Three Readings from Paging Columbus: Ruth Awad, Joseph Bates, and Adam Clay

Do you know Ruth Awad's poetry? I was lucky to have her read as part of Paging Columbus in February--her work is just stunning.


 Here's Joseph Bates reading from his excellent collection of short fiction, Tomorrowland.



And last, please enjoy Adam Clay's reading. His book of poems, A Hotel Lobby at the Edge of the World, is so worth reading!

Reading Two Poems from Leah Umansky

One thing I've realized is that I am very comfortable being a fan--I openly gush over, well, many things: music, art, dessert, people, and of course, writers/books.

It's always such a pleasure when I get to share someone else's work at a reading. It's like inviting a guest into the room for just a moment to celebrate them.

Recently, I was happy to read a couple of poems by Leah Umansky (who I just met/adored in-person last weekend!!) from Domestic Uncertainties. Her new chapbook is also brand spankin' new...it's called Don Dreams and I Dream (and is Mad Men-inspired....she is so much fun!).

Here's the video of me reading her work--I read two poems: "The Thick of the Real World" and "Repeated for Emphasis."



           


Which poems/books do you like to pass on to others? What have you been gushing over lately?


Have a lovely weekend, friends!

This Week, Feeling Inspired by...

• This song, “Calling Cards,” by Neko Case (I have a memorized calling card number from 14 years ago that I occasionally use):    

• Radio Crackling, Radio Gone, by Lisa Olstein (Copper Canyon Press, 2006). Here’s a great poem from the collection called “That Magnificent Part the Chorus Does about Tragedy”.

• Eric Valli’s photography. I am in awe of these gorgeous photos. They do tell stories, but by immersing viewers into one fragment/scene of a story. There is something to learn here, I think.

Photo by Eric Valli, from High Himalaya

Photo by Eric Valli, from Caravans

• A bunch of readings that I’ll be doing throughout fall! It’s a good opportunity to read new work, and experiment with what pieces I group together. And it’s always fun to read one or two poems not by me!

And you, friends?