Your Week in Virtual Book Events, Feb. 1st to Feb. 7th

JP Howard and Star Black
Monday, February 1st, 7:00pm EST
For KGB Monday Night Poetry, authors JP Howard (SAY/MIRROR) and Star Black will read their work. Free, via Zoom.

Emma Rapp Black with Joanna Rakoff: Sanctuary
Monday, February 1st, 7:00pm EST
Emily Rapp Black discusses her new memoir, Sanctuary, a story of grief and resilience, with author Joanna Rakoff (The Fifth Passenger) and Brookline Booksmith. Register free, pay what you like or buy the book to enter the event here. Via Zoom.

Monday Night Online Open Mic
Monday, February 1st, 8:00pm EST
Nuyorican Poets Cafe will host a poetry open mic each Monday night at 8pm via Zoom. Sign up to perform one poem (5 minutes or less) by RSVP’ing a slot on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration isn’t necessary to watch the event, just join with the link here. Free, with donations welcome to support the participating poets.

Four Hundred Souls Launch Event
Monday, February 1st, 8:00pm EST
Random House celebrates the launch of Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 in this virtual event and panel discussion featuring editors Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Dr. Keisha N. Blain in conversation with Alicia Garza (The Purpose of Power), Clint Smith (Counting Descent), Isabel Wilkerson (Caste) and Kiese Laymon (Heavy). Along with admission to the event, each ticket comes with a signed copy of the book, to be fulfilled by Loyalty Bookstore. Tickets start at $43 and can be purchased here. 

Skylit: My Year Abroad by Chang-rae Lee, with Traci Thomas
Monday, February 1st, 9:30pm EST
Skylit Books welcomes award-winning author Chang-rae Lee (My Year Abroad) for a discussion about his newest novel. He will be joined by Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks Podcast. Free, via Crowdcast.

Authors in Conversation: Melanie Finn and Claire Fuller
Tuesday, February 2nd, 1:00pm EST
Exile in Bookville will celebrate acclaimed author Melanie Finn’s newest book, The Hare, with this virtual event. She will be joined in conversation by prize-winning author Claire Fuller (Unsettled Ground). The event will be streamed via Zoom as well as broadcasted through Facebook Live. Free. 

Cultural Memory Seminar: Slavery in the Age of Memory: Engaging the Past, Ana Lucia Araujo Talk
Tuesday, February 2nd, 4:00pm EST
The Columbia University Seminar on Cultural Memory welcomes Ana Lucia Araujo to discuss her recent book, Slavery in the Age of Memory: Engaging the Past, with respondents Laura Wexler (Yale), Leo Spitzer (Dartmouth), and moderators Marianne Hirsch and Andreas Huyssen (Columbia). Free, with registration.

A Room with a View: Brontez Purnell and Bruce LaBruce
Tuesday, February 2nd, 6:30pm EST
BOMB Magazine will celebrate the launch of writer, musician, dancer, filmmaker, and performance artist Brontez Purnell’s new collection, 100 Boyfriends, in this event hosted by filmmaker, writer, and artist Bruce LaBruce. Free, via Zoom.

Poetry & Conversation: Carl Phillips with Lia Purpura
Tuesday, February 2nd, 7:00pm EST
Honored and award-winning poet Carl Phillips (Pale Colors in a Tall Field) will read his poetry and discuss it with poet and essayist Lia Purpura (All the Fierce Tethers)  for Enoch Pratt Free Library. Free, via Zoom.

In Conversation: Joyce Zonana and Paul Eprile
Tuesday, February 2nd, 7:00pm EST
Joyce Zonana, translator of Jóusè d’Arbaud’s The Beast of Vacarés, will discuss her writing and translation work with translator and poet Paul Eprile (Jean Giono’s The Open Road). Hosted by Northwestern University Press. Free, with registration.

