Once again,  actor, director and travel writer Andrew McCarthy is traveling the country, as he did in his new book, Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America. This trip was to discuss and promote that book. An Evening with Andrew McCarthy was presented by The Book Stall and held at Winnetka Chapel, about 15 minutes from my home.

Prior to the event we found American fusion restaurant Stacked and Folded. The turkey with brie cheese, Granny Smith apple slices and cranberry aioli on walnut raisin bread was delicious and light.

An hour prior to starting, the book event already had a line. Fortunately, since we are always early, we got seats in the second row and settled in for the presentation. The night started with McCarthy answering and expounding on questions from a moderator. After about 45 minutes, McCarthy took several questions from the crowd. McCarthy told a few stories he previously told me in Talking Travel with Andrew McCarthy.

At the conclusion, everyone met McCarthy to get a book signed. As I approached McCarthy, he greeted me warmly, knowing me from a few interviews. We briefly chatted, but I did not want to linger due to the large crowd.

The night was very well-organized. Despite a crowd that overflowed out of the chapel, the book-signing portion went smoothly and quickly while still providing a special personal moment with McCarthy.

I read Who Needs Friends over the weekend. Slightly younger than McCarthy, I thought about my male friendships. I am fortunate to have a solid circle of friends. My oldest friendship dates back more than 50 years. Most of my other male friendships go back about 30 years. Even my newest friendship started more than a decade ago. Who Needs Friends is thought-provoking, but it made me feel good about my friendships.

— John Wroblewski, podcaster