Friday, October 2 at 7 pm
JULIA ELLIOT READING & SIGNING
Acclaimed short story author Julia Elliot (The Wilds) has published her first novel, The New and Improved Romie Futch. Hailed by reviewers as “one of the funniest, smartest, and most unnerving novels” of the year, it’s a wild ride that marries dystopian speculative fiction and the Southern gothic. Elliot is the recipient of a Rona Jaffe Writer’s Award and her short stories have appeared in Tin House, The Georgia Review, and have been anthologized in Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses, Best American Fantasy, and Best American Short Stories.
Elliot teaches Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of South Carolina.
Saturday, October 3 at 3 pm
BEN HATKE READING & SIGNING
In Ben Hatke’s new children’s book, Little Robot, an intrepid young girl finds and fixes a robot in a junkyard. Their friendship unfolds through wonderful, rich visuals in this almost-wordless graphic novel that celebrates adventure, girl power, and ingenuity against all odds, including the dreaded Robot Management System that tries to separate the new friends! Booklist affirms that this book “begs to be read again and again.” Hatke is the author of the New York Times bestselling Zita the Spacegirl trilogy and the picture book Julia’s House for Lost Creatures. Recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Sunday, October 4 at 3 pm
POETRIO
Join us for our monthly series of readings and signings by 3 poets at
3 pm! This month will feature Sally Keith (River House), Rose McLarney (Its Day Being Gone), and Debra Kaufman (Delicate Thefts).
Monday, October 5 at 7 pm
S.C. GWYNNE READING & SIGNING
The author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist, Empire of the Summer Moon, S.C. Gwynne is an award-winning journalist who sets his sights on Stonewall Jackson in his lastest work of nonfiction. Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the SIBA Award and has
been hailed as an example of “masterful storytelling” by BookPage.
It’s “a crackling narrative” that “breathes contemporary insight and fresh energy” into the story of this iconic man, whose rich life Gwynne captures effortlessly.
Tuesday, October 6 at 7 pm
JEANNE CHARTERS READING & SIGNING
Local author Jeanne Charters introduces us to Mary Boland, the wily and beautiful heroine of her novel Shanty Gold, the first in her Daughters of Ireland series. This breathtaking, fast-paced tale takes us on the journey of Mary and Kamua Okafor, a young enslaved African who becomes her dearest friend. Together, they combine the powers of Celtic and African spiritual practices to save their loved ones and create new lives for themselves in Boston.
Wednesday, October 7 at 5:30 pm
SHEILA TURNAGE READING & SIGNING
Staff favorite Sheila Turnage’s new book, The Odds of Getting Even, is a follow-up to her wildly popular Newberry Award-winning Three Times Lucky. Set in the colorful community of Tupelo Landing, NC, the novel spins a fast-paced yarn about the characters Mo and Dale, the “Desperado Detectives.” The story opens as Dale’s father is about to go on trial for kidnapping and the action quickly picks up as he escapes and flees town! Filled with mystery, humor, and tenderness, it’s a must-read that the whole family will love. According to Kirkus Reviews, this is a book “full of heart and perfect for reading on a front porch.” Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Thursday, October 8 at 7 pm
DAVID LEVITHAN & WILL WALTON DISCUSSION & SIGNING
David Levithan’s Another Day is the companion to his “ethereal” earlier work, New York Times bestselling (and Malaprop’s staff favorite) Every Day, which tells the love story of A, a 16-year-old who wakes up in a different body each day, and Rhiannon, the girl A falls in love with along the way. This follow-up novel is the same story from the perspective of Rhiannon. It’s a “deeply satisfying” work that stands on its own as a testament to the power of love. Will Walton’s debut novel, Anything Could Happen, introduces us to Tretch, a young man who realizes he is gay and develops a crush on his best friend, Matt, who is straight. The novel is being hailed as an important work with this essential message: “it gets better, but it’s good now.”
