Literati is thrilled to welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning journalsit Charlie LeDuff to share his new book Sh*tshow!: The Country’s Collapsing… and the Ratings Are Great
About Sh*tshow!:
A daring, firsthand, and utterly-unscripted account of crisis in America, from Ferguson to Flint to Cliven Bundy’s ranch to Donald Trump’s unstoppable campaign for President–at every turn, Pulitzer-prize winner and bestselling author of Detroit: An American Autopsy, Charlie LeDuff was there
In the Fall of 2013, long before any sane person had seriously considered the possibility of a Trump presidency, Charlie LeDuff sat in the office of then-Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, and made a simple but prophetic claim:The whole country is bankrupt and on high boil. It’s a shitshow out there. No one in the bubbles of Washington, DC., New York, or Los Angles was talking about it–least of all the media. LeDuff wanted to go to the heart of the country to report what was really going on. Ailes baulked. Could the hard-living and straight-shooting LeDuff be controlled? But, then, perhaps on a whim, he agreed. And so LeDuff set out to record a TV series called, “The Americans,” and, along the way, ended up bearing witness to the ever-quickening unraveling of The American Dream.
For three years, LeDuff travelled the width and breadth of the country with his team of production irregulars, ending up on the Mexican border crossing the Rio Grande on a yellow rubber kayak alongside undocumented immigrants; in the middle of Ferguson as the city burned; and watching the children of Flint get sick from undrinkable water. Racial, political, social, and economic tensions were escalating by the day. The inexorable effects of technological change and globalization were being felt more and more acutely, at the same time as wages stagnated and the price of housing, education, and healthcare went through the roof. The American people felt defeated and abandoned by their politicians, and those politicians seemed incapable of rising to the occasion. The old way of life was slipping away, replaced only by social media, part-time work, and opioid addiction.
Sh*tshow is that true, tragic, and distinctively American story, told from the parts of the country hurting the most. A soul-baring, irreverent, and iconoclastic writer, LeDuff speaks the language of everyday Americans, and is unafraid of getting his hands dirty. He scrambles the tired-old political, social, and racial categories, taking no sides–or prisoners. Old-school, gonzo-style reporting, this is both a necessary confrontation with the darkest parts of the American psyche and a desperately-needed reminder of the country’s best instincts.
Charlie LeDuff is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, formerly at the New York Times and the Detroit News, and Detroit’s Fox 2 News. The author of Detroit, US Guys, and Work and Other Sins, he lives near Detroit.
Performance by this Ypsilanti-based writer and cartoonist, a National Poetry Slam champion best known for his spoken word poem “I Am That Nerd.” His most recent book, 2011’s Spoken Nerd Revolution, revels in the nerd culture of the early-to-mid 1980s, with numerous references to video games, comic books, and Star Wars.
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 tips for breaking down the revision process into manageable steps. For all fiction & nonfiction writers grade 6-adult. Also, Kourvo & Neal host an open house for writers to connect with one another and/or work on their projects at 7 p.m. on June 18.
7-8:45 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. 327-4200.
Join us for an event we could all use, as retired Eastern Michigan University professor Gigi Langer presents her book, 50 Ways to Worry Less Now: Reject Negative Thinking to Find Peace, Clarity, and Connection. Gigi will teach us two simple techniques to reduce our negative thinking, and answer questions before signing copies!
About the Author
Gigi Langer, Ph.D.has overcome her own negative thoughts and worries to heal her relationship difficulties, chronic pain, codependence, overwork, fear of failure, and the effects of abuse.
Gigi holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education and an MA in Psychology, both from Stanford University. As a college professor, Gigi won several awards for her teaching and writing. She has written six books and hundreds of articles on personal and professional growth. Through her work with individuals and groups, Langer helps thousands of people improve their lives at home and at work. As a person in recovery, she hasn’t had a drug or drink for over 30 years. She lives happily in Michigan with her husband, Peter and her cat, Murphy.
June 5 & 19. Open mike storytelling competition sponsored by The Moth, the NYC-based nonprofit storytelling organization that also produces a weekly public radio show. Each month 10 storytellers are selected at random from among those who sign up to tell a 3-5 minute story on the monthly theme. June themes: “Endings” (June 5) & “Impostor” (June 19). The 3-person judging teams are recruited from the audience. Monthly winners compete in a semiannual Grand Slam. Space limited, so it’s smart to arrive early.
7:30-9 p.m. (doors open and sign-up begins at 6 p.m.), Greyline, 100 N. Ashley. $8. 764-5118.
