Hello there, my book-loving misfits,

 

There's hope of spring here in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, which means this southern boy has survived two New England winters now. Before you know it, I'll be shoveling snow in a t-shirt, shorts, and L.L. Bean slippers.

 

My Red Mountain books have been on my mind lately, especially with regards to film. I have some new nibbles that are quite promising. A reader named Debie reached out recently with some suggestions for who might play the characters (see below). Reply back with your casting picks, and we as a collective will will this story to the screen. I know it's coming, and it might as well be sooner than later.

 

While we're on the topic of Red Mountain, I put together this photo collection (click here) for my German translator and thought you'd enjoy seeing some shots from when I lived on the mountain. Do they match the visions in your head?

 

Now, onto some book recommendations…

 

I have the great pleasure of sharing publishing houses with Barbara Davis, and we chat from time to time.The Echo of Old Books is her latest, and it's sensational! As I read it with my morning coffee, I oscillate between feelings of awe in her writing ability to fits of wanting to wring her neck for being so good and making it seem so easy. Did I just actually type that? And am I really not going to edit it out? Barbara, you are one talented woman.

 

I'm on a kick of reading musicians' bios lately and adored Jeff Tweedy's first book. He's the force behind Wilco, a wonderful alt-country band that is as authentic as it gets. He shares some great wisdom about life and art that hit home with me. 

 

I'm currently reading Dave Grohl's new memoir, The Storyteller. He was the drummer for Nirvana and now the front man for The Foo Fighters. It's equally enthralling. I just noticed how well rated it is on Amazon, and for good reason. Fair warning, if you don't like the F-word, this one is not for you. 

 

I love how both Jeff and Dave survived being rock stars and have achieved a crisp sense of clarity after decades in the biz. That's pretty much the kind of story I like to tell, people getting knocked down but finding their way back up again.

Below are Debie's thoughts on Red Mountain's cast. I love her ideas. What do you think? Can Woody do an English accent? Amy Adams as Margot, that could work! Angelina as Carmen, yes, please. My fave of Debie's picks is Andy Garcia as Remi. He's a one-of-a-kind actor. Would Margot be attracted to him? I think he's handsome but what do I know? You tell me. And Jack Black as Bellflour… I can see it. Reply back with your ideas and maybe I'll share them in the next newsletter.

 

Otis: Woody Harrelson

Joan: Mary Steenburgen

Jake: Kevin Bacon

Carmen: Angelina Jolie

Aunt Morgan: Susan Sarandon

Margo: Amy Adams

Abby: Jennifer Lawrence

Remi: Andy Garcia

Brooks and Shay: Real life brothers Casey and Ben Affleck

Adrianna: Ana de Armas (from Knives Out)

Jasper: Adam Yoder (a very gifted young pianist - he can learn to act and will be a natural!)

Elijah: Freddy Rodriguez (from Bottle Shock - he knows how to act in a winery)

Harry Bellflour: This can ONLY be Jack Black

Chris Pine needs to be in there somewhere. And since this is an all star cast, let's let Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson be Brooks's and Shay's parents. 

 

Thank you, Debie, for getting my wheels spinning.

Catch up on old newsletters here.