Lit Boston: What's Happening in March?
In the March 2021 edition of "Best of Boston," we bring you our top Boston lit events this month, taking place virtually. See below for our list of local literary happenings.
Leslie Epstein with A.S. Hamrah: Hill of Beans
Monday, March 1st at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $36.95
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Author Leslie Epstein discusses his new book Hill of Beans: A Novel of War and Celluloid with A.S. Hamrah and Brookline Booksmith. RSVP here.
Larry Olmsted Launch, in Conversation with Tom Bedell
Tuesday, March 2nd at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books and NY Times bestselling author Larry Olmsted, as he discusses his new book, Fans: How Watching Sports Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Understanding, with award-winning sports writer Tom Bedell. RSVP here.
Liza Rodman and Jennifer Jordan with Helen Fremont: The Babysitter
Tuesday, March 2nd at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $37
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Liza Rodman and Jennifer Jordan discuss their new true crime autobiography The Babysitter with Helen Fremont, author of the Escape Artist. RSVP here.
Alan Lightman: Probable Impossibilities: Musings on Beginnings and Endings
Tuesday, March 2nd at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0 ($3 contribution suggested)
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series, the Harvard University Division of Science, and the Harvard Library welcomes Alan Lightman for a discussion of his latest book, Probable Impossibilities: Musings on Beginnings and Endings. He will be joined in conversation by award-winning cosmologist and novelist Janna Levin, author of Black Hole Survival Guide. RSVP here.
Kazuo Ishiguro: Klara and the Sun: A Novel
Wednesday, March 3rd at 6:00PM ET | Event Fee: $35 (book and signed bookplate included)
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series and Politics and Prose are thrilled to welcome Nobel Laureate Kazuo Ishiguro for a discussion of his latest novel, Klara and the Sun. He will be joined in conversation by Kate Darling, a leading expert in robot ethics and author of the forthcoming book, The New Breed: What Our History with Animals Reveals about Our Future with Robots. RSVP here.
Lily Yu in conversation with Sam J. Miller
Wednesday, March 3rd at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books as E. Lily Yu discusses her debut novel, On Fragile Waves, with award-winning author Sam J. Miller. RSVP here.
Julia Turshen: Simply Julia: 110 Easy Recipes for Healthy Comfort Food
Wednesday, March 3rd at 7:30PM ET | Event Fee: $0 ($3 contribution suggested)
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes beloved food writer Julia Turshen for a discussion of her latest cookbook, Simply Julia: 110 Easy Recipes for Healthy Comfort Food. She will be joined in conversation by fellow home chef and recipe expert Claire Saffitz, author of Dessert Person. RSVP here.
Everything Nobody Told Me About the Novel
Thursday, March 4th at 1:45PM ET | Workshop Fee: $0
A Virtual Workshop by GrubStreet
Explore the process of writing a novel from characters, to arc, to dialogue, to being able to apply these skills to other writing mediums. Enjoy an online writing community, examining the craft as it applies to our individual journeys as scribes, whether you’re trying to put down the first words of your outline or are editing your third draft. As part of GrubStreet's Write Down the Street community program, writers based near the Egleston or Mattapan Branches of the Boston Public Library can take this drop-in class. Register here.
Transnational Series Presents: Daniel Saldaña París with Alejandro Zambra
Thursday, March 4th at 6:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $25.95
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Daniel Saldaña París discusses his new book Ramifications with writer Alejandro Zambra. RSVP here.
Tell-All Boston: Silence, Madness and Secrets: Sorry About All That!
Thursday, March 4th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Tell-All Boston and Porter Square Books
Join the alumni of GrubStreet’s Memoir and Essay Incubators and Porter Square Books for an all new Tell-All Boston event on March 4th, featuring Michelle Bowdler (Is Rape A Crime?—A Memoir, An Investigation, and a Manifesto), Sebastian Stuart (What Wasn’t I Thinking?—A Memoir of Rebellion, Madness and My Mother), E. Dolores Johnson (Say I’m Dead: A Family Memoir of Race, Secrets, and Love), and Molly Howes (A Good Apology: Four Steps to Make Things Right). RSVP here.
Farah Heron Launch, with Sonali Dev & Roselle Lim
Thursday, March 4th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books as Farah Heron launches her new book, Accidentally Engaged, with the help of authors Sonali Dev (Recipe For Persuasion) and Roselle Lim (Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop). RSVP here.
Sherry Turkle: The Empathy Diaries: A Memoir
Thursday, March 4th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0 ($3 contribution suggested)
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes eminent clinical psychologist and writer Sherry Turkle for a discussion of her latest book, The Empathy Diaries: A Memoir. RSVP here.
Abdul El-Sayed and Micah Johnson: Medicare for All: A Citizen's Guide
Friday, March 5th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0 ($3 contribution suggested)
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes physicians and public health experts Abdul El-Sayed and Micah Johnson for a discussion of their co-authored book, Medicare for All: A Citizen's Guide. They will be joined in conversation by Dr. Mary T. Bassett, former Commissioner of Health for New York City and the FXB Professor of the Practice of Health and Human Rights at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. RSVP here.
