Toni Morrison, on writing:

 

Writing is really a way of thinking – not just feeling but thinking about things that are disparate, unresolved, mysterious, problematic or just sweet. 
– Toni Morrison.

Recommended reading - In Sunlight or In Shadow: Stories Inspired by the Paintings of Edward Hopper (2016)

 

In Sunlight or In Shadow: Stories Inspired by the Paintings of Edward Hopper

Edited by Lawrence Block.

ISBN: 9781681772455

Description:

A truly unprecedented literary achievement by author and editor Lawrence Block – a newly commissioned anthology of seventeen superbly crafted stories inspired by the paintings of Edward Hopper.

"Edward Hopper is surely the greatest American narrative painter. His work bears special resonance for writers and readers, and yet his paintings never tell a story so much as they invite viewers to find for themselves the untold stories within."

So says Lawrence Block, who has invited seventeen outstanding writers to join him in an unprecedented anthology of brand-new stories: In Sunlight or In Shadow. The results are remarkable and range across all genres, wedding literary excellence to storytelling savvy.

Contributors include Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Robert Olen Butler, Michael Connelly, Megan Abbott, Craig Ferguson, Nicholas Christopher, Jill D. Block, Joe R. Lansdale, Justin Scott, Kris Nelscott, Warren Moore, Jonathan Santlofer, Jeffery Deaver, Lee Child, and Lawrence Block himself. Even Gail Levin, Hopper’s biographer and compiler of his catalogue raisonée, appears with her own first work of fiction, providing a true account of art theft on a grand scale and told in the voice of the country preacher who perpetrated the crime.

In a beautifully produced anthology as befits such a collection of acclaimed authors, each story is illustrated with a quality full-color reproduction of the painting that inspired it.

Born on this day – Tomaso Albinoni:

 

Tomaso Albinoni

Composer

June 8, 1671 – January 17, 1751

Credits:

Movie and television soundtrack music scores:

A un (1980); Abel Escoto: Fragmentos de Vida e Obra (2009); Adagio cantabile (1990); Adazhio (2000); After Blue (2021); Alpha House (2014); American Crime Story (2018); American Masters (2009); An Americanmind (1991); Anatomy (2000); Andante ma non trompo (1996); Andrea Celeste (1979); Anger (1963); Arte barroco (1968); Atesli Dilber (1979); Baby Genius (2002); Ballet Adagio (1972); Banda sonora (2008); Berega (2012); Bible! (1974); Bob the Butler (2005); Bons baisers d’Europe (2019); Boys Over Flowers (1996–1997); Bruce Lee: The Man and the Legend (1973); Butterflies (1978–1983); Casanova (2005); Celeste (1991); Ceviz (2020); Chloe and Theo (2015); Coda in G Minor (2008); Company Party (1972); Corruption (1983); Cosmos (1980); Defenceless: A Blood Symphony (2004); Des hommes et des montagnes (1953); Días de combate (1982); Dogs Don’t Wear Pants (2019); Dr. Chopper: Inside the Lair - The Making of Dr. Chopper (2005); EastEnders (2005); Elle (2016); Endeavour (2014); Esperança (2002–2003); Europa (2007); Eurovision Song Contest Rotterdam 2021 (2021); Everyone Is Older Than I Am (2012); Farewell to Enrico Berlinguer (1984); Flashdance (1983); Forgive Me Father (2001); Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006); Gallipoli (1981); Granny’s Funeral (2012); Henrique Espírito Santo - Até Amanhã, Henrique! (2017); Hilda (2008); Interlude (1968); Kathy’s Graduation Present (1975); Kerkyra (1973); La minute nécessaire de Monsieur Cyclopède (1982–1983); Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1991–1997); Life for Sale (2011); Los simuladores (2002); Manchester by the Sea (2016); Mariages! (2004); Mauvaise foi (2006); Monkey Dust (2005); Murder in Texas (1981); My Boyfriend (2017); My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999); Nautil-Us (2007); Nel nome del male (2009); Night Train to Venice (1993); One Tree Hill (2005); Operación triunfo (2002); Peter Rabbit (2018); Pictures of Finland: Wonderland Suomi (2005); Red Sun (1970); Ring 0: Birthday (2000); Rollerball (1975); Rolling to You (2018); Scenes from a Marriage (1973); Screenwipe (2008); Show Me Love (1998); Six Feet Under (2001–2004); Sleeping with Strangers (1994); Spalding V. Kincaid (2005); Standby (2008); Star Search (2003); Succession (2018); Sundays and Cybèle (1962); Tal vez mañana... (1979); Telo bez duse (1996); The Doors (1991); The Doors: Dance on Fire (1985); The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974); The Eyes of Orson Welles (2018); The First Time, I Ever... (1975); The Inbetweeners 2 (2014); The Kôsuke Kindaichi Series 13: The Village of the Eight Tomb (1991); The Old Fox (1996); The Secret (1979); The Secret Life of Plants (1978); The Silence of Others (2018); The Surprise (2015); The Trial (1962); Thoughts and Feelings (2021); Tigres de papel (1977); Tracey (2018); Truman (2015); Uncle Yanco (1967); Velvet (2016); Velvet Buzzsaw (2019); Void (2018); Welcome to Sarajevo (1997); World War One at Home (2014).

