WORD logo

What's happening at WORD?

Patton Oswalt at the Warsaw

"I'm trying to find smaller independent bookstores because those tend
to be more quirky and, you know, weird." --Patton Oswalt, January 2011


In addition to some great events, including the fantastic Peter Hessler visiting us next week and several events for kids, what's happening at WORD this month is that we will be open come snow, come sleet, come ice. We know that the best cure for the stir-crazies of February is a good book, and we're here everyday from 11-9 (or 24/7 online) to hook you up. No snow days in bookselling!

We're also partnering with our Franklin Street neighbors Veronica People's Club to bring you a conversation with one of Greenpoint's favorite writers, Colm T�ib�n, on February 15th! You can buy a ticket (which includes a copy of his latest book, The Empty Family) here.

And by popular demand, we've added a new book group to our schedule: one devoted exclusively to the classics. And we're kicking it off by spending 2011 reading some of the classic doorstops of Russian literature. For starters, we'll be discussing Anna Karenina twice: once February 12th and then again March 12th. For complete details, including the full schedule for the year, check out the group's webpage. And we've now got Facebook groups for each book group, so that you can discuss or share links with your fellow book group members before the monthly meetings: one for regular book group, and one for classics book group.

Of course, the most important thing going on at WORD is that new and awesome books continue to be published and find their way to our shelves. Below, some books we've featured in our Largehearted WORD series, in which we pick our favorite books that are released each week:

       Shadow TagSwamplandia Illumination Annabel
From left to right: Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich (one of our favorite books when it was released last year, now available in paperback); Swamplandia! by Karen Russell (a new fantastic novel from the author of St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised By Wolves); The Illumination by Kevin Brockmeier (one of Jenn's favorite new releases); and Annabel by Kathleen Winter (one of Stephanie's favorite new releases and also the book that our WORD To Your Mailbox subscribers were sent in January). All come very highly recommended for your next snuggle-into-the-couch-with-a-mug-of-cocoa read.

February events at WORD

Everything Is Going To Be GreatSometimes I Feel Like a NutThursday, February 3, 7:30 p.m.: Funny Ladies (Night) with Jill Kargman, Rachel Shukert, and Sara Benincasa

 

Join comediennes and authors Sara Benincasa, Jill Kargman ( Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut), and Rachel Shukert (Everything Is Going To Be Great) for a special ladies' night and reading! Laughs, wine, and treats will be in liberal supply. Facebook RSVP here.
 

 

Country DrivingMonday, February 7, 7:30 p.m.: Peter Hessler presents Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory

Country Driving, now available in paperback, chronicles Hessler's 7,000-mile trip across northern China, following the Great Wall, from the East China Sea to the Tibetan plateau and tracking how the automobile and improved roads were transforming China. As staff writer at The New Yorker, he served as Beijing correspondent from 2000 to 2007, and is also one of WORD's staff favorites! He is the author of River Town and Oracle Bones, which was a finalist for the National Book Award. Facebook RSVP here.
 

Gospel of AnarchyMadonnas coverTuesday, February 8, 7:30 p.m.:  

Brando Skyhorse & Justin Taylor

Brando Skyhorse (Madonnas of Echo Park) joins forces with Justin Taylor (The Gospel of Anarchy, Everything Here Is the Best Thing Ever) for a paperback launch party of epic proportions. Madonnas weaves the lives of several Angelinos into a sometimes grisly, sometimes exalted portrait of a changing neighborhood. The Gospel of Anarchy is Taylor's first novel, chronicling the vibrant but grimy world of Fishgut. Facebook RSVP here.
 

If You Loved Me, You'd Think This Was CuteThursday, February 10, 7:30 p.m.:  

Literary Matchmaking Mixer with Nick Galifianakis

No date for Valentine's Day? Not to worry! Meet fellow bookworms at our literary matchmaking mixer, complete with special guest cartoonist and author Nick Galifianakis. Galifianakis will kick off the party with a presentation from his new book, If You Loved Me, You'd Think This Was Cute. Attendees should bring a favorite book for show-and-tell. Libations will be on hand for social lubrication purposes. Facebook RSVP here.


 

Great Philosophers Who Failed At LoveFriday, February 11, 7:30 p.m.: Just Working On My Novel with Andrew Schaffer: Broken Hearts Edition

"Just Working On My Novel" is Brooklyn's nearly two-year-old drunken new works critique series. This month's author host is Andrew Shaffer, author of Great Philosophers Who Failed at Love. Since his book's about failed love, and since Valentine's Day is near, we're making this a special Broken Hearts edition of JWOMN. Bring your stories of love or heartbreak, and Andrew will pick his favorite to go on a boxed wine date with him and win some other special prizes! You must RSVP in advance if you want to read: [email protected]. Facebook RSVP here.
 

