This week on The Reading Life: New Orleans native and art historian Allison Levy, whose new book is “House of Secrets: The Many Lives of a Florentine Palazzo.”
Here’s what’s on tap in the literary life this week:
Here in New Orleans:
- Casey Cep discusses and signs “Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee,” Sunday, May 12, at 2 p.m. at Garden District Book Shop.
- Judith Viorst discusses her new book “Nearing Ninety: And Other Comedies of Late Life,” Tuesday, May 14, from 7-9 at the Uptown Jewish Community Center, 5342 St. Charles Ave.
- Chris Pena discusses and signs “Death Over a Diamond Stud,” Tuesday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hubbell Library, 725 Pelican Ave., Algiers.
- The Art of the City Book Club at the Historic New Orleans Collection begins Wednesday at 6 p.m. at 520 Royal St. Susan Larsonwill be in discussion with leading authors and visual artists featured in the HNOC’s exciting hew exhibition. First up, Maurice Carlos Ruffin, author of “We Cast a Shadow” and artist Rontherin Ratliff. Free, but register at my.hnoc.org.
- Allison Levy discusses and signs “House of Many Secrets: The Many Lives of a Florentine Palazzo,” Thursday, May 16, at 6 at Garden District Book Shop.
- Alex Kershaw discusses and signs “The First Wave: The D-Day Warriors Who Led the Way to Victory in World War II,” Thursday, May 16, at the National World War II Museum, Louisiana Memorial Pavilion. Reception at 5, presentation at 6, signing at 7.
- Rob Walker discusses and signs "The Art of Noticing: 131 Ways to Spark Creativity, Find Inspiration, and Discover Joy in the Everyday,” along with Austin Kleon, author of “Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad,” Friday, May 17, at 6 p.m. at Octavia Books.
- Antenna and Room 220 present Dimitris Lyacos, author of "Poena Damni," Friday, May 17, at 7 at Antenna Gallery, 3718 St. Claude Ave.
- Casey Willems discusses his children’s book, “On the Bayou: A Young Dutch Hero’s Adventures in Louisiana.” Saturday, May 18 from 1-2 p.m. at Latter Library.
- Whitney Stewart discusses and signs her new children’s book “What Do You Celebrate?: Holidays and Festivals around the World,” Saturday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at Barnes & Noble/Metairie.
- Editors Catharine Savage Brosman and Olivia McNeely Pass and contributing poets Ralph Adamo, Darrell Bourque, Ava Leavell Haymon, Julie Kane, William Lavender, and Mona Lisa Saloy discuss and sign the book, “Louisiana Poets: A Literary Guide,” Sunday, May 19, at 2 p.m. at Garden District Book Shop.
Elsewhere in Louisiana:
- R.J. Lee discusses and signs “The Grand Slam Murders,” Saturday, May 18, at Barnes & Noble/Mandeville.
- There are only a few tickets left for the sixth annual Walker Percy Weekend in St. Francisville, starting Friday, May 31, through Sunday, June 2, with panels, an exhibition of Walker Percy photos, and other events throughout the town’s historic district, with of course, lots of bourbon on hand. Watch for the complete schedule at Conundrumbooks.com.
