The Reading Life

This week on The Reading Life: Kiese Laymon, author of “Heavy: An American Memoir.” Here’s what’s on tap in the literary life this week: Le Petit Theatre is partnering with Octavia Books for a Book Club, to be hosted by Christina Pellegrini and including special guests from each production. The first meeting is Sunday, October 14, at 1 p.m. at Le Petit Theatre; the book for discussion is “Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong," by Terry Teachout. Poet Melinda Palacio reads from “Bird Forgiveness,”

This week on The Reading Life: Ken Foster talks about “City of Dogs: New York Dogs, Their Neighborhoods, and The People Who Love Them.” It's a great way to look at a city! Poet Alison Pelegrin reads from and discusses her most recent chapbook, “Our Lady of the Flood.” Here’s what’s on tap in the literary life this week: Poet Paul Benton reads from and signs “Luckland,” Sunday, October 7, at 3:30 p.m. at the Maple Leaf Bar. Dacre Stoker, great grandson of Bram Stoker, and his coauthor J. D.

This week on The Reading Life: Susan talks with the 2018 winners of the Diana Pinckley Prizes for Crime Fiction. Ellen Hart, whose most recent book in the Jane Lawless series is “A Whisper of Bones,” is the winner for the Pinckley Prize for a Distinguished Body of Work. We’ll also hear from Marcie Rendon, winner of the Prize for Debut Novel, for her book “Murder on the Red River.” Here’s what’s on tap in the literary life this week: Journalist Martin Fletcher discusses and signs “The Promised

This week on The Reading Life: Susan talks with Kalamu ya Salaam, whose new book of collected writings from his long career is “Be About Beauty.” We’ll also hear from Tena Clark, songwriter and music producer and author of the new memoir, “Southern Discomfort.” Here’s what’s on tap in the literary life this week: Shane Bauer discusses and signs “American Prison: A Reporter’s Undercover Journey into the Business of Punishment," Monday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. at Octavia Books. The Friends of the

This week on The Reading Life: Susan talks with Justin Nystrom, author of" Creole Italian: Sicilian Immigrants and the Shaping of New Orleans Food Culture.” Yummy! We’ll also hear from Patty Friedmann about her new short story collection, “Where Do They All Come From?” Here’s what’s on tap in the literary life this week: Keith O’Brien discusses and signs “Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History,” Monday, September 17, at 6 p.m. at Octavia Books. Registration

This week on The Reading Life: Susan talks with Alex Beard, whose new children’s book is “The Lying King.” We’ll also hear from essayist Josh Wheeler, who’s the author of “Acid West.” Here’s what’s on tap in the literary life this week: Kim Vaz-Deville, author of “Walking Raddy: The Baby Dolls of New Orleans,” and Ladee Hubbard, author of “The Talented Ribkins,” will discuss their work, Thursday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie. Jonathan

This week on The Reading Life: Susan talks with novelist Bernice McFadden, author of “Praise Song for the Butterflies,” a searing account of ritual servitude in West Africa. We’ll also hear from poet Anne Babson, whose new collection is “Polite Occasions.” **Lagniappe Audio**

This week on The Reading Life: Susan talks with Frank Perez (2018 Southern Decadence Grand Marshal) and Howard Philips Smith about their new book, “Southern Decadence in New Orleans," a history of the long-running LGBTQ Labor Day celebration.

This week on The Reading Life: Susan talks with University of New Orleans English professor Anne Boyd Rioux, author of “Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters," as that venerable novel celebrates its 150th birthday - and Susan also talks with Chris Smith of the Jefferson Parish Library, about a self-publishing seminar on Saturday, August 25th.

This week on The Reading Life: Susan talks with Julia Reed, author of “South Toward Home: Adventures and Misadventures in My Native Land.” It's full of tales of critters, cuisine, and plain old fun!