Dear Readers,
Welcome to National Poetry Month! Started by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is a celebration of poets and poetry’s importance in our lives, literature, and culture. For more information about poetry happenings in metro Detroit, check out this schedule of events. For ways to celebrate at home, check out this list of 30 ways to celebrate National Poetry Month at poets.org.
The Book Beat staff recommends these poetry titles:
The Central Laboratory by Max Jacob: the first English translation of this work (originally published in 1921) from the prominent, Cubist-era French poet.
Memory Rose Into Threshold Speech: The Collected Earlier Poetry by Paul Celan: a collection of the first four books from Celan, widely considered one of the most significant German poets, whose influence was also greatly felt in 20th century philosophy.
Winter Recipes from the Collective: Poems by Louise Glück: the latest collection from the award-winning American poet.
How to Write a Poem by Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido: a playful picture book about discovering poetry in the world around us, illustrated by Caldecott honoree Melissa Sweet.
Knot by Forrest Gander: a collaboration with photographer Jack Shear, this is the latest collection from acclaimed poet and Professor Emeritus of Literary Arts & Comparative Literature at Brown University.
100 Poems to Break Your Heart Edward Hirsch is the nation’s top educator of poetry and brings a lifetime of knowledge and sensitivity in covering 100 poems, from the nineteenth century to the present, and illuminates them, unpacking context and references to help the reader fully experience the range of emotion and wisdom within these poems. For anyone trying to process grief, loneliness, or fear, this collection of poetry will be your guide in trying times. New in paperback!
Sunday, April 23 12-5 pm: Sant Jordi Day Celebration / A Day of Books & Roses with guest author Juan M. Garcés
April 23 is World Book Day and the Barcelona tradition of Books and Roses: LA DIADA DE SANT JORDI a Catalan tradition. There will be wine, roses and books. From 2-3 pm, Colombian author Juan M. Garcés will present and read from his debut novel Love in Four Dots inspired by a rare volume of Don Quixote. Read an interview with author Juan Garcés here. We will have special selection of books by Spainish authors, and some available in Spanish. This event is co-sponsored by Catalan native Núria Garrote-i-Esteve founder of VIN°VI & Co a Spanish wine importer who is planning ten days of events for Catalan Wine Week.
Tuesday, April 25 4:30-5:30 pm: Meet Award Winning Graphic Novel Artist Rose Bousamra
Rose Bousamra is the debut artist of Frizzy, an indie bestselling graphic novel and winner of the Pura Belpré award, written by Claribel A. Ortega. Bousama will present Frizzy and discuss their new work on Tuesday, April 25 from 4:30-5:30pm, at the Royal Oak Public Library located at 222 E. 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak, MI 48067. The presentation will be held in the Friends Auditorium on the main floor. Registration is required and the room size is limited to 50 registrants. Please contact the Royal Oak Library on their event page for more details or call the Youth Desk at: 248-246-3725. Book Beat will be selling books at the event or call us at (248) 968-1190 to reserve a copy. Read more at: Award Winning Graphic Novelist.
Wednesday, April 26: Book Beat Reading Group
The reading group selection this month is 
Autobiography of Red: A Novel in Verse by Anne Carson, a Canadian poet, classicist, and winner of numerous awards and honors. Originally published in 1998, Autobiography of Red presents itself as the autobiography of a minor character from Greek mythology named Geryon, a winged red monster mentioned in the story of Herakles. Retold in a modern setting, Geryon’s life is transposed, becoming the story of a teenage boy in search of love, identity, and place. Copies of the book are available in the store and discounted 15%. The meeting will take place via Zoom on April 26 at 7pm. For more information: April reading group selection.
Saturday, April 29, 10 am-6 pm: Hello Independent Bookstore Day!
On April 29, celebrate Indie Bookstores around the country, online and in-store.
• At Book Beat, all sale books will be an extra 20% off
• We will be giving away raffle tickets for prizes announced at the end of the day.
• We will be serving coffee through our new venture: No Choice Coffee.
• Local authors Michael Zadoorian and Stephen Mack Jones will be visiting to sign and recommend their favorite books, from 1:30pm-2:30pm and 4:30pm-5:30pm respectively.
• Receive book recommendations from Tom Bowden from 2:30 – 3:30pm. Mr. Bowden is small press reviewer and columnist of “i arrogantly recommend…” a regular feature in our newsletter.
• Stay tuned for more Bookstore Day updates in a late April newsletter.
Saturday April 29, 12:00pm- 3:00pm: Books on the Lake
Books on the Lake is held at the Grosse Point Yacht Club. Featured Authors include:
• Susan Orlean — The Library Book, The Orchid Thief, On Animals, Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend
• Parini Shroff — The Bandit Queens
• P. David Allen — Local author, Paper Valley: The Fight for the Fox River Cleanup (Wayne State University Press)
Book signing and sales following luncheon. This is a ticketed event. For more information contact The Grosse Pointe Library or check here to purchase tickets before April 22. .
Sunday, April 30: A Feast of Poetry!
Join us for a poetry reading on April 30 from 3-4:30pm. Michigan writers Chris Tysh, George Tysh, Andrew Collard, Shayla Hawkins, and Kim Hunter will be reading from their recent poetry collections. Copies of author books will also be available. Read more about the event at A Feast of Poetry.
SLEEPER ALERT– Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen (Random House, HC, $30). A life-altering journey through the science of neuroaesthetics that offers proof of how our brains and bodies are transformed when we participate in artistic experiences, and how this knowledge can improve our physical and mental health.
Read new arrogantly recommended reviews by our small press resident book reviwer Tom Bowden.
We hope your April is filled with good reading, peace, joy, and renewal. Happy Passover! Happy Easter! Happy Spring!
~Cary, Colleen and the Book Beat staff
Book Beat Hours, Contact & Ordering Info
• Book Beat store hours are: Mon – Sat 10 AM-6 PM, Sun: 12-5 PM, Subscribe to our newsletter here.
• Order Direct: for books or questions, call us at (248) 968-1190 or email anytime at: BookBeatOrders@gmail.com.
• Book Beat Backroom is our store central with News Events and all things Book Beat.
• Order almost any book in print from our affiliate page at Bookshop.org.
• Order Out-of-Print books at Biblio.com.
• Signed books, art, rarities and curiousities: : Book Beat Gallery
• Audio Books, purchased here will help support Book Beat:Libro FM, Thank you!
You see, bookshops are dreams built of wood and paper. They are time travel and escape and knowledge and power. They are, simply put, the best of places.
—Jen Campbell, author of The Bookshop Book
Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet
Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to
give you a quick heads up! Other then that, wonderful blog!