October 2009

I am so excited because this Thursday 10/22 at 7:30 I get to read with the hilarious Julie Klam (PLEASE EXCUSE MY DAUGHTER) at Pete’s Candy Store, where I believe I first read (from Run Catch Kiss) in 2001, before the series was as famous as it is now. At that reading a writer named Arthur Bradford put a guitar through the wall. This would have been less upsetting if the space were not so beautiful, like a box car where you’re going to meet the love of your life. It was designed by Pete’s owner and set designer Andy McDowell and Ryan McFaul. Would you put a guitar through a wall in a room that looked like this?

Arthur seemed to regret it, later saying in an interview, “I did have one really stupid incident where I knocked a hole in the wall of a nice club. I felt so dumb about that. The owner was appalled. He said, ‘I don’t understand why you did that.’ I had no excuse. It was stupid. Since then I’ve learned it’s not always appropriate to break a guitar.”
Anyway, enough about Arthur! Now, Julie Klam. Julie and I are Twitter buddies (@julieklam) and friends but have never met. I am honored to read with her. She is very famous for her brilliant Facebook status updates and was profiled about them in the New York Times Magazine, where she was referred to as “Julie.” I am also excited because Pete’s Candy Store is name-checked in PROSPECT PARK WEST – it is where Lizzie and her husband Jay first met.
Thursday, October 22, 7:30 PM
Pete’s Candy Store Reading Series
Hosted by Mira Jacob and Alison Hart
709 Lorimer St. (Richardson/Frost) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Directions here

Just learned of a great USA Today review of Prospect Park West – here is the link!
Also, check out the Park Slope Reader profile of me in the current issue.
My LXTV “First Look” bit has aired – it’s about a minute long. In it I talk about why I love my neighborhood and they show a lot of sexy slow pans of my book cover. Here is the link.
On Monday I will be appearing at A Night of Comedy to Celebrate Free Speech and Benefit NCAC, the National Coalition Against Censorship. The evening is hosted by Judy Blume and features such luminaries as Richard Belzer, Junot Díaz, Liz Garbus, Martin Garbus, Bob Holman, Paul Mooney, Martha Plimpton, Lili Taylor, Lizz Winstead and me. Super-cool! I am going to melt in front of Martha. I am going to be reading from a Judy Blume novel whose name I will keep a surprise.
The tickets start at $300 but it’s a great cause. You can reserve tickets here.
Monday 10/19
6 PM Cocktails, 7 PM Dinner and Entertainment, City Winery, 155 Varick Street in NYC

What an amazing crowd tonight at Richard Meier On Prospect Park. Looked like a mix of PS moms, CH moms, old-time PH-ers, and real-estate-obsessed hipsters. I read a few passages from the novel, and the crowd had a great sense of humor. We drank wine from Sip and ate food from Melt and a grand time was had by all. Loved hearing the new-mom group horror stories. It was a great mix of ages and perspectives and I even met one person who lived in the building (congrats on the baby!). We will reprise the event when the sequel comes out and RMOPP has 100% occupancy in 2010.
Also want to give a shout-out to Top Chef 4 Kiwi hottie Mark Simmons of the awesome accent (now cooking for Melt), Melissa Lopata of HipSlopeMama and Momasphere, Ellen Bari of Momasphere, Daria and Zach of Bookcourt, and my many peeps including Christen Clifford and Claire Cavanagh, founder of Babeland and supplier of G-spot, clitoral and emotional orgasms from Bergen Street all the way down to Windsor Place.

For those who did not read Brokelyn today, please come to my Momasphere-hosted reading at Richard Meier On Prospect Park TONIGHT FROM 7-9:30! Bookcourt will sell discounted copies of the book at the event for $20. There will be wine, food, raffles, and goodie bags for everyone, because moms love gifts! Dads are welcome too, but leave the kids at home.
Richard Meier On Prospect Park, 1 Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Heights, right across from the Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch. (Don’t tell Richard Meier that his building is technically not in Park Slope.) There will be food, wine, giveaways, music and more. Advance tickets are $10 here and tickets at the door are $15, cash only.
Before the event I will be appearing LIVE on Channel 4 News – WNBC, between 5-6, talking about PROSPECT PARK WEST!! Please tune in.