I stumbled across a great interview about Charles Beaumont. Beaumont, for those who don’t know, was a fabulous SF writer who died tragically in the ’60s of what today we’d call early onset Alzheimer’s. The interview is from 1987, to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Beaumont’s death. It comes from a radio program hosted by Harlan Ellison, who talks at length with Richard Matheson (Beaumont’s friend and frequent collaborator), Roger Anker (biographer) and Christopher Beaumont (his son). Later they’re joined by Matheson’s son, R.C. It lasts about 90 minutes, and it meanders toward the end when Ellison goes off on one of his trademark tangents. There’s a lot of information here that I didn’t know about Beaumont, a fascinating glimpse into the creative process of a writer who needs to be more widely read. I consider Beaumont one of the best, an author who ranks in my personal Top 5. (The fact Matheson and Ellison are both on that list make this interview an extra treat.)
And for lovers of book porn, I have something special: the 25 most beautiful public libraries in the world. A couple from the United States make the cut, NYC and LA libraries. Can’t get enough? Try the world’s best private libraries. I never wanted to visit Skywalker Ranch until now.