In 2017, renowned short story writer and essayist George Saunders released his first full-length novel, the Booker Prize-winning experimental book Lincoln in the Bardo. Taking place in the wake of young Willie Lincoln’s death from typhoid fever, it charts a course through his presidential father’s grief and a country’s nascent history in a death-in-life Georgetown dreamscape, where ghosts and their unfinished business linger before moving beyond.
Saunders’ new novel, Vigil — out Jan. 27 via Penguin Random House — also centers on a journey to the afterlife, though with a decidedly less innocent traveler. Vigil follows the last earthly hours of oil tycoon K. J. Boone as Jill “Doll” Blaine, his otherworldly usher, tries to comfort him — only to discover that Boone, convinced he’s lived a perfect, ethically spotless life, has no regrets that he wants to settle.
More about Vigil will be illuminated for local audiences on Jan. 30, when Saunders will discuss the new book in conversation with prodigious novelist and Parnassus Books owner Ann Patchett at Montgomery Bell Academy’s Paschall Theater. Patchett’s own work skews less absurdist than Saunders’ does, but both authors are compelled by the spaces between — between life and death, good and evil, right and wrong. Their conversation is one of two upcoming book talks at Montgomery Bell Academy, presented by the school and Parnassus Books. The other features Matrix and The Vaster Wilds novelist Lauren Groff in conversation with Adam Ross about her new short story collection Brawler.
Those are just two of the many exciting events happening in Nashville’s literary scene this winter. Below find more, from author talks to readings, writing workshops and book clubs — including a decidedly goth discussion of mortician Caitlin Doughty’s 2017 book From Here to Eternity, led by a local death doula. For complete calendars, check the websites of your favorite local spots.
More upcoming book events:
Jan. 24: Fiction Book Club: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, 6 p.m. at Duckbill Bookshop
Jan. 25: Madison Carnegie Writers’ Group (every fourth Sunday), 2:30 p.m. at the Nashville Public Library’s Madison Branch
Jan. 25: Rites of Passage Coming-of-Age Book Club: Isola by Allegra Goodman, 4 p.m. at Hanna Bee Coffee. Presented by The Bookshop; 10 percent discounted shopping at The Bookshop for participants to follow (purchase a copy of Isola to join).
Jan. 27: Author Q&A: book signing and discussion with A Most Tolerant Little Town author Rachel Louise Martin, 5:30 p.m. at Duckbill Bookshop
Jan. 31: Friends of Fantasy Day at Parnassus Books. During regular store hours: crafting, fortune-telling and writing workshops. 6:30 p.m.: ticketed event with The Scorpio Races author Maggie Stiefvater.
Feb. 2: Ashley Herring Blake: Get Over It, April Evans in conversation with Laura Piper Lee, 6:30 p.m at Parnassus Books
Feb. 5: Last Chapter Book Club: From Here to Eternity by Caitlin Doughty, led by Megan of Until Death Doulas, 5 p.m. at Hanna Bee Coffee. Presented by The Bookshop; 10 percent discount at The Bookshop to follow.
Feb. 10: Author Q&A: book signing and discussion with Joe Nolan, 5:30 p.m. at Duckbill Bookshop
Feb. 10: Book Talk: Books by Black Authors, 4 p.m. at Nashville Public Library’s Goodlettsville Branch. “Nontraditional book club” where readers select their own book from an assigned theme or genre.
Feb. 11: 33 1/3 author panel featuring Emily Lordi, Mark Doyle and Erin Osmon, moderated by Ann Powers, 6:30 p.m. at The Bookshop
Feb. 12: Free Nashville Poetry Library and Nashville Poetry Party present: Really Bad Love Poems, 7 p.m. at Americano Lounge. Poetry readings and open mic.
Feb. 15: The Porch’s annual Heartbreak Happy Hour, featuring readings by Shea Stripling, Kashif Andrew Graham and more, 7 p.m. at Jackalope Brewing Company
Feb. 19: Rachel Griffin: The Sun and the Starmaker in conversation with Adrienne Young, 7 p.m. at Parnassus Books
Feb 26: Lauren Groff: Brawler: Stories in conversation with Adam Ross, presented by Parnassus Books and Montgomery Bell Academy, 6:30 p.m. at Montgomery Bell Academy’s Dead Poets Society Room
March 2: Anna Quindlen: More Than Enough in conversation with Ann Patchett, 6:30 p.m. at Parnassus Books
March 3: The Porch Presents: Craft and Reading Series with Susan Finch in conversation with Susannah Felts; Craft Talk: “Beyond Backdrop: Using Setting as a Catalyst for Your Characters,” reading and discussion, 6 p.m. at The Porch House
March 10: Author Q&A: Ea Fuqua and Meg DeLong, 5:30 p.m. at Duckbill Bookshop
March 26: Bunnies Book Club: What a Time to Be Alive by Jade Chang feat. author chat via Zoom, 7 p.m. at The Green Ray
Nashville Rep and Nashville Shakespeare Festival's co-production of 'Fat Ham' tops our highlights of the season's theater, art, dance, film and book events
