Welcome back to Reading the City, a weekly newsletter of bookish events in and around NYC.
Some interesting poetry events this week, like the 2024 Jackson Poetry Prize Reading with Fady Joudah, or a celebration of Louise Glück, the first of Brooklyn Book Festival’s Bookend events. Téa Obreht takes part in P&T Knitwear’s generative writing series Word for Word, and Temim Fruchter, Vanessa Chan, and De'Shawn Winslow discuss the publishing process at Liz’s Book Bar. Enjoy! And please share the love with your bookish friends.
Monday, September 16
Laura Dave: The Night We Lost Him
Laura Dave (The Last Thing He Told Me) discusses her new novel The Night We Lost Him—estranged siblings discover their father has been keeping a secret for more than fifty years, one that may have been fatal—in conversation with Jean Kwok (The Leftover Woman).
$10, redeemable in-store; 7-8pm; Books Are Magic Montague, 122 Montague Street, Brooklyn, and livestreamed free
Tuesday, September 17
2024 Jackson Poetry Prize Reading
Poets & Writers hosts an evening of poetry and conversation featuring Fady Joudah, winner of the 2024 Jackson Poetry Prize, whose collection […] has been longlisted for the National Book Award, in conversation with Poetry Unbound host Pádraig Ó Tuama.
$16; 7pm; The Greene Space, 44 Charlton St, New York, and livestreamed free
Read the Room
Hosted by journalist Kathleen Squires and her husband Ronnie Rodriguez in their event space in Little Italy, the ticket includes chef-prepared food and great wine. For this installment they’re featuring readings from Michael Riedel, theater critic, WOR radio host, and author of Razzle Dazzle: The Battle For Broadway and Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway.
$50 inc. food and drink; 6.30-8.30pm; 132 Mulberry Street, No. 502, New York
Rumaan Alam: Entitlement
National Book Award finalist Rumaan Alam (Leave the World Behind) launches his new novel Entitlement—a riveting tale for our new gilded age—in conversation with Pulitzer Prize winning author Jennifer Egan.
$7.81; 7-8pm; Strand Book Store, 828 Broadway 3rd Floor, Rare Book Room, New York
Brooklyn Books & Booze
Curated by author and journalist Randee Dawn, Brooklyn Books & Booze welcomes Rob Cameron, A.C. Wise, Ed Zuckerman, and Carlos Hernandez.
Free; 7pm; Barrow’s Intense Tasting Room, 86 34th Street, Brooklyn
Wednesday, September 18
By the Book: An Author Panel for Aspiring Writers
A panel with Temim Fruchter (City of Laughter), Vanessa Chan (The Storm We Made), and De'Shawn Winslow (Decent People). The authors will discuss the publishing process and how they went from writers to authors, followed by an audience Q&A.
$12.51; 7-8pm; Liz’s Book Bar, 315 Smith Street, Brooklyn
Gary Marcus: Taming Silicon Valley
In his new book, Taming Silicon Valley: How We Can Ensure That AI Works for Us, Gary Marcus warns readers that current AI is both morally and technically inadequate—and Big Tech has effectively captured policymakers, playing both the public and the government. discusses the book and the issues with journalist Julia Angwin.
Free, with RSVP; 7-8pm; The New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, 42nd Street & 5th Avenue, New York
Xochitl Gonzalez and Claire Jiménez
Part of an ongoing collaboration between McNally Jackson and the Authors Guild Foundation to gather writers for conversations that highlight the importance of a rich, diverse literary culture and the authors who contribute to it, novelists Xochitl Gonzalez (Anita de Monte Laughs Last) and Claire Jiménez (What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez) discuss the greatest of themes—family, love, death, art, ghosts, and New York City.
$5 redeemable in-store, RSVP required; 7pm; McNally Jackson Seaport, 4 Fulton St, New York
Open Book
A literary open mic hosted by Becka Olson and Writing Under the Influence. Signup starts at 7pm, readings start at 8pm.
Free; 8pm; Fiction Cafe & Cocktail Bar, 308 Hooper St, Brooklyn
Rough Draft
This community series—hosted by Craft & Release, a creative hub from writer Glynn Pogue and filmmaker Nneka Julia—provides a generative space to write alongside like-minded individuals and receive constructive peer feedback. RSVP required and only 50 spots available.
