Your Week in Virtual Book Events, April 26th to April 30th

WNYC Book Club: “Klara and the Sun” (Mulberry Street Library Edition)
Monday, April 26, 5:00 pm EDT
This month the Mulberry Street Library team is reading and discussing Klara and the Sun by Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro, a dystopian science fiction novel exploring the fundamental question: what does it mean to love? Free, with registration.

Monica Brady-Myerov: Listen Wise
Monday, April 26, 6:00 pm EDT
In Listen Wise: Teach Students to Be Better Listeners, journalist and entrepreneur Monica Brady-Myerov delivers a concise and thoughtful treatment of how to build powerful listening skills in K-12 students. In this event, she will discuss the making of her book, communication, and more. Free, with registration.

Nathalie Etoke – “Shades of Black” – Larissa Brewer-García
Tuesday, April 27, 1:00 pm EDT
Nathalie Etoke will discuss Shades of Black, about what happens when race obliterates historical, social, cultural, and political differences among populations of African descent from different parts of the world. She will be joined in conversation by Larissa Brewer-García, Assistant Professor of Latin American Studies at the University of Chicago. Free, with registration.

Toni Morrison Lectures: Eddie S. Glaude, Jr & Jesmyn Ward
Tuesday, April 27, 6:00 pm EDT
The Toni Morrison Lectures spotlight the transformative work of leading scholars, writers, public intellectuals, and artists. In honor of celebrated American author and Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, the lectures explore expansive literary work, intellectual curiosity, and the most pressing political concerns of our times. Jesmyn Ward will join us in conversation with Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and Chair of the Department of African American Studies. Free, with registration.

Kim Todd And Kathryn Nuernberger in Conversation
Tuesday, April 27, 6:30 pm EDT
Join Rain Taxi for a celebration of the women in history whose stories brought us where we are today—and the women today who write about them! Kathryn Nuernberger (The Witch of Eye, Sarabande) and Kim Todd (Sensational: The Hidden History Of America’s “Girl Stunt Reporters,” Harper) will discuss research, craft, and the many ways to tell a story long swept under the rug. Free, with registration.

Seymour Mayne Perfume: Poems and Word Sonnets
Tuesday, April 27, 6:00 pm EDT
Join Ottawa Public Library during Poetry Month for an evening with prolific poet Seymour Mayne as he engages in a literary conversation with his colleague from Ottawa U, Natalia Vesselova. They will discuss his latest collection of poetry Perfume: Poems and Word Sonnets. Mayne will read and display selections from this collection and will talk about the poems and about his writing process. Mayne is the leading international innovator of the word sonnet, a unique new ‘miniature’ form. Free, with registration.

Richard Wright’s The Man Who Lived Underground with Malcolm Wright and John Kulka
Tuesday, April 27, 7:30 pm EDT
The Center for Fiction and Library of America celebrate the launch of the previously unpublished novel, The Man Who Lived Underground, by Richard Wright. Wright’s grandson, Malcolm Wright, joins editor John Kulka in conversation. Free, with registration.

Vanessa Springora and Gloria Steinem In Conversation
Wednesday, April 28, 1:00 pm EDT
This is the first iteration in a new event series called Ideas and Ideals: Strong Female Voices, about the intersection between literary events and cultural debates on today’s most prescient issues. Vanessa Springora’s memoir Consent provoked a seismic shift in the publishing world, going beyond the conviction of Gabriel Matzneff for pedophilia and shining a light on the literary world’s systemic dysfunction. Free, via Zoom.

The Word presents: Una Mannion, A Crooked Tree, Author Reading and Q&A
Wednesday, April 28, 1:30 pm EDT
Join Una Mannion in conversation about her debut novel, A Crooked Tree, published in January 2021. Music on the night will be performed by Irene Hennessy. Una will be interviewed by second-year students from the BA in Writing + Literature at Sligo IT, Lauren Baker and David North. Free, with registration.

Dolly Parton Poetry Concert
Wednesday, April 28, 7:00 pm EDT
Poetry Well presents Broadway stars Marc delaCruz, Kenita R. Miller, and Jennifer Sánchez as they lift their voices in a live virtual concert of iconic Dolly Parton tunes and glittering new poems inspired by the legend herself! Poems written by Anneysa Gaille, Jason Baker, Emily Dorff, Erin Iwanusa, Mary Hutchins Harris, Lee Ann Brown, Kait Walser, Kerrin McCadden, Paul Bottigliero, and Mia Hernandez. Free, though donations are strongly encouraged. Register here.

Gramercy Book Club: Discuss Libertie and Meet Kaitlyn Greenidge!
Wednesday, April 28, 7:00 pm EDT
Critically acclaimed novelist Kaitlyn Greenidge will join Gramercy Book Club participants after the discussion of her latest novel, Libertie, a captivating story inspired by the life of one of the first Black female doctors in the United States. Hasan Jeffries, distinguished history professor at The Ohio State University and an expert in African American history, particularly around the Civil Rights era, will moderate the group discussion and interview Greenidge. Tickets start at $5. Register here.

