Literary calendar: Concordia prof Eric Dregni introduces 'Impossible Road Trip'
Nov. 27—BRENE BROWN — Research professor at the University of Houston virtually launches "Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience," a journey through 87 of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human with suggestions for necessary skills and connection and language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances. 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, presented via Zoom by Next Chapter Booksellers. Go to: nextchapterbooksellers.com.
ERIC DREGNI: Assistant professor of English and journalism at Concordia University, St. Paul, introduces "The Impossible Road Trip: An Unforgettable Journey to Past and Present Roadside Attractions in All 50 States," made up of 150 roadside attractions, illustrated in part by the photography of the late architectural critic and photographer John Margolies, from Cardiff Giant in Cooperstown, N.Y., to the five-story Haines Shoe House in York, Pa., the world's largest fish in Hayward, Wis., to one of several Paul Bunyan statues. In-person. 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, Next Chapter Booksellers. Information: nextchapterbooksellers.com.
MONICA KAY: Signs copies of "Willow — Let's Go for a Walk." 2:30-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, Winding Trail Books, 2230 Carter Ave., St. Paul
POETRY WORKSHOP: Cracked Walnut hosts free poetry workshop, to which attendees are invited to bring six copies of a poem to share. Donations requested; masks are necessary. Reservations or questions: donna@donnaisaacpoet.com.
RISING FOR JUSTICE: Carolyn Holbrook and David Mura introduce the book they edited, "We Are Meant to Rise: Voices for Justice from Minneapolis to the World," made up of prose and poetry beginning with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, deepened by the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the uprising that followed. The writers touch on family, loss, food culture, economic security, and mental health. Some have international reputations, others are newly emerging voices. Represented voices are Indigenous Dakota and Anishinaabe, African American, Hmong, Somali, Afghan, Lebanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Puerto Rican, Colombian and Mexican. They write from the viewpoints of transracial adoptees, mixed race and LGBTQ+ people. Among them are Ed Bok Lee, Tish Jones, Shannon Gibney, Louise Erdrich, Marcie Rendon, Kao Kalia Yang, Sun Yung Shin, Mary Moore Easter and Kathryn Hadid. Hybrid event; in-store or online free. 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29, presented by Next Chapter Booksellers. Information/registration: nextchaperbooksellers.com.
RON SCHARA: Author and television personality signs copies of his most recent book, "Ron Schara's Minnesota Mostly True Tales of a Life Outdoors," as well as "Ron Schara's Minnesota Fishing Guide" and "Ron Schara's Minnesota Bound." 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, Winding Trail Books, 2230 Carter Ave., St. Paul.
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON:
"Best of" lists are coming in, and its no surprise Minnesota writers are perched there. Allen Eskens' "The Stolen Hours," and William Kent Krueger's "Lightning Strike" are on Amazon's Best Books of 2021 in the mysteries/thrillers category. Mike Wohnoutka's "Hanukkah Bear" is on the children's Jewish Picture Books category list.
Lin Enger's "American Gospel," a widely-praised story about an old Minnesota farmer waiting for the Rapture in 1974, is out in paperback from University of Minnesota Press ($16.95). If you've got a reader on your holiday lists, this is a great under-$20 gift idea.
University of Minnesota Press is also bringing out Peter Geye's new novel, "The Ski Jumpers" in 2022. No word yet about the story, but Geye never lets us down. Stay tuned.
Robert Bly's death last Monday is bringing poetic reactions from the writing community. Poet Jim Lenfestey, Bly's neighbor and friend, wrote this poem in Bly's honor.
OLD POET AT A COFFEE SHOP, 2013
The age of poets is over with this man,
sipping coffee with strangers,
dog soft and panting at his feet.
His cane, which held up so much sound
on its silver point, silent now,
lying down like the dog, content.
There will be no more poets tall as he,
able to see so far, dangerous
as a wild horse loose on city streets.
His poems sing star music
and the amen tremolo of cellos.
The solid ice of his stillness
"goes on before, holding up our feet."
The vast distance he traveled
in the curl of an oak leaf on Kabekona shore
obscured now by radio ballads
of heartbreak and despair,
leaving us deaf to the despair of the frogs,
the broken grasses, the slow dying
of the biggest things.
