Melvyn Bragg's central thesis is right and it is one the book festival demonstrates every summer: ideas drive the world forwards and ideas are most beautifully, powerfully and resonantly contained in books.

I'm flabbergasted that the Rushdie wasn't on the list,

I'm flabbergasted that the Rushdie wasn't on the list.

Some of the ideas here might not strike you as particularly Italian. And you'd be right. Remember, we are ... Italian-Americans. We live here, just like many of you, and we can't help but be swayed and inspired by homegrown practices.

Right now we really are in an extended brainstorm session. There are no bad ideas.

These are just ideas right now. We need to have a lot more discussion.