This week in New York lots of literary events to make you forget that you’re not going to be at AWP: authors Maxine Hong Kingston and Leslie Marmon Silko introduced by Toni Morrison at the 92nd Street Y, Bomb Magazine reading at Half King, learn about New York City’s Best Dive Bars, powerHouse Arena hosts a book party for Deb Olin Unferth’s new memoir, go see some of the most important Oscar-nominated documentaries throughout the years, and First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum.
MONDAY 1/31: Maxine Hong Kingston, I Love a Broad Margin to My Life, and Leslie Marmon Silko, The Turquoise Ledge, read from their new memoirs. Toni Morrison will introduce Kingston and Silko. 92nd Street Y. 8 p.m. $27, Age 35 and under $10.
BOMB magazine will feature authors Justin Taylor, Dorothea Lasky, Ben Mirov, and Luke Degnan as part of the Half King Monday Reading Series. Half King. 7 p.m. Free.
TUESDAY 2/01: Rana Dasgupta reads from his second book Solo, winner of the U.K.’s Commonwealth Prize. Moderator is John Freeman, editor of Granta. 192 Books. 7 p.m. Free.
WEDNESDAY 2/02: If you want to know where the best dive bars in New York City are, go hear Ben Westhoff read from his new book, New York City’s Best Dive Bars. Following the reading there will be a trip to Grassroots Tavern, an East Village dive bar. Strand Bookstore. 6:30 p.m. Free.
Tonight is the book party for Deb Olin Unferth’s new memoir, Revolution: The Year I Fell in Love and Went to Join the War, co-hosted by The Believer. Unferth will discuss the book with Heidi Julavits, co-editor of The Believer. Refreshments will be served. powerHouse Arena. 7 p.m. Free.
THURSDAY 2/03: Colm Tóibín, author of the novel Brooklyn, discusses his collection of short stories, The Empty Family. New York Public Library, Stephen Schwarzman Building. 7 p.m. $25, Students/Seniors $15.
“Oscar’s Docs, 1964-85: The Front Lines at Home and Abroad“ explores Oscar-nominated documentaries that explore both domestic and international conflicts. Screening begins today and runs until February 7. Some of the documentaries include The Times of Harvey Milk, Broken Rainbow, and The Anderson Platoon. MoMA. Museum admission fee $20, Seniors $16, Students $12.
FRIDAY 2/04: Simon Van Booy and Todd Colby join author Andrew Shaffer for a discussion on his book Great Philosophers Who Failed at Love. Book Court. 7 P.m.
SATURDAY 2/05: “Framing Our History” is a jam-packed program in celebration of Black History Month complete with bebop, swing, and big band music; a movie screening of The Great Debaters; exhibitions; and a dance party with DJ Stormin’ Norman for Target First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum. 5 p.m. Free.
SUNDAY 2/06: Why not watch the Super Bowl surrounded by books? At “It’s Not a Sportsbar: A Very Bookstore Super Bowl Party” watch the big game on the big screen, eat, drink and spend some money on raffles. Housing Works Bookstore Café. 6 p.m.
Authors Thad Rutkowski, David Winner, John Domini, and Tim W. Brown will read at “An Evening with Gival Press,” as part of KGB Bar’s Sunday Night Fiction series. 7 p.m.
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