Welcome back to Reading the City, a weekly newsletter of bookish events in and around NYC.
This week, Betsy Lerner chats to friend and collaborator Patti Smith about her debut novel; Electric Literature holds its annual masquerade party; and, for a dreamy poetic jaunt, join Emily Wilson as she reads from The Iliad on a sunset cruise down the Hudson!
As ever, send feedback, send help, send events I should have on my radar, say hi! And please share the love with your bookish friends.
Monday, October 14
Franklin Park Reading Series
This month, long-running Franklin Park features Tony Tulathimutte (Rejection), Lilliam Rivera (Tiny Threads), Nicole Treska (Wonderland), Nina St. Pierre (Love Is a Burning Thing), and Kiran Bath (Instructions for Banno) sharing newly released fiction, poetry, and memoir. Hosted by founder Penina Roth, expect drink specials and a raffle for the readers' latest books.
Free; 8-10pm; 766 Franklin Avenue, 618 St Johns Pl, Brooklyn
Gillian Anderson: Want
I wouldn’t usually include a celebrity book, but it’s Gillian Anderson so I’m making an exception, especially for this: Want is a collection of confessions from women around the world, which asks, and answers: How do women feel about sex when they have the freedom to be totally anonymous? (So far my favorite entry is a one liner about Pedro Pascal.)
$34.04, including book; 6pm; Barnes & Noble, Union Square, 33 East 17th Street, New York
Tuesday, October 15
Hernan Diaz: In the Distance
Pulitzer Prize–winning author Hernan Diaz (Trust) discusses his first novel, In the Distance (now re-released), a blisteringly intelligent story of a young Swedish boy, separated from his brother, who becomes a legend and an outlaw.
Free, registration required; 6-7pm; Brooklyn Public Library - Brooklyn Heights Branch, 286 Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn
Bill Adair: Beyond the Big Lie
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bill Adair discusses his newest book, Beyond the Big Lie—an eye-opening and engaging history of political liars and a vision for how to make them stop—in conversation with David Folkenflik of NPR.
$5, redeemable in store; 7pm; P&T Knitwear, 180 Orchard Street, New York
The Palace Reading Series
Hosted by Rita Puskas and Marisa Cadena at the Greenpoint Palace, with drink specials all night, this month features , , Sofia Wolfson, and Anuja Varghese (Chrysalis).
Free; 7-9pm; The Greenpoint Palace, 206 Nassau Avenue, Brooklyn
Wednesday, October 16
Betsy Lerner presents Shred Sisters, with Patti Smith and Chloé Cooper Jones
This is a mega event: To celebrate the launch of her debut novel Shred Sisters, Betsy Lerner (The Bridge Ladies) is joined by Patti Smith (Just Kids) for a conversation about their 27-year collaboration including process, writing, memoir, poetry and life. Moderated by Chloé Cooper Jones (Easy Beauty).
$28, including book; doors 6pm; Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square S., New York
An Evening of Short Stories
Books Are Magic presents an evening of celebrating the art of the short story, with some of the genre's newest voices, including: Vincent Anioke (Perfect Little Angels); Janelle Bassett (Thanks for This Riot); Gina Chung (Green Frog); Nicole Haroutunian (Choose This Now); Ananda Lima (Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil); Shannon Robinson (The Ill-Fitting Skin); Amy Stuber (Sad Grownups); and Lena Valencia (Mystery Lights).
Free, with RSVP; 7-8pm; Wild East Brewing Co., 623 Sackett Street, Brooklyn
Susan Minot and Lorrie Moore on Love and Not Letting Go
An evening to celebrate Don't Be A Stranger by Susan Minot and I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore, recently out in paperback. These longtime friends will discuss their recent work, focusing on the theme of “love and not letting go.” The evening will be moderated by Emmeline Clein (Toxic).
$5 redeemable in-store, RSVP required; 7pm; McNally Jackson Seaport, 4 Fulton St, New York
Open Book 3 Year Anniversary: Prom Night
Becka Olson’s literary open mic celebrates its 3rd birthday with a prom-themed night of readings. Happy hour from 5-7pm. Formalwear not required but definitely encouraged! Stay late for a prom party with music, photobooth, and a special announcement.
Free; signup from 7pm, readings 8pm; Fiction Cafe & Cocktail Bar, 308 Hooper St, Brooklyn
Sophie Saint Thomas: Reproductive Rites
Sophie Saint Thomas (Weed Witch) celebrates the launch of Reproductive Rites: The Real-Life Witches and Witch Hunts in the Centuries-Long Fight for Abortion in conversation with human rights researcher Synclaire Warren.
Free; 6-8pm; Bluestockings Cooperative Bookstore, 116 Suffolk Street, New York
Attica Locke: Guide Me Home
Attica Locke (Bluebird, Bluebird) celebrates the release of her new novel, Guide Me Home, the culmination of her award-winning Highway 59 trilogy, set three years after the events of Heaven, My Home. Locke will be joined by Gabriel Bump (Everywhere You Don’t Belong) to discuss how their respective novels bend traditional genre conventions and the art of imbuing fiction with social commentary and political themes.
