Recently I was at Powell’s to hear author Chris Bohjalian read from his newest book, The Light in the Ruins. Little did I know the reading would be the least of the entertainment, because Bohjalian is an accomplished raconteur with an ease that makes you feel as if you were in his home and he was entertaining. Not hyped up, but welcoming and gracious. After thanking us from ... Read More...
Powell’s Event: Peter Rock
Last week I reviewed the The Shelter Cycle, the newest book from Portland author, Peter Rock, and got to attend a reading of the book at Powell’s. It was the second author event I attended where the writer is also a teacher and it makes for a unique evening. To begin with, there are often a lot of students in the crowd—especially for Rock who teaches at a local private ... Read More...
Powell’s Event: Adam Braver
Last night Adam Braver was at Powell’s to read from his newest novel Misfit (which I reviewed here- shameless plug but people, readers aren’t that easy to come by). While it was not the mad crush of the Jenny Lawson event the week before it was, for me, better because it was an author thoughtfully discussing his work. Don’t get me wrong, Lawson is wildly ... Read More...
Powell’s Event: Jenny Lawson
Earlier this week I went to Powell’s to hear Jenny Lawson (aka The Bloggess) read from her memoir Let’s Pretend This Never Happened. I reviewed the book back in April but as I don’t read her blog (gasp!) I had lost track of how it did. Silly me not to know that Lawson has captured the cultural zeitgeist of our times or to put it more succinctly: bring me your OCD, freaked out, ... Read More...
Author Reading: Claire McMillan
On Thursday I attended a reading at Powell’s by Claire McMillan of her debut novel Gilded Age. The event was a happy confluence of author reading and college reunion, as McMillan went to school at the University of Oregon. It gave the evening a convivial feel not always found at readings. Not that they’re ever drama laced events but, depending on the author, the feel can ... Read More...
Author Reading: Leni Zumas
Recently, I was at Powell’s to hear Leni Zumas give a reading from her debut novel The Listeners. This is the first time I’ve met an author whose work I reviewed. I had been told to get there early as seats fill up quickly. I arrived at and found an empty room. By 7:15 I was panicking for Ms. Zumas as there were only 3 people including myself. I knew at that point I could ... Read More...