Fake Accounts: Lauren Oyler with Emily Gould
Tuesday, February 2nd, 7:00pm EST
Essayist Lauren Oyler will discuss her first novel, Fake Accounts, with author Emily Gould (Perfect Tunes). Free, via Zoom.

Land of Big Numbers
Tuesday, February 2nd, 7:00pm EST
The Asian American Writers’ Workshop will host the official launch of Te-Ping Chen’s debut short story collection, Land of Big Numbers. For the launch event, Chen will be joined in conversation by Charles Yu (Interior Chinatown). Via Zoom for the first 100 RSVPs. The event will have CART captioning available and be live streamed on the Asian American Writers’ Workshop YouTube page. Free. Register here.

Virtual Event: Tami Charles – Muted
Tuesday, February 2nd, 7:00pm EST
BookPeople will host author Tami Charles to celebrate the release of her new book, Muted. She will be joined in conversation by former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress and author Karyn Parsons (How High the Moon). Free, with registration.

Melissa Broder: Milk Fed Book Launch
Tuesday, February 2nd, 7:00pm EST
Books Are Magic welcomes author Melissa Broder for the launch of her new novel, Milk Fed. Free. Register here.

Susan Conley launches Landslide with Lily King
Tuesday, February 2nd, 7:00pm EST
In this virtual event hosted by Print: A Bookstore, in partnership with Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance and The Mechanics Hall, author Susan Conley will discuss her new book, Landslide in conversation with friend and novelist Lily King (Writers & Lovers). Free, via Zoom.

P&P Live! Chad Sanders | Black Magic with Special Guests
Tuesday, February 2nd, 8:00pm EST
Politics and Prose welcomes writer, director, actor, and musician Chad Sanders to discuss his new book, Black Magic: What Black Leaders Learned from Trauma and Triumph with special guests Dr. Nicole M. Cooper, Head of Healthcare Policy of Lyft, comedian Abdul Harris, and restaurateur Andre McCain. Free, with registration.

University Book Store presents E. Lily Yu in Conversation with Ken Liu
Tuesday, February 2nd, 9:00pm EST
Debut novelist E. Lily Yu will discuss her recently published novel, On Fragile Waves, with award-winning fiction author Ken Liu (The Hidden Girl and Other Stories). Free, via Zoom.

To the Mountain: Erik Raschke Virtual Launch Party
Tuesday, February 2nd, 9:30pm EST
BookBar will host writer Erik Raschke (To the Mountain) for a virtual launch party of his newest novel. Free. Via Zoom.

Black British Historical Fiction: S.I. Martin and Catherine Johnson
Wednesday, February 3rd, 12:00pm EST
Goldsmiths Writers’ Center presents a virtual discussion between acclaimed Black British writers S.I. Martin (Incomparable World) and Catherine Johnson (Freedom) on their historical fiction works. Free. Register here.

Milk Blood Heat: A Virtual Evening with Dantiel W. Moniz and Lauren Groff
Wednesday, February 3rd, 7:00pm EST
Books & Books and Miami Book Fair celebrates Dantiel W. Moniz’s literary debut, Milk Blood Heat, in a virtual discussion moderated by bestselling author Lauren Groff (Florida). Free, via Crowdcast.

Katherine Seligman with Lisa Ko: At the Edge of the Haight
Wednesday, February 3rd, 7:00pm EST
Brookline Booksmith in partnership with Bridge Over Troubled Waters, will host a conversation between authors Katherine Seligman and Lisa Ko (The Leavers) to discuss Selgiman’s new novel, At the Edge of the Haight. Free, with registration.

Showcase Reading for Honey is the Knife Workshop with Hannah Eko
Wednesday, February 3rd, 7:00pm EST
White Whale Bookstore will host a celebratory showcase reading featuring the writers participating in author Hannah Eko’s (Honey is the Knife) January nonfiction writing workshop. Writers Anna Stephen, Mirtha Donastorg, Bethani Cameron, Meg Ringler, Jennifer Woytek, Ashley Hanna, Christine Brill, and AJ Dilling will read. Free, with registration.

