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Publication Date: Friday, May 30, 2003

'In a Word'

The studio lights are hot and bright as the cameras begin to roll. Soon the heat rises even more as a former Iraqi diplomat shakes his finger at a Jewish activist as they argue about the motivations of Middle Eastern terrorists and America's role in the world since 9-11.

"The Israeli practices in the West Bank and Gaza have left the Arabs and Muslims there humiliated on a daily basis," says the diplomat. "It creates anger."

"The whole Arab region from 1948 to today has gone backwards, and their obsession with Israel as the 'little Satan' has done nothing for these regimes except keep them down," shoots back the activist.

It sounds like a scene from a CNN foreign affairs show, but this debate is taking place right here in Pleasanton, as the CTV Book Club discusses "Longitudes and Attitudes: Exploring the World After September 11," the bestseller by NY Times Columnist Thomas Friedman.

The book club is part of CTV's "In a Word," a literary program started several years by Jim Ott, Pleasanton's most recently retired Poet Laureate.

Jim Ott loves literature. However, his career path led him in quite a different direction - banking - and he is currently president and CEO of Uncle Credit Union. But he felt a need to fulfill his dream of being involved in the literary realm as well.

With a master's degree in English from San Jose State, Ott began teaching as an adjunct English professor at Las Positas Community College in 1997. He was also Poet Laureate for Pleasanton for the last two years, has been a newspaper columnist, and has had short stories and poetry published. It was still not enough. Ott wanted to share his passion with a larger audience.

Then he had an idea: a television show that would provide a platform for local authors, poets and writers' groups to discuss reading and writing topics.

"I thought there was a need to highlight the importance of reading, literature and the craft of writing," Ott said. "I also wanted to be able to feature local authors and bookstores."

Ott approached CTV with the idea for "In a Word," suggesting the name, the format and even the set design with large sketches of literary figures drawn by Ott himself. CTV agreed to the idea in the fall of 1999. Since then, 40 shows have aired.

"We wanted to do this show because literature is such a broad topic - it's something that affects everyone," said Darla Stevens, executive director of CTV. "We wanted to reach out to new authors, people who are involved in the local literary scene and people who love to read. We especially wanted to promote the libraries - they are such an important resource for the community."

Ott was thrilled with the decision and happy to volunteer his time to host the show.

"I feel so blessed to be able to participate in underscoring the importance of reading to the community," said Ott. "I try to create a bridge between the business world and the arts community."

About a year ago, CTV added a co-host, Kathy Cordova. She would bring a new element to the show - a book club. Cordova is an enthusiastic book-lover and was once a guest on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." She had read a selection from Oprah's Book Club and was chosen to appear on the show after e-mailing in her comments.

Cordova also has written a book being published by Conan Press, which is coming out in November, called "Let Go, Let Miracles Happen: the Art of Spiritual Surrender." She worked on it several years, collecting stories to add to her own about how giving up her job as a stressed-out sales executive, and learning to "go with the flow," created miracles in her life.

Cordova was just what the show needed to give it a new dimension. "It just seemed natural," said Stevens. "Kathy has a lot of energy, the right background, and she and Jim make a great combination."

The "In a Word" book club is different from others in that it highlights various types of literature: fiction, nonfiction, best sellers, classics and local.

"Reading is really my passion," Cordova said. "We try to pick books that will be fun to talk about, that will get people thinking. We like to mix it up - some fiction, some non-fiction. NY Times bestsellers like 'The Lovely Bones'; less mainstream, more literary works like 'Life of Pi'; classics like 'Grapes of Wrath'; and books by local authors, like 'Leaving' and 'Capital Offense.'"

"We've discussed books that deal with a wide variety of topics," she noted, "from racial inequities to what heaven might be like for a 14-year-old girl."

For Cordova, the biggest surprise about hosting the show has been the work that needs to be done when the cameras aren't rolling.

"I spend a lot of time preparing for the show - reading, finding guests, booking authors," said Cordova.

The format for the half-hour show usually includes two main segments: an interview with a local literary guest, and a book club discussion with about three guests giving their opinions about the book of the month.

There is also the popular "What Are You Reading?" segment, which is a man-on-the-street (or, more appropriately, man-in-the-library) interview that allows the public to share its reading selections with viewers.

"It's exciting to see literature come alive on the faces of the people who tell you what they are reading," said Stevens. "It really brings vitality to the topics. When I see their faces, it makes me want to go out and read that book, too."

Local libraries are also featured on the show. Librarians from the Tri-Valley area appear as guests and talk about upcoming activities at a library or sometimes provide a mini-review of a book.

Book club guests can range from a viewer who read the book to an expert on the topic. The show presents a varied panel of people to give their input, which leads to lively and interesting conversation.

"The base of our guests are people with a specific expertise and who love to read," Stevens said. "Literature has to lead the way."

One such guest was Pleasanton author Kathleen Antrim, who wrote the novel "Capital Offense" - a political thriller. Antrim, a former newspaper columnist, knew the show would be a fun and interesting format to promote her book and to also help promote the literary world and keep people reading.

"If people haven't watched the show, they should tune it in," said Antrim. "It's fantastic that they put an emphasis on reading and promote reading as entertainment. (The hosts) ask thoughtful and intelligent questions and are very thorough."

Another former guest on the show, Kim Muller, took part in a book discussion because she was so moved by the selection.

Muller, who founded another book club in the Tri-Valley area, appeared on "In a Word" to give her thoughts on the book "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand that delves into the world of horse racing. Although Muller had no particular interest in horses, she found the book difficult to put down.

"I liked the book quite a bit," Muller said. "It surprised me. I wanted to recommend it to others. Plus, being on TV was just a fun idea and a new experience for me as a stay-at-home mom. It was a very exciting thing to do."

"In a Word" has elicited a positive response from guests, viewers - and the CTV staff.

"The show is fun to watch, it's exciting to produce, and it's an important program that serves the local community," said Executive Producer Sheila Tole.

Join the book club

"In a Word" airs on CTV, Channel 30, at 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays; and at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.