Literati is delighted to welcome award-winning author Richard Russo for a discussion his newly released essay collection The Destiny Thief: Essays on Writing. Richard will be joined by Sam Krowchenko for a post-reading discussion.
About The Destiny Thief:
A master of the novel, short story, and memoir, the best-selling and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Everybody’s Fool now gives us his very first collection of personal essays, ranging throughout writing and reading and living.
In these nine essays, Richard Russo provides insight into his life as a writer, teacher, friend, and reader. From a commencement speech he gave at Colby College, to the story of how an oddly placed toilet made him reevaluate the purpose of humor in art and life, to a comprehensive analysis of Mark Twain’s value, to his harrowing journey accompanying a dear friend as she pursued gender-reassignment surgery, The Destiny Thiefreflects the broad interests and experiences of one of America’s most beloved authors. Warm, funny, wise, and poignant, the essays included here traverse Russo’s writing life, expanding our understanding of who he is and how his singular, incredibly generous mind works. An utter joy to read, they give deep insight into the creative process from the prospective of one of our greatest writers.
Ricahrd Russo is the author of eight novels, most recently Everybody’s Fool and That Old Cape Magic; two collections of stories, with Trajectory published in 2017; and the memoir Elsewhere. In 2002 he received the Pulitzer Prize for Empire Falls, which like Nobody’s Fool was adapted to film, in a multiple-award-winning HBO miniseries; in 2016 he was given the Indie Champion Award by the American Booksellers Association; and in 2017 he received France’s Grand Prix de Littérature Américaine. He lives in Portland, Maine.
Sam Krowchenko is the host of Literati Bookstore’s podcast Shelf Talking. His work has appeared in Salon, Full Stop, and The Michigan Quarterly Review. A graduate of the Helen Zell Writers’ Program at the University of Michigan, he is currently a Zell Fellow.
June 7-10, 14-17, & 21-24. U-M Residential College drama lecturer Kate Mendeloff directs students and local actors in an alfresco production of Shakespeare’s vividly poetic love story, a romantic tragedy about “star-crossed lovers” defying their feuding families. Initially lightheartedly comic, then dire, this perennially popular drama is the heart-wrenching tale of 2 impetuous young lovers destroyed by the intransigence of their feuding families, their own mistakes, and some incredibly bad timing. The RC’s annual Shakespeare in the Arb productions have become a hugely popular local summer tradition. Director Mendeloff takes special care to make the shifting Arb environments an active force in the performance. Bring a blanket or portable chair to sit on; dress for the weather.
6:30 p.m., meet at the Peony Garden entrance at 1610 Washington Heights. $20 (Friends of Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum, $15; students, $15; seniors age 62 & over, $17; youth under age 18, $10; kids under 5, free) at the gate only. Tickets go on sale at 5:30 p.m. Space limited; come early. 998-9540.
Elaine Weeks and Chris Edwards share images from their new coffee table book, which contains over 1400 images of Detroit from 1939-1980. Also, a raffle and book signing hosted by 107.1 FM morning host Martin Bandyke.
7-8:30 p.m., AADL Downtown multipurpose rm. Free. 327-4200.
On June 8th at 5pm, Literati is thrilled to welcome David Sedaris back to Ann Arbor and to Literati Bookstore as he tours independent bookstores across the country in support of his latest essay collection, Calypso!
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE MAKING YOUR PURCHASE
Seating for this event is incredibly limited, as the reading will take place on our main floor. For a chance to attend the reading, purchase a priority signing line ticket between 4/20-4/27! Purchasing this ticket will not only enter you into a raffle for a chance to see David read in-store, but also pre-buys a hardcover copy of Calypso through Literati and reserves a priority spot in the signing line following the event!
Limit two priority signing line tickets per person. Purchase is non-refundable.
When the priority signing line ticket offer ends on 4/27 at 5pm, we will randomly draw a limited number of names to attend the reading on Literati’s main floor, and notify those winners directly via email. The remainder will have priority access to the signing line, according to the signing line number printed on their ticket, and following all event attendees.
All priority signing line ticket holders will be able to pick up their books starting 5/29 in-store, or the night of the event when they join the signing line. For additional signing line procedures, see FAQ below.
A free signing line ticket will become on 4/27 at 5pm. These tickets will grant access to the signing line following priority signing line ticket holders. Calypso will go on sale at Literati on 5/29, and we will have additional copies of all David’s books available for purchase on June 8th to all signing line ticket holders.
