Thursday 7/3: Join Jesse Moynihan for a First Thursday book launch party and exhibition celebrating his new book, Forming II (July 2014), sequel to the widely acclaimed Forming (August 2011). Floating World Comics, 6 p.m., free.
Tod Davies shares stories about cooking for herself, her friends, her family, and pets during the best and worst of times in her latest book, Jam Today Too: The Revolution Will Not Be Catered (June 2014). Powell’s on Hawthorne, 7:30 p.m., free.
Friday 7/4: Portland’s writing community will be too busy drinking and shooting off fireworks to read tonight! Get drunk with a book!
Saturday 7/5: Calling all zinesters who are up for a challenge! Participants in the 6th annual 24-Hour Zine Challenge are dared to complete a 24-page zine in 24 straight hours. There will be music, refreshments, materials, and zine comrades to keep you fueled as we hunker down in the IPRC. To prepare for this Olympic-style event, get sponsors to support you, who in return for their pledge of $10 or more, will receive a copy of your completed zine! Spots are still available, but pre-registration is required. IPRC, 12 p.m., $5 for participants, free to spectators.
Sunday 7/6: Reading Frenzy is pleased to announce the launch of the Verse Union poetry club! Each month the club will read one new book by a living poet. The first meeting feature a reading from poet Emily Kendal Frey, author of The Grief Performance (January 2011), followed by Q&A, meet & greet, and a chance to buy Frey’s book. Reading Frenzy, 4 p.m., free.
Monday: 7/7: Children’s book author Eric A. Kimmel and Sybilla Cook, author of Walking Portland (April 2013), will team up for the History Night presentation “Beverly Cleary’s Neighborhood,” complete with photographs of the places important in the writer’s life and career. Mission Theater, 7 p.m., free.
Josh Weil reads from his new book, The Great Glass Sea (July 2014), an ambitious epic of love and loss swathed in the magic of Russian folklore. Powell’s on Hawthorne, 7:30 p.m., free.
Kevin J. H. Dettmar’s Gang of Four’s Entertainment! (March 2014) explores the brilliance of the influential album by the same name. Dettmar will be joined in conversation by Gang of Four’s bass guitarist Dave Allen. Powell’s City of Books, 7:30 p.m., free.
Tuesday 7/8: Barbara Scot reads from her latest memoir, The Nude Beach Notebook (June 2014) written about her time walking the nude beaches of Sauvie Island and considering her family history. Broadway Books, 7 p.m., free.
Michael Deibert zeroes in on the story of the notorious Mexican Gulf Cartel, their deadly war with their former allies Los Zetas, the cartel’s connections in Mexican politics, and what its trajectory means for Mexico’s—and America’s—future. In the Shadow of Saint Death (June 2014) gives readers the story of the war being waged along the border. Powell’s City of Books, 7:30 p.m. free.
Wednesday 7/9: Portland authors Laura Winter and Harold Johnson read—Winters will read from her various poetry collections and Johnson from his new book, Citizenship (June 2014). Glyph, 4 p.m., free.
