What we're reading in April
The April calendar is live for everyone!!
I went to the Franklin Park Reading Series last week (more on that soon) and started chatting with the person sitting next to me.
When I told them the author of our April book was coming to Open Book Club their jaw literally dropped. Hopefully yours will, too.
What we’re reading: Stag Dance by Torrey Peters
In this collection of one novel and three stories, bestselling author Torrey Peters’s keen eye for the rough edges of community and desire push the limits of trans writing.
In Stag Dance, the titular novel, a group of restless lumberjacks working in an illegal winter logging outfit plan a dance that some of them will volunteer to attend as women. When the broadest, strongest, plainest of the axmen announces his intention to dance as a woman, he finds himself caught in a strange rivalry with a pretty young jack, provoking a cascade of obsession, jealousy, and betrayal that will culminate on the big night in an astonishing vision of gender and transition.
Three startling stories surround Stag Dance: “Infect Your Friends and Loved Ones” imagines a gender apocalypse brought about by an unstable ex-girlfriend. In “The Chaser,” a secret romance between roommates at a Quaker boarding school brings out intrigue and cruelty. In the last story, “The Masker,” a party weekend on the Las Vegas strip turns dark when a young crossdresser must choose between two guides: a handsome mystery man who objectifies her in thrilling ways, or a cynical veteran trans woman offering unglamorous sisterhood.
Acidly funny and breathtaking in its scope, with the inventive audacity of George Saunders or Jennifer Egan, Stag Dance provokes, unsettles, and delights.
“This inventive, boundary-pushing follow-up to Detransition, Baby . . . [takes] on gender, transness and lives on the margins in all of their gorgeously complicated glory.”—People
“Hot, heartbreaking, and thrillingly victorious.”—Miranda July, New York Times bestselling author of All Fours
I can already tell the discussion for this book is going to be so good.
Want to join the club?
I’m hosting an author event with Torrey and two book club meetings. I’m also getting us discounted copies of the book.
Here’s the overview of the in-person events:
Wednesday, April 9th we’ll have the author event with Torrey at Sullaluna in the West Village from 7:30-9:30 pm. We’re going to be in the downstairs space, so that it’s more quiet and a bit more spacious, but still very intimate.
Thursday, April 24th we’ll have a meeting at Cherry on Top in Bushwick from 7:30-9:30 pm. I’m booking out the entire space which requires a food and bev minimum. Please plan to get another drink or snack on top of the wine I get to start the night, so that we hit it!
Wednesday, April 30th we’ll have a meeting at KGB Bar in East Village **from 7-9 pm** They wouldn’t let me do 7:30, so please note this is not our usual meeting time!
Here’s the overview of the discounted book order:
I’m coordinating a bulk book order, so that we can get discounted copies of the book.
You'll get a new, hardcover copy of Stag Dance for $23 (the list price is $28, so almost 20% off!)
I’ll pass out the books at a member mixer in the beginning of the month before the author event with Torrey.
The order form will close on Monday, March 24th to make sure the books arrive on time.
I tried to get us copies from the publisher, but wasn’t able to make it happen this month. I’m sorry. I’ll try again next month.
You can get the tickets and books on the website here.
That’s all for now. Let me know if you have any questions.
Can’t wait to see you in April!
Liz
ahhh excited for Torrey Peters!!!