Books Reading Tonight
posted by on April 29 at 10:19 AM
Holy God, if all of Seattle somehow had one pair of pants, those pants would be near-to burstin’ with literature tonight.
V.V. Ganeshananthan reads at Elliott Bay from her new novel Love Marriage. Had I known further in advance that this reading was coming, I would’ve read the book, if just because everything I know about Sri Lanka would fit in a moderate-sized thimble.
At the Seattle Public Library, Alice Hoffman reads from her new novel, The Third Angel. The more books that Jodi Picoult writes, the more I like Alice Hoffman. This is all I have to say on this matter.
Up at the University Book Store, Jen Sorenson, artist of the comic strip Slowpoke, will be signing her new collection of cartoons. I’m not a fan, myself—her big response to Republicans seems to be “You’re fat and ugly,” and I like a little more depth in my funnies—but she is at least an interesting cartoonist.
And up at Third Place Books is something called “Read and Rock Night.” There will be a “Rock/Neo-soul/ Alternative” band called Shotty and three authors of books for young adults with pink covers and titles like Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty, which is to say: Junior Chick Lit. This sounds like hell on earth to me, especially since, on Shotty’s MySpace page above, all the band members are wearing matching vests.
At Town Hall, Howard Fineman, the senior Washington correspondent for Newsweek, reads from his new book The Thirteen American Arguments: Enduring Debates That Define and Inspire Our Country.
And—phew—at Benaroya Hall, Pico Iyer, who refers to himself as “a global village on two legs,” which makes me hate him, will read. Iyer is Seattle Arts and Lecture’s replacement for the much more interesting John Banville, who bowed out for unknown reasons. Iyer’s vision of the world seems so late-twentieth-century to me that I can’t believe he’s reading at Benaroya Hall. The best—maybe only—reason to go to this is because Seattle Arts and Lectures will announce their next season of writers (cough-cough UPDIKE cough-cough) tonight.
For upcoming readings, please consult the full readings calendar.
re: jr chick lit:
anything to get kids to read.
Hell as you called it, never sounded so good!
Although this was billed as a Teen Event especially geared toward teen girls, many adult Third Place Bookstore patrons made their way to the stage and Shotty received an appreciative and overwhelming response which was deserved.
Kudos to a band who's not trying to copy a look and sound!
I'm not exactly sure if Mr. Constant, the reputed "writer" of this drivle (who, by the way, completely lacks any semblance of objectivity), views the whole world as a fashion statement. Apparently, Shotty would be more appealing if they wore beat-up jeans, and were more self-involved. Paul, grunge is so dead, that the funeral was about the time that Cobain ate his gun. Wake up, this isn't the 90's anymore.
Although I'm sure it makes you very happy to consider yourself a scathing internet journalist, I must ask:
Who the hell do you think you are?
Please just stick to giving us information and cut out your oh-so-witty criticisms of authors, bands, and cartoonists who you aren't familiar with.
Seriously? Did you even attend this event? First off, they were wonderful for a bunch of young guys. They were in a place where family, and BOOKS were all around. Pay attention to how they performed, NOT how they looked. And secondly, they looked GREAT! Not like a bunch of bad kids you think they should look like.
For your information, Shotty is one of the coolest local bands around. If you don't like something or someone, go write it in your little emo diary. Just give us the information, don't be biased.
Shotty is an excellent band, and they're all really cool guys to hang out with! And you shouldn't give them shit about wearing vests, especially when they look as snazzy as they do in them! Be open minded about your approach on music, otherwise you'll be stuck listening to crappy bands like Nickleback and Disturbed.
The read and rock night was totally awesome. Shotty rocked the mothafuckin' house! You might want to see them play before you make any illogical assumptions. I think hell on earth would be great... when compared to this article.
I don't understand how you can dismiss an event that is geared towards books and music, two of teh most amazing things on earth, and together? how can you even thing to call it hell? Shotty played very well, they had music that was entertaining for everyone, the whole atmosphere at the books store was great and inviting for children, teens and parents. And slamming matching vests? that's just a cheep shot. shameful.
Always good to see a journalist discouraging young people from supporting their peers in a positive environment. Too bad they didn't consult you on how to throw a "hip" event before planning it all out, right? Don't get me wrong, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. But I find it very difficult to consider an opinion valid, when it's based on what can be no more than two minutes of psuedo-research pumped full of negativity. Did you honestly blast this event based entirely on book covers and fashion? Does picking on kids trying to be heard make you feel bigger as a person? I honestly hope not. Next time you're called on to write about an event you have no desire to attend, please spare everyone the self-righteous assumptions about the event's worth. Thank you.
I am a 52 year old grandmother (and ex-teacher) who was at Third Place Books with my young grandsons who, by the way, are a handful. When the band, "Shotty", started to play, it caught their attention and made them dance around. They even asked to hear the free CD on the way home which they had received at the event. Although the music was likely geared toward a younger audience, I personally enjoyed the band and especially the Santana music and the polite demeanor of the band members. They were quite respectful to the authors and asked the audience to acknowledge them. In fact, I noticed a couple of the band members sitting in the front while the authors read. This impressed me because too often these days young artists seem to be quite self-absorbed. Kudos to "Shotty"! By the way, I am of the mind to encourage good music and nice young people. If, Mr. Constant, you choose to see that as "hell on earth", I can only assume that you are in a "CONSTANT" state of misery and can't see or hear anything FUN!
I have heard Shotty several times before, including their wonderful performance at the EMP two months ago. Because they were playing for an audience of "readers and eaters" at Third Place Books Food Court, it was a little more subdued than previous performances. However, it was a far cry from your disparaging description of "hell on earth". And! FYI, I like the vests. They don't look like the rest of the people and that helps them stand out (in a positive way).
HAH! I am pretty sure you never went to this event. Shotty is quite possibly the most successful band from the eastside. I donated an organ to them, and they were some of the most polite guys too. Their music is very original and definitely is refreshing from the local 'I want to cut myself because I'm bi-sexual and my girlfriend left me' genre of music that seems to be popular. It is nice to see music that is "good old rock and roll". Now, I did not attend this event; unfortunately I was busy, but Shotty is really worth the watch and the respect they deserve. I think you cannot bash a type of music you haven't seen or probably heard for yourself. WHO THE HELL CARES that they were wearing matching vests? I'll bet you like a lot of bands that do coordination.
In short, for serious guy, get out of your box.
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