Welcome to Book Riot’s Events Newsletter, hosted by me, María Cristina. We’re looking ahead at some of the bookish ways you can spend your time in the next couple weeks, and I’m sure there’s at least one item here that can tempt you to put on pants and go out (in that order, please). Clear your calendars on the following dates, my reading friends.
Sponsored by Blackstone Publishing
This breathtaking debut novel by Anna Quinn examines the impact of traumatic childhood experiences and the fragile line between past and present. Exquisitely nuanced and profoundly intimate, The Night Child explores the capacity for a person to find a way forward — mind, body, and spirit — despite all odds, and at its core is a story of resilience and hope.
IRL GATHERINGS
Winter of Reading Kick-Off Trivia Party: February 1 in Denver, CO
The Denver Public Library is taking over Woods Boss Brewing for a night of bookish trivia to celebrate the start of the Winter of Reading program (summer reading programs are so two seasons ago). Bring your library card to the bar for $1 off refreshments during the event.
Women in Sci Fi with The Book Smugglers: February 2 in Brooklyn, NY
Being in the same room as A. E. Ash, Catherine Faris King, Susan Jane Bigelow, and Reiko Murakami sounds like something out of SFF, but show up to this free panel hosted by Books Are Magic and it can become real!
Savannah Book Festival: February 15-18 in Savannah, GA
The headliners here make up another list of amazing ladies: Diana Gabaldon gives the opening address, Lisa Ko gives the keynote address, and Jodi Picoult gives the closing address.
INTERWEBBY THINGS
World Read Aloud Day: February 1
International literacy nonprofit LitWorld created this special day to raise awareness of the positive impact of reading aloud to children. You can download a handy guide full of tips for reading out loud if you want to polish your technique, but really, kids are the last people you have to feel self-conscious around when it comes to using funny voices.
AUTHORS ON TOUR
Stops include: February 7 (Brooklyn, NY), 8 (New York, NY), and 12 (Atlanta, GA)
Smith is touring in support of her newest collection, Feel Free. Cultural criticism always runs the risk of becoming outdated too fast, but these (mostly) reprinted essays still feel fresh.
Stops include: February 1 (Darien, CT), 4 (Washington, DC), 6 (Winnetka, IL), 7 (Seattle, WA), 8 (Santa Clara, CA), and 10 (Corte Madera, CA)
Now here’s a parenting book our great grandparents would have been baffled by. But Kamenetz’s The Art of Screen Time is indispensable to a modern parent trying to teach their kid about healthy media consumption.
THERE YA GO!
If you end up participating in any of the above, tell us about it on social media.
And if there are any bookish events that should be on my radar, tweet me @meowycristina or email me at mariacristina@bookriot.com.
Hope to see you Riot readers in the wild!
-MC