New York Times
Bette Midler Gave Graydon Carter His Favorite Book As A Gift
By Scott Heller
April 11, 2025
Graydon Carter Thinks ‘Hollywood Wives’ Waylaid His Magazine Career, He bounced back big time with editorships at Spy and Vanity Fair, a glamorous life he details in a new memoir.
What books are on your nightstand?
A lot of mysteries and late-20th-century histories. I just finished “Naples ’44,” by Norman Lewis. I’m in the middle of Joseph O’Connor’s “The Ghosts of Rome.”
Describe your ideal reading experience.
Any time I’m traveling — but not while I’m driving. Planes and trains always. And just before cocktail hour at the end of the day.
What’s the best book you’ve ever received as a gift?
Easy. “Queer People,” by Carroll and Garrett Graham. Bette Midler gave it to me, and it was a complete revelation. It’s about as funny and as clever as anything I’ve ever read.
What’s your favorite book no one else has heard of?
That’s also easy. “Angel Pavement,” by J.B. Priestley. It’s a story about Depression-era London as told through the eyes of the employees of a small company. It moved me immensely when I first read it, about 40 years ago.
What’s the last great book you read?
I did love William Boyd’s new book, “Gabriel’s Moon.” And Gay Talese’s collection of journalism, “A Town Without Time.” Both first-rate and memorable.
