McNally Jackson has a busy agenda for this month

The February events at the New York-based bookstore include: Jesse Ball ; Jason Porter and Colum McCann; Elif Batumen, Emily Gould, and n+1; Edmund White; Jenny Offill and Alejandro Zambra. Unless noted otherwise, events start at 7 p.m. They are first come, first served, and free. No tickets or reservations are required.

February Events 2014


Coming Up in February:

Eliot was wrong, February is the cruelest month. This is especially true this year. Not only are we forced to confront the solitude of a dateless Valentine's day, but we also have to do so under the assault of who-knows-how-many polar vortices. Our boots and hearts are heavy with snow and loneliness. Luckily, not all is dirty snow and nights in with Netflix. Our events this month promise to have you kicking off your boots, spirits lifted: Jesse Ball breaks his silence; Jason Porter and Colum McCann alleviate our sadness; Elif Batumen, Emily Gould, and n+1 teach us to have no regrets; Edmund White takes us to Paris; Jenny Offill gives gravity to the everyday; and Alejandro Zambra shows us the way home. And, if you make it to the end of the month, Gordon Lish's Goings will guarantee that you keep going to the next. 

Unless noted otherwise, events start at 7pm. As always, they are first come, first served, and free. No tickets or reservations are required. You can click here to send an email to the store requesting more information or to order a signed copy, or call us at (212) 274-1160 X3 with any questions or requests.

Wednesday, February 5

Why Are You So Sad? Jason Porter in Conversation with Colum McCann

Gary Shteyngart has described Jason Porter's new book Why Are You So Sad?as "a well-stocked IKEA," with "everything you need for your home and your heart [...] an astute, intelligent and hilarious book." Join Porter for a reading and rousing conversation with McNally favorite Colum McCann (winner of the National Book Award, and just a winner in general). Tissues provided.
Thursday, February 6

The Scar Boys with Len Vlahos

Len Vlahos comes by his indie rock cred honestly as the guitarist for erstwhile 80s punk band Woofing Cookies. We’re thrilled to be hosting Len in celebration of his debut novel The Scar Boys, whichThe New York Times called a “wry, stylish tale” and was selected as the top Winter ‘14 “Indie Next” pick for teens by independent bookstores across the country.
Monday, January 10

NYC Launch: Jennifer Vanderbes in Conversation with Lauren Belfer

Join us for the NYC launch of Jennifer Vanderbes' third novel The Secret of Raven Point. About a woman in search of her missing brother in an Italy ravaged by WWII, it's a restrained, precisely told tale of trauma, silence, and the battles fought by soldiers long after war is over. Vanderbes will be joined in conversation by Lauren Belfer, author of Fierce Radiance and City of Light.

Wednesday, February 12

Megan Hustad in Conversation with Ben Lytle

More Than Conquerors recounts the disappointments of Hustad's family members' post-mission when they practice an obsolete Evangelism in a Midwest that no longer feels the same way about them. Hustad will discuss her new memoir with critic Ben Lytle, whose work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The London Review of Books, and The Nation, among others.

Sunday, February 16, 5pm

Dinner with Edmund White

Join us for the next in our series of readings over dinner at Calliope. The ever stylish Edmund White will read from and discuss Inside A Pearl: My Years in Paris, his account of the decade and a half—from the early 1980s to the late 1990s—he spent living and loving in the City of Light. White will be joined in conversation by his partner Michael Carroll.

Admission at $85 includes a 4 course meal and book. (Non-refundable. Tax, tip, and booze not included.)

Monday, February 17, 6.30pm

Surface Tension: Tina Satter and Half Straddle in Conversation

OBIE award-winning playwright Tina Satter visits McNally Jackson with members of her "wonderfully weird" (Gothamist) all-female company, Half Straddle, to celebrate the publication of Satter's first anthology of plays, The Seagull (Thinking of You). Company members will perform readings of Ms. Satter's works, followed by a panel discussion about the ideas currently shaping experimental theater, especially explorations of surface and superficiality. Don't worry, we won't think you're shallow if you show up.

Tuesday, February 18

Molly Antopol on The UnAmericans

Join 2013 National Book Foundation "5 Under 35" honoree Molly Antopol for a reading and discussion of her harrowing debut story collection, The UnAmericans. About it Adam Johnson writes: "Not since Robert Stone has a writer so examined the nature of disillusionment and the ways in which newfound hope can crack the cement of failed dreams." In conversation with Dave Daley, editor-in-chief of Salon.com.

Thursday, February 20

Have Regrets? Us Neither!

No Regrets recruits a selection of exclusively female participants to talk about the books they read—or didn’t—in their early twenties. Join us for the pamphlet’s launch with Elif Batuman, Sara Marcus, and Emily Gould.Moderated by editor Dayna Tortorici.

