Embroideries

Embroideries 

by Marjane Satrapi

Review:

Embroideries is a quick book by Marjane Satrapi, who earned her fame writing the graphic novels Persepolis and Persepolis 2. This is a retelling of the stories overheard from the women in her family, as they gossip about the good and bad of the men in their lives. The title refers to the cosmetic surgery, "embroidery" or another means of "restoring" virginity. The artwork is simply done following Satrapi's signature black and white motif. If you have read all the Persepolis's and Chicken With Plums then you need to experience this funny, but occasionally sad story.

Mc Nally Jackson Books

*I was in the city the other day and stumbled upon a book store that I thought was worth mentioning. Mc Nally Jackson, located on 52 Prince St. (b/t Lafayette & Mulberry). They have a slew of upcoming in-store events that are worth checking and a pretty cute cafe. 

Literary Mount Vernon

* On my last day in Baltimore, I found this map in The Basilica's gift shop and unfortunately had no time to explore, but on my next trip into this city I plan on taking this tour. This is a map of authors, poets, & editors who sojourned in Baltimore's cultural hub. Look for a map called Literary Mount Vernon and get ready to walk!

One Story: "Bar Joke, Arizona"

"Bar Joke, Arizona"

by Sam Allingham

Review:

I’ve been submerging myself with a wonderful source of short fiction: One Story. A non-profit literary magazine, One Story publishes one story at a time in a print format small enough to fit into a small bag or purse. I often find myself toting them around on a train or bus ride. The stories are between 3,000 and 8,000 words long, and so most can be read in one sitting. I have yet to need more than one sitting to complete a story. I have to admit, I'm not a subscriber, but already I’ve enjoyed stories ranging from the strangely hilarious “Bar Joke, Arizona” by Sam Allingham to Owen Hill's "The Cure". Subscription and submission information can be found at the One Story website as well as other great features including interviews with writers, news of reading events, and reader discussions. Enjoy!

The Dirty Goat 16

The Dirty Goat 16

edited by Elzbieta Szoka and Joe W. Bratcher III

Review:

This is a collection of contemporary European literature from around the world. The selections featured are poetry, drama, visual art, prose, and essays in this 173 page tome. A majority of the works are in their native language with a translation on the opposite page. I really enjoyed the visual art from Mexico's Jaime Vargas and the essay from Germany's Brigitte Kronauer entitled "The TwoFaced Poet". Check out The Dirty Goat website if you are interested in reading a few excerpts from this issue or any back/ current publications. It is published biannually in January and September and always offers mixed genres of art.

Pen America

PEN America, A Journal for Writers and Readers ISSUE 7: WORLD VOICES Editor: M Mark Review: This 205 page book is published by PEN American Center, an affiliate of International PEN, the worldwide association of writers working to advance literature and defend free expression. This is a collection of writing taken from the 2006 World Voices festival, April 25-30. The work consists of many genres, including events, conversations, poetry and art. With so many international authors in one anthology, it is hard to keep track of who I want to further read, so I made a list.  Favorite Authors : Antonio Munoz Molina Elif Shafak Shan Sa Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Ryszard Kapuscinski Michael Ondaatje Hanan Al-Shaykh Overall, a beautiful collection and if you get a chance check out the PEN site for more information about upcoming readings and publications.

ZZ Packer

* On Thursday, August 28th, author ZZ Packer introduced New Stories from the South: The Year's Best, 2008 at the Housing Works Bookstore on 126 Crosby Street (one block east of Broadway between Houston and Prince). It was really a delightful evening filled with three readings from the anthology followed by Packer signing purchased copies of the book. A local Southern restaurant sold delicious craw fish cheesecake and bread pudding, that participants noshed on while waiting for the event to take off. There was a very difficult trivia contest based on Southern writers and door prizes for the most correct answers. Overall, aside from the political rants about how great Obama is and how everyone can't wait to get home to hear his speech, the night was well worth the $5 donation for Housing Works.  