Saturday, October 10 at 7 pm
MATTHEWS POETRY PRIZE WINNERS CELEBRATION & READING
We welcome the winners of the 2014 Matthews Poetry Prize to Malaprop’s! The prestigious prize, given by the Asheville Poetry Review, was awarded to Matthew Wimberley (“All the Great Territories”) in first place, Patrick Swaney (“Late Fall, Late Afternoon, Late Light”) in second place, and Debbie Benson (“Papanasam”) in third place. The event will be hosted by APR’s editor, Keith Flynn. Don’t miss this chance to get acquainted with the work of three tremendous poets.
Sunday, October 11 at 5 pm
GINGER GRAZIANO READING & SIGNING
Ginger Graziano’s moving memoir, See, There He Is, is the story of a woman whose belief in the immense power of love carries her through tragedy. After leaving her marriage and recovering from a breakdown, Graziano faced her son’s diagnosis with an aggressive brain tumor. Her memoir captures all of these moments and delineates the author’s journey to a place of hope and inspiration after her son’s death. This is a deeply moving, touching, and impactful work about the way tragedy can shape our lives and open us up to new beauty.
Monday, October 12 at 6 pm
NOT JUST KIDS ANYMORE: UNDERSTANDING ADULT ADHD with RUDY RODRIGUEZ An increasing number of adults are being diagnosed and treated for ADHD yet many adults and therapists still have little understanding about Adult ADHD. This fast-paced and lively seminar will provide you with a firm understanding of Adult ADHD. We will discuss many important aspects of Adult ADHD including its challenges and its assets as well. The second of a two-part series, this event is free and open to the public.
Tuesday, October 13 at 7 pm
JOSEPH D’AGNESE CELEBRATION & SIGNING
Local author Joe D’Agnese will be discussing his inclusion in the anthology Best American Mystery Stories 2015, selected by guest editor James Patterson. The author of the children’s book Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, and co-author with Denise Kiernan of Signing Their Lives Away and Signing Their Rights Away, D’Agnese was also recognized by the Short Mystery Fiction Society for another story, which won their 2015 Derringer Award. D’Agnese will be interviewed by his wife, Denise Kiernan, the author of Girls of Atomic City and since it’s also his birthday, we will celebrate with cake and champagne!
Wednesday, October 14 at 7 pm
KATHLEEN DRISKELL READING & SIGNING
Kathleen Driskell’s new book of poems, Next Door to the Dead, is, according to reviewers, filled with “explosive meditations on life and death.” The book contains Driskell’s musings on the cemetery next to her Kentucky home, invoking the spirits of those laid to rest in a collection that is profound, moving, and quietly powerful. Driskell’s last book, Seed Against Snow, was listed twice as a national bestseller by the Poetry Foundation. She is an associate editor of the Louisville Review and Assistant Director of the MFA Program at Spalding University.
Wednesday, October 14 at 5 pm
MESSAGES TO THE HEART SALON
Local artist Elise Okrend and her partner, Phil, will use their inspiring coffee table book, Messages to the Heart, Reflections of Beauty and Truth, to remind participants of the ah-ha moments of truth and beauty in their own lives and to help them open a door where peace, clarity, joy, and purpose can come in. Please join for one discussion or all.
Thursday, October 15 at 7 pm
TODD MAY READING & SIGNING
In his new book, A Significant Life: Human Meaning in a Silent Universe, Todd May asks the essential question: what does living a fulfilling, meaningful life entail? He calls upon a series of great philosophers and authors, from Aristotle to Albert Camus to Faulkner, to help answer this question with the goal of creating an objective, measurable set of criteria by which to gauge the meaning of a human life. May is more concerned with questions than answers, and thus provides a rich set of tools for self-inquiry. According to Library Journal, it’s a “creative and thoughtful work” that has real value for those seeking fulfillment in their lives.