To eliminate long lines and time spent in them, we will call signing line numbers up by groups via our twitter account (@literatibkstore) to join the line at our store, so that you can explore downtown Ann Arbor (or avoid the weather) while you wait.
David is willing to sign as long as there are still people in line (four years ago our signing went into the early morning the following day)! David is incredibly gracious and takes his time with each person in line, so please do note that we expect him to sign late into the evening.
Click here, or click the button below to purchase tickets.
FAQ
Q: Why are you doing a raffle for attendance?
A: Not everyone receives our newsletter at the same time, and there very limited seats which would be snapped up near-instantly. A raffle increases your chance to attend!
Q: How will raffle winners be notified?
A: You’ll receive an email directly from Literati, with a special ticket attachment. We ask that winners arrive, ticket-in-hand, no later than 4:55pm on June 8th to be allowed into the store to your seat, otherwise your seat may be given away. Seating is first come, first serve.
Q: I purchased a priority signing line ticket, when do I pick up my book?
A: You can pick up your book beginning 5/29 at Literati Bookstore, just show your signing line ticket. You can also pick up your book the night of the event when you join the line (please note Literati will be closed during the day on the 8th to set up for the event).
Q: How do I find my signing line number?
It will appear on your ticket as Sec: Space in Line, Row: LINE, Seat: (1, 2, 99,etc., this is your number in the line)
Q: I purchased a priority signing line ticket, my ticket is signing line number #47, does this mean I’ll be the 47th person to get their book signed overall?
A: Not exactly. Following David’s reading in the store, guests attending the reading (those who won the raffle) will be first through the signing line. Then, ticket numbers will be called to line up at the store in groups, starting with the earliest priority signing line ticket numbers.
Q: I don’t have twitter, and I don’t want twitter.
A: No problem! Access our feed on any mobile browser at https://twitter.com/literatibkstore the day of the event!
Q: I would like to enter the signing line, but I don’t necessarily want to purchase a hardcover copy of Calypso in advance, is this possible?
A: Yes. Free, general signing line tickets become available when the priority signing line ticket offer ends on 4/27 at 5pm.
Q: Do I need a signing line ticket to enter the signing line?
A: Yes. We encourage you to go through Brown Paper Tickets to get a signing line ticket. Free tickets will become available when the priority signing line ticket off ends on 4/27 at 5pm. Note that those who purchased the priority signing line ticket receive the initial signing line numbers. We will be calling ticket holders up by groups according to their assigned numbers, via our twitter, until there are no more numbers to call. This helps us stay in fire code and eliminate long lines and your time spent waiting in one.
Q: Are we expected to sign up exactly according to our numbers?
A: No. We simply want to eliminate waiting in a longer line by calling guests up in groups. You’re welcome to self-police outside while you initially form a line to be let inside, but once you’re let inside the store, we will not be reorganizing guests by exact signing line number.
Q: I have a pretty high signing line number. What time will I get my book signed??
A: We don’t know. We expect David to be signing late into the night. Also, the wait will be WORTH IT. David is incredibly gracious and generous with his time to *everyone* in the line. We encourage you to enjoy and hang out in our great downtown neighborhood while you wait.
Q: I can’t make the event or signing line, can I still get a book signed?
A: Yes, call Literati bookstore at 734-585-5567 to make a purchase, or order a David Sedaris title online at literatibookstore.com, and indicate you would like the book signed at the event. There will be no refunds for these orders. We will notify you when your order is ready to be picked up if you elect to pick-up in the store following the event.
June 7-10, 14-17, & 21-24. U-M Residential College drama lecturer Kate Mendeloff directs students and local actors in an alfresco production of Shakespeare’s vividly poetic love story, a romantic tragedy about “star-crossed lovers” defying their feuding families. Initially lightheartedly comic, then dire, this perennially popular drama is the heart-wrenching tale of 2 impetuous young lovers destroyed by the intransigence of their feuding families, their own mistakes, and some incredibly bad timing. The RC’s annual Shakespeare in the Arb productions have become a hugely popular local summer tradition. Director Mendeloff takes special care to make the shifting Arb environments an active force in the performance. Bring a blanket or portable chair to sit on; dress for the weather.
6:30 p.m., meet at the Peony Garden entrance at 1610 Washington Heights. $20 (Friends of Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum, $15; students, $15; seniors age 62 & over, $17; youth under age 18, $10; kids under 5, free) at the gate only. Tickets go on sale at 5:30 p.m. Space limited; come early. 998-9540.
