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   Michael Showalter

 Mr. Funny Pants himself, Michael Showalter, signing and distributing swag at his reading.   

 

Dear beloved customers of WORD:  

 

March 14 will mark our fifth anniversary at WORD, and I wanted to take a second to thank every one of you for helping us get to this milestone, which is hopefully the first of many. Five years ago, the store looked quite different. We had lots of space to move around and a lot less books. I was alone running the store most days, and I'll admit that sometimes several hours passed before I'd see a customer. Things have really changed since then: we now have four employees, three of them full-time, and the store is bustling with activity from the minute we open to the minute we close. While I'm still connected to the goings-on at the store every minute of every day, I'm not there to say hi to all of you as often as I'd like, but I hope you know that all of us at WORD appreciate your visits, your tweets, your reading of our emails, your consistent support of our events, and of course, your purchases. Books are not dying in Greenpoint; books are alive and thriving more than ever, and we have the five-year history to prove it! We love the community that has grown around the store, and we hope you all do too.

As a small thanks, we're offering a few promotions. On our anniversary, we're going to party all day in the store and offer a bunch of special deals, both online and IRL. So make sure you keep an eye on our various online incarnations, and drop by 126 Franklin Street if you can! (And let's be honest, there will probably be donuts as well.) (Okay, there will definitely be donuts.) 

 

xoxo,

Christine

This month's featured event at WORD!
Hari Kunzru presents Gods Without Men
Thursday, March 22, 7 p.m.

Meet the author of the novel that has taken WORD by storm! As you know, every once in awhile our entire store gets way too excited about a new book; this spring, we are all completely obsessed with Kunzru and Gods Without Men, and cannot wait to share our obsession with you. It asks all the big questions -- Are we alone in the universe? Does life have meaning? What are we all doing with our lives, anyway? -- while also providing characters that range from sympathetic to hateful, a plot that is stuffed with action, drama, and humor, and some of the best writing we've had the pleasure to read. Facebook RSVP appreciated.
fullThis month at WORD!


                        
For lovers of love stories:
Thursday, March 1, 7 p.m.
WORDs of Love with Eloisa James, Sarah MacLean and Maya Rodale

Romance mavens Eloisa James (The Duke is Mine), Sarah MacLean (A Rogue By Any Other Name), and Rodale (The Tattooed Duke) present their newest novels with a panel discussion on romance and the Regency period. How do they write such amazing books? What's the whole deal with corsets? Why can't proper ladies drink whiskey? What to do when your beau is a rake? Answers will be served with scones. Facebook RSVP appreciated.

                      
For those who like to geek out:
Tuesday, March 6, 7 p.m.
Housing Works and WORD present Dragons in Space, with Myke Cole, Hillary Jordan, and Naomi Novik -- at Housing Works Bookstore

Explore the past, present, and future of fantasy and science fiction with authors Myke Cole (Control Point), Hillary Jordan (When She Woke), and Naomi Novik (Crucible of Gold), in discussion with Tor.com editor Ryan Britt. They'll discuss dragons in the Napoleonic Wars, elves in the Pentagon, criminals of (literally) a different color, and the state of SF/F, as well as sign books and take questions from the audience. Co-sponsored by Housing Works and WORD in a team-up of epic proportions; please note, the event will take place at Housing Works. Free wine (while supplies last), so get there early! Facebook RSVP appreciated.

For tattoo artists, acquirers, and admirers:
Wednesday, March 7, 7 p.m.
Ladies with Ink, featuring Stacy Pershall

Stacy Pershall (Loud in the House of Myself) grew up depressed and too smart for her own good, a situation that worsened over the years. After several breakdowns and suicide attempts, she found healing through behavior therapy, medication -- and tattoos. Joining her in a panel discussion of what it can mean to be a tattooed lady are Kitty Jo Sainte-Marie and Sue Jeiven of East River Tattoo. Facebook RSVP.


For rockers of all ages:
Tuesday, March 13, 7 p.m.
Release Party for Travis Nichols' Matthew Meets the Man

Matthew is trying to save up for a drum set, but The Man insists on thwarting him at every turn. Will his band Manhassler ever get off the ground? Find out at a reading and party complete with music, photo-booth, and more presented by author Travis Nichols, indie rocker, artist, and author. All ages welcome! Facebook RSVP appreciated.
 
For people who want to say "I knew them when...":
Thursday, March 15, 7 p.m.
Edward Mullany, Paula Bomer, Melissa Broder and John Dermot Woods

Join us for a night of emerging voices in short fiction and poetry. Edward Mullany (If I Falter at the Gallows) and Melissa Broder (Meat Heart) will provide the poetry, and Paula Bomer (Baby) and John Dermot Woods (The Complete Collection of People, Places, and Things) will read from their short story collections. Facebook RSVP appreciated.

For a behind-the-scenes look:
Friday, March 16, 7 p.m.
Deborah Feldman presents Unorthodox

Feldman's memoir, about her break with her Hasidic upbringing, is making big waves here in Brooklyn. Brought up in the Satmar sect of Hasidic Judaism, she found herself 19 years old, married, and a mother -- and she knew she had to leave. Feldman reveals all the details about her struggles to be true to herself as well as to her faith, from her "scandalous" love of Louisa May Alcott to her engagement at 17 and beyond. Come hear her story in person at a reading, signing, and Q&A. Facebook RSVP appreciated!


For ramblers and lovers of Greenpoint:
Sunday, March 18, 2 p.m.
Fading Ads Walking Tour with Frank Jump

Get a glimpse into Greenpoint's history with a walking tour, led by author and photographer Frank Jump. For nearly 20 years, Jump has been documenting the fading ads that are visible, but less often seen, all over New York. Disappearing from the sides of buildings or hidden by new construction, these signs tell the stories of the businesses, places and people whose lives transpired among them.