Virtual YA Battle: Tami Charles vs. Lamar Giles
Wednesday, February 3rd, 7:00pm EST
In a Verzuz style battle, YA author Tami Charles (Muted) will present her new novel in verse with acclaimed author Lamar Giles (Not So Pure and Simple). Free. Register here.

Skylit: White Feminism by Koa Beck with Claire Messud
Wednesday, February 3rd, 9:30pm EST
Writer and former editor-in-chief of Jezebel, Koa Beck, will discuss her new book, White Feminism, with novelist Claire Messud (Kant’s Little Prussian Head & Other Reasons Why I Write) for Skylit Books. Free, via Crowdcast.

SHELF LIFE – Felon: A Reading and Conversation with Reginald Dwayne Betts
Thursday, February 4th, 12:00pm EST
Poet Reginald Dwayne Betts will discuss his latest collection, Felon, in a reading and conversation with poet and legal aid attorney Amy Woolard (Neck of the Woods). Presented by the Virginia Festival of the Book in partnership with Legal Aid Justice Center. Free. Register here.

Black Utopias: Cauleen Smith in Conversation with Jayna Brown
Thursday, February 4th, 5:30pm EST
Renowned artist Cauleen Smith will be in conversation with professor author Jayna Brown about Black creative cosmologies and their shared subjects. Their talk will center on Brown’s new book, Black Utopias: Speculative Life and the Music of Other Worlds, and Smith’s current exhibit Mutualities, currently on view at The Whitney Museum. Free, via Zoom.

Tami Charles and Laura Coates for Muted
Thursday, February 4th, 6:00pm EST
New York Times-bestselling author Tami Charles (Muted) will join in conversation with CNN Senior Legal Analyst and SiriusXM Host Laura Coates to celebrate the recent release of Charles’ book. Hosted by Loyalty Bookstore and presented in partnership with Scholastic. Stream the event on Scholastic’s I Read YA Youtube here. Free.

Nin Andrews and Denise Duhamel
Thursday, February 4th, 6:30pm EST
Acclaimed poets Nin Andrews (The Last Orgasm) and Denise Duhamel (Second Story) will join in a discussion and Q&A in celebration of their new collections. Hosted by Rain Taxi. Free, via Crowdcast.

My Year Abroad with Chang-rae Lee and Bryan Washington
Thursday, February 4th, 7:00pm EST
The Asian American Writers’ Workshop celebrates award-winning writer Chang-rae Lee’s (My Year Abroad) new novel in a conversation with fellow award-winning author Bryan Washington (Memorial). The event will have CART captioning available. Free, via Zoom.

soft boy. Virtual Book Release Party 
Thursday, February 4th, 7:00pm EST
Join the official virtual release party for David A. Gaines (Dave G)’s debut book of poetry, soft boy. featuring performances by the author, and Philly poets Enoch the Poet (Burned At The Roots) and afaq, alongside exclusive screenings of Dave G’s growing catalogue of poetry short films. Free, with registration.

National Writers Series: Martha Teichner
Thursday, February 4th, 7:00pm EST
Martha Teichner, now a correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning, will discuss her heartwarming book, When Harry Met Minnie, to the National Writers Series. She will be joined by guest host Cyntha Canty, former television news anchor, producer, and reporter. Register for this event and others in the season here.

Stranger Than Fiction: Outspoken Author on Writing During a Pandemic
Thursday, February 4th, 7:00pm EST
Firestorm Books & Coffee will present a panel showcasing four Outspoken Authors in conversation on writing radical fiction during a global pandemic and its ability to help imagine new pathways of possibility. Featuring editor of the Outspoken Authors pocketbook series Terry Bisson (Fire on the Mountain), Meg Elison (Big Girl), Nalo Hopkinson (Report from Planet Midnight) and Nisi Shawl (Talk Like a Man) for the panel. General admission is free, with the option to purchase one copy of each PM Press Outspoken Author titles for $50. Reserve your spot here.