Monday, February 24

Jenny Offill in Conversation with Lorin Stein

Join Jenny Offill for a discussion of her new novel Dept. of Speculation, in which she confronts the familiar frustrations of marriage and motherhood—a colicky baby, faltering commitment, and stalled ambition—in prose which moves deftly between the quotidian and philosophical. With Lorin Stein, editor ofThe Paris Review.
Wednesday, February 26

Author-Editor Conversation: Jeff Vandermeer & Sean McDonald

In the next installment of McNally Jackson’s author-editor conversation series, Jeff VanderMeer talks to FSG editor Sean McDonald. World Fantasy Award-winner Vandermeer’s latest novel, Annihilation, is the first in a new trilogy, in which the temptations of scientific exploration are met by measures that go beyond the merely punitive.
Thursday, February 27

We've Got a Good Thing Going with Gordon Lish

Widely acknowledged as the most influential editor since Maxwell Perkins, Gordon Lish has worked closely with Don DeLillo, Anne Carson, and Raymond Carver, among others. But Lish, as Delillo writes, may be “famous for all the wrong reasons”—he has also “written some of the most fascinating American fiction of the last ten years.” Join us to launch Lish’s new story collection,Goings.

Friday, February 28

Alejandro Zambra in Conversation with Francisco Goldman

Home is where McNally Jackson is! Join Alejandro Zambra, a writer of “startling talent” (Adam Thirlwell) for a discussion of his third and latest novel Ways of Going Home, a literary and meta-literary look at life in Chile under Pinochet. Zambra will be joined in conversation by Francisco Goldman.

Storytime

Baby Storytime (Ages 0 to 2): Friday at 4pm
Kid's Storytime (Ages 3 to 8): Saturday at 11:30am
Spanish Storytime (Ages 0 to 4): Thursday at 4:30pm
Young book lovers are invited to listen to stories from our favorite picture books.
On Fridays, McNally Jackson's Baby Storyteller Raffe Jefferson reads picture books and sing songs with babies and kids up to age 2 and their grown-ups. Email events@mcnallyjackson.com about Baby Storytime.
On Saturdays, author and resident storyteller Yvonne Brooks creates themed storytimes followed by guided crafts and activities for kids ages 3 to 8. Email Yvonne at yvonne@mcnallyjackson.com about Kids' Storytime.

On Thursdays, Spanish language storyteller Edda Martinez reads picture books and sings songs with babies and kids up to age 4 and their grown-ups. Email Cristin at cristin@mcnallyjackson.com about Spanish Storytime.
PUPPET SHOW: Sadly, we're taking a break from puppet performances. Check back here for further news.
Upcoming Discussions and Book Clubs

INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE: Led by Sarah McNally, this discussion group meets downstairs in the history section the first Monday of every month, at 7pm. On Monday, March 3rd, the book club will be discussing Lawrence Durrell's Mountolive.
POETRY: Led by Carly Dashiell, our Poetry Book Group meets in the travel section the second Thursday of every month, at 7pm. On Thursday, February 13th, the book club will be discussingalphabet by Inger Christensen.
SMALL BUSINESS BOOKCLUB: Led by Holly Howard, our Small Business Reading Group meets in the travel section the second Tuesday of every month, at 7pm. On Tuesday, February 11th, the book club will be discussing Great Work, by David Sturt. 

COMIC BOOK CLUB: Led by Fiona Duncan, our Comic Book Club meets in the travel section the second Monday of every month, at 7pm. On Monday, February 10th, the book club will be discussing Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo.
PHILOSOPHY BOOKCLUB: Led by Kevin Cassem and Matthew Wagstaffe, the Philosophy Book Club meets in the travel section the first Tuesday of every month, at 7pm. On Tuesday, February 4th, the book club will be discussingNietzsche Apostle by Sloterdijk. 

SPANISH BOOKCLUB: Led by Javier Molea, this discussion group meets once a month at 7pm downstairs. In February, the book cub will be discussing Antes que anochezca, de Reinaldo Arenas (Cuba). See the Events page for more details.

Calliope and McNally Jackson: A Literary Master Class Series

In partnership with McNally Jackson Books this winter, the East Village restaurant Calliope is inviting writers to teach intimate master classes over a three-course lunch. Artists discuss their writing practices and philosophies and engage students in writing exercises á table. Teachers include playwright Lisa Kron (Fun Home andWell), Guster frontman Ryan Miller, playwright David Adjmi (Marie Antoinetteand Elective Affinities), travel writer Sylvie Bigar, and novelist Kate Manning (My Notorious Life). Each event is limited to 15 people and costs $100 (not including beverages). To register, please visit the events page at www.calliopenyc.com.
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