Your Week in Virtual Book Parties, May 26 to May 31

Lockdown Lit @ Lunch with Mary South and Erin Somers
Tuesday, May 26, 2pm EDT
Lockdown Lit @ Lunch, a new weekly salon that spotlights books published during the coronavirus  pandemic, hosts Mary South (You Will Never Be Forgotten) and Erin Somers (Stay Up with Hugo Best) for brief readings and a discussion with ZYZZYVA managing editor Oscar Villalon. Presented in partnership with The Booksmith and ZYZZYVA, via Facebook Live. Free.

Virtual #ScribdChat: Jess Walter in Conversation with Tom Beer
Tuesday, May 26, 6:30pm EDT
Jess Walter will discuss his new Scribd Originals piece “Town & Country” with Kirkus Reviews editor Tom Beer, followed by an audience Q&A. Via Zoom, register here. Free.

Tor After Dark Instagram Live Series with Alaya Dawn Johnson
Tuesday, May 26, 7pm EDT
Join the author of Trouble the Saints for a reading and live Q&A on the Tor Books Instagram. Free.

Get Lit With All of It: Kate Elizabeth Russell (My Dark Vanessa)
Tuesday, May 26, 7-8pm EDT
In the latest installment of WNYC’s All of It virtual book club series, debut author Kate Elizabeth Russell discusses her bestselling novel with host Alison Stewart. Plus, catch a live performance by Grammy Award-winning musician Aimee Mann. Watch it on The Greene Space’s livestream. Free.

Devotion Paperback Release
Tuesday, May 26, 8-9pm EDT
Madeline Stevens celebrates the paperback release of her novel Devotion with a cross-country virtual reading. She’ll be joined by authors Lauren Wilkinson (American Spy), Lynn Steger Strong (Hold Still), and Hala Alyan (Salt Houses), via Zoom. Register here for the link. Free.

LIVE from NYPL: Terry McMillan with Tayari Jones
Tuesday, May 26, 8-9pm
Terry McMillan discusses her new novel It’s Not All Downhill from Here, her creative influences, and the career she has built writing stories about resilience with the Women’s Prize for Fiction-winning author of An American Marriage, Tayari Jones. Via Zoom, register here. Free.

The Antibody: Elizabeth Kadetsky, Lisa Olstein, and Sejal Shah
Tuesday, May 26, 8-9pm EDT
Elizabeth Kadetsky (The Memory Eaters), Lisa Olstein (Pain Studies), and Sejal Shah (This Is One Way to Dance) join host Brian Gresko at this weekly reading series and Q&A. On Zoom. Free.

Guerrilla Lit Reading Series
Wednesday, May 27, 7:30pm EDT
Guerrilla Lit hosts Farooq Ahmed, Nicole Mabry, and Peter Kline. Presented by Dixon Place Literary Programs, via Zoom. Register here to receive the event link. Free.

Virtual Selected Shorts: Choose Your Own Reality
Wednesday, May 27, 7:30pm EDT
For the premiere of Virtual Selected Shorts, host BD Wong and performers D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place), Paul Giamatti (Billions), and Marin Ireland (Sneaky Pete) present short fiction by Nathan Go, Sherrie Flick, Rachel Yoder, and Philip K. Dick. Via the Symphony Space YouTube channel. Free.

Nerd Jeopardy! with Edan Lepucki and Jazmina Barrera
Wednesday, May 27, 8-9pm EDT
Host Ryan Chapman welcomes guest authors Edan Lepucki (California) and Jazmina Barrera (On Lighthouses) to his weekly literary trivia game show. Sign up for the newsletter to receive the Zoom event password. Free.

Live Talks Los Angeles: Lisa Napoli (Up All Night) in conversation with KTLA News Anchor Frank Buckley
Wednesday, May 27, 9pm EDT
Lisa Napoli will discuss her new book Up All Night: Ted Turner, CNN and the Birth of 24 Hour News with KTLA’s Frank Buckley. Watch it on Facebook Live or on YouTube. Free.

Book & Bathrobes with Anna Solomon
Thursday, May 28, 10:30am-12pm PDT
Literary Affairs presents a Books & Bathrobes event, featuring Anna Solomon (The Book of V) in a book club-style conversation with Julie Robinson, followed by a Q & A. Bathrobes or sweats are suggested attire. Via Zoom with a $5 fee.

Ilana Masad Presents All My Mother’s Lovers with Brandon Taylor
Thursday, May 28, 7-8pm EDT
Ilana Masad celebrates the release of her book All My Mother’s Lovers in conversation with Brandon Taylor. Register for the event on Zoom, or watch it livestreamed on the Strand’s Facebook page. Free.

Always Crashing Issue 3 Virtual Reading and Release Party, Night 1
Thursday, May 28, 7pm EDT
Always Crashing celebrates the release of its third annual print issue with two nights of readings and virtual gatherings. The first night’s readers are Daniel Bailey, Jodi Bosin, Susan Falco, Ava Hofman, John Trefry, and Joanna Cleary. Via Zoom, RSVP here. Free.

Reading With Robin presents Mensch-Chat: Mitch Albom, Jason Rosenthal, and Ariel Burger
Thursday, May 28, 7pm EDT
Acclaimed authors Jason Rosenthal, Ariel Burger, and Mitch Albom join host Robin Kall for a conversation about their latest books and what it means to be a mensch living in these turbulent times, followed by an open Q&A. Via Crowdcast. Proceeds from the $10 tickets will benefit the authors’ charities.

