Author Louise Erdrich found inspiration while writing her latest novel, “The Mighty Red,” in the form of an injured crow, rescued by her daughter Pallas.

“Today” host Jenna Bush Hager chose Erdrich’s new New York Times bestseller as her book club selection for October. And in a recent interview on the NBC morning show, Erdrich shared the story of how the bird, Kismet, inspired the name of the novel’s main character, a young Ojibwe woman caught in a love triangle.

As Pallas brought the bird back to health, it displayed an “amazing personality,” Erdrich said. She said her daughter formed what she described as an “incredible bond” with the creature, as illustrated by Erdrich’s videos and photos of the bird riding on her shoulder and on their German shepherd’s back.

The bird’s family stuck close by, Erdrich said, and even brought Pallas gifts. After it healed, the winged inspiration rejoined its flock.

Gere plans to move family to Europe: “Pretty Woman” actor Richard Gere has sold his $11 million mansion in New Canaan, Connecticut, and plans to move to Spain.

Gere, 75, bought the home for $10.8 million from singer-songwriters Paul Simon and Edie Brickell in 2022.

Gere lived on the 32-acre property with his wife, Alejandra Silva. The couple, who wed in 2018, plan to move to Madrid to be closer to Silva’s parents. He had planned to turn the Connecticut homestead into a farm.

The “Primal Fear” actor said previously that the family, including sons Alexander, 5, and James, 4, wanted to be closer to Silva’s relatives in her native country.

“She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers,” Gere said. “It is a beautiful place, the food is extraordinary, and the people exude sensitivity and generosity, as well as a strong will to laugh and enjoy. So I’m looking forward to going there.”

‘Oz’ ruby slippers up for auction: A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” is on the auction block nearly two decades after a thief stole the iconic shoes, convinced they were adorned with real jewels.

Online bidding has started and will continue through Dec. 7, Heritage Auctions in Dallas announced in a news release this week.

The auction company received the sequin-and-bead-bedazzled slippers from Michael Shaw, the memorabilia collector who originally owned the footwear at the heart of the beloved 1939 musical. Shaw had lended the shoes in 2005 to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

That summer, someone smashed through a display case and stole the slippers. Their whereabouts remained a mystery until the FBI recovered them in 2018. Now the museum is among those vying for the slippers, which were one of several pairs Garland wore during the filming. Only four remain.

Nov. 9 birthdays: Actor Robert David Hall is 76. Actor Lou Ferrigno is 73. Singer Donnie McClurkin is 65. Rapper Pepa is 60. Musician Susan Tedeschi is 54. Actor Jason Antoon is 53. Actor Eric Dane is 52. Singer Nick Lachey is 51. Bassist Barry Knox is 47. Singer Sisqó is 46. Actor Emily Tyra is 37. Actor Nikki Blonsky is 36.