Anne Lamott: Dusk Night Dawn: On Revival and Courage
Friday, March 5th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $24.25 (book included)
A Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store, Literati, Charis, and Books & Books welcome beloved author Anne Lamott for a discussion of her latest, highly anticipated book, Dusk Night Dawn: On Revival and Courage. RSVP here.
Jennifer Dupee Launch, in Conversation with Marjan Kamali
Tuesday, March 9th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books as they celebrate the launch of Jennifer Dupee's debut novel, The Little French Bridal Shop. Jennifer will be discussing it with author Marjan Kamali in what is sure to be a great event. RSVP here.
Meredith Goldstein with Renata Sancken, Things That Grow
Tuesday, March 9th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books
Join Porter Square Books to celebrate the virtual launch of Things That Grow, the latest young adult novel from Boston Globe Love Letters advice columnist and podcast host Meredith Goldstein. She'll be joined in conversation by local teen services librarian Renata Sancken. RSVP here.
GrubStreet’s FREE Brown Bag Lunch Writing Series
Wednesday, March 10th at 12:30PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by GrubStreet
Looking for some virtual midweek writing community? Or do you have a schedule that gives you free afternoons instead of evenings? Join GrubStreet on Wednesday, March 10th from 12:30pm-1:15pm. For 45 minutes, you’ll meet fellow writers and get your creative juices flowing with some cool writing exercises. RSVP here.
Jess Phoenix in conversation with Jill Heinerth
Wednesday, March 10th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books for a discussion of scientific exploration as Jess Phoenix discusses her new book, Ms. Adventure: My Wild Explorations in Science, Lava, and Life, with author Jill Heinerth. RSVP here.
Russell Banks with Stona Fitch: Foregone
Wednesday, March 10th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $37.99
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Author Russell Banks discusses his latest book, a searing novel about memory, abandonment, and betrayal, with Brookline Booksmith. RSVP here.
Journaling to Release and Grow (For Teens)
Thursday, March 11th from 4:00PM to 5:30PM ET | Workshop Fee: $0
A Virtual Workshop by GrubStreet and the Boston Public Library
Learn tips and techniques on how to get the most out of your Journal practice to soothe your soul and shape your success. Register here.
Kate Russo in Conversation With Petra Mayer
Thursday, March 11th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books and author Kate Russo for an exciting discussion of her debut novel, Super Host, with NPR Books Editor Petra Mayer. RSVP here.
YA Panel on Duologies
Friday, March 12th at 6:30PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books as moderator Rachel Strolle, Teen Services Coordinator and BuzzFeed writer, leads a lively discussion of second books in fantasy series! The panel will consist of: Hafsah Faizal (We Free the Stars (Sands of Arawiya #2)), Adalyn Grace (All the Tides of Fate (All the Stars and Teeth Duology #2)), Alexandra Christo (City of Spells (Into the Crooked Place #2)), and Tanaz Bhathena (Rising Like a Storm (The Wrath of Ambar#2)). RSVP here.
Cuenta La Leyenda
Tuesday, March 16th at 12:00PM ET | Workshop Fee: $0
A Virtual Workshop by GrubStreet
Este curso es solamente para hispanohablantes. Empezaremos contando nuestras leyendas favoritas y discutiendo la importancia de las mismas en nuestras respectivas culturas. Repasaremos los elementos de la leyenda y luego tendremos la oportunidad de reimaginar y reescribir una leyenda tradicional, actualizándola para el día de hoy. Terminaremos escribiendo leyendas futuras, es decir, basadas en el presente con moralejas para el futuro. As part of GrubStreet's Write Down the Street community program, writers based near the Egleston or Mattapan Branches of the Boston Public Library can take this drop-in class. Register here.
Patti Callahan in conversation with Whitney Scharer
Tuesday, March 16th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books for a great night of historical fiction, as authors Patti Callahan and Whitney Scharer discuss Patti's latest book, Surviving Savannah. RSVP here.
Gregory Brown with Alexander Chee: The Lowering Days
Tuesday, March 16th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $35.99
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Debut novelist Gregory Brown launches The Lowering Days with Alexander Chee and Brookline Booksmith. RSVP here.
Tobey Pearl, Terror to the Wicked
Tuesday, March 16th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books
Join Porter Square Books for a virtual talk with local author Tobey Pearl for her debut book, Terror to the Wicked: America's First Trial by Jury That Ended a War and Helped to Form a Nation. This event is free and open to all, hosted on Crowdcast. RSVP here.
Michael Tougias Launch, in Conversation With Robert Cocuzzo
Thursday, March 18th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books for a discussion of the outdoors and father/son relationships with authors Michael Tougias and Robert Cocuzzo, as Michael launches his new book, The Waters Between Us: A Boy, a Father, Outdoor Misadventures and the Healing Power of Nature. RSVP here.
