Fahrenheit V13: Judy Whitmore Discusses Some of Her Favourite Books

Judy Whitmore is a goal-focused individual. Her incredible career is indicative of that. Whitmore has had success at just about anything she has put her mind to. Not only is she an acclaimed vocalist, but she is also a licensed jet pilot, best-selling author, psychologist, and theatre producer. Perhaps she was destined for such success, particularly in the arts, since her parents named her after the legendary performer Judy Garland, a friend of her grandfather.

On the arts side of things, Whitmore released her latest collection of music, entitled Let’s Fall In Love, on April 25th. The album title is a good indication of the record’s tone. It features twelve new versions of love-themed standards. It features Whitmore’s take on classic songs from singers such as Eydie Gormé, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and Irving Berlin. Doing an album like this has been something Whitmore has wanted to do for most of her life. As a young girl, she became infatuated with music and theatre, particularly the artists she is paying tribute to on Let’s Fall In Love. This is her fourth proper studio album, which she hopes will inspire and brighten your day. Her debut solo recording, Can’t We Be Friends, was released in 2020. In five years, she has been very productive as a solo artist.

As a best-selling author and a songwriter, you can imagine that Whitmore is an avid reader. She joins us today for Fahrenheit V13 to discuss her favourite childhood book, authors, novels, and more.

What was the most memorable book from your childhood?

Judy Whitmore: “When I was in fourth grade, my teacher read Louisa May Alcott’s Little Men to the class. That was my introduction to a full-length novel. I loved the story and the characters. I cried when the teacher read the last page and said, ‘The End.’”

How important were books and reading in your family growing up? Did you share that same level of enthusiasm, or did you differ from them on that?

“My mother was always reading novels, and she instilled that love of reading in me. When I was six years old, I got my own library card. We went to the library every Friday, and I’d check out six or seven books. Most of them were beyond my comprehension level, but I didn’t care. I loved looking at them and turning the pages.”

Who are your favourite writers?

“I have so many favourite writers… Amy Tan, Daniel Silva, Lisa See, James Clavell, Carl Hiaasen, Sophie Kinsella, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens… I could keep on going.”

Judy Whitmore ‘Let’s Fall In Love’ album artwork

Which book series do you think deserves a proper screen adaptation? Who would you want to play the main characters? Which artists would do the soundtracks?

“I was so excited when I read that Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon books were going to be made into movies on Netflix. That was several years ago, and I’m still waiting. The books are so exciting and suspenseful. I’d love to see the screen adaptations. Daniel Craig would make a great Gabriel Allon. The film score would be composed by James Newton Howard.”

How many books do you own? Any titles or editions you’re particularly fond of?

“I have about 1,000 books, including 150 cookbooks. I enjoy reading cookbooks just for fun. If I really love a book, I’ll often reread it. Among the books I’ve read twice are The Thorn Birds, Kane and Abel, Outlander, and Les Misérables.”

Are there any particular editions or collections of books you’d be excited to collect and own?

“Yes. I would love to have a first edition of James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific.”

How often do you find or make time to read? Are you paperback, hardcover, or ebook?

“I read every day. I prefer a hardcover or a paperback. I don’t like reading on a tablet.”

Graphic novels and comics have enjoyed mainstream crossover thanks in no small part to the cinematic universes of Marvel and DC. Do you enjoy graphic novels or comics? Any particular titles that stand out as favourites?

“I know I’m being a shameless self-promoter, but my favourite graphic novel is the one I wrote with my husband. It’s a retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.”

Most people seem to have a cookbook that was either passed down or gifted that has stood the test of time and remains a fixture in their collection. Do you have such a book? How did you come by it?

“I have my grandmother’s recipe box. It’s full of handwritten recipes she loved to make. She was a great cook. I used to love being in the kitchen with her. I’m sure that’s where my enjoyment of cooking and baking began.”

Judy Whitmore “A Time For Love” single artwork

What’s the longest book you’ve ever read? Did you enjoy it despite its length?

“The longest book I ever read was Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I bought it when I was a student at the University of Arizona. It sat on my bookshelf for decades, and I finally read it last year. I thought it was outstanding.”

What’s the scariest book you’ve ever read?

“The Exorcist. I always made sure someone else was home while I was reading it. I didn’t want to be alone with that book.”

What’s a book that you think everyone should be required to read from cover to cover throughout their time in school?

“I think every high school student should read Tom Brokaw’s The Greatest Generation. It’s the story of the women and men who came of age during the Great Depression and World War II. They were the generation that persevered through the war with a common purpose and the common values of duty, honour, and courage.”

What’s the best part of reading for you? What’s your ideal reading setup?

“Reading a good book is like taking a little vacation. Even if you only have 15 to 20 minutes at a time, that’s enough to enter the world of your imagination. I enjoy reading at my kitchen table. That way, a cup of hot coffee is never far away.”

What was the best reading or book-related present you ever received?

“The best book-related gift I ever received was an autographed, first edition copy of The Story of My Life by Helen Keller. It was a birthday gift from my sister, and I treasure it.”

Judy Whitmore ‘Come Fly With Me’ book cover