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Portland Monthly

Books & Talks

CULTURE CALL SHEET

The Latest in Portland Arts News—Wordstock's Kick-Ass Literary Line-Up

Plus a chance to sing with the Portland Opera, two local theater companies bag national awards, and a brand new Divers video to kick–start your weekend.

09/10/2015 By Fiona McCann

NEWS

Why Is a Seattle Politician Campaigning in Portland?

Kshama Sawant gained notoriety in Seattle as the headstrong socialist voice of city council. This Saturday, she's bringing her reelection campaign to Portland.

09/10/2015 By Katie Vaughan

POMO PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: Sept 10–13

XOXO, Portland! Also heating up the weekend: Brandi Carlile, Ursula Le Guin, Salman Rushdie, comics Russell Peters and Jessimae Pelsuo—and so much more (at) TBA!

09/10/2015 By Ramona DeNies and Megan Haverman

BOOKS

Franzen and Rushdie and Jong, Oh My! See them in PDX this Month

There's a slew of high profile, heavy hitting writers in town this month for readings. Wondering which to attend, and whether you're a natural fit for team Joy or team Jonathan? We can help.

09/08/2015 By Fiona McCann

BOOKS & TALKS

The Dream of the 90s? A New Novel Set in Portland in 1992

We spoke to local writer Sara Jaffe about the real and imagined city that forms a backdrop to Dryland.

08/26/2015 By Fiona McCann

BOOKS AND TALKS

From Buffy to Bookstores: Geek Queen Felicia Day's Fantastical Life

You may know her from her appearances on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but Felicia Day is also the woman behind Geek and Sundry and a reformed gaming addict. We talked to her about writing, web series and World of Warcraft.

08/20/2015 By Megan Haverman

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Five Local Kids Books Writers Lighting Up the Literary World

With new titles out quicker than you can say Jackaby, Oregon has become a nest of children's writers catering to all ages. We've picked out five with books out this year for your bedtime story fodder.

08/14/2015 By Fiona McCann

POMO PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: Aug 6–9

Wilco on the Edgefield lawn, Wicked at the Keller, dancing at Director Park, and everybody, avec bicyclette, soaring across the bridges of Portland.

08/06/2015 By Ramona DeNies and Brandon Staley

GEAR UP

How to Survive the End of the World (or The Big One)

This guide teaches you how to live through, say, the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake.

08/03/2015 By Marty Patail

BOOKS & TALKS

Anthony Bourdain Roasted Guy Fieri (and Food Allergies) at Portland Tour Stop

On break between seasons of CNN's Parts Unknown, the notorious food personality reveals his secrets (and not-so-secret opinions).

07/30/2015 By Ramona DeNies

Popular Content

    Why Can’t a 5-Year-Old Write a Memoir?

    Must-Visit Portland Indie Bookstores

    Multnomah County Retrofits Its Libraries for the People

    The Wet: Brian Doyle’s Rain Journal

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

    How to Make Book-Loving Friends IRL in Portland

POMO PICKS

Top Things to Do in Portland this Weekend: July 30–Aug 2

From prix fixe to Pickathon, Redbull's Flugtag to the very hairy 48 Hour Film Project, the first weekend of August is proof that summer fun in Portland ain't even close to slowing down.

07/30/2015 By Ramona DeNies

BOOKS

What's it Like to Travel the Oregon Trail in a Covered Wagon in the 21st Century?

When Rinker Buck decided to hit the Oregon Trail in a covered wagon, he didn't realize what he'd signed up for. The author of The Oregon Trail holds forth on near death experiences, pioneer tales, and the truth about America's westward trail.

07/29/2015 By Fiona McCann

BOOKS & TALKS

After Forty Days: Jessica Walsh on Love, Work, and Life as a Viral Phenomenon

Her relationship experiment—'40 Days of Dating'—was viewed by millions. Two years and one happy ending later, New York designer and internet star Jessica Walsh is en route to Portland.

07/28/2015 By Fiona McCann

POMO PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: July 23–26

Each week throughout the summer, we’ll share dozens of ways to make the most of your days off! This week: the Portland Geek Olympathon, the Oregon Brewers Festival, Lents Street Fair, and PDX Pop Now!

07/23/2015 By Ramona DeNies

BOOKS

Check Out this Awesome Map of American Literary Road Trips, Including 'Wild'

Planning a road trip this summer? You could follow in the footsteps of any number of literary luminaries—including our own Cheryl Strayed—with the help of this marvelous new map from Atlas Obscura.

07/22/2015 By Fiona McCann

DISPATCH

How the Oregon Dunes Inspired Sci-Fi Classic 'Dune'

50 years ago, Frank Herbert's cult-classic novel got its start along the Oregon coast.

07/20/2015 By Peter Holmstrom

PROFILE

Ursula K. Le Guin Is Breathing Fire to Save American Literature

At 85, she may be Portland’s greatest writer. She may also be the fiercest.

07/20/2015 By Taylor Clark

BOOKS

'My Whole Life is Kind of a Feminist Directive'

The acclaimed writer and critical thinker Maggie Nelson talks to Portland Monthly about gender fluidity, motherhood, and why the notion of a book about family is “super bleugh”

07/16/2015 By Fiona McCann

BOOKS

Lewis and Clark 2.0? Oregon Author Benjamin Percy Reimagines Discovering the West

Benjamin Percy's latest project? A post-apocalyptic reimagining of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Here, he talks Oregon, the environment, and counting Stephen King among his fans.

07/10/2015 By Fiona McCann

VIDEO

'Wild' Author Cheryl Strayed Calls on Millennials to Step Up on Climate Change

Portland's own Queen of Letters Cheryl Strayed has lent her voice to a new video on climate change, an environmental call to arms for millennials .

07/07/2015 By Fiona McCann

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