Portland Book Events: July 6-12

From what I could find (please contact me if you have an event you would like me to add to this or future schedules), the local book events for the week of July 6, 2009 through July 12, 2009 are:

Monday July 6-

1000 Words Reading Series (The Maiden, @7:00pm): Featuring stories from the writers of The Portland Fiction Project.  See Reading Local’s interviews with Jeremy Benjamin and Jacob Aiello of PFP, as well as essays from both writers here.

Lance Reynald Reading (Powells Books on Hawthorne, @7:30pm): Hailed as “marvelously endearing and insightful” by Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Lance Reynald’s debut novel Pop Salvation (Harper Perennial) spins together pop art and burgeoning sexuality in a fresh story about learning to trust yourself and the people you love.

Tuesday July 7-

Misty Nichols Reading (In Other Words Books, @7:00pm): I will read portions of the 6th chapter of my book; the chapter title is: A Javanese Princess and the Couch From Hell. This chapter entails the begining of treatment for ED and describes the near-death state I was in when I was forced into hospitalization. Afterword I’ll answer any questions the audience has.

Elizabeth Lyon (The Old Church, @7:00pm): On July 7th, Elizabeth Lyon will speak to Willamette Writers at the Old Church, SW 11th and Clay in Portland about Writing–and Publishing–Through Hard Times. The meeting starts at 7 pm; doors open, 6:30. $10 for non-members, free to members of WW and students. For more information about the meeting, read Randal Houle’s column or view Elizabeth speaking about query letters, subtext, and writing with voice at Oregon Writers Speak.

Elizabeth is the founder of Editing Internation, a company that offers review and critique services. Elizabeth is also the author of Manuscript Makeover, a writing workbook that offers practical tools for revising manuscripts. In Dec 2008, The Writer magazine’s feature writer, Chuck Leddy, selected Manuscript Makeover as “perhaps the most comprehensive book on revising fiction,” and one of “10 Great Writing Books in 2008.” Her other five books cover the craft of fiction and nonfiction, writing queries and marketing novels, writing proposals and marketing nonfiction, and a directory of freelance editors.

More About Elizabeth…

Craft Circle Book Group (Powells Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, @7:00pm): This month we meet to discuss Needled to Death by Maggie Sefton. Bring your crafting supplies as we talk books and crafts.

Gods and Soldiers: The Penguin Anthology of Contemporary African Writing (Powells City of Books, @7:30pm): Gods and Soldiers (Penguin), edited by Rob Spillman, is a one-of-a-kind collection that showcases the energy of new African literature and offers a vibrant and essential glimpse of Africa as it enters the 21st century. “This collection sheds light on a multifarious continent too often thought of in one-size-fits-all terms,” hails Publishers Weekly.

Sisters Singing (Annie Bloom’s Books, @7:30pm): Seven poets and writers will read from Sisters Singing: Blessings, Prayers, Art, Songs, Poetry and Sacred Stories by Women, a fresh new anthology of spiritual writing, art and music by women. Among those reading are writers Johanna Courtleigh of Portland, June BlueSpruce of Seattle, and the poets Marigold Fine, Mary Thomas, Jean Mahoney, Cooper Gallegos, and Sisters Singing editor Carolyn Brigit Flynn, all from Santa Cruz, California.

Sisters Singing interweaves several spiritual traditions, reflecting a connection to the sacred among women that often transcends religious boundaries. The anthology includes work from more than 135 writers, artists and musicians across the country, who span a wide variety of spiritual traditions, religious affiliations and ethnicities. What they share is an intimate and profound connection with the sacred.

Wednesday July 8-

Jeffrey Smith Lecture (University of Portland, Buckley Center Auditorium, @7:00pm): International best-selling author and filmmaker Jeffrey Smith will present ‘The Documented Health Dangers of Genetically Engineered Foods’. The lecture is an offering of the Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT), and is the first of a series on the risks of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Smith is a leading spokesperson on the dangers of GMOs, having addressed their impact on the world food supply in more than 30 different countries.

