Steve Almond, the best-selling author known for his clever wit, thorough reporting and strong political opinions, will give a writing workshop and a free talk on Thursday, May 24, at The Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave., Hartford.
Almond’s latest is “Bad Stories: What the Hell Just Happened to Our Country,” and he is the author of the best-sellers “Candy Freak” and “Against Football,” among other books. He also hosts the advice podcast “Dear Sugars” with author Cheryl Strayed, which also runs as a weekly New York Times column.
Almond will lead a workshop from 4 to 7 p.m. for up to 20 participants called “How to Turn Your Obsession into Prose.” The cost is $75 and includes admission to his 7:30 p.m. talk on Twain, current events and what he thinks Twain would say about today’s politics. Admission to the talk alone is free.
Information or reservations: 860-247-0998 or marktwainhouse.org.
R.J. Julia Events
R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road, Madison, will present authors who write in various genres. The events are free and require registration at 203-245-3959 or rjjulia.com.
On Tuesday, May 22, at 7 p.m., Claire Legrand, author of “Furyborn,” the first book in a planned Empirium Trilogy fantasy series, will discuss her work with author Phoebe North. Legrand has published several novels for children and young adults, and North is the author of “Starglass” and “Starbreak.”
On Wednesday, May 23, at 7 p.m., Connecticut author Eric D. Lehman will discuss “Connecticut Vanguards: Historic Trailblazers & Their Legacies,” his chronicle of two dozen state residents whose inventive spirits and talents influenced the state and the world. Lehman has published a dozen books of history, travel and fiction, many of which have won awards.
On Thursday, May 24, at 6:30 p.m., Alison McGhee will discuss her young adult novel about a teenage boy who finds peace by helping others after his father’s suicide, told in 100 chapters of 100 words each. McGhee is the best-selling author of “Someday” and other novels, as well children’s books.
On Friday, May 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown, Lisa Ko, a Wesleyan graduate who was a finalist for the 2017 National Book Award for fiction for her novel, “The Leavers,” will speak. It won the 2016 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Fiction, for novels about issues of social justice. Set in New York and China, the book explores immigration, motherhood, adoption and assimilation.
Information: 860-685-3939 or books@wesleyan.edu.
Hickory Stick Bookshop
Joan Lownds will give a free talk on her book, “Dogs of Camelot,” on Sunday, May 20, at 2 p.m. at The Hickory Stick Bookshop, 2 Green Hill Road, Washington Depot. The book explores the Kennedy family’s love of dogs.
Lownds, an award-winning writer and reporter for several Connecticut newspapers and magazines, also wrote “Man Overboard: Inside the Honeymoon Cruise Murder.”
On Saturday, May 26, at 1:15 p.m., Alfred Kelman will sign copies of his book, “Of Time and the River.” Kelman, who is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker and longtime resident of the town of Washington, writes about the history of the town as shown by people, places, and events in 2017. 860-868 0525 or hickorystickbookshop.com.
Bank Square Books
Bank Square Books, 53 W Main St., Mystic will host several book signings and a free talk.
On Sunday, May 20, from 1 to 3 p.m., Mystic resident and former U.S. Army officer Dave Bushy will sign copies of “The World Looked Away: Vietnam After the War,” which details the brutal treatment of those who remained in the former South Vietnam after the war ended in April 1975, told through the experiences of a former South Vietnamese naval officer and his wife.
On Saturday, May 26, from 1 to 3 p.m., West Hartford poet Steven Lane will sign copies of his collection, “The Raft.”
Other authors will give talks and sign books.
On Monday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m., Merrill House fellow Moira Egan will read from her New Criterion Poetry Prize-winning “Synæsthesium,” a collection of works of ekphrasis — poetry inspired by a real or imagined work of art.
On Wednesday, May 23, at 6:30 p.m., George Michelsen Foy will discuss his nonfiction book, “Run the Storm: A Savage Hurricane, a Brave Crew, and the Wreck of the SS El Faro,” the true story of the mysterious 2015 sinking of an American cargo ship in the Bermuda Triangle, killing 33. Foy also wrote “Finding North: How Navigation Makes Us Human” and “Zero Decibels: The Quest for Absolute Silence,” and 12 novels.
Information: 860-536-3795 or banksquarebooks.com.
Storyteller’s Cottage
The Storyteller’s Cottage, 750 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury, will present a Murder in the Library program with local mystery writer Chuck Radda, author of “Flood Moon,” on Sunday, May 20 at 3 p.m. Cost: $5.
On Thursday, May 24, at 7 p.m., Cindy Rodriguez and Kirsten Holmstedt will speak. Rodriguez will read from her young adult novel, “When Reason Breaks,” about two teen girls fighting anger and depression, and from her contribution to the anthology of true stories, “Life Inside My Mind.” Holmstedt is the author of “Band of Sisters: American Women at War in Iraq” and “The Girls Come Marching Home.” 860-877-6099 or StorytellersCottage.com.
Poetry Place
The Clinton Art Gallery’s free Poetry Place Sunday Series and open mic will continue Sunday, May 20, at 2 p.m. with Connecticut poets Jamie Crepeau, Pit Pinegar and Brie Quartin at Olcott Art Center, 20 East Main St., Clinton. pattonybarone@aol.com or 203-627-4148.
International Book Discussion
The Avon Free Public Library International Book Discussion Series, featuring fictional books set in Mexico, will begin Monday May 21, at 2 p.m. with “The Hummingbird’s Daughter” by Luis Alberto Urrea.
Other discussions will be June 4, on “Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel and June 18 on “Night of Sorrows” by Frances Sherwood. clarsen@avonctlibrary.info or 860- 673-9712.
Thompson On Kenyon
Poet Sue Ellen Thompson will give a talk on Marriage, Metaphor, & Mortality: The Poetry of Jane Kenyon, on Wednesday, May 23, at 6 p.m. at La Grua Center, 32 Water St., Stonington. The suggested donation is $5.
Kenyon published four poetry collections before dying at 47, and is now considered one of America’s best lyric poets. Her work is known for its metaphors from nature and straightforward diction.
Thompson has published five collections and is editor of The Autumn House Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry. She has won many literary honors. 860-535-2300 or lagruacenter.org.
