Yesterday was World Read Aloud Day, but at Ravenna Third Place Books in Seattle every third Monday of the month, grown-ups get their own read-aloud time! (Ravenna Third Place also offers a more traditional kids’ storytime today and every Friday at 11:00.) We were delighted to read all about the adults-only read-aloud recurring event, Grown-Up Storytime, in the following email from Erin Ball, Ravenna Third Place staff member and designated storytime reader for adults:
February Grown-Up Storytime
Monday, February 20th at 7PM @ Third Place Pub
Hello Grown-Ups,
Over the past few years I’ve made a conscious effort to read more diversely. And this diversity is not necessarily based on the race or sexuality of the author (though that is primarily the point), many of the books I’ve been reading are just from genres I usually avoid. Something as simple as reading a science fiction novel has changed my perspective on the world in ways I did not think possible. Apply that same idea to reading outside your own racial, and gender experiences, and it will blow your mind.
So, for Black History Month, I’ve committed myself to reading only African American authors, and I’d like to share some of the great stuff I’ve been reading. I’ll include a short story from Roxane Gay’s new collection, some James Baldwin poetry, and maybe something funny from Phoebe Robinson.
I hope you’ll join us. Bring your friends. Seating has been limited lately, so plan accordingly.
–Erin
PS: Since I have already read to you from The Fire Next Time I figured I would venture into some other Baldwin this time around. But I wanted to share this image with you. [The image at left is an out-of-print cover. To see the current cover, click here.]
James Baldwin’s original essay was written as a letter to his nephew. This early edition of the book is a picture of James Baldwin with whom I can only assume is that nephew. It’s just such a beautiful image. And so arresting.
The Fire Next Time, I highly recommend it. Not only is Baldwin a brilliant thinker, his writing is just so eloquent and fierce. I challenge you to read anything by him and not be a better person after.
For more of my James Baldwin Crushin’, here’s an old blogpost.
EVERY THIRD MONDAY AT Ravenna Third Place
Monday, March 20th
Monday, April 17th
Monday, May 15th
Always the third Monday of the month!We gather in the Pub, get our drinks (and snacks) and adjourn to the Reading Room to read out loud. Well, mostly I read, Sometimes there’s a theme, and sometimes not. It might be an article, a short story, an essay, or a piece from a novel. Sometimes the occasional poem gets thrown around. We play it pretty fast and loose.
Join us! I’ll read to you, and you’ll drink drinks, and there will be truffle oil popcorn! Seating can be limited, so get there early!