Each week, we offer a roundup of the best literary events in the city. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. Want to submit an upcoming event for consideration? Go here.
Michael Chabon (The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man)
Thursday, September 22nd, 7 pm, at the Osher Marin JCC (200 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael).
Chabon has earned acclaim for his adult novels, from The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay to Wonder Boys, but he's also a father of four, which explains why he's authored this superhero-themed picture book aimed at the younger set. This family-friendly event will feature a live reading, with all the juicy details about Awesome Man's laser eyes and power grip, which he uses to defeat killer robots. Tickets are $28, include a signed copy of the book, and are available here.
Neal Stephenson (Reamde)
Wednesday, September 21st, 7:30 pm, at the Swedish American Hall (2174 Market St.)
Stephenson (Snow Crash, Anathem) is one of the nation's leading writers of science and speculative fiction. Reamde, his new novel, is the story of a former draft dodger and marijuana kingpin who reinvents himself as a tech entrepreneur. After creating a massively successful MMORPG, he gets drawn into his own game, creating a war that embroils both the digital and the real worlds. Tickets are $12 for a seat only, $47 for a seat and a signed book, and $56 for two seats and one signed book. Go here to purchase.
Karl Marlantes (What It Is Like to Go to War)
Sunday, September 25th, 7 pm, at Book Passage Corte Madera (59 Tamal Vista Blvd.)
Tuesday, September 27th, 6:15 pm, at Marines' Memorial Club (609 Sutter St.)
Marlantes burst onto the literary scene last year with the excellent Matterhorn, a first novel about Vietnam that took him over thirty years to write. His new memoir examines his own war story, focusing on the emotional aftermath of killing enemy soldiers and the consequences going into battle has for soldiers throughout their lives.
Jane Lynch (Happy Accidents)
Sunday, September 25th, 7 pm, at Angelico Hall at the Dominican University of California (50 Acacia Ave., San Rafael).
Fresh off hosting duties for the Emmy telecast, the Glee star (who has an Emmy and a Golden Globe of her own) will be visiting the North Bay to discuss her new memoir. "Happy accident" is an accurate description of Lynch's current career trajectory; after decades as a hilarious bit player in numerous films, she suddenly became a household name thanks to her Glee role as villainous cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester. Lynch (pictured above) is also a lesbian and a former alcoholic, and her book discusses the trials and tribulations of her life on and off the screen. Tickets are $35 and include a signed copy of the book; they're available here.
Stuart Schuffman (Young, Broke, & Beautiful: Broke-Ass Stuart's Guide to Living Cheaply)
Friday, September 23rd, 9 pm, at Make-Out Room (3225 22nd St.)
SF may have had to concede Broke-Ass Stuart to a nation of IFC viewers, but he's still showing some hometown love by kicking off his national book tour in his home base, the Mission. Stuart will read a few excerpts from his new guide to living on the cheap in any city, as well as his popular Bold Italic piece on life in SF. At 10 pm, the reading will give way to Loose Joints, a popular funk and soul dance night. Get there before 10 and entry is a broke-ass-friendly $3; after that, it's $5.
