Portland Book Events: April 24-30

From what we could find (please contact us if you have an event you would like us to add to this or future schedules), the local book events for the week of April 24, 2010 through April 30, 2010 are:

Saturday April 24-

Stumptown Comics Fest (Lloyd Center Double Tree, $6): The 7th annual Stumptown Comics Fest promises to be bigger and better than ever before.  With guests including Mike Allred, Paul Pope, and others, as well as a who’s who list of exhibitors, this event is surely a can’t miss for any comics fan!

Portland Earth Day Children’s Book Drive (All New Seasons Market Locations, Whole Food’s at Laurelhurst and Bridgeport, 10:00am-4:00pm): Please bring new and gently-used children’s books to your local New Seasons Market April 24th to help The Children’s Book Bank reach their goal of gathering 30,000 community-donated books for Portland’s children in need. Other locations include Whole Foods Bridgeport and Laurelhurst. For more information please visit www.childrensbookbank.org.

Friends of the Sherwood Library Book Sale (Sherwood Senior Center, @10:00am): The Sherwood Senior Center will be filled with great bargains on hardbacks, paperbacks, children’s books and videos/CDs/DVDs with all proceeds directly benefiting the Sherwood Public Library.  Members of the Friends will be allowed to enter the sale at 9:30 a.m., so make sure to join! Visit the Friends of the Sherwood Library website for more information.

Voices in Verse (Cedar Mill Community Library, @10:00am): Bring along a cup of coffee and share your own poetry or listen to others read their favorites. The group meets on the fourth Saturday morning of each month in the library’s upstairs meeting room.

Celebrate Poem In Your Pocket Day! (Sellwood-Moreland Library, 10:30am): Need a poem for your pocket? Bring a favorite poem or select one from our collection and decorate a pocket-sized card to carry with you and share on Poem In Your Pocket Day, April 29!

“Oregon Stories” Release Party (Oregon Historical Society, @2:00pm): Celebrate the release of “Oregon Stories“ a compilation of short stories and poems published by Ooligan Press. All are welcome. Free admittance. Light refreshments will be served.

Sunday April 25-

Stumptown Comics Fest (Lloyd Center Double Tree, $6): The 7th annual Stumptown Comics Fest promises to be bigger and better than ever before.  With guests including Mike Allred, Paul Pope, and others, as well as a who’s who list of exhibitors, this event is surely a can’t miss for any comics fan!

Workshop for the Beginning Writer (Central Library, @1:00pm): Poetry is not the domain of just a few. It’s as natural and accessible as heartbeat and breath. Writing poetry requires nothing more than a love of words and a willingness to let your pen move across a page, following language wherever it takes you. Join Paulann Petersen in an afternoon devoted to creating poems and talking about some of the basic elements of poetry. Different springboards/prompts from last year’s workshop. Beginners welcome.

Culture of Portland (Powells Books on Hawthorne, @3:00pm): Powell’s on Hawthorne hosts several groups that promote the culture of Portland, including the PDX Bridge Festival, which celebrates the 10 bridges spanning the Willamette River; the People’s Republic of Portland, a small, local clothing company; Heart in Oregon, makers of the ubiquitous Oregon heart sticker; and more!

Portland Grand Slam Poetry Championship (Backspace, @7:00pm): The event we’ve all been waiting for as the top 10 poets from our slam battle it out to see who is going to be the PDX team representing us at the National Poetry Slam. All ten of these poets are battle tested and have won on our stage, now it’s time time to see who really is the best of the best. Your finalists are: Davey Mac, Melissa Rose, Annelyse Gelman, Eirean Bradley, Phil Long, Justin Searns, Randy Darris, Dlux tha Light, Michael Devoe, and Anis Mojgani. Come out and support your scene, this should be an amazing show.

