On my Saturday/weekend ritual of grabbing an iced latte at Peet's on Larchmont, scoping out books at Chevalier, and picking up more book donations from former interviewee, King. My friend and I decide to get a bite to eat at Wild Oats Cafe on Melrose where I spot Joe walking in. I can't help but eye the Vonnegut book in his hands as he stands behind me in line. I know, I'm totally smooth and not obvious at all. Once at my table I get his attention and ask him which Vonnegut book he was reading (I recognized the Vonnegut cover but didn't know which book it was). It was Cat's Cradle. He just started reading it so he couldn't tell me much about the book but he has read other Vonnegut books like Slaughterhouse Five and Breakfast of Champions. It had been a while since he's read Vonnegut's books so he's been looking forward to reading his new book. So far Slaughterhouse Five is his favourite from them all.
He actually got Cat's Cradle for Christmas. It was one of the many books on his wishlist. Joe tried to remember the titles piled up on his desk right now and he could only remember Don Quixote.
We chatted a bit about other books he enjoys and he tells me he reads alot of works by H.P. Lovecraft. "I've read alot of his stuff pretty much. It's all great." His favourite book of all time is not by Lovecraft. "Lolita is my all time fave. I love everything by Nabokov but Lolita is the best - I love it." I smile because it happens to be one of my faves too. There was a pregnant pause then Joe adds, "I'm not a pedophile or anything! But you know, it's a good book."
I had asked for his name at the end of the interview and he started telling me that he was not hard to find online. "Yeah, I'm sure if you type my name you'll find all these pages on me. I also make rap music." All I kept thinking was, "Man, this guy is sure of himself..." When he finally stepped outside to take a seat at one of the little tables my friend leans in excited. "I KNEW I recognized him from somewhere!" I am still completely clueless at this point. "Wait, he really is famous?" My friend informs me that he hosts a show and that if I look him up I would definitely find something on him. Of course I scramble to look him up when I got home and sure enough Joe Hanson is the host of the "Joe Gets..." pods on Current. Silly me.
Alas, he would not allow me to take a photo of him, just his book. "Sorry, I just woke up and rolled out of bed so I am not looking my best." And there you have it. My mini interview with Joe Hanson.
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