Friday, October 16 at 5 pm
CORBAN ADDISON SIGNING
Corban Addison, Virginia-based attorney, activist, and world traveler, will sign copies of his latest book, The Tears of Dark Water. Addison is also the author of The Garden of Burning Sand and A Walk Across the Sun, which John Grisham called, “a novel that is beautiful in its story and also important in its message.”
Sunday, October 18 at 3 pm
WRITERS AT HOME READING SERIES
Join host Tommy Hays for the monthly reading series featuring work from UNCA’s Great Smokies Writing Program and The Great Smokies Review.
Monday, October 19 at 7 pm
MICHAEL McGREGOR READING AND SIGNING
Michael McGregor’s fascinating biography, Pure Act: The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax, tells the story of the experimental “poet-sage” so influential for the Beat movement of the 1950s. “Pure act” references Lax’s own approach to the spiritual, simplified life for which he became known. McGregor pulls details from his own friendship with his subject and paints a rich picture of Lax, who, among other things, traveled with a circus for a year, embraced a life of poverty and humility after converting to Catholicism, and lived in self-exile in Greece.
Tuesday, October 20 at 7 pm
PETER LOEWER READING & SIGNING
Local gardening expert Peter Loewer shares his wisdom in Solving Deer Problems, which has just been reissued. The book includes comprehensive chapters on topics like safe chemical deer repellants, plants that can withstand damage done by deer, how to create fences to keep your garden safe, deer/car collisions, and even how to protect yourself and your pets against deer-borne diseases. Loewer is the vice president of the Asheville Botanical Gardens and the author of over twenty gardening books, including The Wild Gardener, named one of the
75 Great Gardening Books by the American Horticultural Society.
Wednesday, October 21 at 7 pm
PETER MURPHY READING AND SIGNING
Peter Murphy’s thrilling Ben Schroeder series is back with the third installment, And Is There Honey Still For Tea? This series revolves around the adventures of Schroeder, a lawyer who, in this book, takes on representation of Sir James Digby QC, whose shadowy links to the world of espionage Schroeder must untangle. Reviewers have raved about the other books in the series, praising their fast-paced plots and absorbing characters. Murphy is trained as a lawyer and served for several years as defense counsel at the Yugoslavian War Crimes Tribunal.
Thursday, October 22 at 7 pm
ELIZABETH GILBERT TICKETED EVENT
The beloved author of Eat, Pray, Love, The Signature of All Things, and The Last American Man, among others, Elizabeth Gilbert returns to Asheville! Gilbert’s newest book, Big Magic, explores the eons-old
question: Where does inspiration come from? And how can we put our ideas into action to change our lives? Gilbert jumps headfirst into these topics in this wonderful, vibrant book, written in her signature sparkling, conversational prose. With sections on how you can access and direct your creativity, it’s an inspirational work with universal relevance that will move you “to dream of a life without limits.”
Note: This event will be held at the Asheville High School Auditorium.
Tickets are $35 and include a pre-signed copy of the book.
Friday, October 23 at 7 pm
SPOOKY STORES WITH NATHAN BALLINGRUD, MEGAN SHEPHERD, ALEXANDRA DUNCAN, & DALE BAILEY
Join us for an evening of eerie tales that will get you in the spirit of Halloween as four local authors present their finest, most shiver-inducing stories to nourish all of the spirits in your life. Nathan Ballingrud is the author of the deliciously creepy North American Lake Monsters, a collection of stories that manage to be both horrific and deeply touching. Megan Shepherd’s latest novel, The Cage, is a harrowing SF tale for young adults and her story “Hide-and-Seek” is included in the recent collection, Slasher Girls & Monster Boys.
Alexandra Duncan is the author of the acclaimed Salvage series, an exploration of deep space and realms closer to home. Dale Bailey’s latest work is The End of Everything: Stories, a delicious collection of science fiction and fantasy tales that range from the truly funny to the downright chilling.
Saturday, October 24 at 11 am
ROSALIND BUNN READING & SIGNING
The author of three previous books for children, Rosalind Bunn shares her latest, Whose Shadow Do I See?, a bedtime tale for those who are afraid of the dark.
