Books
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Nick Hornby If you’ve seen Wild, you’ll know that the English novelist Hornby (About a Boy, High Fidelity) has become an expert adapter of what once used to be called women’s stories. Perhaps appropriately then, his new Funny Girl (Riverhead, $29.75) follows a provincial beauty queen through her meteoric early success as a sitcom star of the mid-’60s. Swiftly renamed Sophie Straw, our plucky heroine is a bit like Georgy Girl: a single girl arrived in London at a time when single girls were suddenly presented with a whole new menu of freedoms. And more, Sophie becomes on TV an emblem for newly outspoken, emancipated single girls who are colliding with the old notions of class and gender roles. Yet she’s a careerist, happiest when working, and determined to succeed on the Beeb. I didn’t realize until reading the endnotes to Hornby’s happy, humorous novel how many real-life TV industry references and shows he’d interpolated into the plot. In a sense, Funny Girl is his imagining of the backstage intrigues and affairs of an imaginary sitcom during the era when he grew up, glued to the box. It is, like his prior novels, a warmly affirmative affair, with no villains or serious setbacks. And, Hollywood take note, it’ll offer a plum role to an actress who’d look great in vintage Carnaby Street fashions and knows how to sell a joke. Carey Mulligan had her turn in An Education (adapted by Hornby), so I’ll cast my vote for Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything). But who will play Terence Stamp for the Terence Stamp cameo? BRIAN MILLER Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $35-$40 Sunday, February 8, 2015, 7:30pm
Sheri Fink Presented by Seattle Arts & Lectures, the author discusses her Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital, about the aftermath to Hurricane Katrina Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $15-$50 Tuesday, February 10, 2015, 7:30 – 9:30pm
Seattle Poetry Slam Local poets share their verse and spoken word compositions. 21 and over. Rebar, 1114 Howell StreetSeattle, WA $5 Tuesday, February 10, 2015, 8 – 11:30pm
Mary Szybist The poet reads from her work including Incarnadine in the Seattle Pacific Art Center Gallery. Seattle Pacific University, 3214 Fourth Ave. W. Free Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Daniel Handler The author also known as Lemony Snicket discusses his new novel We Are Pirates. Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104 Free Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 7 – 8pm
David Treuer His new novel Prudence has already received high praise from Toni Morrison. Elliott Bay Book Co., 1521 10th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122 Free Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Kate E. Thompson She makes her literary debut with Bigfoot Hunters Never Lie. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., Seattle, 98115 Free Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Richelle Mead
The Ruby Circle: A Bloodlines Novel is the conclusion of the <i>Bloodlines</i> series. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98105 Free Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Jeanne Matthews
Where the Bones are Buried is another installment in the Dinah Pelerin mystery series. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., Seattle, 98115 Free Thursday, February 12, 2015, 5 – 6pm
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Issa Rae
Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl is a collection of personal essays on everything from cybersexing to self-acceptance. UW Ethnic Cultural Center, 3931 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., Seattle, WA 98105 Free Thursday, February 12, 2015, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Ann Hedreen Her new memoir, Her Beautiful Brain, is about motherhood, Alzheimer’s, and loss. Ravenna Third Place Books, 6504 20th Ave. N.E., Seattle, WA 98115 Free Thursday, February 12, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Matt Zoller Seitz The <i>New York Magazine</i> critic and EIC at RogerEbert.com discusses his new book The Wes Anderson Collection: The Grand Budapest Hotel filled with interviews and insight on the making of the film. Elliott Bay Book Co., 1521 10th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122 Free Thursday, February 12, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Rainer Maria Rilke Poets Kary Wayson, Deborah Woodard, and Shin Yu Pai celebrate the influence of Rainer Maria Rilke. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122 Free Thursday, February 12, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Scott McCloud One of the most recognized authorities in comics, he discusses his new graphic novel, Sculptor.
University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98105 Free Thursday, February 12, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Randy Henderson The Seattle native presents a new story about freedom and exile in Finn Fancy Necromancy. Eagle Harbor Books, 157 Winslow Way E., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Free Thursday, February 12, 2015, 7:30 – 8:30pm
David J. Morris
The Evil Hours: a Biography of Post-Traumatic Stress is an eye-opening look at PTSD. Elliott Bay Book Co., 1521 10th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122 Free Friday, February 13, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Lynsey Addario It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War is her illustrated memoir as of life as a photojournalist in numerous war zones. Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104 Free Friday, February 13, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Shannon Galpin She discusses her activism work in her memoir Mountain to Mountain.