Born on this day – Ernest B. Schoedsack:

Ernest B. Schoedsack

Director

Cinematographer

Producer

June 8, 1893 – December 23, 1979

Credits:

A Dark Room Secret (1917); A Love Case (1917); Beach of Dreams (1921); Blind Adventure (1933); Captain Salisbury's Ra-Mu (1929); Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness (1927); Charlot, Charlot! (1919); Dr. Cyclops (1940); Eagle Squadron (1942); Gow in Gow (1931); Gow the Head Hunter (1928); Grass: A Nation's Battle for Life (1925); Greed (1924); Her Fame and Shame (1917); Her Marble Heart (1916); Her Painted Hero (1915); Her Torpedoed Love (1917); His Widow's Might (1917); Hollywood Stuntmakers (1999); Hollywood the Golden Years: The RKO Story (1987); I'm King Kong!: The Exploits of Merian C. Cooper (2005); King Kong (1933 / 2005); Léonard de Vinci: La manière moderne / Le documentaire culturel (2024); Long Lost Father (1934); Mighty Joe Young (1949 / 1998); Nosferatu vs. Father Pipecock & Sister Funk (2014); Outlaws of the Orient (1937); Rango (1931); Son of Kong (1933); The Four Feathers (1929); The Last Days of Pompeii (1935); The Lives of a Bengal Lancer (1935); The Lost Empire (1929); The Monkey's Paw (1933); The Most Dangerous Game (1932); This Is Cinerama (1952); Trouble in Morocco (1937).

Born on this day – John W. Campbell:

John W. Campbell

Writer

June 8, 1910 – July 11, 1971

Credits:

Books:

A New Dawn (2003); Analog (1961); Analog 1 (1963); Analog 6 (1966); Astoundimg Science Fiction Vol. 10 No. 1 (1954); Cloak of Aesir (1952); Cosmic Kill / Beyond the End of Space (2014); From Unknown Worlds (1938); Frozen Hell (2019); Invaders from the Infinite (1961); Islands of Space (1957); Moon is Hell / Green World (2012); The Best of John W Campbell (1973); The Black Star Passes (1953); The Elder Gods (1951); The Essential Surrealism (2002); The Incredible Planet (1949); The John W. Campbell Letters With Isaac Asimov and A.E. Van Vogt (1989); The Mightiest Machine (1935); The Moon Is Hell (1951); The Space Beyond (1976); The Ultimate Weapon (1936); Who Goes There? (1938).

Movies, video and television:

Cineficción Radio (2020); Prophets of Science Fiction (2012); Special Collector's Edition (2012); Tales of Tomorrow (1952); The Thing (1982 / 2002 / 2011); The Thing from Another World (1951).

Born on this day – Luigi Comencini:

Luigi Comencini

Director

June 8, 1916 – April 6, 2007

Born on this day – Alexis Smith:

 

Alexis Smith

Actress

Singer

June 8, 1921 – June 9, 1993

Born on this day – Sheila Ryan:

Sheila Ryan

Actress

June 8, 1921 – November 4, 1975

Born on this day – Peggy Maley:

 

Peggy Maley

Actress

June 8, 1923 – October 1, 2007

Born on this day – Jerry Stiller:

Jerry Stiller

Actor

Writer

Comedian

June 8, 1927 – May 11, 2020

Born on this day – Kate Wilhelm:

Kate Wilhelm

Writer 

June 8, 1928 – March 8, 2018

Credits:

Books: 