P&P Live! Breaking Bread with Kwame Alexander and Friends
Thursday, February 4th, 7:00pm EST
Politics and Prose welcomes authors Kwame Alexander (Becoming Muhammed Ali), Marie Arnold (The Year I Flew Away), and Veronica Chambers (Finish the Fight) for an evening talking books, sharing recipes inspired by their books, and a Q&A. Tickets are free, with the option to purchase any one of the three authors’ books, and can be reserved here.

Virtual Book Launch: Randa Jarrar in Conversation with Roxane Gay
Thursday, February 4th, 8:00pm EST
Authors Randa Jarrar and Roxane Gay (Hunger: A Memoir of [My] Body) will join in conversation for the national launch of Jarrar’s new memoir, Love is an Ex-Country. Hosted by BookWoman, Austin, TX’s feminist bookstore. Free, via Zoom.

Writers Bloc Presents: Hilton Als and Jia Tolentino on Joan Didion
Thursday, February 4th, 8:00pm EST
Writers Bloc presents critically acclaimed writers Hilton Als (White Girls) and Jia Tolentino (Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self Delusion) on Joan Didion’s new essay collection, Let Me Tell You What I Mean. Free. Register here.

One World Ideas x Action: Family Secrets/An Inheritance of Secrets
Thursday, February 4th, 8:00pm EST
Writers Danielle Geller (Dog Flowers) and K-Ming Chang (Bestiary) will join in conversation with One World senior editor Nicole Counts on the experience of uncovering truths through writing and the constraints — and possibilities—inherent in our individual heritage. Presented in partnership with One World Random House and The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation. Free, with registration.

Book Passage Presents: Dr. Larry Ward with Rhonda V. Magee
Thursday, February 4th, 9:00pm EST
Leading Zen Buddhist teacher Dr. Larry Ward will discuss his new book, America’s Racial Karma: An Invitation to Heal, with professor of law Rhonda V. Magee (The Inner Work of Racial Justice) for BookPassage Bookstore. Free. Register here.

Skylit: Work Won’t Love You Back by Sarah Jaffe with Raj Patel
Thursday, February 4th, 9:30pm EST
Journalist and author Sarah Jaffe will discuss her new book, Work Won’t Love You Back: How Devotion To Our Jobs Keeps Us Exploited, Exhausted, and Alone, with award-winning author film-maker, and academic Raj Patel (Inflamed: Deep Medicine and The Anatomy of Injustice) for this Skylit Books event. Free, via Crowdcast.

Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross: A Black Women’s History of the U.S.
Thursday, February 4th, 10:00pm EST
KPFA Radio 94.1 FM and Marcus Books welcomes professors and co-authors Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross to discuss their newest book, A Black Women’s History of the U.S. They will be joined in conversation by Sabrina Jacobs and be available for questions. A donation of $5-20 is suggested and can be placed here.

Book Club Chat with the Author: Elaine Castillo, America is Not the Heart
Thursday, February 4th, 10:00pm EST
Debut novelist Elaine Castillo will join as a guest for the Filipina Authors Book Club to discuss her book, America is Not the Heart. At the end, there will be an audience Q&A. Free, with registration.

Valerie Mason-John and Phyll Opoku-Gyimah
Friday, February 5th, 12:30pm EST
The Cost is Queer, Brighton & Hove’s festival of LGBTQ+ literature will host an interview of writer, public speaker, and performer Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John (I Am Still Your Negro: An Homage to James Baldwin) by community organizer and public speaker Phyll Opoku Gyimah. Free. Register here.