How to Cool the Planet (Powells City of Books, @7:30pm): Jeff Goodell’s How to Cool the Planet (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) examines the radical and controversial world of geoengineering, whose techniques for mitigating global warming — considered fringe as recently as five years ago — are beginning to look sane, even inspired.

Monday April 26-

Oregon Writers Colony Presents: Peter Ames Carlin (Looking Glass Bookstore, @7:00pm): Peter Ames Carlin is a journalist and occasional writer of books, a resident of Portland, Oregon, an occasional modern dancer (no, really) and so much more, or possibly less, depending on your perspective. He is also the author of Paul McCartney: A Life (Touchstone, November, 2009) and Catch A Wave: The Rise, Fall And Redemption Of The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson (Rodale, 2006). These days he serves The O as a roving cultural reporter, a job which changes from day to day according to whim, fact and fancy. Mostly whim.

Simon Cordery (In Other Words Women’s Books & Resources, @7:00pm): In Mother Jones: Raising Cain and Consciousness (University of New Mexico Press), Simon Cordery explores the complexities, limitations and possibilities of the life of Mother Jones. His biography presents a compelling portrait of this amazing woman and brings to life the dramatic times through which she lived and to which she contributed so much.

David Vann (Powells Books on Hawthorne, @7:30pm): In semi-autobiographical stories set largely in David Vann’s native Alaska, Legend of a Suicide (University of Massachusetts) follows Roy Fenn from his birth on an island at the edge of the Bering Sea to his return 30 years later to confront the turbulent emotions and complex legacy of his father’s suicide.

Patrick Somerville (Powells City of Books, @7:30pm): The Cradle (Back Bay Books), Patrick Somerville’s “magical debut novel” (New York Times), radiates with wry wisdom and candor as it takes the reader on a surprising journey into the heart of marriage, parenthood, and the meaning of family.

PSU MFA Monday Night Lecture Series Features: Michael Rohd and Swoon (Portland State, Shattuck Hall Annex, @7:30pm): Michael Rohd of Sojourn Theater and Swoon will lecture about their work! The public is invited (its free, tell your friends).

Rigoberto González (Milagro Theatre, @7:30pm): In conjunction with PEN American Center’s 2010 World Voices Festival in New York, Literary Arts & Miracle Theatre Group present Rigoberto González. González (Mexico/U.S.) is the author of eight books, most recently the young adult novel The Mariposa Club and a short story collection, Men Without Bliss. He is the recipient of the Guggenheim and NEA fellowships, winner of the American Book Award, and The Poetry Center Book Award. Following the reading will be an in-depth conversation between poet and former Miracle Theatre, Board President, Cindy Williams Gutiérrez and Mr. González, and a Q & A session from the audience at the end of the program.

Tuesday April 27-

Anthology of Sierra Leonean Poetry Reading (Broadway Books, @7:00pm): A whole slew of local poets will descend on the store to read from Kalashnikov in the Sun: An Anthology of Sierra Leonean Poets edited by Kirsten Rian. This amazing collection gives voice to a country long troubled by war. Here, we see the writers, poets and truth-tellers express their anguish and longing for peace and healing. Each poet will read a poem from the book as well as one of his/her own. Besides Kirsten, we will welcome the following poets: Judith Arcana, Sharon Wood Wortman, Clem Starck, Paulann Petersen, Barbara LaMorticella, Rich Wandschneider, Paul Merchant, Willa Schneberg, John Morrison, Carlos Reyes, Nancy Flynn, Lisa Nasshan, Sue Einowski, Michael Achterman, and Sean McGillis.

The Big Book of Gross Stuff (Powells Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, @7:00pm): From boogers and belches to sneezes, diseases, and demon cheeses, Bart King’s children’s book, The Big Book of Gross Stuff (Gibbs Smith), is a hilarious look at science, nature, and the human body.

Martha Shelley (In Other Words Women’s Books & Resources, @7:00pm): Martha Shelley will read from her new novel The Throne in The Heart of the Sea.  Shelley is the author of 3 books of poetry, numerous essays, and short stories. She currently resides in Portland with her wife Sylvia Allen.

