Fulfilling Promises: Sherri Winston discussed her writing process at AADL

Mon, 03/05/2018 - 3:00pm by christopherporter

“You’re like family now because the weather has conspired against us.” --Sherri Winston

If you want to attend an intimate author event, attend one during a snow (slush?) storm that follows an unseasonably warm day. On Thursday, March 1, middle-grade author Sherri Winston talked about her latest projects and her process at the Ann Arbor District Library.

Asking to Be Written: Robin Coste Lewis at UMMA

Thu, 03/01/2018 - 1:00pm by christopherporter

When the first poem in a book is titled “Plantation,” you should probably just go ahead, pour yourself a drink, sit somewhere quiet, and prepare to be transported.

I suppose you should expect to be transported, too, by a book called Voyage of the Sable Venus, especially since it won the National Book Award for Poetry.

March 2018 Author and Book Events

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 7:15am by christopherporter

What does having an amazing university, a plethora of fantastic local independent bookstores, and a pretty slam-bang public library system (if we do say so ourselves) bring to a town?

Authors. Lots and lots of authors.

Jagged Paths: Morgan Jerkins at Literati

Wed, 02/21/2018 - 10:30am by christopherporter

I accidentally purchased two copies of Morgan Jerkins' This Will Be My Undoing. I bought one copy the day it came out and the second copy, a digital one when I mislaid the first, because I simply couldn’t wait to read more. She writes about things I have thought about but don’t think I’m brave enough to put on paper. It seems important to her that she writes openly. “Hey, I’m messy," she said at her Feb. 16 reading at Literati.

I first found out about Morgan Jerkins from a post on Electric Lit, “46 Books By Women of Color to Read in 2018.” The book's cover drew me in: Jerkins in profile looking skyward, her long braids trailing down her back as if she is outside enjoying a kiss from the sun upon her face.

Life, Stories: U-M's 4th annual W. M. Trotter Lecture focused on trans lives

Mon, 02/19/2018 - 9:00am by christopherporter

I think that the first time I heard Janet Mock was on the Another Round podcast. She charmed me right away. I loved her passion and the way that she told her story. So, when I heard she was going to speak on Feb. 8 at the University of Michigan's Rackham Auditorium, I knew I wanted to be there at the 4th annual W. M. Trotter Lecture, “My Life. My Story! Centering the Voices of Trans Lives.”

Homes and Homelands: Yaa Gyasi at Rackham Auditorium

Tue, 02/13/2018 - 6:00pm by christopherporter

I am a little afraid to read Yaa Gyasi’s novel, Homegoing, much for the same reason I’ve picked up but never finished reading Toni Morrison’s Beloved. I’m gun shy when it comes to fiction that portrays, in any fashion, chattel slavery. I’ve never even seen Roots. For me, there is something extremely uncomfortable about knowing my existence and all the opportunities that have come with it are a direct result of my ancestors’ suffering.

Keeping Promises: Joe Biden at the Michigan Theater

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 8:30am by christopherporter

I have a chaste crush on Joe Biden.

Ann Arbor's Jane Austen jones is sated with many bicentennial events

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 8:30am by christopherporter

Sol Etudes: Poet and pianist Rebecca Biber at Bookbound

Thu, 01/18/2018 - 2:00pm by christopherporter

“I’m going to have my own experience of whatever writing is.” --Rebecca Biber

Architect of Suspense: Tom Grace presents "Undeniable" at Nicola's

Mon, 01/15/2018 - 10:00am by christopherporter

The inspiration for his hero’s name comes from his nephew and ancestral home. His love for thrillers comes from his father and brothers. And being an architect leads to a unique and intriguing writing style. These influences all lead to the successful Nolan Kilkenny series by bestselling author Tom Grace.