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The Reading Life with Alex Beard and Josh Wheeler

This week on The Reading Life: Susan talks with Alex Beard, whose new children’s book is “The Lying King.” We’ll also hear from essayist Josh Wheeler, who’s the author of “Acid West.”

Here’s what’s on tap in the literary life this week:

  • Kim Vaz-Deville, author of “Walking Raddy: The Baby Dolls of New Orleans,” and Ladee Hubbard, author of “The Talented Ribkins,” will discuss their work, Thursday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.
  • Jonathan Schumacher, AKA “Mr. Schu,” nationally known for his expertise in children’s literature and for igniting a passion to read, will speak Friday, September 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie. Schumacher is a blogger, a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, and the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs. He served on the 2014 Newbery committee, which named the title “Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures” "the most distinguished contribution to children's literature." Library Journal named him “The Xtreme Librarian” for the high level of exertion he uses to get kids reading.
  • Coming up: The Dickens Fellowship has announced its reading schedule for the novel “Little Dorrit” this year, and meetings begin Saturday, September 15, from 2-4 p.m. at the Bright Library at Metairie Park Country Day School. Reading for the first meeting is book one, chapters 1-11. Open to all Dickens fans.
  • Tubby and Coo’s Mid-City Bookshop is launching three new books Saturday September 15, from 2-6 p.m. with a publication party at the shop. The new books are “Alligator, Bayou, Crawfish,” an alphabet book by Al Solino, “The Two Stegosauruses,” by Daniel Moore Glaser, and the young adult novel, “Captain,” by Artie Sievers.
  • Just a reminder: Barnes & Noble hosts The Monday Night Writers Group every Monday night at 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble/Metairie.
The Reading Life in 2010, Susan Larson was the book editor for The New Orleans Times-Picayune from 1988-2009. She has served on the boards of the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival and the New Orleans Public Library. She is the founder of the New Orleans chapter of the Women's National Book Association, which presents the annual Diana Pinckley Prizes for Crime Fiction.. In 2007, she received the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities lifetime achievement award for her contributions to the literary community. She is also the author of The Booklover's Guide to New Orleans. If you run into her in a local bookstore or library, she'll be happy to suggest something you should read. She thinks New Orleans is the best literary town in the world, and she reads about a book a day.