$10; 7-8.15pm; The Center for Fiction, 15 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, and livestreamed
Thursday, October 17
Pete’s Reading Series
Readers include (First Love), Lucas Mann (Attachments), Tracy O’Neill (Woman of Interest), and Hyeseung Song (Docile), hosted by Temim Fruchter (City of Laughter) and Brian Gresko.
Free; 7.30pm; Pete’s Candy Store, 709 Lorimer St, Brooklyn
Nikkya Hargrove: Mama
Nikkya Hargrove launches Mama: A Queer Black Woman’s Story of a Family Lost and Found—in this memoir, a young Black queer woman fresh out of college adopts her baby brother after their incarcerated mother dies, determined to create the kind of family she never had. Nikkya is joined by multi-hyphenated artist Grace Porter.
$5 (free community tickets available); 7pm; Cafe Con Libros, 724 Prospect Pl, Brooklyn
Open House at the Brooklyn Book Bodega Book Hub!
The Brooklyn Book Bodega is a nonprofit working to improve childhood literacy by helping kids build up their own libraries, through book giveaways and community events. That’s all awesome, and if you want to meet the team and learn more about the organization, they’re hosting an open house at their HQ with light refreshments. All ages welcome. (NB. This is an informational event rather than a book giveaway.)
Free; 5-7pm; Brooklyn Book Bodega, 141 Flushing Avenue Suite 407 Brooklyn
Friday, October 18
The Masquerade of the Neon Death
This annual literary masquerade supports nonprofit publisher Electric Literature, this year in celebration of their 15th birthday. Authors Emma Copley Eisenberg (Housemates), Vanessa Chan (The Storm We Made), Deesha Philyaw (The Secret Lives of Church Ladies), and Clare Sestanovich (Ask Me Again), along with EL’s editors, host an evening of drinks and dancing for all book lovers, writers, readers, and their kin. Ticket price includes an open bar, free books and masks, a photobooth, and more!
From $65.74; 8-11pm, Littlefield, 635 Sackett Street, Brooklyn
Epic Voices: A Voyage on the Hudson
A sunset ferry cruise down the Hudson River with readings from Emily Wilson’s translation of the The Iliad by poets Nick Flynn (Low), Eugenia Leigh (Bianca), Natalie Shapero (Popular Longing), and Emily Wilson herself. Reception to follow in the Margo Viscusi Reading Room of Poets House.
From $100; 5.45pm; Brookfield Place Terminal
Saturday, October 19
Greenlight 15th Anniversary Celebration
Greenlight Bookstore celebrates 15 years of independent bookselling by offering a storewide 15% discount by way of thanks to its customers! Festive decorations, new merch, and giveaways too.
Free; October 19 to 20, 10am-10pm; Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn
Sunday, October 20
Sunday Salon
The next Sunday Salon welcomes Charles Bock (I Will Do Better), Ananda Lima (Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil), Hyeseung Song (Docile), and Kristin Vukovich (The Cheesemaker's Daughter), with Wilbert Turner III and Carissa Chesanek as hosts, and DJ DubSix to set the vibe.
Free; 5-7pm; Von Bar, 3 Bleecker Street, New York
Wesley Stace's Cabinet of Wonders
A long-running variety show, is sounds like a fun mash up of vaudeville and comedy, with a bit of the literary thrown in. The lineup includes writers Michele Filgate (What My Mother and I Don't Talk About) and Seth Rogovoy (Bob Dylan: Prophet Mystic Poet); musicians Sadie DuPuis (Speedy Ortiz), Freedy Johnston, Walter Salas-Humara (The Silos), and Josh Rouse, and comedians Dave Hill, and Kenice Mobley, and artist Michael Arthur.
From $30; 7.30pm; City Winery NYC, 25 11th Avenue (Pier 57), New York
Booking Ahead…
October 23rd: Read the Room
Kathleen Squires and Ronnie Rodriguez are hosting a special reading at their culinary salon in Little Italy, themed on coming-of-age stories—timed for the launch of my debut novel, Amphibian! I’ll be reading along with Lilly Dancyger (First Love), Hyeseung Song (Docile), Glynn Pogue, and Melinda Hansen. The ticket includes chef-prepared food and an assortment of always excellent wine and other drinks.
$50; 6.30-8.30pm; 132 Mulberry Street, No. 502, New York
NB. Please check all details before attending, the fact checker went awol.
I’m a Brooklyn-based journalist and author. My debut novel Amphibian is forthcoming from Ig on October 22, Virago (UK), and dtv (Germany). My first book, No Way Home: A Memoir of Life on the Run (St. Martin’s Press, 2018) followed my childhood as the daughter of an international pot smuggler and federal fugitive. I’m here and here on Instagram. Get in touch with any bookish events you’d like me to include!