116. Reading the City
February 23 to March 1
Welcome back to Reading the City, a weekly newsletter of bookish events in NYC.
This week, I’m pretty excited about book launches from Lauren Groff and Tayari Jones, there’s also a great lineup of storytellers at House of Speakeasy’s Seriously Entertaining, and, for paid subscribers, scroll down to this month’s bumper Booking Ahead section.
As ever, get in touch with events I should have on my radar (details on how to submit are here), and please share the love with your bookish friends!
Monday, February 23
LAUNCH | BOMB’s Winter 2026 Issue Party
A celebration of BOMB’s winter issue to toast contributors and mingle. Featuring grotesque portraits to take home by comic contributor Daniel Giachetti.
Free for BOMB members with complimentary drinks, or $20, including a copy and one drink; 7.30-10pm; Grimm Artisanal Ales, 990 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn
LAUNCH | Saara El-Arifi: Cleopatra
Saara El-Arifi (The Final Strife) discusses her new novel Cleopatra—Cleopatra tells her own story in this evocative and sensuous historical epic—in conversation with Chloe Gong (of the Secret Shanghai novels).
$10; 7-8pm; Strand Book Store, 828 Broadway 3rd Floor, Rare Book Room, Manhattan
SERIES | Wine & Pine
An evening with four love and romance writers: E.M. Gallagher (Ugh. Anyway...), Elle Gonzalez Rose (Marisol Acts the Part), Lana Schwartz (Set Piece), and Zakiya N. Jamal (Sparks Fly). Hosted by Rachel A.G. Gilman with baked goods and a raffle.
Free; 7.30-9.30pm; Ten Degrees Bar, 121 St. Marks Place, Manhattan
Tuesday, February 24
LAUNCH | Lauren Groff: Brawler
Lauren Groff (Florida) celebrates the launch of Brawler—from a master of the short story, “this audacious collection surprises readers with the vivid lives few of us notice” (Kirkus)—in conversation with Adam Dalva, the President of the National Book Critics Circle.
$10.89; 7-8pm; St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church, 157 Montague Street, Brooklyn, and livestreamed free
STORYTELLING | House of SpeakEasy presents Seriously Entertaining
Seriously Entertaining, House of SpeakEasy’s literary cabaret series, brings storytellers together for this month’s theme, “It’s Not Me, It’s You.” Featured writers include Andrés Cerpa (The Palace), Gabrielle Hamilton (Next of Kin), “Modern Love” editor Daniel Jones, and Paul Muldoon (Joy in Service on Rue Tagore) sharing stories of conflict, clarity, and the moment they realized they weren’t the problem. Co-hosted by Ava Chin and Alison Davis Curry.
From $18; doors 6pm; Joe’s Pub, The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street, Manhattan
LAUNCH | Kenan Orhan: The Renovation
Kenan Orhan (I Am My Country: And Other Stories) celebrates his debut novel, The Renovation—a woman discovers that her bathroom has been remodeled into a prison cell—where she is an unlikely inmate—in this surreal novel of exile, grief, memory, and migration. In conversation with Zain Khalid (Brother Alive).
$10; 6.30-8pm; P&T Knitwear, 180 Orchard Street, Manhattan
Wednesday, February 25
TALK | Hunter’s Distinguished Writers Series: Susan Choi
Hunter College’s MFA in Creative Writing program invites you to an evening with Susan Choi (Flashlight) in conversation with Andrew Beasley, with introductions by program director Adam Haslett. Reception to follow. Open to the public.
Free, RSVP required; 6.30pm; Hunter College, Roosevelt House, 47-49 East 65th Street, Manhattan
SALON | Ditmas Lit
With Brendan C. Byrne (Another World Isn’t Possible), Ilise S. Carter (When We Spoke to the Dead: How Ghosts Gave American Women Their Voice), Jonathan Dixon (Convergence), and Nhu An Do, with host Sarah Bridgins and guest co-host Colin Dickey (Under the Eye of Power: How Fear of Secret Societies Shapes American Democracy).
Free, RSVP required; 7.30pm; The Urbane Arts Club, 1016 Beverley Road, Brooklyn
LAUNCH | Elizabeth Day: One of Us
Host of the podcast How To Fail Elizabeth Day (The Party) discusses her new novel One of Us—when Fliss, the eccentric grown daughter of the powerful Fitzmaurice clan, is found dead on beach in Bali, what seems like a tragic accident stirs more suspicion than closure for those who’ve traded favors with her family for decades—in conversation with Coco Mellors (Blue Sisters).
$10; 7-8pm; Strand Book Store, 828 Broadway 3rd Floor, Rare Book Room, Manhattan
Thursday, February 26
LAUNCH | Tayari Jones discusses Kin, a Poured Over Podcast Taping
Tayari Jones (An American Marriage) discusses Kin—this unforgettable novel sparkles with wit and intelligence and deep feeling, following two lifelong friends whose worlds converge after many years apart in the face of a devastating tragedy—in conversation with cohost of B&N’s Poured Over podcast Miwa Messer.
$38.62, including book; 6pm; Barnes & Noble Union Square, 33 East 17th Street, Manhattan
LAUNCH | Namwali Serpell: On Morrison
Namwali Serpell (Stranger Faces) presents On Morrison—an illuminating, electrifying exploration of the work of Toni Morrison by an award-winning novelist and Harvard professor—in conversation with Vinson Cunningham (Great Expectations).
$10, with $5 voucher redeemable in McNally Jackson; 7pm; Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square S, Manhattan
SALON | NYU Fiction New Salon: Emily Nemens & Stephanie Wambugu
An NYU Creative Writing Program reading with Emily Nemens (Clutch) and Stephanie Wambugu (Lonely Crowds), followed by a conversation/Q&A with NYU faculty member Darin Strauss (Half a Life). The event will conclude with a reception/signing.
Free, registration required; 7-9pm, Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House, 58 West 10th Street, Manhattan
Friday, February 27
LAUNCH | Ada Calhoun: Crush
Ada Calhoun (Also a Poet) celebrates the paperback launch of Crush—when a husband asks his wife to consider what might be missing from their marriage, what follows surprises them both—in conversation with Jason Zinoman.
$10; 7-8pm; Strand Book Store, 828 Broadway 3rd Floor, Rare Book Room, Manhattan
Saturday, February 28
SERIES | Queens Reading Series: Desire Notes Reading Salon
The 3rd iteration of the Queens Reading Series: Desire Notes. Taking inspiration from Anne Carson, Lauren Berlant, and Amia Srinivasan, this event curates conversation between four writers who have written on desire and its transformative properties. Readers are: @Stine An (S_MMER CR_SH), Christina McCausland, Jasmin Sandelson (My Girls: The Power of Friendship in a Poor Neighborhood), and Mia Arias Tsang (Fragments of Wasted Devotion). Afterparty will be at JIA BAR (sponsored by FEELD). All proceeds will go towards Community Aid Network MN / immigration legal help.
Free, $10, suggested donation; 7-8pm; The World’s Borough Bookshop, 3406 73rd St., Jackson Heights, Queens