Willy Vlautin (Powells City of Books, @7:30pm): Author Willy Vlautin — “a major realist talent” (Seattle Post Intelligencer) who is often compared to Raymond Carver, John Steinbeck, and Denis Johnson — returns with Lean on Pete (Harper Perennial), the story of a 15-year-old boy struggling to make his way to a long lost aunt, who just might give him a home.

Wednesday April 28-

Troubletown Sly and Snide Comedy Slideshow (Reading Frenzy, @7:00pm): Lloyd Dangle has been drawing and syndicating the screwball political comic strip, Troubletown, for twenty years, which can be read locally in the Portland Mercury. Come see the political satirist slay an array of sacred cows with his “Sly and Snide Comedy Slideshow” (try saying that three times fast). Dangle will talk about slinging ink for fun and profit in the post-literate, post-ironic, post-newspaper epoch, and then sign copies of his book, Troubletown Told You So; Comics that Could’ve Saved Us from this Mess. Admission is free with the purchase of Troubletown Told You So or $5. This event will be held upstairs from Reading Frenzy at the ILWU Local 5 office. Free beer courtesy of Ninkasi.

Verse in Person featuring Tom Smario and Carlos Reyes (Northwest Library, @7:00pm): Tom Smario is called “The Boxing Poet” because he works ringside as a cutman. He has published several books of poetry, including “Knuckle Sandwiches,” “Luckynuts and Real People,” “Cat’s Pajamas” and “Notes of a Cornerman.” Carlos Reyes, born in 1935 to farm laborer parents, has worked all kinds of jobs, including college professor. His books include “The Book of Shadows,” “At the Edge of the Western Wave” and “A Suitcase Full of Crows.” He is also the publisher and editor of Trask House Books.

Classics Book Group (Powells Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, @7:00pm): This month we meet to discuss Troilus and Criseyde by Geoffrey Chaucer. Join us!

Paulann Petersen(Looking Glass Bookstore, @7:00pm): Paulann Petersen will read from her most recent work, along with fellow members of her poetry group.

damali ayo (Powells City of Books, @7:30pm): Hilarious, sarcastic, and insightful, Obamistan! Land without Racism (Lawrence Hill) is a witty companion to the new, post-racist America. From damali ayo, creator of Rent-a-Negro.com, this comprehensive manual chronicles the ways to address all former hot-button issues — including immigration, health care, gentrification, and toilet paper.

Thursday April 29-

PSU Faculty Author Spotlight: Dr. Lisa Weasel (Portland State, Branford P. Millar Library, @4:00pm): Dr. Lisa Weasel, professor of molecular biology at Portland State University, will talk about her book, Food Fray: Inside the Controversy over Genetically Modified Foods, and lead a conversation about this important issue. Visit Professor Weasel’s website, Food Fray: Dispatches from the Global Food Front, for updates about the food industry.

Lisa Schroeder (Sherwood Public Library, @6:30pm): Join us as author and native Oregonian Lisa Schroeder talks about her newest book, “It’s Raining Cupcakes.” Families welcome!

“The Disappearing Book” Release Party (Container Corps, @7:00pm): A celebration of delicate biodiversity, The Disappearing Book asks us to contemplate these things which are here right now, but may disappear before we realize it. The result is a varied collection of work by a diverse group creators like artist/illustrator Carson Ellis, author Kevin Sampsell, and musician Nick Jaina.  To celebrate this publication, please join us for a release party at Container Corps headquarters, featuring an exhibition of some of the original pieces featured in the book and beverages provided by Ninkasi Brewing.

P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast (Powells Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, @7:00pm): Burned (St. Martin’s Griffin), the highly anticipated seventh book in P. C. and Kristin Cast’s bestselling House of Night series, takes readers deeper into the world of Zoey Redbird and her friends as they deal with a powerful fallen angel, hateful frenemies, and jealous boyfriends.