A Flush of Shadows (1995); A Sense of Shadow (1981); A Wrongful Death (2007); Abyss (1973); All For One (2012); Alpha 5 (1974); And the Angels Sing (1992); Andover and the Android (1966); Angels! (1995); Asimov's Science Fiction, November 1994 (1994); Best New Horror 4 (1993); Best Science Fiction Stories of the Year: Sixth Annual Collection (1977); Better Than One (1980); By Stone By Blade By Fire (2012); Cambio Bay (1990); Children of the Wind (1989); City of Cain (1974); Clarion SF (1977); Clear and Convincing Proof (2003); Cold Case (2008); Crazy Time (1988); Death of an Artist (2012); Death Qualified (1991); Defense for the Devil (1999); Desperate Measures (2001); Fantasy & Science Fiction, July / August 2012 (2012); Fault Lines (1977); Fear is a Cold Black (2010); Forever Yours, Anna (1987); Heaven is High (2011); Huysman's Pets (1985); I Know What You’re Thinking (1994); In Between (2014); Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, October 1986 (1986); Isaac Asimov's Aliens & Outworlders (1983); Juniper Time (1979); Justice for Some (1993); Kate Wilhelm in Orbit, Volume One (2015); Kate Wilhelm in Orbit, Volume Two (2015); Let the Fire Fall (1969); Listen, Listen (1981); Malice Prepense / For the Defense (1996); Margaret and I (1971); Mirror, Mirror (2017); Moongate (2000); More Bitter Than Death (1963); Music Makers (2012); Naming the Flowers (1992); Nebula Awards 9 (1974); No Defense (2000); Oh, Susannah! (1982); Omni Visions Two (1994); Orbit 11 (1972); Orbit 12 (1973); Orbit 3 (1967); Orbit 6 (1970); Seven Kinds of Death (1992); Sister Angel (2012); Skeletons (2002); Sleight of Hand (2006); Smart House (1989); Somerset Dreams and Other Fictions (1978); Storyteller (2005); Sweet, Sweet Poison (1990); Terry's Universe: Science fiction's finest writers join in honoring the memory of Terry Carr (1987); The Best Defense (1994); The Best from Fantasy & Science Fiction: The 50th Anniversary Anthology (1999); The Bird Cage (2012); The Clewiston Test (1976); The Clone (1965); The Dark Door (1988); The Deepest Water (2000); The Downstairs Room (1970); The Fullness of Time (2012); The Giant Book of Terror (1994); The Girl Who Fell Into the Sky (1986); The Good Children (1998); The Gorgon Field (1986); The Hamlet Trap (1987); The Hills Are Dancing (1986); The House Share (2022); The Infinity Box (1975); The Killer Thing / The Killing Thing (1967); The Mile-Long Spaceship (1963); The Nevermore Affair (1966); The Orbit Science Fiction Yearbook 1 (1988); The Orbit Science Fiction Yearbook Three (1990); The Orbit Science Fiction Yearbook Two (1989); The Penguin Book of Modern Fantasy by Women (1995); The Price of Silence (2005); The Secret History of Science Fiction (2009); The Seventh Omni Book of Science Fiction (1989); The Unbidden Truth (2004); The Wesleyan Anthology of Science Fiction (2010); The Winter Beach (1981); Those Who Can: A Science Fiction Reader (1973); Torch Song (2012); Welcome, Chaos (1983); Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang (1975); Whisper Her Name (2012); With Thimbles, With Forks, and Hope (2012); Yesterday's Tomorrows (2015).

Movies and television:

The Lookalike (1990); Out of the Unknown (1965).

Born on this day – Dana Wynter:

 

Dana Wynter

Actress

June 8, 1931 – May 5, 2011

Born on this day – James Darren:

 

James Darren

Actor

Director

June 8, 1936 – September 2, 2024

Credits:

53rd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (1984); 7 Nights to Remember (1966); Accidental Icon: The Real Gidget Story (2010); Aliens from Another Planet (1982); All the Young Men (1960); American Bandstand (1962–1977); Baffle (1974); Bandstand (1963); Battle of the Network Stars XVI (1984); Because They're Young (1960); Beverly Hills, 90210 (1996); Biography (2001); Black Sheep Squadron (1977); Celebrity Bowling Classic (1969); Celebrity Revue (1976); Celebrity Sweepstakes (1974–1977); Charlie's Angels (1977); Chooch (2003); City Beneath the Sea (1971); Dean Martin / Chevrolet Presents the Golddiggers (1972); Diagnosis Murder (1997); Diamond Head (1962); Dinah! (1976); Down to You (2000); Downey (1994); Dream Girl of '67 (1967); Elvis Forever (2002); Everybody's Talking (1967); Fantasy Island (1979–1982); For Those Who Think Young (1964); Freedom Spectacular (1964); Gidget (1959); Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961); Gidget Goes to Rome (1963); Gunman's Walk (1958); Hardball (1990); Hawaii Five-O (1978–1979); Hearts in Atlantis (2001); Here's Hollywood (1961); Hey There, It's Yogi Bear (1964); Hollywood a Go Go (1965–1966); Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The Early Years (1955-1970) (2000); Hollywood Squares (2000–2002); Hollywood: The Great Stars (1963); Honeymoon on Rhodes (1961); Hunter (1987–1991); It Takes Two (1969); It's Your Bet (1969–1973); JAG (2001); Kovacs on Music (1959); Larry King Live (2005); Let No Man Write My Epitaph (1960); Liar's Club (1969–1978); Love, American Style / Segment: Love and the Monsters (1971); Lucky (2017); Malibu U. (1967); Match Game (1974–1975); Melrose Place (1996–1999); Memories of Navarone (2000); Mooch (1974); New Dimensions (2018); Nowhere Man (1995); One Day at a Time (1983); One on One with John Tesh (1992); Operation Mad Ball (1957); P.O.P. Dance Party (1962); Pat Boone in Hollywood (1967); Pioneers of Television (2011); Plymouth Fury (1977); Police Story (1977); Police Story: Gladiator School (1988); Police Woman (1976); Portrait of a Legend (1977); Random Acts (2001); Raven (1992–1993); Renegade (1992 / 1994); Romp!!! (1968); Rumble on the Docks (1956); S.W.A.T. (1976); Sally Jessy Raphael (1991); Savannah (1996–1997); Scruples (1981); Sha Na Na (1979); Shivaree (1965); Shuttlepod Show / Podcast Series (2023); Silk Stalkings (1994–1995); Something Is Out There (1988); Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1998–1999); Star's Table (1986); Stingray (1987); Super Bloopers and Practical Jokes (1984); T.J. Hooker (1982–1986); Teen Scene (1964); Tequila and Bonetti (1992); That's Life (1979); The 31st Annual Academy Awards (1959); The 36th Annual Academy Awards (1964); The 36th Primetime Emmy Awards (1984); The 54th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (1985); The 6th Annual American Cinema Awards (1989); The A-Team (1986); The Barbara McNair Show (1969); The Best of Hollywood (2018); The Bob Braun Show (1971–1975); The Bob Hope Show (1959–1961); The Boss' Son (1978); The Brothers Rico (1957); The David Frost Show (1971); The Definitive Elvis: The Hollywood Years - Part II: 1962-1969 (2002); The Definitive Elvis: The Television Years (2002); The Dennis Wholey Show (1969); The Dick Clark Show (1959–1960); The Donna Fargo Show (1978); The Donna Reed Show (1959–1961); The Ed Sullivan Show (1961); The Fabelmans (2022); The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen (1995); The Feather and Father Gang (1977); The Flintstones (1965); The Gene Krupa Story (1959); The Greatest Night in Pop (2024); The Guns of Navarone (1961); The Hollywood Squares (Daytime) (1972–1980); The Jim Nabors Show (1978); The Jo Stafford Show (1961); The Joey Bishop Show (1967–1969); The Jonathan Winters Show (1969); The King of Queens (2004); The Lineup (1959); The Lively Set (1964); The Lives of Jenny Dolan (1975); The Lloyd Thaxton Show (1965); The Love Boat (1981); The Love Boat Fall Preview Special (1983); The Man from the 25th Century (1968); The Merv Griffin Show (1973–1986); The Mike Douglas Show (1966–1980); The Pat Boone Show (1967); The Paul Kent Show (1999); The Real Tom Kennedy Show (1970); The Rosey Grier Show (1970); The Steve Allen Plymouth Show (1959); The Tijuana Story (1957); The Time Tunnel (1966–1967); The Tonight Show (1962); The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar (1962); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1973); The Virginia Graham Show (1971); The Web (1957); The Woody Woodbury Show (1967); Turnover Smith (1980); Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963); Vaudeville (1975); Vega$ (1980); Vegas (2013); Venus in Furs (1969); Vicki! (1993); Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1966); Walker, Texas Ranger (1993); Werewolf (1987–1988); What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2018); Where the Action Is (1966); William Shatner's Get a Life! (2012); You Don't Say (1969).

