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Portland Monthly

Books & Talks

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

Portland's Poet David Biespiel Talks Politics and Going Viral

With National Poetry Month just around the corner, poet David Biespiel talks about Portland's poetry scene, Michael Brown as poetic subject, and the legacy of America's longest-running newspaper column on poetry

03/25/2015 By Larisa Owechko

BOOKS

Barney Frank on Why Today's Right-Wingers Are the Worst of All Time

The gay rights icon and ex-Massachusetts congressman visits Portland for some 'Frank' talk.

03/24/2015 By Zach Dundas

BOOKS AND TALKS

Children’s Author Rilla Alexander on Ideas and Inspiration

Creative Mornings puts Portland-based designer, illustrator, and children’s book writer Rilla Alexander on the stage to talk about procrastination and the creative process.

03/19/2015 By Larisa Owechko

EDITOR'S PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: Mar 12–15

This weekend, it's Adam Carolla's road well traveled, rocker Juliana Hatfield's dream of the 1990s, kidnapped futures traders, Treasure Island, and Thomas Lauderdale's piano.

03/12/2015 By Ramona DeNies

PORTLAND ARTS 101

A Beginner's Guide to the Portland Literary World's Major Landmarks

Mapping the gateways to the city's writing and reading scene—from the coffee shop most frequented by writers and poets to the Portland Poetry Slam

03/02/2015 By Kevin Sampsell

EDITOR'S PICK

Top Things to Do This Weekend: Feb 26–Mar 1

The next four days bring a "triple threat" bluesman, a nettlesome monopolist, high drama from two very different feuding families, and Failure (Timmy, that is).

02/26/2015 By Ramona DeNies

INTERVIEW

Q&A: Carson Ellis is In Your House

The Decemberists' style maker and children's book artist pens a new picture book on "homes"—from beehives and birds’ nests to undersea palaces and space stations.

02/26/2015 By Ramona DeNies

BOOKS & TALKS

The Epitome of Cool: Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon Wrote a Memoir

The famously reserved rock star joins local jack-of-all-arts Jon Raymond March 3 at Powells. And as it turns out, Jon's a big fan.

02/26/2015 By Rene Bermudez

EDITOR'S PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend

Romance: whether you prefer it smokey, doomed, or very scientific, this Valentine' Day weekend has your perfect match. Light it up, Portland!

02/12/2015 By Ramona DeNies

#OREGONWOMAN

Writer and Private Investigator Rene Denfeld on Portland Sexism

"The women are going to raise the kids and the chickens, and the guys are going to drink beer, look like lumberjacks, and throw darts."

02/05/2015 By Zach Dundas

Popular Content

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    The Open Mic That Counts Amateurs and Award-Winning Authors as Regulars

    Mother Foucault’s, the Lifeblood of Portland Literary Bohemia

    What We Talk About When We Talk About Hanya

EDITOR'S PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: Feb 5–8

Sprezzatura! Over the next few days, that spirit of continental grace is on full display, from swanky new PAM exhibit Italian Style to James Franco and Chris O'Dowd's effortless mastery of both Mice AND Men.

02/05/2015 By Ramona DeNies

COMEDY RECORDING

Ian Karmel on Splitting Life Between LA and PDX

The once-local comedian is back in town from LA (and a new gig on the Late Late Show with James Corden) to record an album this Saturday at Mississippi Studios.

02/04/2015 By Cervante Pope

CULTUREPHILE

Is This Man Portland's Best Storyteller?

With his new book, Arthur Bradford cements his status as one of Portland’s finest raconteurs.

02/02/2015 By Kevin Friedman

BOOKS

Great Lines from Songwriter Nick Jaina's New Memoir

Out this week, a new memoir on failure from the prolific Portland composer. From errant love songs to Calvin and Hobbes, we share some highlights.

01/29/2015 By Larisa Owechko

BOOKS

Two Portland Bookstores, One Room

Passages Bookshop and Division Leap join forces to create Portland's "highest"—and rarest—of literary havens.

01/23/2015 By Mary Stutzman

BOOKS & TALKS

Oregon Book Awards Finalists Announced

Books about the End Times, the wonders of soil, PTSD fever dreams, and more top the list.

01/12/2015 By Aaron Scott

BOOKS

Drugs, Doms & Squirrel Brains: TMI Moments from PDX Memoirs

A look back at some of the cringiest overshares from our favorite Portland authors

01/05/2015 By Aaron Scott Research by Caitlin Feldman

BOOKS & TALKS

Insider Secrets on The Princess Bride as Told to Us by Westley Himself

Iconic actor Cary Elwes tells us insider secrets about what it was like making one of the most beloved films of all time. Hear from Elwes yourself at his upcoming Dec. 17 reading from his new book, 'As You Wish'.

12/02/2014 By Eden Dawn and Margaret Seiler

SHOPPING LIST

Gift Guide: 5 Intellectual Books for Your Bibliophile Bestie

Dark mahogany, spindly chairs, and a cell-phone-free zone make Mother Foucault’s Bookshop on SE Morrison Street a heady hub for global literature and philosophy. Owner Craig Florence picks his favorites to stoke the intellectual Yule fire.

12/01/2014 By Kate Goodling

BOOKS & TALKS

Ursula K. Le Guin Burns Down the National Book Awards

The local literary supernova brought the book world to its feet with an acceptance speech that censured Amazon and sparked an international frenzy.

11/20/2014 By Ramona DeNies

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