Dick Cavett talks 'Brief Encounters' in pop culture in new book

– What do Steve Jobs, Elizabeth Taylor, James Gandolfini, Gore Vidal, and John Lennon have in common? They’re all featured characters in Dick Cavett’s new essay collection out today, Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic Moments and Assorted Hijinks. In his latest offering, the 28-year host of one of The Dick Cavett Show—one of 20th-century America’s first media forums for entertainment culture—shares his recollections of the famous figures he encountered throughout his career. Jimmy Fallon wrote the foreword to Brief Encounters, in which Cavett also revisits his Midwestern upbringing and offers his take on modern politics and pop culture—he calls Stephen Colbert’s upcoming late-night debut “one of the great things to happen in this country,” reports USA Today. Fifty-six years after the debut of his talk show, Cavett, 77, remains as quick-witted and bold-minded as ever. “I dislike people who can’t swim, who can’t drive a car, who don’t have a television set and who don’t go online,” he says. “A great world is available to you there. It’s moronic not to be a part of it.”

– Yesterday, HarperCollins Publishers announced the launch of a new global podcast network covering books, culture, and arts. “Each week the HarperCollins Presents podcast series will feature an exchange of ideas from leading authors and creatives—from home-grown heroes to global stars,” states the press release. “It will take listeners behind the scenes, explaining the mysteries of the creative process and inspiring fans to think differently.” Episodes featuring authors like Neil Gaiman (Coraline) and Veronica Roth (Divergent) are already available, while future guests include fantasy novelist Garth Nix and horror filmmaker David Cronenberg (The Fly), among others. The podcasts will be available for download via iTunes, Stitcher, and SoundCloud, where HarperCollins already boasts 1.4 million subscribers. “Our authors are some of the most interesting people in the world,” said HarperAudio Publisher and Digital Innovation VP Ana Maria Allessi. “Now you can hear their voices and thoughts in addition to reading their words.”

– The shortlist for The Red House Children’s Book Award was revealed this week—the only national book award where young readers themselves choose the winner. Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman made the list, as did Carnegie Medal-nominated Sophie McKenzie and British comedian David Walliams, among others. Past winners include J.K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins and Patrick Ness. Voting is open—kids only—until January, and the winners will be announced in London on Feb. 21. [The Telegraph]

– Grand Central Terminal’s Posman Books is shuttering its windows after 15 years, with plans to open a new store in the remodeled World Financial Center in March. The move is the result of development plans to improve pedestrian flow at Grand Central as construction begins on One Vanderbilt, a skyscraper being built above the location. [Publishers Weekly]