Born on this day – Alan Scarfe:

Alan Scarfe

Actor

Writer

Director

June 8, 1946 – April 28, 2024

Credits:

A Gift to Last (1976); Alien Nation (1989); American Playhouse (1987); Andromeda (2004–2005); As Is (1986); Aka Albert Walker (2002); Babylon 5: The Lost Tales (2007); Back in Business (1997); Burn: The Robert Wraight Story (2003); C.A.T. Squad: Python Wolf (1988); Cathy's Curse (1977); Cathy's Daddy (2024); Columbo Cries Wolf (1990); Counterstrike (1993); Day One (1989); DEA (1990); Deserters (1983); Diamonds (1987); Divided Loyalties (1990); Double Impact (1991); Due South (1998); E.N.G. - Created by Bryce Zabel & Brad Markowitz (1990); Earthsea (2005); For the Record (1979); Gabriel's Fire (1991); Gridlock (1996); Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice (1994); Hastings Street (2007); Heart of Darkness (1994); Heritage Minutes (1993); Hide and Seek (1984); Highlander (1994); Hunter (1989); Iron Eagle II (1988); Jake and the Fatman (1990); Jericho Fever (1993); Joshua Then and Now (1985); Keeping Track (1986); Kingdom Hospital (2004); Kingsgate (1989); Labor of Love (1987); Lethal Weapon 3 (1992); Lock Up (1984); MacGyver (1990); Mimi & Me (1991); Murder by Phone (1982); Mysterious Island (1995); Night Heat (1987); NYPD Blue (1993); Once a Thief (1996); One Life to Live (1968–2013); Overnight (1986); Pajama Tops (1983); Quantum Leap (1991); Reasonable Doubts (1991); Sanctuary (1998); SeaQuest 2032 (1993); Seeing Things (1984); Seven Days (1998–2001); Silence (1997); Star Trek: The Next Generation (1991–1993); Star Trek: Voyager (1995); Stargate: Atlantis (2004); Street Justice (1987); Tales from the Darkside (1986); The Bay Boy (1984); The Bitter Ash (1963); The Burning Zone (1997); The Execution of Raymond Graham (1985); The Great Detective (1981); The Hamster Cage (2005); The Lazarus Man (1996); The Littlest Hobo (1984); The Outer Limits (1997–1998); The Owl (1991); The Portrait (1992); The Ray Bradbury Theater (1986–1989); The Wars (1982); The Wrong Guy (1997); Tour of Duty (1989–1990); Trick or Treasure (1990); Viper (1994); Will There Really Be a Morning? (1983); Without Warning (1994).

On this day in television history - Justified (2010)

Justified
Season 1. Episode 13.

Episode entitled: Bulletville.

Released June 8, 2010.

Directed by Adam Arkin.

Written by Graham Yost, Fred Golan, Wendy Calhoun and Chris Provenzano.

Based on the short story Fire in the Hole by Elmore Leonard.

Music by Steve Porcaro.

Cast:

Timothy Olyphant, Nick Searcy, Joelle Carter, Jacob Pitts, Erica Tazel, Natalie Zea, Raymond J. Barry, Alexandra Barreto, M.C. Gainey, Omar Avila, David Meunier, Ray Porter, Walton Goggins, John Lee Ames, Mark Elias, Charlie Paulson, Anthony De Longis.

 

On this day in music history - The album Paradise and Lunch, by Ry Cooder (1974)

Paradise and Lunch

by Ry Cooder

was released on June 8, 1974.

Track list:

Tamp ‘Em Up Solid; Tattler; Married A Man’s A Fool; Jesus On The Mainline; It’s All Over Now; Fool For A Cigarette / Feelin’ Good; If Walls Could Talk; Mexican Divorce; Ditty Wah Ditty.

On this day in music history - The album Dark Hope, by Renée Fleming (2010)

Dark Hope

by Renée Fleming

was released on June 8, 2010.

Track list:

Endlessly; No One’s Gonna Love You; Oxygen; Today; Intervention; With Twilight as My Guide; Mad World; In Your Eyes; Stepping Stone; Soul Meets Body; Hallelujah.