He is the author of the world’s best-selling and top-rated book on GMOs, Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You’re Eating, as well as Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods.

Smith’s lecture is expected to last 60 minutes and will be followed by a question and answer session. Joining the IRT in sponsoring the event are University food service provider Bon Appetit Management Company, Northwest Resistance Against Genetic Engineering, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, and The Campaign for Healthier Eating in America. Suggested donations of $5 per person for the IRT will be accepted.

Book Bags Women’s Book Group (Powells Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, @7:00pm): This month we meet to discuss Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. Join us!

David J. Williams Reading (Powells Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, @7:00pm): In his electrifying debut, The Mirrored Heavens, David J. Williams created a dark futuristic world grounded in the military rivalries, terror tactics, and political wrangling of our own time. Now, in The Burning Skies (Spectra Books), he takes his masterful blend of military sci-fi, espionage thriller, and dystopian cyberpunk one step further — to the edge of annihilation.

Q Literati presents Portland Queer Contributors (Q Center, @7:00pm): Ariel Gore is a “Jane of all Trades” in that she is a journalist, novelist, and nonfiction author. She is the founding editor and publisher of Hip Mama, an Alternative Press Award-winning publication covering the culture and politics of motherhood. Her book previous book, “How to Become a Famous Writer Before You’re Dead,” was released in 2007.

Tonight will be extra-special as we’re lucky enough to have the fabulous Nicole Vaicunas, Jacob Anderson-Minshall, David Oates, and Lois Leveen joining in to read portions of their submissions to the book. Their stories will range from finding peace at St. Mary’s to finding someone from Portland when away on vacation.

But, wait, there’s more! There always is: QLiterati! hostesses provides free gourmet snacks, door prizes, and an engaging author Q&A where those who ask questions are rewarded with homemade cookies.

Isis Aquarian Reading (Powells City of Books, @7:30pm): The Source: The Untold Story of Father Yod, Ya Ho Wa 13 and the Source Family (Process) is the astonishing true story of a young, white-robed tribe of outlaw mystics living communally in a mansion in the Hollywood Hills and serving the likes of John Lennon, Warren Beatty, and Marlon Brando at a famous Sunset Strip vegetarian restaurant called The Source.

Michael McCleod Reading (St. John’s Booksellers, @7:30pm): Part history, part road trip, and part biography, this is the true story of a remarkable group of men whose obsession with Bigfoot turned the giant hominid into an American icon. Award-winning journalist Michael McLeod tells of Bigfoot’s rise to tabloid stardom in a fast-paced account that begins with his own journey to investigate a famous 1967 film clip of a Bigfoot in a California forest. McLeod proceeds to uncover a trail of clues reaching from the late nineteenth century, when a few ambitious, imaginative naturalists and explorers synthesized historical and indigenous folklore with Darwinian ideas and speculated that a proto-hominid “missing link” might still be alive in remote areas. That speculation would eventually inspire a colorful cast of loggers, hunters, con artists, and businessmen in the twentieth century to create the modern myth of Bigfoot, all of them angling for a piece of a monster that the media and the public still can’t get enough of. Told through vividly narrated interviews and anecdotes, Anatomy of a Beast offers a unique perspective on the deep roots of counterfactual thinking—and how obsession and myth are created out of it.

We’re especially pleased about this event because in its former incarnation as Paperbacks Plus, our building used to host the meetings of the Western Bigfoot Society.  It’s a nod to our history that we hope will be enjoyed by skeptics and believers alike.

Thursday July 9-

Summer Thursday at ACP featuring Liz Rusch (A Childrens Place Bookstore, @1:00pm): During the bright, fun days of summertime, come join your friends at ACP for “Summer Thursdays.” Each Thursday at 1:00, the store will host various events from sidewalk-chalk art drawing to author workshop visits. Sure to be fun for all. This Thursday ACP plays host to Liz Rusch, storytelling and activities with the author of A Day with No Crayons.

