Above, photo of Odyssey Bookshop. Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons
By Isabel Dunn ʼ27
Staff Writer
In the coming weeks, the Odyssey Bookshop will host numerous literary events open to the public. With five in-person author appearances, two storytime events, an on-campus talk at Mount Holyoke, a book club and a book launch party, there are plenty of events for readers of all sorts to enjoy.
Kicking the upcoming author events off, on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. author David Daley will be presenting his new book “Antidemocratic: Inside the Far Right’s 50-year Plot to Control American Elections” in conversation with Dusty Christensen. The book covers the importance of voting rights and the history that has led the country to the upcoming presidential election.
On Sept. 19 at 7 p.m., Hannah Goodwin, associate professor of film and media studies at Mount Holyoke, will introduce her book “Stardust: Cinematic Archives at the End of the World.” Li Cornfeld, a visiting lecturer in the College’s department of film media theater, will join Goodwin in conversation.
Jedediah Berry will be joined in conversation by Kelly Link on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. to discuss Berry’s book “The Naming Song,” a fantasy novel about the importance — and danger — of names. In the novel, an unnamed main character travels through a lawless world to uncover secrets about her past and possibilities that could change her future. Both speakers have experience as booksellers: Berry co-runs the independent publisher Ninepin Press, while Link is a local author and co-owner of the independent bookstore Book Moon in Easthampton.
“Testing Education: A Teacher’s Memoir” by Kathy Greeley will be presented on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. Greeley, a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, will be joined by Massachusetts Teachers Organization activist Rick Last. The pair hope to shed light on a Massachusetts ballot question surrounding standardized tests in public schools, which will be voted on in the upcoming Nov. 5 election.
Finally, on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m., Thérèse Soukar Chehade will read from her novel “We Walked On,” set at the beginning of the Lebanese Civil War. Joined by Pam Thompson, another historical fiction novelist, Chehade will discuss topics of war, peace and morality.
The Odyssey Bookshop is also supporting several storytime events for families and children. On Sept. 18 at 10:30 a.m., Christina Uss will read her book “The Island Before No,” and on Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m., Jason Perkins will read “Rock Stars Don’t Nap” for a special pajama storytime. Both events will be held at the South Hadley Public Library.
For an event taking place in Gamble Auditorium on Sept. 23 at 4:45 p.m., the Odyssey Bookshop will be partnering with Mount Holyoke College’s department of Jewish studies and department of religion to virtually host author and poet Joy Ladin. The event, “Extended Family: The Shekhinah, Trans Identity, My Mother and Me,” will center around the intersection of transgender and Jewish identities. Ladin’s works, “Once Out of Nature: Selected Essays on the Transformation of Gender and Family” and a collection of poetry titled “Family,” are available now at the Odyssey Bookshop.
Odyssey’s Open Fiction Book Group meets on Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. to discuss “Heartburn” by Nora Ephron. The group meets on the fourth Monday of every month to discuss a selected paperback. The club is free and open to the public.
Fans of Sally Rooney will be pleased to hear that Odyssey is hosting a pre-order launch event for her latest novel, “Intermezzo.” Rooney rose to popularity with the success of her debut novel “Normal People.” Her latest work follows two brothers and their experiences with love, loss, grief and family. Those who pre-order the book will be presented with a signed copy at the launch event on Sept. 24 at 4:30 p.m., as well as several themed giveaway items while supplies last.
The Odyssey Bookshop welcomes all local students and members of the community to their events. For more information, visit Odyssey’s website.