This week on The Reading Life: Susan talks with Tulane University professor TR Johnson, editor of the impressive new essay collection, “New Orleans: A Literary History,” and watch for the upcoming literary symposium on the book, Saturday, January 25, at Tulane.
Here’s what’s on tap in the literary life this week
Here in New Orleans:
- Jason Lee discusses and signs “God Must Have Forgotten Me,” Wednesday, January 22, at 5 p.m. at Barnes & Noble/Westbank.
- One Book One New Orleans kicks off with an inaugural lecture by Kalamu ya Salaam, editor of this year’s selection, “New Orleans Griot: The Tom Dent Reader,” Thursday, January 23, at 5 p.m. at the University of New Orleans Earl K. Long Library. All are welcome.
- Country music historian and former Tulane University professor Bill C. Malone discusses and signs his book, “Country Music USA” and his work on Ken Burns’s documentary series “Country Music,” Thursday, January 23, at 7 p.m. at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old US Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave.
- Local poet and educator Carolyn Hembree presents poets Chanel Clarke, Shaina Monet, and Chioma Urama who will read from their work, Thursday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.
- Daniel Party, Richard E. Greenleaf Fellow at The Latin American Library, Tulane University presents a lecture, “Bolero Jazz: Stories of a Musical Rendezvous,” with music by the Javier Olondo Quartet, Friday, January 24, at 7 at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, 1205 N. Rampart St.
- TR Johnson, the editor and contributors to of the new anthology, “New Orleans: A Literary History,” present a Symposium on the Literary History of New Orleans starting at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, January 25, at the Lavin Bernick Center at Tulane University, concluding at 6:30 p.m. Maurice Ruffin presents keynote remarks at 4:30, followed by a reception. Open to the public.
- The Neighborhood Story Project hosts a book release celebration for “Return to Yakni Chitto: Houma Migrations,” photographs and essays by Monique Verdin, with an opening essay by Houma historian and philosopher Michael Dardar, poems by Ray Moose Jackson, and stories by Artspot Productions director Kathy Randels and Mondo Bizarro co-director Nick Slie! The event takes place Sunday, January 26, at 2 p.m. at the Neighborhood Story Project, 2202 Lapeyrouse St.
- Blue Cypress Books presents an afternoon with Alexis Braud, discussing and signing her new children’s book, “Cordelia’s Key,” Sunday, January 26, at 2:30 at Blue Cypress Books. Tickets available on FB and at eventbrite.