Transnational Series Presents: Viet Thanh Nguyen with Walter Mosley
Thursday, March 18th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $5 – $36
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Author Viet Thanh Nguyen discusses his new novel The Committed with author Walter Mosley. RSVP here.
That Way Madness Lies: Women in Shakespeare
Tuesday, March 16th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0–$5
A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books
Join Porter Square Books and contributors to new YA anthology That Way Madness Lies: 15 of Shakespeare's Most Notable Works Reimagined for a panel discussion. Contributors Brittany Cavallaro, Joy McCullough, Kiersten White, Samantha Mabry, Kayla Ancrum, and Patrice Caldwell will discuss the role of women in Shakespeare's works - and subsequent retellings! RSVP here.
The Ins and Outs of Story Structure
Saturday, March 20th at 12:00PM ET | Workshop Fee: $0
A Virtual Workshop by GrubStreet
Explore utilization of the B-Story as a way of building the internality of a character, what purposes it serves, how it works with the external A-Story, and how it is similar to and different from subplots. As part of GrubStreet's Write Down the Street community program, writers based near the Egleston or Mattapan Branches of the Boston Public Library can take this drop-in class. Register here.
Young Adult Writers Program (YAWP): FREE Saturday Sessions for Teens
Saturday, March 20th from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Workshop Fee: $0
A Remote Workshop by GrubStreet
Practice brainstorming short horror stories of your own in It Came From Right Next Door! Horror Generator; Read and write stories that fit into the subgenre of flash fiction in Writing Flash Fiction: Stories in 1000 Words or Less; or learn the art of episodic storytelling in Writing a Bingeworthy Streaming Series. Learn more and register here.
Elizabeth Wilcox, in Conversation With Sarah Hall
Tuesday, March 23rd at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books and author Elizabeth Wilcox, as she discusses her multigenerational memoir, The Long Tail of Trauma, with Sarah Hall. RSVP here.
Aiden Thomas with Marissa Meyer: Lost in the Never Woods
Tuesday, March 23rd at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $27.99
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Cemetery Boys author Aiden Thomas launches his new novel Lost in the Never Woods with Brookline Booksmith and Marissa Meyer. RSVP here.
Mateo Askaripour in Conversation With Chaya Bhuvaneswar
Wednesday, March 24th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books for a Zoom webinar event with Mateo Askaripour and Chaya Bhuvaneswar, as they discuss Mateo's debut novel, Black Buck. RSVP here.
Michael Lowenthal & Christopher Castellani author talk: Sex with Strangers
Wednesday, March 24th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $26.95
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
A book discussion with Michael Lowenthal in conversation with Christopher Castellani on Lowenthal's new story collection. RSVP here.
Alma Katsu with Joseph Finder, Red Widow
Wednesday, March 24th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0–$5
A Virtual Event by Porter Square Books
Join Porter Square Books for a virtual talk with Alma Katsu for her "Gripping...Intriguing" (Publishers Weekly) new novel Red Widow. She will be joined in conversation by Joseph Finder (House on Fire). RSVP here.
Grubbie Debut: Jennifer De Leon with Grace Talusan, White Space
Thursday, March 25th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by GrubStreet and Porter Square Books
Join Porter Square Books and Grubstreet in the latest installment of the Grubbie Debuts series, featuring longtime GrubStreet student, instructor, and board member Jennifer De Leon for the launch of her debut nonfiction collection, White Space: Essays on Culture, Race, and Writing. Jennifer will be joined in conversation with author and GrubStreet Instructor Grace Talusan. This event is free and open to all, hosted on Crowdcast. RSVP here.
GrubStreet’s FREE Happy Hour Writing Session
Friday, March 26th at 5:30PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by GrubStreet
Maximize that Friday feeling and kick off your writing weekend. Leave work behind on Friday, March 26th, from 5:30pm-6:30pm, grab a snack and/or your favorite after-work beverage, and log into GrubStreet Remote for some writing. RSVP here.
Book Event: Patricia Engel and Jennifer De Leon
Friday, March 26th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $48
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Award-winning diasporic novelist Patricia Engel and genre polymath Jennifer De Leon discuss their newest works. RSVP here.
Glenn Stout Launch, in Conversation with Bill Littlefield
Tuesday, March 30th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
Join Belmont Books and author Glenn Stout as he launches his new book, Tiger Girl and the Candy Kid, and discusses it with former NPR Only a Game host, Bill Littlefield. RSVP here.
Michael Blanding: North by Shakespeare
Tuesday, March 30th at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0 – $39
A Virtual Event by Brookline Booksmith
Author Michael Blanding launches his new nonfiction work about a rogue Shakespeare scholar and the puzzling history of the Bard. RSVP here.
Michelle Duster in Conversation With Renée Graham
Wednesday, March 31st at 7:00PM ET | Event Fee: $0
A Virtual Event by Belmont Books
You won't want to miss this amazing conversation between author Michelle Duster, great-granddaughter of Ida B. Wells, and The Boston Globe's Renée Graham, as they discuss Michelle's new book, Ida B. The Queen. RSVP here.