We are thrilled to welcome professors Philip J. Deloria and Alexander I. Olson to Literati Bookstore to discuss their latest book, American Studies: A User’s Guide.
About American Studies: A User’s Guide
American Studies has long been a home for adventurous students seeking to understand the culture and politics of the United States. This welcoming spirit has found appeal around the world, but at the heart of the field is an identity crisis. Nearly every effort to articulate an American Studies methodology has been rejected for fear of losing intellectual flexibility and freedom. But what if these fears are misplaced? Providing a fresh look at American Studies in practice, this book contends that a shared set of “rules” can offer a springboard to creativity. American Studies: A User’s Guide offers readers a critical introduction to the history and methods of the field as well as useful strategies for interpretation, curation, analysis, and theory
Philip J. Deloria is Carroll Smith-Rosenberg Collegiate Professor of American Culture and History at the University of Michigan. He is a former president of the American Studies Association.
Alexander I. Olson is Assistant Professor in the Mahurin Honors College at Western Kentucky University.
Readings by U-M creative writing grad students, including fiction writers Christina Kim and poet Chelsea Walsh.
7 p.m., UMMA Auditorium, 525 S. State. Free.
The Mark Webster Reading Series presents emerging writers in a warm and relaxed setting. We encourage you to bring your friends – a Webster reading makes for an enjoyable and enlightening Friday evening.
Join us for a Holiday Open House Saturday, December 9 at 2 p.m. Con Lehane, Meg Macy and Sarah Zettel will be joining us. Con will be signing his new mystery Murder in the Manuscript Room. Stay tuned to see who else might turn up!
All invited to read and discuss their poetry or short stories. Bring about 6 copies of your work to share.
7-9 p.m., Crazy Wisdom, 114 S. Main. Free. 665-2757
Neutral Zone presents “I Wore My Blackest Hair,” Carlina Duan’s hometown release party: reading and book signing.
Dexter poet Kathy Edgren was first published at age 17 and her poems have appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Oracle, Birmingham Poetry Review and many other journals. She will read from her latest book, The Grain Beneath the Gloss.
Jennifer Burd teaches writing and literature. Her poetry appears in two books along with numerous print and online journals, and she has also written a play for children and a book of creative nonfiction. Her most recent book of poetry is Day’s Late Blue.
The event begins with an Open Mic session when area poets can read their own work or share a favorite poem by another author in a welcoming atmosphere.
This series occurs on the second Thursdays of most months in partnership with Les Go Social MM&T.
Please note: Open Mic & Share will be on hiatus in January 2018. We will return on Thursday, February 8 at 7pm. Details TBA.
Poetry open mike.
Ann Arbor Poetry. Poetry open mike. 7-9 p.m. (sign-up begins at 6:30 p.m.), Espresso Royale, 324 S. State. $5 suggested donation. facebook.com/AnnArborPoetry.
Nicola’s Books presents author Chris VanAllsburg, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Please join us for this special author signing of Jumanji in conjunction with the premiere of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle to benefit the Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children.
Ticketing Information:
This will be a ticketed event, with tickets available via BrownPaperTickets.com beginning at 10am on Friday, December 1st. Each ticket includes a signed copy of Jumanji. Presentation of ticket will be required to claim your book. Signing line will begin in ticket number order; lower ticket numbers mean an earlier place in the signing line.
Signing details:
· Signing will occur in ticket number order
· Jumanji may be personalized
· Ticket holders may bring up to 2 more items to be signed only, either from home or other books purchased on site
· Unstaged photos will be allowed
About Jumanji
Over thirty years ago, Peter and Judy first found the game–Jumanji–with the instructions that once the game is started, it must be finished or it will go on forever–and it was then, with this same wonderment, readers found Jumanji, too.
Since its original publication, Jumanji has been honored with many awards, including the Caldecott Medal, and in 1996, the surreal story was adapted to fit the big screen.
This special edition of Jumanji contains a CD of the renowned actor Robin Williams reading the timeless tale.
About the Author
Chris VanAllsburg is the winner of two Caldecott Medals, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, as well as the recipient of a Caldecott Honor Book for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. The author and illustrator of numerous picture books for children, he has also been awarded the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children’s literature. In 1982, Jumanji won the National Book Award and in 1996, it was made into a popular feature film. Chris Van Allsburg was formerly an instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife and two children.
About the Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children at Hospice Of Michigan and Ann Arbor Hospice:
With a focus on maximizing the quality of life for every child in its care, Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children is privileged to offer a wide range of pediatric services to families throughout Michigan. The Anchors Programs for Children, funded through a generous gift from the Samuel & Jean Frankel Foundation, includes Compass Support Services, The James B. Fahner MD Pediatric Hospice Program and The Anchors Perinatal Program. For more, visit http://www.hom.org/our-services/anchors-pediatric-programs/.
This Washtenaw International High School English teacher and forensics coach has competed in several regional poetry slams. Her most famous poem, “Credentialed Casualty,” recounts her experience receiving active shooter training and the ethical implications of making split-second life and death decisions about the students supposedly in her care. Preceded by a poetry open mike.
7 p.m. Espresso Royale, 324 S. State. $5 suggested donation. facebook.com/AnnArborPoetry.
Local short story writer Alex Kourvo and young adult novelist Bethany Neal discuss the complicated relationship between plot and character development. For adult and teen (grade 6 & up) fiction and nonfiction writers. Also, Kourvo and Neal host an open house for writers to connect with one another and/or work on their projects at 7 p.m. on Jan. 29.
7-8:45 p.m., AADL Westgate Branch. Free. 327-8301