Dash Shaw (Powells Books on Hawthorne, @7:30pm): From the astonishing imagination of Dash Shaw, visionary author of Bottomless Belly Button, comes Bodyworld (Pantheon), a darkly fantastical graphic novel about a small town, a lowlife botanist, and a mysterious plant with strange powers.

Naseem Rakha PNBA Award Ceremony (Annie Bloom’s Books, @7:30pm): Naseem Rakha’s The Crying Tree was a staff favorite here. Last year at Annie Bloom’s, she gave a dynamite reading to a packed house. In January, The Crying Tree received the 2010 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association award. Annie Bloom’s is honored to host the award presentation ceremony. Naseem’s former NPR colleague, Dana Haynes, will be interviewing her. (Dana, author of the forthcoming Crashers, will be reading here sometime in late June.) Join us for this special event!

Mortified PDX (Mission Theater, @8:00pm,$10 online/$12 door): Hailed a “cultural phenomenon” by Newsweek, Mortified is a comic excavation of the strange and extraordinary things we created as kids. Witness your fellow Portlanders sharing their own adolescent journals, letters, poems, lyrics, home movies, stories and more.

Friday April 30-

Friends of Hillsboro Library Spring Book Sale (Hillsboro Main Library, @10:00am): The Friends of the Hillsboro Public Library are having the Spring Book Sale in the Meeting Room during regular library hours. For more information about the Friends, visit their website.

Mike Reiss (Lucky Lab-Hawthorne, 7:00pm): Simpson’s writer/producer, and Inkwater Press children’s book author, Mike Reiss, will speak to aspiring authors and fans. Doors open at 6:30 and the event will begin at 7 PM. Reiss will talk about writing, and also answer questions from the audience. This free event is family friendly.

Henry Winkler Presents “A Brand-New Me!” (Powells Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, @7:00pm): Inspired by the true-life experiences of Henry Winkler (perhaps better known as The Fonz on Happy Days), whose undiagnosed dyslexia made him a classic childhood underachiever, the Hank Zipzer series chronicles high-spirited and funny adventures of a boy with learning differences. With A Brand-New Me!, it’s graduation time for Hank and all his friends — time to move on from PS 87 to middle school. Trouble is, there are tests Hank has to pass to get into the same middle schools as his friends, and his learning differences might get in the way. Luckily, a life-altering audition at a performing arts middle school helps him find his true path.

Binford Reading Series presents David Shields (Marylhurst University, Villa Maria, @7:30pm): Prose writer David Shields reads from his latest book, Reality Hunger. Shields is the author of eight previous books and has received a Guggenheim fellowship, two NEA fellowships, among other awards. His work has been translated into ten languages. He lives with his wife and daughter in Seattle, where he is a professor in the English department at the University of Washington. Shields will also take place in a conversation with Jay Ponteri about fatherhood, art, and reality at 12:00pm in the Marylhurst Art Gym.

Craig Welch (Powells City of Books, @7:30pm): Craig Welch’s Shell Games (William Morrow) is a delightfully offbeat true-crime tale set in the rough-and-tumble heart of one of America’s strangest subcultures, a double-crossing world where tough men and women fight turf wars over shellfish.

Kevin Sampsell and Friends (Templeton Building-230 E. Burnside, @8:00pm, $7): Disjecta presents Kevin Sampsell, who will read from his memoir A Common Pornography.  With special guests Frayn Masters and Nathaniel Boggess.

Mortified PDX (Mission Theater, @8:00pm,$10 online/$12 door): Hailed a “cultural phenomenon” by Newsweek, Mortified is a comic excavation of the strange and extraordinary things we created as kids. Witness your fellow Portlanders sharing their own adolescent journals, letters, poems, lyrics, home movies, stories and more.

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

Image credit Zorger.