Don't let the tour leave without you! We'll be meeting at the store at 2 p.m., where Frank will introduce the book and give us an overview for the walk, and then we'll head out at 2:30 p.m. Rain or shine! (If it rains, we'll have a virtual slideshow tour at WORD instead.) Facebook RSVP appreciated.

For fans of words and music:
Tuesday, March 20, 7 p.m.   
Largehearted Lit: Coney Island Novels with Tara Altebrando and Haley Tanner
 Largehearted Lit unites authors and musicians in a monthly celebration of storytelling. This month, authors Tara Altebrando (Dreamland Social Club) and Haley Tanner (Vaclav and Lena) will read from their novels, both of which feature Coney Island as a backdrop, and talk about music's role in their writing. They'll be joined by a musical guest. Facebook RSVP appreciated.

For single literati looking for likewise:
Friday, March 23, 7 p.m. - 9p.m.
Between the Covers Spring Singles Mixer
at The Diamond, 43 Franklin St (between Quay and Calyer)

Say goodbye to winter and hello to spring -- and to some new potential connections -- at our latest literary singles mixer. We'll celebrate the Spring Equinox, nerdery, and tasty tasty beer with a drink special, courtesy of the Diamond: The Stranger Pale Ale will be just $4 a pint for attendees. Come prepared to declare your favorite read for the season. GLBT friendly! Facebook RSVP appreciated.

For fans of smart and savvy debuts: 
 
WORD is delighted to present Greenpointer Kris D'Agostino and his debut novel The Sleepy Hollow Family Almanac. WORD owner Christine says "Don't mistake this for a typical slacker story; you'll be unbelievably touched by this family as they deal with illness, depression, teen pregnancy, and financial difficulties, and D'Agostino's deft narrative will have you rooting for them all." The book has received rave reviews from booksellers across the country and a starred review in Publishers Weekly -- come find out what all the fuss is about. Facebook RSVP appreciated.

For bibliophiles and Anglophiles:
Thursday, March 29, 7 p.m.
The Vagaries of Love with Louise Doughty and Jill Dawson

WORD welcomes British novelists Jill Dawson and Louise Doughty as they present their new novels, both of which deal with love's darker aspects. Dawson's novel The Great Lover delves into the life and mind of the dashing, notoriously rakish First World War poet Rupert Brooke, based on previously unseen correspondence and materials. Doughty's new novel, Whatever You Love, follows a grieving mother down a dark and twisted path as she seeks justice for her lost daughter. Facebook RSVP appreciated. 


All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Every time you attend an event, you get a chance to
enter our event book raffle for a signed set of featured books!
Facebook RSVPs appreciated but certainly not mandatory.

 

Book groups

Lifespan of a FactOur next book group pick is Lifespan of a Fact by John D'Agata and Jim Fingal. We'll discuss it Saturday, April 7, at noon. No sign-up necessary; just read and join us! You can tell Jenn and Stephanie are into it by the fact that our blurb for it is in true Lifespan style:   

 

This book will make your brain hurt in the best possible way.

(I did some research and it turns out there aren't any pain receptors in the brain. Please change.)(Obviously "make your brain hurt" is a metaphor, not a literal statement. Stet.) For starters, it's not even really a book. (According to the publisher this is a book, so we're in dangerous territory with this sentence.) (I doubt the publisher is actually reading our newsletter. Stet.) (Actually, the publisher always reads the newsletter, and even if they didn't, you'd still be wrong.) It's the article D'Agata wrote on the suicide of a Vegas teen, and then seven years' worth of back and forth between him and his factchecker Jim Finlay (For starters, his last name is Fingal, and also, Fingal was actually a factchecker for The Believer, not D'Agata's personal factchecker) (Yeah, okay. But then you're back to the hair-splitting.) on what he changed, why he changed it, and whether or not it should stand. It is one of the most crazymaking books I've read in ages--is anything we read in nonfiction or memoir or journalism true?!--I can't wait for y'all to read it so we can freak out about it together.  (Reviewed by Jenn and fact-checked by Stephanie.)

 

HavHav, perhaps the world's only work of speculative fiction travel writing, is our next pick for our year of Brits in Classics book group. Imagined in exquisite detail by author Jan Morris, the city of Hav is home to legends both classical and modern, and the contrast between the city in the 20th and the 21st century serves as a lens to view politics and history as written by the victor. Short-listed by the Booker Prize, beloved by both Ursula Le Guin and Stephanie Anderson. (Can't wait to find out what else we have planned for this year? The full list is up online!)  

 

As always, all books are 10% off in the month before their discussion. And if you need help remembering to mark your calendar, or can't make the discussion but still want to complain about that thing that happened on page 210, you can join our Facebook groups! There's one for the regular group and one for Classics. 

WORD's February bestsellers  

You're Not Doing It Right
  1. You're Not Doing It Right, Michael Ian Black  
  2. Mr. Funny Pants, Michael Showalter (Google ebook)  
  3. A Rogue by Any Other Name, Sarah MacLean  
  4. The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins (Google ebook) 
  5. Treasure Island!!!, Sara Levine  
  6. I Want My Hat Back, Jon Klassen 
  7. A Visit from the Goon Squad, Jennifer Egan (Google ebook) 
  8. Bossypants, Tina Fey (Google ebook)  
  9. Just Kids, Patti Smith (Google ebook) 
  10. Townie, Andre Dubus III (Google ebook) 

Quick links

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This has been another production of the book-lovin' fools at:

WORD 126 Franklin St Brooklyn NY 11222

Open for your reading needs from: 11am to 9pm, seven days a week

Available during those hours at: 718.383.0096

And always open at: wordbrooklyn.com