Sunday, October 25 at 2 pm
CAROLINA WRITERS AT HOME
Ever wondered where Jill McCorkle or Clyde Edgerton write? Carolina Writers at Home reveals the homes where many of our favorite local writers live, eat, and work. Featuring beautiful photographs by South Carolina native Rob McDonald and essays by writer and deputy director of Hub City Press Meg Reid, Carolina Writers at Home includes Thomas Rain Crowe, Keith Flynn, Nikky Finney, Dot Jackson, Cassandra King, George Singleton, Daniel Wallace and many others.
Sunday, October 25 at 5 pm
SHAKESPEARE SALON: OTHELLO
Dr. Susan Harlan of Wake Forest University returns with her curated monthly series of Shakespeare discussions, this time looking at the tragic tale of betrayal, jealousy, and murder. Please join us for good company and a scintillating discussion of Othello.
Tuesday, October 27 at 7 pm
TISHA MORRIS FENG SHUI WORKSHOP & SIGNING
In her new book Decorating with the Five Elements of Feng Shui, Tisha Morris talks lucidly about the benefits of the ancient practice of feng shui. Morris articulates how incorporating feng shui into your home’s organization and design can have benefits across your life in terms of energy, relationships, and overall happiness. Using a simple, practical three-step formula, Morris shows you how to bring balance to your space. The book includes sections on determining your own elemental makeup, room-to-room guides, and instructions on creating healing spaces inside and outside of the home. Don’t miss this workshop and talk!
Wednesday, October 28 at 7 pm
LEONARD PITTS, JR. READING & SIGNING
Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and the man Tavis Smiley has called “the most insightful and inspiring columnist of his generation.”Leonard Pitts, Jr. will discuss his new novel, Grant Park, with us. The novel arcs between the Civil Rights era and the recent past as two “sharply etched” characters, both Chicago reporters, negotiate the roles they have played in politics, history, and life. Moving between the final days of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, life and the early days of Barack Obama’s presidency, it’s a revelatory take on race and social justice in the long twentieth century. Booklist praises it as a work that is “as significant as it is engrossing.” He is also the author of Freeman, Becoming Dad, Forward from the Moment, and others.
Wednesday, October 28 at 5 pm
MESSAGES TO THE HEART SALON
Local artist Elise Okrend and her partner, Phil, will use their inspiring coffee table book, Messages to the Heart, Reflections of Beauty and Truth, to remind participants of the ah-ha moments of truth and beauty in their own lives and to help them open a door where peace, clarity, joy, and purpose can come in. Please join for one discussion or all.
Thursday, October 29 at 5:30 pm
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE HAPPY HOUR
Just in time to prepare for the holidays, Toni Hetzel and Jessica Lyons, two of our fabulous representatives from Penguin Random House, will be here to talk to us about the best and brightest soon-to-be-published titles. Join us for a sneak peek of what’s to come from this major publishing house, and enjoy a sampling of delicious happy hour food and beverages!
Friday, October 30 at 7 pm
CATHERYNNE VALENTE HALLOWEEN PARTY
Join us for a decopunk celebration with one of our favorite authors!
Catherynne Valente, author of the beloved Fairyland books, has brings her new novel, Radiance, to Malaprop’s. The book is already receiving praise as a “strange and wonderful” work. Kirkus Reviews hails it as “a heady, strange, and beautifully written novel.” It’s the tale of a Severin Unck, a heroine from an alternate solar system who disappears after going to Venus to film a documentary about a vanished colony. Valente’s boundless imagination manifests itself through her lush writing as she takes us on a dizzying journey from Venus to a captivating Golden Age Hollywood. It’s a “celluloid fairy tale,” a meta-fictional tour-de-force of dreamlike power. Drinks and food from these wondrous worlds will be provided and we ask attendees to imagine masks (everyone on Pluto has to wear masks to breathe) or costumes to wear to the event. Costumes are not required, however, just enthusiastically requested.