Free; 5-8pm; Commune, 415 Classon Avenue, Brooklyn
Thursday, September 19
Pete’s Reading Series
Brooklyn’s longest-running reading series returns for another season, with hosts Temim Fruchter (City of Laughter) and Brian Gresko. Their opening lineup includes Gabriella Burnham (Wait), Xochitl Gonzalez (Anita de Monte Laughs Last), Lisa Ko (Memory Piece), and Nicole Treska (Wonderland).
Free; 7.30pm; Pete’s Candy Store, 709 Lorimer St, Brooklyn
The New Salon: Alok Sama in Conversation with Jonathan Safran Foer
Alok Sama celebrates the launch of The Money Trap: Lost Illusions Inside the Tech Bubble—a fascinating and humorous saga providing a unique insider perspective on the insanity of high finance and venture investing—in conversation with Jonathan Safran Foer (Everything Is Illuminated). A reception will follow.
Free, RSVP required; 7pm; Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House, 58 West 10th Street, New York
Turning Human Beings into Characters, with Rax King and Lilly Dancyger
Join authors Rax King (Tacky) and (First Love) for a discussion on bringing real people to life as characters in personal writing, followed by a book signing and reception.
Free; 6.30-8pm; Lofty Pigeon Books, 743 Church Avenue Brooklyn
Emily Witt: Health and Safety: A Breakdown
From the New Yorker staff writer Emily Witt (Future Sex) comes Health and Safety: A Breakdown—a memoir about drugs, techno, and New York City. Emily is joined in conversation by Lisa Lucas, the former Publisher of Pantheon and Schocken Books at Penguin Random House.
$5 redeemable in-store, RSVP required; 6.30pm; McNally Jackson Seaport, 4 Fulton St, New York
Brigid Schulte: Over Work: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life
Brigid Schulte launches Over Work, the follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time. Schulte delivers a deeply reported exploration of why American work isn’t working and how our lives can be made more meaningful. Joining her is labor journalist Hamilton Nolan (The Hammer).
Free; 7.30pm; Greenlight bookstore, 686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn
Friday, September 20
Clement Goldberg: New Mistakes
Join Dopamine Books author Clement Goldberg as they read from their debut novel, New Mistakes, and discuss cats, plants, aliens, love, sex and art with Detransition, Baby author Torrey Peters. Hosted by publisher and author Michelle Tea.
Free; 7pm; Bureau of General Services—Queer Division, room 210 of The LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13th St., New York
Saturday, September 21
Lyrics, Lit & Liquor
Music, literature, and trivia in the backyard, featuring readings from Paula Bomer (The Stalker, forthcoming), Juliet Fletcher, and Hannah Burns, with music from Mary-Elaine Jenkins and Hyllus, and trivia by Amy Dupcak. Hosted by Amanda Miller.
Free; 5pm; 399 Rugby Road, Brooklyn
Sunday, September 22
Literary Saloon
The Literary Saloon, hosted by Wesley Straton (The Bartender’s Cure), is a mixed-genre reading series, evoking a “Sunday-evening-at-the-bar-with-my-friends vibe.” This month it features Chanice Hughes-Greenberg, Helen Phillips (Hum), Cherry Lou Sy (Love Can’t Feed You), and Ledia Xhoga.
Free, but drink purchases from their Café & Bar are requested; 5pm; The Center for Fiction, 15 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn
Word for Word: Téa Obreht
At Word for Word, a contemporary author reads different scenes from recent work, then attendees are given time to write something of your own inspired by the reading. For September, they’re joined by Téa Obreht (The Tiger’s Wife), who’ll be reading from her new novel, The Morningside. The evening ends with optional time to share what you’ve written, a conversation, and Q+A.
$20, redeemable in store; 5-7pm; P&T Knitwear, 180 Orchard Street, New York
BKBF: Louise Glück: A Celebration
Celebrate the life and work of Nobel Prize-winning poet Louise Glück with fellow writers, colleagues, and friends gathering to read her work and reminisce. Featuring readings from Henri Cole, Kathryn Davis, Elisa Gonzalez, Langdon Hammer, Dana Levin, Sandra Lim, Katie Peterson, Claudia Rankine, Peter Streckfus, and moderator Jonathan Galassi.
Free, but seating is limited; 5-6.30pm; St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church, 157 Montague Street, Brooklyn
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!