One Hundred Lockdown Sonnets; a Launch with Jacqueline Saphra and Guests
Friday, February 5th, 2:30pm EST
Nine Arches Press will launch the publication of One Hundred Lockdown Sonnets by Jacqueline Saphra, written as a daily sonnet through the first COVID-19 lockdown. Saphra will be joined by guest poets Anja Konig (Animal Experiments), Miriam Nash (The Nine Mothers of Heimdallr), and Jacob Sam-La Rose (Breaking Silence), who will each share a poem of their own with one of Jacqueline’s sonnets. Recorded readings and messages from Ian McMillan (Yes But What Is This? What Exactly?) and Naomi Shihab Nye (Everything Comes Next) will also be shown. Free, with registration.

P&P Live! Abigail Dean | Girl A with Jeffery Deaver
Friday, February 5th, 5:00pm EST
Author Abigail Dean will discuss her thriller, Girl A, for Politics and Prose with international bestselling author Jeffery Deaver (The Final Twist). Free. Register here.

EX LIBRIS: Ann Patchett
Friday, February 5th, 5:30pm EST
Bestselling author and literary champion Ann Patchett (The Dutch House) will join in conversation with author Patrick Ryan (The Dream Life of Astronauts) for this EX LIBRIS event from Providence Athenæum. Free, with registration.

Soul Sister Revue with Kaveh Akbar, Elana Bell, Gabriel Ramirez and More
Friday, February 5th, 7:00pm EST
Soul Sister Revue presents their first show of 2021 where poets ask and answer the question: What does Soul mean to you? Readers include Kaveh Akbar (Calling a Wolf a Wolf), Elana Bell (Mother Country), Gabriel Ramirez, Lolita Stewart-White, and Tamara J. Madison (Threed This Road Not Damascus). Free, with registration required.

YA Writers Live with Ibi Zoboi and Dr. Yusef Salaam
Friday, February 5th, 7:00pm EST
The Enoch Pratt Free Library kicks off their 2021 YA Writers Live series with Author Ibi Zoboi and poet and Exonerated Five member Dr. Yusef Salaam as they discuss their novel, Punching the Air. Free, via Zoom.

Keisha Bush and Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond: No Heaven for Good Boys
Friday, February 5th, 7:00pm EST
Keisha Bush will present her newest book, No Heaven for Good Boys in conversation with fellow author Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond (Powder Necklace) for The Strand Book Store. Free, with registration.

Skylit: U Up? by Catie DiSabato, with Ivy Pochoda
Friday, February 5th, 9:30pm EST
Catie Disabato discusses U Up? the follow up to her debut novel with critically acclaimed novelist Ivy Pochoda. Free, via Crowdcast.

New Voices in Queer Literature: Golnoosh Nour and Tanaka Mhisi
Saturday, February 6th, 11:00pm EST
For The Coast is Queer Lgbtq+ Literature Festival 2021 writers Tanaka Mhishi and Golnoosh Nour (The Ministry of Guidance and Other Stories) will discuss their work with poet and writer Erica Gillingham. Free, with registration.

Brown Baby: Nikesh Shukla and Mira Jacob
Saturday, February 6th, 12:00pm EST
The Asian American Writers’ Workshop will celebrate the launch of writer Nikesh Shukla’s new memoir, Brown Baby: A Memoir of Race, Family, and Home, with guest Mira Jacob (Good Talk) via Zoom. Free.

Juno Dawson’s Lovely Trans Literary Salon with Jamie Windust
Saturday, February 6th, 1:30pm EST
Bestselling author and journalist Juno Dawson (Wonderland) introduces readings from fellow Transgender and Non-Binary writers for an evening of lively and entertaining chat. She will be joined by award-winning creative, public speaker and model Jamie Windust (In Their Shoes: Navigating Non-Binary Life). Free, with registration.

