Thursday 4/30: Leaf Litter celebrates its fifth issue release party with a reading. Mother Foucault’s Bookshop, 6 p.m., free.
Join Ooligan Press for an evening reading of Untangling the Knot: Queer Voices on Marriage, Relationships & Identity featuring A.M. O’Malley, Sailor Holladay, Mel Wells, and Ben Anderson-Nathe. Floyd’s Coffee, 7 p.m., free.
Visit the reception for In and Out of Context—a wood block print show featuring writing from local poets and authors Mindy Nettifee, Dena Rash Guzman, Sean Davis, Robert Lashley, Robert Duncan Gray, John Barrios, Tommy Gaffney, Leah Noble Davidson, A.M. O’Malley and artwork by Brian Tibbetts. Vintage Cocktail Lounge, 7 p.m., free.
Ryan Gattis reads from his novel, All Involved, set in the chaotic streets of South Central LA in the wake of one of the most notorious, incendiary, and racially charged trials of the 1990s. Powell’s City of Books;, 7:30 p.m., free.
Friday 5/1: Join Trevor Blake for a reading and signing of his book, The Gospel According to Malfew Seklew: and Other Writings By and About Sirfessor Wilkesbarre. Mother Foucalt’s Bookshop, 7 p.m., free.
If Not For Kidnap celebrates its 60th reading with work from poets Michael Morse, Tod Marshall, Kimberly Burwick, Andrew Michael Roberts, and Broc Rossell. Ristretto Roasters, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 5/2: Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day by visiting any independent bookstore in Portland!
The 33rd Annual Weather Channel Reading Series welcomes Olivia Olivia, Hajara Quinn, Andrew Squitiro, Mike Young, and Leni Zumas for this stormy reading. Bring an umbrella. Mother Foucault’s Bookshop, 7 p.m., free.
Sunday 5/3: Marina Keegan‘s star was on the rise when she graduated magna cum laude from Yale in May 2012. Tragically, five days after graduation, Keegan died in a car crash. The Opposite of Loneliness is her unforgettable collection of essays and stories that articulates the struggle all of us face as we figure out what we aspire to be and how to harness our talents to impact the world. Anne Fadiman, author of The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down and Keegan’s former writing teacher, will discuss her relationship with Keegan and offer a reading from The Opposite of Loneliness. Powell’s City of Books, 7:30 p.m., free.
Monday 5/4: Join Poeming Pigeons: Poems About Birds for their book launch celebration featuring readings by Annie Lighthart, Brenda Taulbee, Carolyn Martin, Christa Kaainoa, Douglas Spangle, Eileen McGurn, Irene Bloom, Jennifer Kemnitz, Lynn Knapp, ‘M’, M.F. McAuliffe, Matt Amott, Michael Shay, Pattie Palmer-Baker, Shawn Aveningo, Steve Williams, and Tricia Knoll. Ford Food + Drink, 7 p.m., free.
The World Affairs Council of Oregon welcomes award-winning investigative journalist Chris Woods as he explores the secretive history of the United States’s use of armed drones and their key role not only on today’s battlefields but also in a covert targeted killing project that has led to the deaths of thousands in his latest book, Sudden Justice: America’s Secret Drone Wars. Powell’s City of Books, 7:30 p.m., free.
Tuesday 5/5: Liz Prato reads from her debut collection, Baby’s on Fire, featuring 12 stories set in the West. Prato’s strong female protagonists are trying to find their way in the world as the ties of intimacy are damaged and broken. Powell’s City of Books, 7:30 p.m., free.
Wednesday 5/6: Join editor Sally K. Lehman as she invites contributors from Bear the Pall: Stories & Poems About the Loss of a Parent to read for their book launch, with readings by Katie Redmond, Sean Davis, Jessica Ann Standifird, Adam Loewen, Judith Pullman, Susan Pierce, and F.I. Goldhaber. Post 134, 7 p.m., free.
Steven Quartz reads from his latest book, Cool, about the neuroscience and philosophy behind consumer spending. Powell’s City of Books, 7:30 p.m., free.