University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98105 Free Friday, February 13, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Guy Colwell The release of the new anthology of <i>Inner City Romance </i>with an exhibition of his original artwork. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, 1201 S. Vale St. Free Saturday, February 14, 2015, 6 – 7pm
David J. Morris He discusses his new book The Evil Hours: A Biography of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., Seattle, 98115 Free Saturday, February 14, 2015, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Dave Richards His new novel If I Could Give You a Day raises interesting moral questions. Eagle Harbor Books, 157 Winslow Way E., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Free Sunday, February 15, 2015, 3 – 4pm
David Domke Marching to Selma: How MLK, LBJ & the Civil Rights Movement Changed the World is the fourth lecture in a five-part series. University of Washington Campus, 15th Ave. N.E. and N.E. 41st St., Seattle, WA 98105 Free Monday, February 16, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Marianne Apostolides In Wyckoff Auditorium, she reads from her novel Book Thug. Discussion follows with Seattle U prof Jason Wirth. Seattle University, 901 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122 Free Monday, February 16, 2015, 7 – 9pm
Christian G. Appy The University of Massechussetts, Amherst history professor discusses his new now, American Reckoning: The Vietnam War and Our National Identity. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $5 Monday, February 16, 2015, 7:30 – 8:30pm
Kelly Link The author of Magic for Beginners and Pretty Monsters discusses her new book Get in Trouble. Elliott Bay Book Co., 1521 10th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122 Free Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Seattle Poetry Slam Local poets share their verse and spoken word compositions. 21 and over. Rebar, 1114 Howell StreetSeattle, WA $5 Tuesday, February 17, 2015, 8 – 11:30pm
Martin Frost and Tom Davis The Congressmen’s co-written book,<i> Partisan Divide</i> offers solutions to bipartisan cooperation from their 40 years of experience. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $5 Wednesday, February 18, 2015, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Carmen Boullosa
Texas: The Great Theft is the new book from Mexican novelist, poet, and playwright. Elliott Bay Book Co., 1521 10th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122 Free Wednesday, February 18, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Jeanine Walker The local writer reads excerpts from her play Polarities, set in 1993 and based on her youthful experiences. Hollow Earth Radio, 2018 E. Union St., #A, Seattle, WA 98122 FREE Wednesday, February 18, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Stealing the Game is the second in series from the basketball star. Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104 Free Thursday, February 19, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Kyle Boelte The Seattle memoirist makes his fiction debut with The Beautiful Unseen. Elliott Bay Book Co., 1521 10th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122 Free Thursday, February 19, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Robert Levy His new work, The Glittering World, has been compared to Neil Gaiman. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., Seattle, 98115 Free Thursday, February 19, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Mark Doten He discusses his debut novel about the War on Terror, The Infernal. Elliott Bay Book Co., 1521 10th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122 Free Friday, February 20, 2015, 7 – 8pm
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David Axelrod The liberal Chicago journalist became a political consultant and trusted advisor to future President Obama, as detailed in his new memoir Believer: My Forty Years in Politics. Steve Scher gets up in his grill. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $38.05 Friday, February 20, 2015, 7:30 – 8:30pm
Jonathan D. Moreno The bioethicist discusses Impromptu Man, a biography about the impact his renowned father J.L. Moreno had on his life. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 Free Friday, February 20, 2015, 7:30 – 8:30pm
Jason Black He discusses his new middle-grade novel, Blackpelt.
University Book Store (Bellevue), 990 102nd Ave. N.E., Bellevue, WA 98004 Free Saturday, February 21, 2015, 3 – 4pm
Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman The two present the second book in their The Accelerati Trilogy about a teen and his Nikola Tesla antique. University Book Store (Mill Creek), 15311 Main St., Mill Creek, WA 98012 Free Saturday, February 21, 2015, 5 – 6pm
Sara McGibbon DuBois The author pulled artifacts from the Edmonds Historical Museum for Edmonds 1850s-1950s.
Free Saturday, February 21, 2015, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Peter Stark
Astoria: Astor and Jefferson’s Lost Pacific Empire, A Tale of Ambition and Survival on the Early American Frontier, a story about early exploration of the Western frontier is being released in paperback. Eagle Harbor Books, 157 Winslow Way E., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Free Sunday, February 22, 2015, 3 – 4pm
Vivian McPeak The Executive Director of the this festival discusses Protestival: A 20 Year Restrospective of Seattle Hempfest. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98105 Free Sunday, February 22, 2015, 3 – 4pm
Peter Stark He discusses Astoria: John Jacob Astor and Thomas Jefferson’s Lost Pacific Empire: A Story of Wealth, Ambition, and Survival.
Elliott Bay Book Co., 1521 10th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122 Free Monday, February 23, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Kristin Hannah She discusses The Nightingale. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., Seattle, 98115 Free Tuesday, February 24, 2015, 5 – 6pm
Seattle Poetry Slam Local poets share their verse and spoken word compositions. 21 and over. Rebar, 1114 Howell StreetSeattle, WA $5 Tuesday, February 24, 2015, 8 – 11:30pm
John Benditt Nancy Pearl talks to him about his debut novel of about manhood and religion, The Boatmaker . University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98105 Free Wednesday, February 25, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Kate DiCamillo Author of Because of Winn-Dixie talks about her work. Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104 Free Wednesday, February 25, 2015, 7 – 8pm
Jennifer Hillman-Magnuson She discusses her travel memoir, Peanut Butter and Naan. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., Seattle, 98115 Free Friday, February 27, 2015, 7 – 8pm
