SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEED
Being that we are in the middle of fucking nowhere here in Fayetteville, we don’t see a lot of “cultural” activities pass through, unless you count the upcoming performance by The Charlie Daniel’s Band as a “cultural event.” (Sorry, I don’t.) Even more difficult to come by, however, are “literary” events, unless you’re a fan of the completely obscure and boring crap that the MFA department brings in a few times each semester. (In which case, why are you even reading this? You should probably be double-checking the comma usage in your latest submission to The Iowa Review–because, you know, the success of your manuscript, and thus, your entire writing career, really hinges on how effectively you use commas in a boring-ass story about how traumatic your tenth birthday party was.)
Well, believe it or not, we are actually being privileged a bona fide literary event this weekend. And trust me, it will be well worth the entry fee of zero US dollars.
On Saturday night, author John Brandon will be reading from his debut novel, Arkansas, which was recently published by McSweeney’s. Now, you might be thinking, “McSweeney’s? Like that website where they have lists with absurd names like “How Important Moments in My Life Would Have Been Different if I Was Shot Twice in the Stomach at Close Range?” Well, yes, technically. But no. While they do operate a silly website, in addition, McSweeney’s also runs a totally bitchin’ publishing business.
It should be noted that I haven’t actually read the book yet, but it’s been getting lots of positive reviews, and I’m definitely excited to get my hands on a copy. I mean, who wouldn’t be excited about reading a book described thusly:
Arkansas is a biting first novel full of wet T-shirt contests, illicit drugs, and cross-country road trips. There are the days: the dappled grounds, the aimless yardwork, the hours in the booth giving directions to families in SUVs. And then there are the nights: crisscrossing the South with illicit goods, the shifty deals in dingy trailers, the vague orders from a boss they’ve never met. Before Kyle and Swin can recognize how close to paradise they are in this neglected state park in southern Arkansas, the lazy peace is shattered with a shot. Night blends into day. Dead bodies. Crooked superiors. Suspicious associates. It’s on-the-job training, with no time for slow learning, bad judgment, or foul luck.
The reading begins at Nightbird Books on Saturday night at 7:00. A reception will follow. This event is part of the Nightbird Books’ Two Year Anniversary Party, so go out and help celebrate and support the blessed rarity that is a successful locally-owned bookstore! Really awesome literary events like this are few and far between around here, so if you’re a fan of books about Arkansas, or the state of Arkansas in general, or books with wet t-shirt contests in them, or existential crime-thrillers, or even just perhaps really pretty bookstores with a lot of cute birds in them, then you shouldn’t miss this reading.
Cowboys + Jones = True Love Forever
Apr 10th, 2008
is the author from arkansas?
how much is the charlie daniels band show?
Apr 10th, 2008
No, apparently the author is from Florida, but most of the book is set in Arkansas. From the McSweeney’s website:
“John Brandon was raised on the Gulf Coast of Florida. During the writing of this book, he worked at a lumber mill, a windshield warehouse, a Coca-Cola distributor, and several small factories that produce goods made of rubber and plastic. His favorite recreational activity is watching college football. This is his first book.”
As for the Charlie Daniel’s Band show, is cost really even a concern? It’s the fucking Charlie Daniel’s Band. I’ve always said I’d pay a nut to see “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” live. Now I won’t have to. Because it only costs $30/day to see all the concerts at the Dickson Street Music Festival. (or $50 for both days.)
Apr 10th, 2008
wtf is the MFA department?
Apr 10th, 2008
The MFA department I was referring to was the Master of Fine Arts department in Creative Writing at the University of Arkansas. Our program here is good, but they really do bring in some of the lamest readers.
Apr 10th, 2008
Nightbird books is pretty sweet.
I need to read more… and not just Star Wars books.
Apr 10th, 2008
yes but JTrain…how else will we learn to use the force?
Apr 10th, 2008
I’m already, like, a level 12 Jedi Master, bro. I don’t need to learn any more.
Apr 10th, 2008
“The MFA department I was referring to was the Master of Fine Arts department in Creative Writing at the University of Arkansas”
AHHH!!! Now your reference to comma usage and the Iowa Review is funny as shit!!
Apr 10th, 2008
Thanks! (and sorry I wasn’t very clear to begin with.)
Apr 10th, 2008
The very popular Ellen Gilchrist will be reading at Nightbird at 4:00 pm on April 19th as well.
And if you like audiobooks, itunes and supporting your local business check this out:
“Do you ever download music or audiobooks through iTunes? Now you can shop locally even for your iPod downloads. Link to iTunes through Nightbird Books and we will receive a portion of the sale.”
Go to their website for more details.
P.S. I have mad love and respect for the owner Mrs. Lisa Sharp.
Apr 10th, 2008
“The very popular Ellen Gilchrist will be reading at Nightbird at 4:00 pm on April 19th as well.”
Yeah, I’m pretty excited about this as well. Ellen’s a really, really great lady, and obviously a super-talented writer as well. I’d be going to her reading, except there’s a wedding that day..
Apr 11th, 2008
Did anyone go to this reading? His book is fantastic, and I have done my best to hype it up on the arkansasrockers site. One of my cats hid my copy from me for the last month, but I recently found it under my bed behind a box. Go figure. I am enjoying getting back into it.
Seriously, buy that goddamn book. It also looks really awesome.
Apr 11th, 2008
^
I’ll let you know how it was on Sunday.
Apr 11th, 2008
Sorry, just stepped out of my time warp. If anyone is wondering, the not-too-distant future is cool.
I thought I read “tonight” in there somewhere. Have fun at the reading!