This week on The Reading Life: Susan talks with novelist Chris Castellani, author of “Leading Men,” which takes its inspiration from the 15-year love affair between Tennessee Williams and Frank Merlo. We’ll also hear from Carnival historian Coleman Warner, who’s the author of “Tucks Makes Fifty: Legacies of an Irreverent, Joyful Carnival Krewe.”
February 24 calendar
Here’s what’s on tap in the literary life this week:
Here in New Orleans:
- Poet Amy Trussell will read at the Maple Leaf Bar's storied "Everette Maddox Umpteen! Memorial Poetry & Prose Series," Sunday, February 24, at 3 p.m. at the Maple Leaf Bar.
- Zeka Bru signs her debut novel, “The Cemetery,” Sunday, February 24, at 4:30 p.m. at Don Villavaso, 5931 Bullard Ave.
- Coleman Warner and Lloyd Frischertz sign “Tucks Makes Fifty,” Monday, February 25, at 6 p.m. at Octavia Books.
- Steve Luxenberg appears in in conversation with Walter Isaacson to discuss “Separate: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson and America’s Journey from Slavery to Segregation,” Tuesday, February 26, at 6 p.m. at the New Orleans Public Library Main Library, 219 Loyola Ave.
- Keith Weldon Medley , author of “Black Life in Old New Orleans,” and Gayle Nolan, publisher of “What Love Can Do,” by Arthur Mitchell, discuss their work Tuesday, February 26, at 7 p.m. at East Bank Regional Library in Metairie.
- Adam Makos discusses “Spearhead: An American Tank Gunner, His Enemy, and a Collision of Lives in World War II,” Wednesday, February 27 at the National World War II Museum. 5 p.m. Reception; 6 p.m. Presentation; 7 p.m. Book Signing.
- Phil Hoose signs “Attucks!: Oscar Robertson and the Basketball Team That Awakened a City,” Sunday, March 3, at 2 p.m. at Octavia Books.
- The Friends of the Jefferson Public Library hold their Big Book Sale March 14-17 at the Pontchartrain Center, Williams Blvd. at the Lake, in Kenner. Hours are Thursday through Saturday (March 14-16) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday (March 17) from noon to 5 p.m.
- And get ready for that big literary weekend in New Orleans, March 27-31, when the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival takes place March 27-31, along with the Saints and Sinners LGBTQ Literary Festival March 29-31 at the Hotel Monteleone. Some of the writers coming to town include Dorothy Allison, Jami Attenberg, Bryan Batt, Donna Brazile, Doug Brinkley, Maureen Corrigan, Michael Cunningham, Samantha Downing, Judy Grahn, Garth Greenwell, Justin Phillip Reed, Felice Picano, Bryan Washington. Check out tennesseewilliams.net or sasfest.org for the complete schedule.
Coming up in Houma:
- The Terrebonne Parish Library hosts its 16th Jambalaya Writers Festival March 9, from 7:30-6 p.m. at the Terrebonne Parish Library, 1515 Library Dr., in Houma featuring NYT bestselling author Beatriz Williams, Carolyn Brown, Alys Arden, Dacre Stoker, Nathaniel Rich, Laura Cayouette, Erica Spindler, Sheba Turk and others. There will be a pre-Festival Event Friday, March 8, at 6 p.m. at the Library, featuring Ken Wells, author of “Gumbo Life: Tales from the Roux Bayou.” For tickets, go to mytpl.org.
Coming up in Baton Rouge:
- Delta Mouth Literary Festival, a partnership with the Louisiana State University Department of English, The Southern Review, New Delta Review, and the English Graduate School Association, takes place April 5-7 at Louisiana State University. free and open to the public, the festival this year will be held April 5-7th. We’re proud to welcome an impressive lineup of writers including Jos Charles, Tia Clark, Jerika Marchan, Megan McDowell, Carrie Messenger, Thirii Myint, Dennis James Sweeney and Jeannie Vanasco. Check out deltamouth.com for the complete schedule.
