March looks like a blockbuster month at Malaprop’s. Check this out.
The evening with Soho Press and their bestselling authors Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis is a wonderful opportunity for folks to learn more about what this press does AND get to hear and meet the authors who are only doing limited engagements in the States.
Second, we were one of five bookstores in the country picked to host a launch party for Catherynne Valente’s fifth Fairyland book! This series, written for middle grade readers, has captured the hearts and minds of many of our booksellers and customers. The event is going to be a real celebration with decorations, themed refreshments, and games.
Of course, we are also tremendously excited to bring Erik Larson to Asheville on March 23rd! His conversation with local author Denise Kiernan is sure to be entertaining and educational.
Saturday, March 5 at 3 pm
V.E. SCHWAB with guests JESSICA KHOURY, RYAN GRAUDIN, DELILAH DAWSON & BETH REVIS
This panel brings together some of the best voices in YA and adult fantasy and speculative fiction as we celebrate the latest from V. E. Schwab. Schwab’s new novel, A Darker Shade of Magic, is a fantasy set across universes that follows the adventures of smuggler Kell and thief Lila as they search for a mysterious “Black London.” It’s a “fast-paced adventure, with [a] complex magic system, thoughtful hero and bold heroine” (Kirkus Reviews). Jessica Khoury’s The Forbidden Wish is a YA reimagining of Aladdin, Ryan Graudin’s Wolf by Wolf tells the story of shape-shifter Yael, and Delilah Dawson’s recent books Servants of the Storm and Hit feature Savannah teens dealing with demons and an indentured assassin. Acclaimed YA author Beth Revis will moderate the discussion. Beth Revis, author of Paper Hearts and the Across the Universe series, will moderate.
Saturday, March 5 at 6 pm
THE GIRL WHO RACED FAIRYLAND ALL THE WAY HOME LAUNCH PARTY
Our day of fantasy continues as we welcome back one of our favorite authors to host—Catherynne Valente! Catherynne is celebrating the release of The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home, the fifth in her magical Fairyland series. The book follows protagonist September, who has been crowned Queen of Fairyland, as she strives to save a kingdom thrown into chaos. Neil Gaiman raves that the series is “a glorious balancing act between Modernism and the Victorian fairy tale,” and Kirkus Reviews notes that “readers may wish the words were food, so they could eat them up.” Please join us for games, treats, and fairy fun at 6 pm, followed by the reading and signing at 7 pm. Prepare to enter Fairyland and feel free to come in costume!
Thursday, March 3 at 7 pm
SOHO PRESS CELEBRATION WITH LENE KAABERBØL AND AGNETE FRIIS
We will be joined by two of the preeminent mystery writers published by imprint Soho Press as they celebrate The Considerate Killer, the final installment in their Nina Borg series that began with The Boy in the Suitcase. This is the all-time bestselling series published by Soho, and it has been praised for its “seamless weaving of psychological depth and rocket-paced plotting” (Lisa Unger). NPR’s John Powers recognizes Nina Borg as belonging to “the sisterhood of run-amok heroines like Homeland’s Carrie Mathison and Lisbeth Salander.” The authors will be joined by the publisher, associate publisher, and marketing and promotion director of Soho and we’ll be celebrating with refreshments and other fun!
Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 pm
ZELDA FITZGERALD DAY
In conjunction with Aurora Studio & Gallery, Malaprop’s is celebrating our first annual Zelda Fitzgerald Day! We are commemorating the iconic Zelda Fitzgerald, her legendary life, and her connection to Asheville with readings and more. Stay tuned for details of this exciting event!
Wednesday, March 23 at 7 pm
ERIK LARSON IN CONVERSATION WITH DENISE KIERNAN TICKETED EVENT
Known for his compelling narrative nonfiction like Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts, Erik Larson will discuss his seventh book, Dead Wake. The book, which reconstructs the final voyage of the Lusitania, is, according to Booklist, an engrossing “grade-A thriller.” Erik tells the story of the ship and its passengers in “extraordinarly compelling prose” that also gives an accurate picture of historical events (Shelf Awareness). He will discuss the book, his research, and more with Asheville’s own Denise Kiernan, author of The Girls of Atomic City. The $17 ticket includes a paperback copy of Dead Wake. This event is co-sponsored by UNCA’s Great Smokies Writing Program and will take place at UNCA’s Humanities Lecture Hall.