Rhys Bowen Reading (Powells Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, @7:00pm): Royal Flush (Berkley), the latest in Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness mystery series, stars Lady Georgiana, who is 34th in line for the throne and the mystery world’s favorite penniless heiress.

Deadly Diversions Mystery Book Group (Powells Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, @7:00pm): This month we meet to discuss Colin Dexter’s Last Bus to Woodstock. Join us!

John Kroger Reading (Powells City of Books, @7:30pm): Starting from his time as a green recruit and ending at the peak of his career, John Kroger’s Convictions (Farrar Straus Giroux) is an unflinching portrait of the complexities of life as a prosecutor. “Kroger’s assessment of the federal prosecutor’s problematic, overly powerful role in the legal system is well-rendered and crisply delivered,” proclaims Kirkus Reviews.

Operation Bite Back (Powells Books on Hawthorne, @7:30pm): As the environmental movement gains followers and momentum, Dean Kuipers’s Operation Bite Back (Bloomsbury) gives us an insider’s look at its radical wing and its uneasy relationship with the mainstream. “Anyone interested in the extreme edges of the environmental movement will be well served by this account,” hails Publishers Weekly.

An Evening of Music, Words & Glitch (The Tonic Lounge, @9:00pm): Seven Portland artists participating in a one-of-its-kind music/words event

Audiocrip makes glitched-up live beats and has been known to freestyle on occasion. Listen to “Plumb Water” and “Bang Bang” @ http://drop.io/audiocrip, http://www.myspace.com/audiocrip

Onemachine creates sound sculptures from tape loops, analog effects, vintage hi-fi equipment, multiple sound-making gadgets and electronic inventions. No computers, digital instruments, recorders or samplers are used. http://www.myspace.com/1machine

Drugstore Cowboy is all-out country rock. New CD Sonic Qualudes available from Deer Lodge Records. http://www.myspace.com/theedrugstorecowboys

Mr. Viced Honest is a psychedelic rock show featuring novelist Mike Daily, writer of Gagaku Meat: The Steve Richmond Story. “MR VICED HONEST” is an anagram for “STEVE RICHMOND.”http://www.myspace.com/mrvicedhonest

Sticks Downey is a three-person rap group combining the rhymes of Johnny Wockenfuss (CAC), backing vocals by footsolo, and bass by Talik. Debut CD When the Belt Changes Hands out now on Sly Records. http://www.sticksdowney.com, http://www.myspace.com/sticksdowney

Pecos B is a “spoken weird” artist who bridges the gap between MC’ing and stand-up comedy. http://www.myspace.com/pecosb

Michael Bruce founded the Sonic Lozenge record label (Gulls, cuss cuss cuss, audiocrip). His live sets and recorded works are as unique in sound as the gear involved: drum machines, synths, feedback loops, and a few effects, preferring the hands-on feel of vintage hardware. http://www.soniclozenge.com, http://www.myspace.com/michaelbruced

Friday July 10-

The Ledding Library Book Sale (Portland Waldorf School, Gymnasium, 9am-4pm): Mark your calendar now! The Ledding Library Book Sale will be held on July 10th and 11th in the gym of the Portland Waldorf School across the street from the Ledding Library in downtown Milwaukie. The sale will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM each day. As in years past, there will be great bargains on all types of books. In fact, most hardback books will cost $2.00 and paperbacks will be priced at 50¢. In addition to books, videos, records, sheet music, tapes, CDs and collectible books for sale, there will be a raffle of gift certificates and items generously donated by local businesses. Raffle tickets are $1.00 each, 6 for $5.00 and 12 for $10 – and they’re available at the Library’s Circulation Desk. The raffle drawing will take place at 3:00PM on Saturday. The Book Sale and raffle are planned and sponsored by the Friends of the Ledding Library, a nonprofit group that supports the Ledding Library. All profits made from the sale are dedicated to assisting the Ledding Library in the purchase of materials and equipment or by funding special programs. If you would like to help with the Book Sale, please give Friends President Carol Kay a call at 503-698-2762.