Papertoy MonstersSunday, February 13, 1:30 p.m.:  

Get Crafty! with Papertoy Monsters

Come and find out why Jenn has been calling Papertoy Monsters "contagiously crafty" and why this was one of our surprise bestsellers of the holiday season! You can't resist these awesome little guys. Attendees will all go home with a papertoy monster made at the event. Some cutting and gluing involved; all ages welcome. Cost: $5; attendees will receive $5 off the book. Facebook RSVP here.
 

 

Invisible BridgeWenchWednesday, February 16, 7:30 p.m.: Dolen Perkins-Valdez and Julie Orringer

DC author Dolen Perkins-Valdez visits NYC for the paperback release of her novel Wench, which tells the story of a resort in Ohio frequented by slave-owners and their black mistresses. She'll be joined by Brooklyn author Julie Orringer, whose novel The Invisible Bridge chronicles a family shattered and remade during WWII, beginning in 1937 Paris with the delivery of a mysterious letter. Facebook RSVP here.

 

Saturday, February 19, 1:30 p.m.: Sign Language Storytime with Lilit Marcus
If you've been using any of the sign language videos for kids, you'll love this Sign Language Storytime with Lilit Marcus, who is a CODA (child of deaf adults). She will read and sign a popular kids' book, and children will learn a few signs so that they can follow along with her. Parent participation is welcomed and encouraged. Facebook RSVP here.
 

ArgusTuesday, February 22, 6:30 p.m.:  

Birthday/Launch Party for Michelle Knudsen

New York Times bestselling author and WORD favorite Michelle Knudsen celebrates both her birthday and the release of her new picture book Argus. Sallie's class is supposed to be raising chicks as a science project, but Argus, the large, green, scaly creature that hatches from her egg, is anything but cute and fluffy. Hijinks ensue! Refreshments will be served and good times will be had. Facebook RSVP here.

 

Diamond RubyMurderer's DaughtersThursday, February 24, 7:30 p.m.:  

Randy Susan Meyers & Joseph Wallace

Authors Randy Susan Meyers (The Murderer's Daughters) and Joseph Wallace (Diamond Ruby) will read from and discuss their novels, both of which are set in Brooklyn. The Murderer's Daughters follows two sisters and their journey to overcome the collateral damage of family violence; Diamond Ruby chronicles the life and times of a girl who rises from utter poverty to the kind of renown only the Roaring Twenties can bring. Facebook RSVP here.

 

Cat SecretsSaturday, February 26, 1:30 p.m.:   

 Storytime with Jef Czekaj

Author and performer Jef Czekaj is back at WORD with his new picture book, Cat Secrets. This interactive romp requires readers and listeners to prove their kitty nature before any feline secrets are revealed! Recommended for ages 3 to 6. Facebook RSVP here.
 

Sunday, February 27, 6:30 p.m.:  

Wold Newton Reading Series featuring Rick Bowes

The Wold returns with an evening of short fiction, mad music, and questionable vaudeville. World Fantasy Award winner Rick Bowes, Sybil's Garage publisher Matthew Kressel. Hosted by Eric Rosenfield. Facebook RSVP here.
 

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Facebook RSVPs appreciated but not at all mandatory.

You can always check out our full events calendar on our website.

Book Club
SkimOur book club pick for March is Skim by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki. Few books do such a good job of portraying the feelings of being a teenager without being patronizing. Even if you didn't fall in love with your English teacher during the aftermath of a classmate's suicide in high school, you'll still find echoes of your adolescence in both the words and the pictures of this stellar graphic novel.

We'll discuss Skim on Wednesday, March 2 at 7:30pm and Saturday, March 5th at noon. It'll be 10% off in-store and online all month. Remember, all you need to do to participate is read the book and show up!
WORD January bestsellers 
  1. Zombie Spaceship Wasteland by Patton Oswalt (available as Google ebook
  2. When Beauty Tamed The Beast by Eloisa James
  3. What It Takes by Richard Cramer 
  4. Just Kids by Patti Smith (available as Google ebook)
  5. The Melting Season by Jami Attenberg 
  6. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen (available as Google ebook)
  7. The Best American Essays 2010 edited by Christopher Hitchens
  8. We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver 
  9. Bad Marie by Marcy Dermansky (available as Google ebook)
  10. The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway (available as Google ebook)
Join our list
Join Our Mailing List
Quick Links
 


WORD
126 Franklin St Brooklyn NY 11222
11am-9pm seven days a week
718.383.0096
www.wordbrooklyn.com