The Read: August 10-August 16, 2010

 

7pm, 540 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg

As part of his nationwide tour, the man behind Elephant Eater Comics, Ryan Clayor, stops at Desert Island tonight for a book signing and release party of And Then One Day #8 – Autobiographical Conversations. The little book — it's only 5 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches! — has 32 pages of all-new material that deals with topics such as the historical significance of autobiography, autobiography’s ability to make order out of life experiences, and the importance of developing secondary characters in an autobiographical work.

 

7pm, 37 Main Street, DUMBO

Meet Michele Carlo, a freckle-faced red-head Puerto Rican who grew up in the Italian 'hood of the burning Bronx. Needless to say, she often felt like an outsider. Anyone who has ever tried drugs, lost their virginity, hated their parents or just dreamt of big-city life will relate to the experiences Carlo's shares In her laugh-out-loud coming of age memoir, Fish Out of Agua. Join her tonight as she reads from the book and pays homage to a New York City of the past.

 

 

7:30pm, 126 Franklin Street, Greenpoint

If you've ever laced up a pair of running shoes, you should meet Christopher McDougall. Author, athlete, and runner-extraordinaire, McDougall has made a name for himself by changing the way we experience and enjoy running. Tonight, he'll be at WORD to share advice and read from Born to Run, an adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? Searching for an answer, McDougall set off to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners, learn their secrets, and ends up showing us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong. The event costs $25 and includes a free copy of Born to Run.

 

7:30pm, 686 Fulton Street, Fort Greene

Hanging Loose Press is one of the oldest independent publishers in Brooklyn, founded in 1966 as a literary magazine composed of mimeographed pages in an envelope. The press has published the first books of many poetry luminaries, as well as many powerful voices of the Brooklyn poetry world. Tonight a few of those acclaimed poets take the stage at Greenlight. Performers include poets Jeni Olin, Sharon Memer, and Erica Miriam Fabri, artist Ashleigh Caffey, and musician Robin Andrew. Greenlight’s own resident spoken word poet Angel Nafis will play host to the guests of honor.

 

7:30pm, 126 Franklin Street, Greenpoint

Tonight's festivities begin at WORD's store with short readings from up-and-coming authors local across all genres. Then the party moves up the street to Shayz Lounge for drinks, more readings, and a chance to meet and mingle with the authors. The event features work from Carter Edwards, Allen Houston, Joshua Malbin, Cameron Page, Weatherly Ralph, Colin Spoelman and Jack Kelley. They could be the next big literary stars, so don't miss your chance to meet them!

 

7pm, 100 North 3rd Street, Williamsburg

Author Mark Cohen kicks off the night's activities with a reading from his new book, Missing A Beat: The Rants and Regrets of Seymour Krim. In 1961, Krim published a jazzy volume of essays about Greenwich Village that garnered much praise and critical attention, but the work is excluded from all Beat anthologies and is little known outside literary circles. Cohen's book introduces the influential writer to a new generation. After his reading, Belladona Books and Dusie host a book release party for six great female authors: Cara Benson, Mairéad Byrne, Caroline Crumpacker, Susana Gardner, Eileen Myles, and Kate Zambreno.