Tin House, Volume 8, Number 2

Tin House: Winter Reading (Tin House)

by Antony Doerr, Stephen Elliott, Stuart Dybek, and Anthony Swofford

Review:

This magazine is 224 pages of fiction, new voice-fiction, poetry, new voice-poetry, interviews, and essays/features from the January 5, 2007 issue. In the Editor's Note, "writers are considered public intellectuals", and believe me, this issue is full of clever political debates. There are a few pieces worth a second read in this magazine and some not even worth the time of day. I think Healthy Start by Etgar Keret and Steve Almond's Condifreaks Speak are the best in the collection. On Sholem Asch's Three Cities by Aaron Hamburger is witty and Where I Slept by Stephen Elliott is simultaneously sad and odd. Overall, a surprising mix of modern literature and reflections on classic authors.

Tin House, Volume 8, Number 1

Tin House: Graphic Issue (Tin House Magazine) 

by Win McCormack, Rob Spillman, Lee Montgomery, and Holly MacArthur

Review:

This magazine is 216 pages of fiction, excerpts from graphic novels/memoirs, poetry, interviews, and features/essays from the October 4, 2006 issue. In the Editor's Note, the question "Why have there been no great women comics artists?" is posed and the entire collection is dedicated to answering this very question. There are so many beautiful pieces in this work and I suggest you read through all to really get the full grasp of the collection. I really loved the illustrations and essay by Zak Smith, Forward from Gravity's Rainbow Illustrated. I had been meaning to pick up his version of the Pynchon masterpiece and this just pushed me towards it even more. A Graphic Essay by Lynda Barry is brilliantly done. I really love the mixture of drawing and collage that she uses and plan on checking out more of her work. Overall, a nice mix of art and literature and a must read for anyone who loves graphic novels.

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven 

by Sherman Alexie

Review:

Throughout these stories characters drink and are drunk. In the Introduction, Alexie confesses the largely autobiographical nature of these stories, but he also asserts that they really are not true. I love the epigrams that are weaved throughout the book, preparing the reader and setting the tone for what may be a nightmarish ride. The male characters are tragic and complex with a longing to be warriors in a modern Indian world. Overall, a great blend of Indian history, culture and modern realism. 

My top five favorite stories:

1. Every Little Hurricane
   
2. All I Wanted To Do Was Dance
   
3. Flight
   
4. A Drug Called Tradition
   
5. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven
   

Max Gross @ Barnes & Noble

Check out The New York Post reporters book of advice for Jewish guys on the make. 

8/12 at 7:30, Barnes and Noble, 396 Sixth Ave., at 8th St.

From Schlub to Stud: 

How to Embrace Your Inner Mensch and Conquer the Big City

by Max Gross

Max Gross is a staff reporter for The New York Post, where his article "Schlub You the Right Way" was published. His occasional column "The Hapless Jewish Writer" appears in The Forward. He lives in Queens, New York.

Sana Krasikov @ Barnes & Noble

Who is Sana Krasikov?

A writer born in the Ukraine and who grew up in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia and in the United States. A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, she is a recipient of an O. Henry Award and a Fulbright scholarship. Her stories have appeared in the New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, Epoch, and Zoetrope. 

Come hear her read from her debut short-story collection, One More Year on 8/12 at 7pm. 

Barnes & Noble, 2289 Broadway, at 82nd St.

Kira Salak @ The Half King

The National Geographic travel and adventure writer shares passages from her debut novel, the white mary.

August 11(7:30 start time)

The Half King Bar and Restaurant 505 W 23RD ST NEW YORK, NY

Neil Gaiman @ the 92nd St. Y

*This is pretty far in advance, but it is never too early to plan ahead for a night with Neil Gaiman. Click on the 92nd link below to visit their home page. 

The New York Times best-selling author, Neil Gaiman, discusses Sandman, the acclaimed comic book series widely considered to be one of the most original and artistically ambitious series of the modern age. Sandman is a rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are seamlessly interwoven. Gaiman is the author of children’s and adult titles including, The Graveyard Book, American Gods,Coraline,Neverwhere and Stardust. He also co-wrote the screenplay for Beowulf with Roger Avary. Chip Kidd is an author, graphic designer and editor. He is the author of the forthcoming Bat-Manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan.

	Date & Time: Sun, Nov 9, 2008, 7:30pm
	Location: Lexington Avenue at 92nd

Price: $27.00 All Sections