Books & Talks

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

Free Guide

20 Absolutely FREE Things to Do in PDX This Summer

We keep you entertained through Labor Day, all without leaving the city—or spending a cent.

07/01/2015 By Ramona DeNies

POMO PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: June 25–28

Eddie Izzard. Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss. The World Naked Bike Ride and Astor Piazzolla's fiery tango. Pretty much, this is the summer weekend to get loud (Quiet Music Festival excepted—shh!)

06/25/2015 By Ramona DeNies

INTERVIEW

Portland Author Roger Hobbs on Writing and "Delicious" Suits

The Reed College graduate shares the "very structured form" of writing a thriller.

06/22/2015

BOOKS & TALKS

Top Picks for the 2015 Tin House Lit Readings

Four authors to catch in Reed College's outdoor amphitheater this month.

06/22/2015

POMO PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: June 11–14

Your Pride Week starts at Flare—Portland Monthly's BIGGEST. PARTY. EVER. Then keep it kickin' with Sarah Ruhl's Victorian vibrators, the masters of Paris's École des Beaux-Arts, and (ooh!) Ralph Fiennes!

06/11/2015 By Ramona DeNies

BOOKS

Vendela Vida On Writing, Lying, and Living with Dave Eggers

Author, founding editor of The Believer magazine and wife to writer Dave Eggers, Vendela Vida tells us why all fiction writers are liars ahead of her Powell's talk next Wednesday, June 17.

06/11/2015 By Fiona McCann

POMO PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: June 4–7

Sufjan Stevens at the Schnitz, Richard Dawkins takes on God, rocker Jon Fine revisits his years with Bitch Magnet, and BodyVox gets cosmic.

06/04/2015 By Ramona DeNies

TALKS

Dawkins on God, Critics on Dawkins

The prominent—and controversial—New Atheist joins PSU Professor Peter Boghossian on stage for an evening of science and secularism.

06/04/2015 By Rene Bermudez

BOOKS

Why Portland Was the Perfect Place to Write a Book About Sherlock Holmes

Our co-executive editor went deep on the Great Detective, and found the Rose City’s secret Victorian soul.

06/03/2015 By Zach Dundas

POMO PICKS

Top Things to Do This Weekend: May 28–31

Shy Girls and the witty David Ives. Billie Jean King and rocker Kate Nash. TEDx Portland and the goofball gold of Kids in the Hall. Smart, sexy, sweet, and screwball—everything we want in a sunny summer weekend!

05/28/2015 By Ramona DeNies

BOOKS & TALKS

Greg Rucka's Stumptown is Still Super Gritty

The Eisner-winning graphic novelist on the next volume in his noirish Dex Parios series; meanwhile, publisher Oni Press keeps Hollywood on speed-dial.

05/27/2015 By Rene Bermudez