Hamptons Scene: Amis, Cavett, Michael Connelly, Eric Alterman
More than 150 authors sat in alphabetical order, waiting to sign and sell their books or just chat. It was a fundraiser Saturday called “Authors Night” for and at the East Hampton Library.
Dick Cavett left his post early after he ran out of books. Cookbook author Katie Lee signed copies of her first novel, “Groundswell,” as she sat near Susan Lucci, whose memoir, “All My Life,” came out in March. Martin Amis sat next to Eric Alterman.
Ina Caro, author of the recently published “Paris to the Past: Traveling Through French History by Train” and wife of Robert Caro, sat next to one of her favorite authors, Michael Connelly.
“Don’t tell him, though,” she said.
Hilary Thayer Hamann, author of the novel “Anthropology of an American Girl,” said she writes at home in Sag Harbor.
“I live on Main Street, and my office has a big window that looks out on the village,” Hamann said. “I get my fill of people without having to go out.”
When she needs a break, she buys coffee at Sylvester & Co. “It’s Colombian, with no pesticides, the best in town,” she said.
Across the aisle, Christina Haag sat with her March book, “Come to the Edge,” a memoir of her experiences with John F. Kennedy, Jr., from their teenage friendship to their work together as actors to a romantic affair.
Haag said she wrote a lot of the book in Montauk because it reminded her of the Kennedy outpost in Aquinnah on Martha’s Vineyard.
Now that she is looking for new subjects, the rest of the Hamptons are fair game.
“Just the other day, I was driving on Egypt Lane and I got an idea for a short story,” she said, referring to a hedge- lined East Hampton road.
(Amanda Gordon is a writer and photographer for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. Any opinions expressed are her own.)
To contact the writer on this story: Amanda Gordon in New York at agordon01@bloomberg.net or on Twitter at @amandagordon.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
East Hampton Library Authors Night
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Katie Lee, wearing eyeshadow that matched the colors on the book jacket of her first novel, "Groundswell."
Katie Lee, wearing eyeshadow that matched the colors on the book jacket of her first novel, "Groundswell." Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
East Hampton Library Authors Night
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Dick Cavett, authro of "Talk Show: Confrontations, Pointed Commentary, and Off-Screen Secrets."
Dick Cavett, authro of "Talk Show: Confrontations, Pointed Commentary, and Off-Screen Secrets." Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
East Hampton Library Authors Night
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Hilary Thayer Hamann, author of "Anthropology of an American Girl," with her daughters, Emmanuelle Benard and Vee Benard.
Hilary Thayer Hamann, author of "Anthropology of an American Girl," with her daughters, Emmanuelle Benard and Vee Benard. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
East Hampton Library Authors Night
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Christina Haag, author of "Come to the Edge," about her time with John F. Kennedy Jr.
Christina Haag, author of "Come to the Edge," about her time with John F. Kennedy Jr. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
East Hampton Library Authors Night
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Kathy Freston signed copies of her book "Veganist: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Change the World."
Kathy Freston signed copies of her book "Veganist: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Change the World." Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
East Hampton Library Authors Night
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Beth Ostrosky Stern, author of "Oh My Dog."
Beth Ostrosky Stern, author of "Oh My Dog." Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
East Hampton Library Authors Night
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Michael Connelly, ready to sign copies of "The Fifth Witness."
Michael Connelly, ready to sign copies of "The Fifth Witness." Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
East Hampton Library Authors Night
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Danyelle Freeman, author of "Try This: Traveling the Globe Without Leaving the Table."
Danyelle Freeman, author of "Try This: Traveling the Globe Without Leaving the Table." Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
East Hampton Library Authors Night
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Dan Rattiner, editor of Dan's Papers, and author of "In the Hamptons: My Fifty Years with Farmers, Fishermen, Artists, Billionaires, and Celebrities."
Dan Rattiner, editor of Dan's Papers, and author of "In the Hamptons: My Fifty Years with Farmers, Fishermen, Artists, Billionaires, and Celebrities." Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
East Hampton Library Authors Night
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Valerie Heller (Joseph Heller's widow), Robert Klein, author of "The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue," and Dr. Erin Gilbert.
Valerie Heller (Joseph Heller's widow), Robert Klein, author of "The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue," and Dr. Erin Gilbert. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
East Hampton Library Authors Night
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Alison Pace, author of "A Pug's Tale," a mystery that takes place in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Alison Pace, author of "A Pug's Tale," a mystery that takes place in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
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