Mary Guterson Reading (Powells City of Books, @7:30pm): Mary Guterson’s new novel, Gone to the Dogs (St. Martin’s Griffin), is the hilarious story of a woman who is driven to the edge…and ends up “accidentally” stealing her ex-boyfriend’s golden retriever.

Saturday July 11-

The Ledding Library Book Sale (Portland Waldorf School, Gymnasium, 9am-4pm): Mark your calendar now! The Ledding Library Book Sale will be held on July 10th and 11th in the gym of the Portland Waldorf School across the street from the Ledding Library in downtown Milwaukie. The sale will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM each day. As in years past, there will be great bargains on all types of books. In fact, most hardback books will cost $2.00 and paperbacks will be priced at 50¢. In addition to books, videos, records, sheet music, tapes, CDs and collectible books for sale, there will be a raffle of gift certificates and items generously donated by local businesses. Raffle tickets are $1.00 each, 6 for $5.00 and 12 for $10 – and they’re available at the Library’s Circulation Desk. The raffle drawing will take place at 3:00PM on Saturday. The Book Sale and raffle are planned and sponsored by the Friends of the Ledding Library, a nonprofit group that supports the Ledding Library. All profits made from the sale are dedicated to assisting the Ledding Library in the purchase of materials and equipment or by funding special programs. If you would like to help with the Book Sale, please give Friends President Carol Kay a call at 503-698-2762.

Bright Neighbor University: Tom Dywer and Randy White (Powells City of Books, @11:00am): Join Tom Dwyer and Randy White as they discuss sustainable fueling and offer techniques for producing alcohol-based fuel at home. This event is part of a series co-sponsored by Bright Neighbor, a Portland-based organization dedicated to local living and neighborhood building.

Market Day Poetry Series (St. John’s Booksellers, @12:00pm): Curated by poet Dan Raphael, the Market Day Poetry Series is a collaboration between St. Johns Booksellers and the Arts Committee of the St. Johns Farmers’ Market.

Philosophy Cafe (Powells City of Books, @4:00pm): Join philosophers and PCC instructors Brian Elliott and John Farnum as we discuss topical issues from a philosophical perspective. This month we will address the topic of secrets and lies. Please note: Philosophy Cafe typically meets the first Saturday of every month, but this month’s discussion has been pushed back due to the July 4th holiday.

Cooking from the Heart: the Hmong Kitchen in America (Midland Library, @4:00pm): Join authors Sami Scripter and Sheng Yang in celebrating the publication of their first book “Cooking from the Heart: the Hmong Kitchen in America.” Sami and Sheng will thank the Portland community who aided in the book’s publication, talk about their involvement in the Hmong community, sign books and answer questions. The event will feature Hmong music and a food tasting for the public of recipes featured in the book.

Sunday July 12-

Blake Nelson Reading (Powells City of Books, @2:00pm): Blake Nelson’s latest young adult novel, Destroy All Cars (Scholastic), features James Hoff, who likes to rant against America’s consumerist culture and his ex-girlfriend, Sadie, who he feels isn’t doing enough to change the world. But, just like he can’t avoid buying things, he also can’t avoid Sadie. “[A]n elegant and bittersweet story,” cheers Publishers Weekly.

Tin House Writer’s Workshop Readings (Reed College, Cerf Ampitheatre, @8:00pm): Highlights of the Tin House workshop include literary readings, which are open to the public. Admission: $5. For more information, visit the Tin House website.

For further events check out the links to the community calendars for Tri-County area Libraries: Washington County, Multnomah County, Clackamas County.