Translation Slam with PEN America
Saturday, February 6th, 2:00pm EST
Nuyorican Poets Cafe and the PEN America Translation Committee will host a virtual slam in which two translators will have the opportunity to sit down with an author to discuss their translations of the same poem in front of a live audience. This month’s event will spotlight the Belarusian language in a small gesture of solidarity with the people of Belarus as they continue to struggle for a free, independent, and democratic Belarus. Poets and translators Hanna Komar and Maryja Martysievich will translate a poem written by Volha Hronskaja. Moderated by Valzhyna Mort. Free, via Zoom, and live-streaming through Facebook and YouTube.

Segue Reading Series: Hannah Black and Tongo Eisen-Martin
Saturday, February 6th, 5:00pm EST
The Segue Reading Series and Artists Space will host writers Hannah Black (Life) and Tongo Eisen-Martin (Heaven is All Goodbyes) for a virtual reading. There is a suggested donation of $5 to attend. Via Zoom.

Get Fresh Books Reading: Engel, Langstroth, Garcia, Carter-Jones, Himeles
Saturday, February 6th, 7:00pm EST
White Whale Bookstore will host a reading with Get Fresh Books authors featuring Kathy Engel (The Lost Brother Alphabet), Gail Langstroth (firegarden / jardín-de-fuego),  Roberto Carlos Garcia (Elegies), Sheila Carter-Jones (Three Birds Deep), and Darla Himeles (Cleave). Free. Register here.

Denice Frohman
Saturday, February 6th, 7:30pm EST
The Academy of Music Theatre will present a feature performance with award-winning poet Denice Frohman and introduce a rising award-winning poet from Western Massachusetts, Marissa Perez. Free, with 200 tickets available. Register here.

Anna Meister Reads from What Nothing
Saturday, February 6th, 8:00pm EST
Anna Meister will read from her debut full-length poetry collection, What Nothing, alongside beloved poets and friends Madeleine Barnes (You Do Not Have To Be Good), Chase Berggrun (R E D), and Emily O’Neill (a falling knife has no handle). Free, via Zoom.

Literary Reading Series: Joshua Whitehead
Saturday, February 6th, 10:00pm EST
The Sunshine Coast Arts Council will host writerTwo-Spirit Joshua Whitehead, Oji-nêhiyaw member of Peguis First Nation (Treaty 1), for a reading from his novel Johnny Appleseed and Love After the End: Two-Spirit Utopias and Dystopias, of which he recently served as editor. Free, with registration.

Call Me By Your Name author André Aciman interview
Sunday, February 7th, 2:00pm EST
Professor Franco Mormando will interview author André Aciman (Find Me) about LGBTQ themes in his writing. Tickets start at $12. Via Zoom.

Pam Muñoz Ryan Virtual Event
Sunday, February 7th, 2:30pm EST
Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures will host a talk featuring Newberry Honoree Pam Muñoz Ryan as she discusses her newest novel, Mañanaland. Free. Register here.

An Afternoon with Carolyn Forché and Lori Soderlind
Sunday, February 7th, 4:00pm EST
Hudson Valley Writers Center will host an afternoon memoir reading and lively Q&A featuring acclaimed writers Carolyn Forché (What You Have Heard Is True) and Lori Soderlind (Chasing Montana: A Love Story). Co-hosted by Book Ya Ya. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

Book Launch: What Mothers Withhold by Elizabeth Kropth
Sunday, February 7th, 5:00pm EST
BookWoman will host a book launch to celebrate Elizabeth Kropf’s debut poetry chapbook, what mothers withhold, recently published through Finishing Line Press. Poet and photographer Cindy Huyser (Burning Number Five: Power Plant Poems) will emcee. Free. Register here.

Author! Author! Literary Series
Sunday, February 7th, 7:00pm EST
As part of the Author! Author! Literary Series from the Deschutes Public Library Foundation, award-winning author Ta-Nehisi Coates (The Water Dancer) will join in conversation with fellow award-winning writer Mitchell S. Jackson (Survival Math: Notes on an All-American Family). Tickets start at $25 and can be reserved here.

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