, read the classics!”
The evening allowed questions to be asked by the audience. Many who asked their questions let Andre know how Call Me By Your Name changed their life.
People tell me all the time that they hate me because they love me. They say the book has affected them. That’s why they hate me for it. They do not look at life the same way after.
After the Q&A I was able to get my book signed and a book for my dear friend, Lisa, who was out of town for work. I told him the book changed my life and my friend Lisa’s life. He said that people always tell him that, but never tell him why. I told him it changed my life because it made me realize there are fathers out there that were not like mine. He said that he is glad it helped me see that.
If you have never been to Warwick’s Books you should definitely go. Did you know that it is the oldest continuously family-owned and operated bookstore in the United States? It was founded in 1896! The staff is delightful and so knowledgeable. I want to give a special shout out to Julie. She is one of the nicest people I have ever met. Her knowledge of books always leaves me in awe. Check out their site at www.warwicks.com.
Thank you for reading.
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