Harry Bertoia; Untitled #1152; Color monotype on thin rice paper
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the August edition of the Book Beat Newsletter! We hope you’ve been enjoying the slower rhythms of summer and finding time to read something unexpected.
August is Women in Translation Month—a time to celebrate international voices and champion literary works by women authors across languages and cultures. Explore powerful books by some of our favorite translated writers all month long.
Join us for some special events!
On Tuesday, August 19, head to Tocororo Coffee in Eastern Market (1416 E. Fisher Service Dr., Detroit) for the official launch of The End of the World As We Know It—an original short story anthology inspired by Stephen King’s The Stand. Authors Josh Malerman and Jonathan Janz, both contributors to this 800-page collection, will appear alongside local musical/theatrical group Hello Wow Town. Join us for an unforgettable evening of horror, fiction, and apocalyptic visions.
Book Beat will have copies of the anthology available at the event along with featured titles from both authors. Preorder your copy now from our online gallery. Signed editions will ship after the event.
Join us Friday, September 5 from 1-8 p.m. for the first annual Detroit Festival of Records (Detroit Vinylfest). Brought to you by the creators of Detroit Bookfest and Geoff Walker of Michigan Records, this new event will take place at Eastern Market—Shed #5 (2934 Russell Street Detroit, MI 48207), bringing together vendors with records and everything else music-related. FREE ENTRY! Come see us at the Book Beat table for music books, Detroit-related items, rarities, records, and more.
This month’s reading groups:
• Book Beat Reading Group
Tuesday, August 27: Nadja by André Breton—a surrealist journey between reality and dream, love and madness, in the first new translation of Nadja in over 60 years.
• Sub-Rosa Reading Group
Friday, August 23: Sun City by Tove Jansson—a quietly radical novel by the beloved Finnish author of The Summer Book, newly available in English.
All are welcome—email or call us for details on how to join!
Read small press book reviews, author interviews, and indie recommendations from our resident bibliophile Tom Bowden in his column i arrogantly recommend… To mark “Women in Translation Month,” #60 is titled: “Women in Translation + Girls Gone Wild!” Expect sharp insight, irreverence, and recommended reads you won’t find on most lists. #61 features art, comics, independent poetry and prose, a Swedish cult classic, and more.
As always, thank you for reading, for showing up, and for supporting independent bookstores. We hope to see you at the first annual Detroit Festival of Records!
With gratitude,
Cary, Colleen, and the Book Beat Staff
UPCOMING EVENTS
Josh Malerman and Jonathan Janz: The End of the World as We Know It
BACKROOM GALLERY NEW ADDITIONS
Blago Bung, Blago Bung, Bosso Fataka!: First Texts of German Dada
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