Nicole Dennis-Benn presents Patsy in conversation with Imani Perry
Thursday, May 28, 7:30pm EDT
Award-winning author Nicole Dennis-Benn celebrates the paperback release of her novel Patsy with Imani Perry (Looking for Lorraine). Register here for this Zoom event, presented by Greenlight Bookstore. Free.

Jose R. Ralat Discusses American Tacos with Russell Contreras
Thursday, May 28, 6pm MDT
Jose R. Ralat, the taco editor at Texas Monthly, and AP reporter Russell Contreras discuss Ralat’s new book American Tacos, which examines the roots and history of American tacos through research and interviews with the taqueros, taco lovers, and families of those who make them today. Presented by Bookworks, via Zoom. RSVP to rsvp@bkwrks.com for the event link. Free.

Poetry Night With Jenny Zhang, Tommy Pico, Morgan Parker & Khadijah Queen
Thursday, May 28, 6:30pm PST
Skylight Books presents the poets of Tin House: Jenny Zhang (My Baby First Birthday), Tommy Pico (Feed), Morgan Parker (Magical Negro), and Khadijah Queen (ANODYNE). Register here for this Zoom event. Free. 

Kill Your Darlings: Why Writers Imperil Their Heroes with Veronica Roth and Charlie Jane Anders
Thursday, May 28, 7pm PST
The bestselling authors of science fiction and fantasy talk about their latest books and why they love putting their heroes in peril. Presented by Copperfield’s Books, via Zoom. Free.

The Week in Books LIVE
Friday, May 29, 10am EDT
Starring Book Marks‘ editors Dan Sheehan and Katie Yee, bringing you all the news, reviews, and bookish weirdness of THESE TIMES. At LitHub.com.

Transnational Literature Series: Meena Kandasamy in conversation with Karthika Naïr
Friday, May 29, 4pm EDT
As a part of Brookline Booksmith’s ongoing series, and in partnership with Point Reyes Books and Lit Hub, Meena Kandasamy discusses her novel When I Hit You with Karthika Nair. Sign up here. Free.

Always Crashing Issue 3 Virtual Reading and Release Party, Night 2
Friday, May 29, 7pm EDT
Always Crashing hosts a second night of readings celebrating the release of its third annual print issue. The lineup features Bradley J. Fest, Armand Eduard, Robert Wilson Engle, Jill Khoury, Colin Rafferty, and Joe Sacksteder. Via Zoom, RSVP here. Free.

BookCon: Chaos & Cosmos, presented by Tor
Saturday, May 30, 12:20-1pm EDT
Tor Books and Tor.com Publishing host an eclectic mix of speculative fiction authors and new voices. Tochi Onyebuchi, V.E. Schwab, TJ Clune, Andrea Hairston, and Sarah Kozloff will discuss how they are breaking traditional rules of genre fiction and how chaos may reign in fantasy worlds, the cosmos, and the real world alike. Via Facebook Live. Free.

Short Story Panel: Amy Shearn, Cyn Vargas, and Rachel Hall
Saturday, May 30, 2pm Central
In celebration of Short Story Month, Patricia Ann McNair moderates a panel of three short fiction authors who will read their stories, discuss the genre, and share their recent and upcoming publications. Presented by Hidden Timber Books, as part of its Small Press Author Reading Series. Via Zoom, register here. Free.

Women Writers in Bloom Online Potluck Salon & Open Mic
Saturday, May 30, 3-6pm EDT
Bring your favorite meal or snack and beverage to this Online Potluck Salon & Open Mic, presented by the Women Writers in Bloom Poetry Salon and hosted by Salon curator JP Howard and Salon poet Cynthia Manick. The event includes writing prompts from Howard, readings by featured poets Marilyn Nelson, Lauren K. Alleyne, Shauna M. Morgan, and Meher Manda, and an open mic for a limited number of participants.. Via Zoom, register here. Free.

Les Bleus Literary Salon
Saturday, May 30, 6pm EDT
Les Bleus hosts Amy Poeppel, Celia Bland, Matthew Binder, Ilana Masad, and Noé Alvarez at its weekly salon, via Zoom. RSVP to lesbleusnyc@gmail.com for the link. Free. 

Mekuvan Reading Series: David Caplan and Lonnie Monka
Sunday, May 31, 12pm EDT
Poet David Caplan joins Jerusalem’s Mekuvan series for a reading and Q&A moderated by Lonnie Monka, founder of the Jerusalism literary arts initiative, via Zoom. RSVP to jerusalism@gmail.com for the link, or watch on Facebook Live. Free.

BookCon: Hill House Horror
Sunday, May 31, 12:20-1pm EDT
Horror and mystery icons Joe Hill, Carmen Maria Machado, Laura Marks, and M. R. Carey share spooky, nail-biting insights into their acclaimed books. Via Facebook Live. Free.

Literary Modiin Virtual Author Evening: Erika Dreifus, Ellen Meeropol, and Sandell Morse
Sunday, May 31, 1pm EDT
Literary Modiin spotlights three authors and their new books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Hosted by Julie Zuckerman, via Zoom. Register here for the link. Free.

Shuly Cawood Presents A Small Thing To Want
Sunday, May 31, 2pm Central
Shuly Cawood will read from A Small Thing to Want, her debut story collection. Presented by Hidden Timber Books, as part of its Small Press Author Reading Series. Via Zoom. Register here. Free.

The Mount Presents: True Conversations with Jessica Shattuck
Sunday, May 31, 4-5pm EDT
For this new monthly series featuring women fiction writers presented by The Mount (Edith Wharton’s Home), writer and The Best American Short Stories editor Heidi Pitlor talks to Jessica Shattuck  (The Women in the Castle), via Zoom. A drink or food recipe chosen by the guest author will be sent to registrants before the event. Register here for the link. Free.