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Joe Wilkins

Broadway Books 1714 NE Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Joe Wilkins joins us to read from his debut novel Fall Back Down When I Die, published by Little, Brown. The book tells the story of  Wendell Newman, a young ranch hand in Montana who has recently lost his mother. Wendell is broke and owes back taxes on his parent's land. Into this situation comes seven-year-old Rowdy Burns, the mute and traumatized son of Wendell's incarcerated cousin. Wendell, as the boy's only remaining relative, must care for him. What is initially an ordeal turns into an unexpected and affectionate bond, one that is stretched to the breaking point during the first legal wolf hunt in Montana in more than thirty years. This haunting novel is an unforgettable tale of sacrificial love, with two indelible characters…

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Free

Christine Riccio

Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR, United States

From booktuber Christine Riccio (PolandbananasBooks) comes Again, but Better (Wednesday), a story about second chances, discovering yourself, and doing what makes you happy. Shane has been doing college all wrong. Pre-med, stellar grades, and happy parents… but Shane's made zero friends, goes home every weekend, and romance… what’s that? She signs up for a semester abroad in London and is going to right all her college mistakes. She is soon faced with the complicated realities of living outside her bubble, and when self-doubt sneaks in, her new life starts to fall apart.

Free

INCITE: Queer Writers Read: May

Literary Arts 925 SW Washington Street, Portland, OR, United States

The theme this month is “Never Surrender.” Join us for readings by Wayne Bund, Jasmine Pettet, Jules Ohman, and Melissa Lynne.

Free

Red State Revolt – Eric Blanc

Mother Foucault's Bookshop 523 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR, United States

Join Eric Blanc at 7 pm on May 8 — the day of Portland’s own teacher union walkout — as he reads from his timely new book Red State Revolt.  Educators across the country are rising up against low pay, privatization, and austerity. Former high school teacher Eric Blanc has been on the ground reporting on this historic upsurge for The Nation, Jacobin, and The Guardian. His new book Red State Revolt describes the inspiring story of the teachers’ strike wave and analyzes why it points the way forward for all working people. Join us for a discussion of the strikes — from West Virginia, to Washington, to Los Angeles — and their lessons for today’s struggles to defend our schools and public services for all. “Eric Blanc has…

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Free

Eric Liu in Conversation With Wendy Willis

Powell's City of Books 1005 W Burnside Street, Portland, OR, United States

What does it mean to be an engaged American in today’s divided political landscape, and how do we restore hope in our country? In a collection of “civic sermons,” popular advocate for active citizenship Eric Liu takes on these thorny questions and provides inspiration and solace in a time of anger, fear, and dismay. Become America (Sasquatch) features 19 stirring explorations of current and timeless topics about democracy, liberty, equal justice, and powerful citizenship. Liu will be joined for a Q&A by Wendy Willis, author of These Are Strange Times, My Dear: Field Notes From the Republic.

Free

Celebration of Mothers! With Leanne Grabel and more

Broadway Books 1714 NE Broadway, Portland, OR, United States

Here's to Moms!! Please join us as we celebrate mothers with seven fabulous local poets! Reading tonight will be Kevin Sampsell, Tim Barnes, Suzanne Sigafoos, Penelope Schott, Donna Prinzmetal, Nikki Shulak, and Leanne Grabel. Kevin Sampsell is a Portland author, publisher, bookseller, collage artist, and father. He was born in Kennewick, Washington, and is the youngest of six children. While growing up, his mother worked at a fabric store and made most of his wardrobe. Penelope Scambly Schott is a past recipient of the Oregon Book Award for Poetry. Recent books include Serpent Love: A Mother-Daughter Epic about a struggle with her adult daughter, House of the Cardamom Seed, and November Quilt. Penelope lives a double life -- in Portland where she and her husband host…

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Free

Heather B. Armstrong

Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR, United States

From blogger Heather B. Armstrong (dooce), author of It Sucked and Then I Cried, comes The Valedictorian of Being Dead (Gallery), an irreverent new memoir – reminiscent of Brain on Fire – about her experience as one of only a few people to participate in an experimental treatment for depression involving 10 rounds of a chemically-induced coma approximating brain death. Disarmingly honest, self-deprecating, and scientifically fascinating, The Valedictorian of Being Dead brings to light a groundbreaking new treatment for depression.

Free

Ari Rosenschein presents Coasting

Annie Bloom's Books 7834 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR, United States

Annie Bloom's welcomes Seattle author Ari Rosenschein to read from his debut short fiction collection, Coasting. Coasting follows music industry aspirants, a brooding record store clerk, goth teens, and others into rehearsal rooms, 12-step meetings, a cult indoctrination, even a Russian heavy metal bunker. Along the way, they pursue success, connection, and a sense of purpose. Perched between Middle Men and A Visit From the Goon Squad, Coasting is Ari Rosenschein's debut collection. "His characters inhabit a backstage space, a few steps from glory, looking for the next gig, hoping for a big break, reveling in every note along the way. Their sweet gritty persistence is irresistible." -Ana Maria Spagna, author of Uplake: Restless Essays of Coming and Going "Ari Rosenschein's Coasting does for Gen…

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Free

Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic Featuring John Burgess

Angst Gallery 1015 Main St, Vancouver, WA, United States

Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic Hosted by Christopher Luna and Toni Lumbrazo Luna of Printed Matter Vancouver Featuring John Burgess 7 pm Thursday, May 9, 2019 Open mic sign up begins at 6:30 and closes at 7 FREE Angst Gallery 1015 Main Street Vancouver, WA 98660 angstgallery.com Food and libation provided by Niche Wine Bar, 1013 Main Street Sound provided by Briz Loan & Guitar: http://briz.us/ LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY, ALL AGES, AND UNCENSORED SINCE 2004 John Burgess grew up in upstate New York, worked on a survey crew in Montana, taught English in Japan, and since 1985 has lived in Seattle, where he works for an insurance company. Past glories include: 2006 Jack Straw writer; co-founder of the original Burning Word Festival; 2008 Words' Worth curator…

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Free

Ted Chiang in Conversation With Daniel H. Wilson

Powell's City of Books 1005 W Burnside Street, Portland, OR, United States

From Ted Chiang, acclaimed author of Stories of Your Life and Others – the basis for the Academy Award-nominated film Arrival – comes a groundbreaking new collection of short fiction: nine stunningly original, provocative, and poignant stories. These are tales that tackle some of humanity’s oldest questions along with new quandaries only Chiang could imagine. Exhalation (Knopf) is Chiang at his best: profound, sympathetic, and revelatory. Chiang will be joined in conversation by Daniel H. Wilson, author of The Clockwork Dynasty and Robopocalypse.

Free
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