On America: We Are Each Other’s Harvest and the Legacy of Black Farmers
Wednesday, April 28, 7:30 pm EDT
The Center for Fiction’s On America series presents a panel discussion lead by Queen Sugar author Natalie Baszile, whose book, We Are Each Other’s Harvest connects history, land, legacy, and stories of African American farmers. Guests include Michael Twitty, Melody Edwards, Marvin Fink, and Clyde W. Ford. Free, with registration.

Evanston Writer Todd Hasak-Lowy Discusses His New Translation, “Aquarium”
Wednesday, April 28, 7:30 pm EDT
On Wednesday, April 28th at 6:30 PM, The Book Stall welcomes Evanston-based writer, translator, and creative writing professor Todd Hasak-Lowy for a virtual event. He will be discussing his new translation of Aquarium, originally published in Hebrew in 2016 by Israeli novelist Yaara Shehori. Free, with registration.

Lauren Hough in Conversation with Sandra Newman
Wednesday, April 28, 8:00 pm EDT
Join Lauren Hough, author of the highly-anticipated memoir Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing: Essays, in conversation with Sandra Newman. Free, with registration.

75th Annual Edgar Allan Poe Awards
Thursday, April 29, 1:00 pm EDT
Mystery Writers of America is proud to announce, on the 212th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe, the nominees for the 2021 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, honoring the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction and television published or produced in 2020. Free, via Zoom.

An Evening with Hilary Mantel
Thursday, April 29, 2:00 pm EDT
Hilary Mantel will discuss The Mirror and the Light, the final volume in her Thomas Cromwell trilogy, with Alex Clark to reflect on this remarkable literary project. Tickets start at 5 Euro. Register here.

The Blacksmith and the Bull – family history through poetry and art
Thursday, April 29, 2:00 pm EDT
Enjoy a story of Balkans bravery and adventure and find out more about Kensington and Chelsea librarian (and latterly library’s online events producer and presenter) Nina Risoli-Azdajic in this fusion of poetry, art and family history. Free, with registration.

National Poetry Month: The Poetry of Echezonachukwu Nduka
Thursday, April 29, 5:00 pm EDT
he virtual event will feature Nigerian-born poet and pianist Echezonachukwu Nduka, who will be reading from his books Chrysanthemums for Wide-eyed Ghosts (2018) and Waterman (2020). Free, with registration.

Reginald Dwayne Betts – “Felon” – Eve L. Ewing
Thursday, April 29, 5:30 pm EDT
Reginald Dwayne Betts discusses Felon: Poems, which tells the story of the effects of incarceration, showcasing a wide range of emotions and experiences through homelessness, underemployment, love, drug abuse, domestic violence, fatherhood, and grace. He will be joined in conversation by Eve L. Ewing. Free, with registration.

Wendy Doniger – “Winged Stallions and Wicked Mares: Horses in Indian Myth and History” – Whitney Cox
Thursday, April 29, 6:00 pm EDT
Wendy Doniger will discuss Winged Stallions and Wicked Mares: Horses in Indian Myth and History, an examination of the horse’s significance throughout Indian history from the arrival of the Indo-Europeans. She will be joined in conversation by Whitney Cox. Free, with registration.

AFAReads x UNANY: In Conversation with Daniel Loedel
Thursday, April 29, 7:00 pm EDT
Join Daniel Loedel, author of Hades, Argentina, the April select for AFAReads and the United Nations Association of New York. Free, via Zoom.

Charles Bernstein and Craig Dworkin – Topsy-Turvy and Radium of the Word
Thursday, April 29, 7:00 pm EDT
Charles Bernstein and Craig Dworkin will discuss Topsy-Turvy and Radium of the Word, about the turbulence of both the body politic and the individual. Free, with registration.

Poetry & the Creative Mind: Celebrating 25 Years of National Poetry Month
Thursday, April 29, 7:30 pm EDT
Join the Academy of American Poets for Poetry & the Creative Mind, a virtual celebration of the 25th anniversary of National Poetry Month. This one-of-a-kind event features performances of poems by award-winning actresses Meryl Streep, Regina King, and Sandra Oh, star chef of Salt Fat Acid Heat Samin Nosrat, The Mountain Goats’ frontman John Darnielle, poets Terrance Hayes and Elizabeth Alexander, and more. Free, with registration.

Stone Literary Award Lecture with Lynda Barry
Thursday, April 29, 8:00 pm EDT
Join Oregon State University in honoring the 2021 Stone Award for Literary Achievement recipient Lynda Barry, a painter, cartoonist, writer, illustrator, playwright, editor, commentator and teacher who The New York Times has described as “among this country’s greatest conjoiners of words and images, known for plumbing all kinds of touchy subjects in cartoons, comic strips and novels, both graphic and illustrated.” Free, with registration.

Michio Kaku – “The God Equation” – LeVar Burton
Thursday, April 29, 8:00 pm EDT
Michio Kaku discusses The God Equation: The Quest for the Theory of Everything. He will be joined in discussion by LeVar Burton. Free, with registration.

Jazz on the Ave | Poetry & Jazz Appreciation Month Edition
Friday, April 30, 7:00 pm EDT
Madam Walker Legacy Center invites Clint Breeze and the Groove Trio to headline our upcoming event with special appearances from 5 poets in honor of Poetry & Jazz Appreciation Month. Free, with registration.