Margaret Juhae Lee’s “Starry Field: A Memoir of Lost History” @ Oakland Public Library Main Branch | May 14
Lee applies investigative journalism, oral history, and research to unearth the lost history of her grandfather, Lee Chul Ha. Her grandfather was a student revolutionary imprisoned in 1929 for protesting Japanese imperialism, but Lee’s memoir imbues the story of her family with universal issues related to identity, destiny, and other entanglements. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Lee, whose conversations with her grandmother are central to the book, will speak about collecting and preserving family stories of the past. Registration is strongly encouraged. The event is appropriate for teens, adults, and seniors.
May 14 @ 6 pm | Free | oaklandlibrary.org
Vanessa Hua introduces “Coyoteland” @ Orinda Books | May 16
The celebrated local author lands in Orinda with her newest novel, Coyoteland. Set in a a neighborhood near the Berkeley Hills, the story of Jin Chang and his family’s arrival is tumultuous. Hua is masterful at holding the novel’s multiple reins—racism, environmentalism, secrets, scandals, power struggles — and the ever present danger of a roaming coyote. Friendships are forged and futures determined, and all the while, Hua deftly constructs a dramatic story interwoven with humor and empathy. Orinda Books is a terrific host for local authors, promising a rewarding, intimate conversation with the award-winning author.
May 16 @ 2 pm | Free | orindabooks.com
Individual Poetry Writing Workshops with Ray Hsu @ Berkeley Public Library – Central Library | May 16 and 19
The opportunity to work one-on-one with poet, teacher, and Berkeley resident Ray Hsu is rare — and this month Berkeley’s Central Library offers two such events. The award-winning poet whose books include Anthropy (winner of the Gerald Lampert Award) and Cold Sleep Permanent Afternoon holds a PhD in Literary Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has taught at prestigious writer’s studios and programs in the United States and Canada. Poets of all levels are encouraged to sign up. Each 15-minute session begins with reading a participant’s poetry, followed by direct feedback from Hsu that allows back-and-forth dialogue. Register soon, as a waitlist is already likely. A librarian will provide an exact time slot via email following enrollment in one or the other workshop. (An applicant cannot participate in both days.)
May 16 and 19 (times vary) | Free | 5/16: berkeleypubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/16107806 and 5/19: berkeleypubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/16121505
Ayelet Waldman in conversation with Michael Chabon about her new book, “A Perfect Hand” @ Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore | May 21
Waldman with her new novel reminds everyone that reading can be fun. Author of a memoir, essay collections, and novels, the Berkeley-based writer in this book tells the story of Miss Alice Lockey, a lady’s maid who becomes enamored with a visiting valet named Charlie Wells. With the aim of spending the rest of their lives together, they plot to bring their employers into the same condition, and thus, insure their own romantic bliss. Waldman’s romps are never vacuous or without gravity, and ‘A Perfect Hand,’ set in 19th century England, addresses class, gender and more in a society on the verge of change. The conversation with Pulitzer Prize winner Chabon, to whom she is married, is certain to be insightful, intense, and fun.
May 21 @ 7 pm | Free | mrsdalloways.com
Bay Area Book Festival @ multiple locations in Berkeley | May 29-31
Gear up for one of the biggest Bay Area literary events of the year. The humble annual festival launched in 2015 has grown to become a book-lovers entry portal to this year accessing approximately 250-300 authors on 15 stages. With the theme, “Writing the Future,” featured authors and speakers include Rebecca Solnit, Sistah Sci-Fi, Tananarive Due, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Nnedi Okorafor, Hannah Mooushabeck, Stephen Graham Jones, filmmaker Boots Riley, and many more. Programs range from Headliner presentations to Democracy Dialogues, YouthLit, a Bookworm Black Party, and a plethora of workshops, panels, and discussions aimed at actively building community. There is no better way to become a believer in the power of books and the written or spoken word to create a world in which everyone can live honest lives in harmony with others.
May 29-31 | Free (but ticketed) | baybookfest.org