August 2018
Book Club: AfroFuturism
In August, we go back to Nnedi Okorafor’s (Akata Witch, Bindi) breakthough novel Who Fears Death. A young lady from a brutally oppressed tribe in post-apolcalyptic Africa must use magic to confront a dangerous enemy – and discover who she truly is. This tale won Okorafor the 2011 World Fantasy Award for best novel, is in development as an HBO series (George R.R. Martin exec. producer), and has a prequel called The Book of Phoenix. Genre: Speculative Fiction
Find out more »Discussion and Book Signing: Nancy Rommelmann, “To the Bridge”
The case was closed, but for journalist Nancy Rommelmann, the mystery remained: What made a mother want to murder her own children? On May 23, 2009, Amanda Stott-Smith drove to the middle of the Sellwood Bridge in Portland, Oregon, and dropped her two children into the Willamette River. Forty minutes later, rescuers found the body of four-year-old Eldon. Miraculously, his seven-year-old sister, Trinity, was saved. As the public cried out for blood, Amanda was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to thirty-five…
Find out more »Discussion and Book Signing: Agustín Meleéndez-Eyraud, “The Sanctuary and Other Attacks”
The Last Bookstore is pleased to present Agustin Melendez-Eyraud and his new book The Sanctuary and other Attacks. There will be a panel discussion of the book’s themes and the latest developments in immigration issues as confirmed by Los Angeles Spanish-speaking journalists, media, and civil rights advocates. Also there will be held a cold theatrical reading of the short play The Sanctuary – don’t miss it! Genre: Dramatic Writing
Find out more »Book Club: New Poetry with Armine Iknadossian
LA poet Arminé Iknadossian curates our selections — always the best of what’s new. We read and discuss, going as deep as we can in one sitting. In August, we look at National Book Award-winning Terrance Hayes’ American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin — one of the first and biggest takes on the harrowing Trump era. Genre: Poetry
Find out more »Book Club: True Crime Tuesdays with James T. Bartlett
True Crime may be one of those love-it or hate-it genres, but few others offer such consistent insight into the human condition — or such fascinating heroes and villains. Our True Crime Tuesdays book club is lead by journalist/author James T. Bartlett. Genre: History, Nonfiction
Find out more »Discussion and Book Signing: Charles Rivers, “Karma Shifts”
Most people have the innate ability to change their future in an instant with a karma shift. If you understand first where you come from, then successfully getting where you want to go is usually just a mindset-change away. Genre: Healing | Self-Help | Motivational
Find out more »The Thing in the Labyrinth: A Horror Book Club with Kathryn E. McGee
The Thing in the Labyrinth, led by the intrepid Kathryn E. McGee, meets after hours in the dark heart of our labyrinth, where sometimes weird things happen. It’s just a book club, but you never know what will emerge from the stacks. We’re looking at the genre-melding Her Body and Other Parties in August. Carmen Maria Machado’s stories include a retelling of a classic from In a Dark, Dark Room, a wildly inventive spin on Law & Order: SVU, and…
Find out more »Book Club: Victorian Literary Parlour Book Club with Mr. Walter Nelson
The Victorian Literary Parlour explores brilliant but unjustly neglected authors and stories from this most prolific period of English literature. Our guide is Mr. Walter Nelson, authority on the period and sharp dresser. Many of our tropes for weird or scary stories come straight out of Victorian literature. They did them first; they did them best. So, we’re heading to the tail end of the era for the hugely influential Algernon Blackwood. Ancient Sorceries and Other Weird Stories collects some…
Find out more »Book Club: Gothic Book Club with John Palisano
From gothic horror to gothic romance, here’s a sub-genre that has wormed its way into our subconcious. Trying to get away from it is like running up an endless spiral staircase or across peaty moors against the wind. May as well just give in. For our second adventure, we visit Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier. A recently bereaved young lady fulfills her mother’s dying wish that she move to her family’s inn – a place where very bad things…
Find out more »September 2018
Discussion and Book Signing: Manny Carter, “How to Date Again in Your 50s & 60s”
UPDATE: This event has been moved to 9/18/2018. If you’re ready to find the long term relationship you desire, you must read this book now. Do you know that you can still find love again in your 50s and 60s without chasing younger women and getting sexually frustrated? Genre: Healing | Self-Help | Motivational
Find out more »Reading: Marley Korzen, “Heartlines”
The Last Bookstore is pleased to present author and creative writing leader Marley Korzen and her new book of poetry. Join us for an evening of lyrical wisdom as she reads passages from her book that dismantles the mis-represented feminine and shares a vibrant tribute to the infinite creative power of women. In a lyrical voice that reminds one of every woman’s wild spirit Heartlines is a journey of soul searching. It is a guide of burning, healing, and rebirth.…
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